MEETING NOTICE

Valley Public Library Board Meeting

DATE AND PLACE OF MEETING        :        Thursday, May 3rd 2018
                                                                   Valley Public Library
                                                                   232 N Spruce St.
STARTING TIME OF MEETING: 6:30pm
CHAIR OF MEETING:                             Bernice Smith, President

This meeting’s agenda will be kept continually current and available for public inspection on the bulletin board in the library’s entryway and on the library’s website at http://libraries.ne.gov/valley/.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call (K. Held, T. Mejstrik, C. Buffington, B. Smith, J. Swahn)
4. Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster
5. Approval of Agenda [ACTION]
6. Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence
7. Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total. When recognized by the chairperson, please state your name and address for the record.
8. Approval of prior meeting’s minutes [ACTION]
9. Reports
10. Board President
11. Library Director
12. Friends of the Library
13. Foundation
14. Old Business
15. [None]
16. New Business
17. Select officers to take effect before July’s meeting [ACTION]
18. Closed Session – The President may entertain a motion to enter into closed session in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. [ACTION]
19. Comments and Announcements by Board Members
20. Adjournment

Mar 8, 2018 Valley Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes
[draft]

Call to Order:  President Bernice Smith called the March 8, 2018 Board Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance:  The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Roll Call:  Trustees answering roll call:  Teresa Mejstrik, Bernie Smith, Kyle Held, Cole Buffington.  Library Director Garren Hochstetler was in attendance.

Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster:  The meeting was held in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Law, with meeting notice posted in the post office, City Hall, and the library bulletin board.  Continuously updated copies of the agenda were maintained on the library’s bulletin board and the library’s website.  President Bernice Smith pointed out the Open Meetings Act poster on the wall of the meeting room.

Approval of Agenda:  Motion to approve by T. Mejstrik, second by K. Held.  Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried 4-0.  There were no consent agenda items which required approval.

Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence:  Gerri Nordell from Friends of the Library. Others in attendance.

Public Comment:  President B. Smith asked for public comment.  None was given.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes:  Motion to approve the minutes as presented was made T. Mejstrik, second by C. Buffington.  Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried 4-0.

REPORTS

Board President:  Bernice recognized Nicole Schneider’s service as board President and the arrival of Cole Buffington to take her place on the board. She said she has letters from City of Valley about both which she’ll deliver to Garren soon.

Library Director:  G. Hochstetler handed out a written Librarian’s Report, which he went over verbally and answered questions about. Security was discussed but no changes in current plans to improve security were suggested.

Friends of the Library:  Gerri Nordell read the Friends report aloud and gave Garren a copy of the report afterward.

Foundation:  No representatives of the Foundation were present, but Garren mentioned that the new furniture is here and the Foundation’s check to pay for it is on the way to Demco.

Old Business

None

New Business

Library Director Garren Hochstetler presented recommendations for Policy changes to the Board.

A motion “that the paragraph…

‘Any weather-related closing will be at the discretion of the librarian with the exception of winter weather. When DC West Public Schools are closed due to winter weather, the library will also be closed.’

…be removed, while the next paragraph is kept which reads:

‘The library may close before or during a significant weather event at the discretion of the librarian.” was made by C. Buffington, seconded by T. Mejstrik. Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that a 3 item limit be placed on games and puzzle checkouts” was made by K. Held, seconded by T. Mejstrik. Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that the following text be added to the circulation policy:

‘Fine Free Saturday: Items brought back to the library on Saturday will not be subject to late fees, but may be subject to replacement fees.’” was made by T. Mejstrik, seconded K. Held.  Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that E-readers and Microscope kits be subject to the same fine rates and limits as ‘Most materials’ such as books” was made by K. Held, seconded by C. Buffington. Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that the Internet Use Policy include the text:

‘Minors with signed Internet permission who are at least twelve years old may choose to use the adult computers rather than the youth computers.’

and that the same text will be added to the Parental Consent Form” was made by C. Buffington, seconded by K. Held. Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that the library accept DC West staff validation of parental permission for minor library accounts, but not Internet computer permission” was made by K. Held, seconded by T. Mejstrik. Yeas:  Buffington, Smith, Held, Mejstrik.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

Comments and Announcements by Board Members:
None.

Meeting Adjournment was announced by outgoing President Bernice Smith at 7:25 p.m.  Next meeting will be Thursday, May 3th at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Garren Hochstetler, acting as Secretary

MEETING NOTICE
Valley Public Library Board Meeting

DATE AND PLACE OF MEETING : Thursday, Mar. 8th 2018
Valley Public Library
232 N Spruce St.

