The Ainsworth Library Board held their monthly meeting on August 3, 2017 at the Ainsworth Public Library. This meeting was advertised on the radio, in the local newspaper, posted at the library and on the library’s website. President Mark Kovar called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. Notice was given on the posting of the Open Meeting Act. Roll call showed all members present. They included Traci Alberts, Todd Flynn, Mark Kovar, Alane Lentz, and Phyllis Leach. Library Director, Gail Irwin, was also present for the meeting.
Phyllis Leach made the motion to approve the minutes with one amended change: The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. instead of 6:05 p.m. Alane Lentz seconded this with all members voting in favor of. Todd Flynn moved to approve the claims for payment. Traci Alberts seconded this motion with all members voting in favor of. The Board spent time reviewing the budget spending. The Monthly Library Report for July was shared as well as the List of titles purchased. It was noted that the new copy machine was installed. One of the board members asked if we needed to increase the cost of copies. Director will check to see how much the toner will be and see if we need to do an increase in cost. Discussion was held on the work on the outside of the library. The needed repairs were fixed as soon as it was reported. Vacation time for the Director was discussed.
An update was given on the Lego Robotics Session for Middle/High School students held by the Extension Service on July 11th at the Library. A total of 11 attended.
Traci Alberts gave an update on the Tri-Lingual Language class held on Thursday in July for the K-2nd graders. Spanish, English, and Hand Signing was taught by Traci Alberts and Julie Mizner. A total of 29 people attended this class.
An update was given on the Digitalization Project. Director had talked to newspaper editor again asking about the permission sheet for copyright issues. The editor is still leaning towards having the 1925-2003 available in the library only on the hard drive. All the other issues would be placed on the internet. Once we get the permission sheet for copyright issues signed by the editor, we can proceed with the projects.
It was noted that the Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities Makerspace Grant was submitted by the due date. A total of eighteen letters of support were attached to it. Libraries should be hearing on if they are awarded or not by middle of August. If we are awarded, we will need to gather a local team to work with the equipment and promoting of the Makerspace.
It was noted that there has been no word on the budget from the County yet. The City will hold its Budget Workshop on August 16th at 2 p.m.
The Book Discussion Group will be starting up again soon. The September read will be the One Book One Nebraska title of “Black Elks Speak”. A list has been compiled for the group to vote on this year’s reading titles. It is a mixture of classic, non-fiction, Nebraska authors, and historical fiction
Under Workshops and Meetings, the Director reported on the Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries Meeting that she attended on July 21st by way of the internet. Their next meeting will be on November 17th in Lincoln. It was noted that the Library Foundation Board would be meeting on August 24th. The Library Director reported that she had a meeting with the City Clerk and the Mayor on August 3rd to get input on how the City was working together in all the departments and what areas could be improved, what projects need to be done and their priority focus. They felt that the Library was doing a great job and really had no issues at this time. It was also noted that Senator Fischer would be in town on August 8th for public comments and a Town Hall Meeting would be held on August 15th to gather public input regarding your county and community needs, strengths and weaknesses of our Central Nebraska regional economy, partners in the region and support/funding for development activities.
Articles of interest from library newsletters and journals were shared. It was noted that the Central Plains Library System has two Breakout EDU kits to lend to libraries to do Escape Rooms with. Director noted that plans were in the works to promote Library Card Sign Up Month and Banned Book Week in September and Teen Read Week in October.
The next meeting date and time was set for a Wednesday, September 6th at 5 p.m. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