STARTING TIME OF MEETING: 6:30pm
CHAIR OF MEETING: Bernice Smith, President

This meeting’s agenda will be kept continually current and available for public inspection on the bulletin board in the library’s entryway and on the library’s website at http://libraries.ne.gov/valley/.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call (K. Held, T. Mejstrik, C. Buffington, B. Smith, J. Swahn)
4. Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster
5. Approval of Agenda [ACTION]
6. Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence
7. Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total. When recognized by the chairperson, please state your name and address for the record.
8. Approval of prior meeting’s minutes [ACTION]
9. Reports
a. Board President
b. Library Director
c. Friends of the Library
d. Foundation
10. Old Business
a. [None]
11. New Business
a. Give the Library Director more discretion over snow days. [ACTION]
b. Put a 3 item limit on game and puzzle checkouts. [ACTION]
c. Expand Fine Free Saturdays to include other item types. [ACTION]
d. Change Kit and E-reader fine structures. [ACTION]
e. Allow minors 12 years old or older who have signed Internet permission to use the adult computers if they prefer. [ACTION]
f. Allow the creation of minor library cards with DC West teacher validation of send-home permission forms. [ACTION]
12. Closed Session – The President may entertain a motion to enter into closed session in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. [ACTION]
13. Comments and Announcements by Board Members
14. Adjournment

Valley Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes

[approved at March 8, 2018 meeting]

Call to Order:  President Nicole Schneider called the January 18, 2018 Board Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance:  The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Roll Call:  Trustees answering roll call:  Nicole Schneider, Bernie Smith, Kyle Held, Joan Swahn.  Library Director Garren Hochstetler was in attendance.

Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster:  The meeting was held in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Law, with meeting notice posted in the post office, City Hall, and the library bulletin board.  Continuously updated copies of the agenda were maintained on the library’s bulletin board and the library’s website.  President Nicole Schneider pointed out the Open Meetings Act poster on the wall of the meeting room.

Approval of Agenda:  Motion to approve by B. Smith, second by K. Held.  Yeas:  Schneider, Smith, Held, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried 4-0.  There were no consent agenda items which required approval.

Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence:  Phyllis Preble, President of Friends of the Library, and Cole Buffington were recognized as visiting.  No others in attendance.

Public Comment:  President N. Schneider asked for public comment.  None was given.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes:  Motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by K. Held, second by B. Smith.  Yeas:  Schneider, Smith, Held, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried 4-0.

REPORTS

Board President:  Nicole announced that her term was complete, and she would be leaving the Board effective this day.

Library Director:  G. Hochstetler handed out a written document of the Librarian’s Annual Report covering the fiscal year beginning 10/1/16 and ending 9/30/17.  Verbal review of topics by Garren, with some questions of interest by the Board.  No issues were raised.

Friends of the Library:  No report.

Foundation:  G. Hochstetler had attended the meeting, so provided a brief overview of one of the topics.  Last year the Foundation had approached local businesses for donations to replace some of the library furniture in the front room.   Garren presented a picture of potential chairs and coffee table being considered for the replacement.   No definite decisions have been made at this time.

Old Business

None

New Business

Library Director Garren Hochstetler presented recommendations for Policy changes to the Board.

A motion “that the category ‘new adult books’ be removed from the circulation policy, and this type of book should be treated as part of the category ‘most materials’ like other books” was made by Bernie Smith, second by K. Held.  Yeas:  Schneider, Held, Smith, Swahn.  Nays: None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that fines for movies be changed to match the same rate and maximum fine of books” was made by Kyle Held, second by J. Swahn.  Yeas:  Schneider, Held, Smith, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

A motion “that tabletop games and puzzles be added to the circulation policy with the same rules as books” was made by Kyle Held, second B. Smith.  Yeas:  Schneider, Held, Smith, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

Following the Board Membership change of N. Schneider leaving, discussion was held on a replacement for the position of President.  Kyle Held made a motion that Bernie Smith be named President, second by J. Swahn.  Yeas:  Schneider, Held, Smith, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.  This position change will go into effect with the next Board Meeting.

Cole Buffington expressed his interest in joining the Board.  Following Board discussion, Joan Swahn made the motion for the Board to recommend Cole’s membership to the City Council, second by K. Held.  Yeas:  Schneider, Held, Smith, Swahn.  Nays:  None.  Motion Carried.

Comments and Announcements by Board Members: 

Bernie Smith inquired about the number of meetings required for the Board per year.  Concensus was six.

Board discussion to set dates for upcoming meetings.  Agreed upon dates:  March 8, May 3.

Meeting Adjournment was announced by outgoing President Nicole Schneider at 7:32 p.m.  Next meeting will be Thursday, March 8th at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Swahn, Secretary

Attached:
Librarian’s Report Jan 2018

MEETING NOTICE
Valley Public Library Board Meeting

DATE AND PLACE OF MEETING : Thursday, Jan. 18th 2018
Valley Public Library
232 N Spruce St.

[Meeting rescheduled from 11th to 18th due to winter weather closing.]

STARTING TIME OF MEETING: 6:30pm
CHAIR OF MEETING: Nicole Schneider, President

This meeting’s agenda will be kept continually current and available for public inspection on the bulletin board in the library’s entryway and on the library’s website at http://libraries.ne.gov/valley/.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call (K. Held, T. Mejstrik, N. Schneider, B. Smith, J. Swahn)
4. Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster
5. Approval of Agenda [ACTION]
6. Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence
7. Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total. When recognized by the chairperson, please state your name and address for the record.
8. Approval of prior meeting’s minutes [ACTION]
9. Reports
a. Board President
b. Library Director
c. Friends of the Library
d. Foundation
10. Old Business
a. [None]
11. New Business
a. Removal of “New adult books” category from policy [ACTION]
b. Lower fines for movies in response to the recent lengthening of checkout times [ACTION]
c. Adding a tabletop games and puzzles circulation policy [ACTION]
d. Assignment of officer positions, following a board membership change [ACTION]
e. Make board membership recommendation to city council [ACTION]
12. Closed Session – The President may entertain a motion to enter into closed session in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. [ACTION]
13. Comments and Announcements by Board Members
14. Adjournment

Valley Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes
[Approved without revision on January 18, 2018.]

Call to Order: President Nicole Schneider called the November 9th, 2017 Board meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Roll Call: Trustees answering roll call: Nicole Schneider, Teresa Mejstrik, Bernie Smith, Kyle Held. Library Director Garren Hochstetler was in attendance.

Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster: The meeting was held in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Law, with meeting notice posted in the post office, City Hall, and the calendar section of Douglas County Post-Gazette. Continuously updated copies of the agenda were maintained on the library’s bulletin board and the library’s website since October 18th. President Nicole Schneider pointed out the Open Meetings Act poster on the wall of the meeting room.

Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve by B. Smith, second by K. Held. Unanimous approval. There were no consent agenda items which required approval.

Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence: Phyllis Preble, President of Friends of the Library, and Gerri Nordell, Secretary of Friends of the Library, were recognized as visiting. No others in attendance.

Public Comment: President N. Schneider asked for public comment. None was given.

Approval of prior meeting’s minutes: Motion to approve the minutes with corrections was made by T. Mejstrik, second by K. Held. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

Reports

Board President: None.

Library Director: G. Hochstetler handed out a written report (attached Librarian’s Report November 2017) and went over much of it verbally, answering questions by the board.

Friends of the Library: Phyllis Preble gave the Friends Report orally. See attached for the written report (Friends Report November 2017).

Foundation: None.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Library Director Garren Hochstetler spoke about policy changes he recommends to the board.

A motion “that the library remain open for one extra hour on December 2nd” for this year’s Book & Bake Sale was made by B. Smith, second by T. Mejstrik. Motion carried unanimously. A motion “that the loan period for DVDs be changed to 1 week” was made by K. Held, seconded by N. Schneider. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion “that ‘most materials’ are limited to 20 items checked out at a time” (where ‘most materials’ is the language used in the policy to describe things like regular books) was made by T. Mejstrik, second by B. Smith. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion “that e-reader checkout time be extended to 4 weeks and that checkouts be limited to 1 device at a time” was made by K. Held, second by T. Mejstrik. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion “that DVD checkout for minors requires the presence of a responsible adult” was made by B. Smith, second by T. Mejstrik. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion “that a ‘Dog Policy’ be added to the policy guide which reads: ‘Dogs which are securely carried or kept on a leash at all times are welcome in the library.’” Was made by T. Mejstrik, second by K. Held. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

Gerri Nordell was invited to speak about the Cemetery Board’s activities at this time and did so.

A motion “that Valley Public Library store locally produced Cemetery Board materials in a designated cabinet. These will be non-circulating items which are open to public inspection when requested” was made by B. Smith, second by K. Held. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.

Comments and announcements by board members. B. Smith urged everyone to attend the music and storytelling program by Dan Holtz at the library on November 21st.

Motion to adjourn by N. Schneider, second by K. Held. Yeas: Schneider, Mejstrik, Smith, Held. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0.Next meeting will be on Thursday, January 11th at 6:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Garren Hochstetler, Library Director acting as Secretary

[Revised 10/23/2017. No action items affected.]
[Revised 11/3/2017. Cemetery club action item added.]

MEETING NOTICE
Valley Public Library Board Meeting
DATE AND PLACE OF MEETING : Thursday, Nov. 9th 2017
Valley Public Library
232 N Spruce St.
STARTING TIME OF MEETING: 6:30pm
CHAIR OF MEETING: Nicole Schneider, President
This meeting’s agenda will be kept continually current and available for
public inspection on the bulletin board in the library’s entryway and on
the library’s website at http://libraries.ne.gov/valley/.

AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call (K. Held, T. Mejstrik, N. Schneider, B. Smith, J. Swahn)
4. Proof of Posting / Open Meetings Act Poster
5. Approval of Agenda [ACTION]
6. Recognition of Visitors/Correspondence
7. Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total.
When recognized by the chairperson, please state your name and address for
the record.
8. Approval of prior meeting’s minutes [ACTION]
9. Reports
a. Board President
b. Library Director
c. Friends of the Library
d. Foundation
10. Old Business
a. [None]
11. New Business
a. Additional open hour on December 2 for Book & Bake Sale [ACTION]
b. Circulation periods and requirements changed for some types of items
[ACTION]
c. Adding a pet control policy [ACTION]
d. Adding Cemetery Club materials to the collection [ACTION]
12. Closed Session – The President may entertain a motion to enter into closed
session in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. [ACTION]
13. Comments and Announcements by Board Members
14. Adjournment