Minutes of Regular Meeting
ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Elisha D. Smith Public Library Gegan Room
April 26, 2017
Called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Englebert
Present: Chairman Englebert, Trustee Crawmer, Vice Chairman Golz and Trustee Halverson.
(Superintendent of Schools VanderHeyden.arrived at 4:02pm)
Absent: Trustee Franzoi, Trustee Wicihowski and Teen Representative Beachkofski
Also Present: Director Lenz, Children’s Services Supervisor Beson, Adult Services Supervisor Bongers, Support Services Supervisor Brandt, and Administrative Assistant Dreyer
Public Comment/Communication:
We received a letter from a family that is moving out of our area explaining how much they loved our library.
Consent Business
Motion made by Golz, seconded by Crawmer to approve the Library Board meeting minutes from March 22, 2017. Motion carried unanimously.
Authorization of Bills
Motion made by Halverson, seconded by Golz to authorize payment of the April 2017 bills as presented from the 2017 budget. Motion carried unanimously.
Director’s Report/Information Items
1. March Statistics. The first quarter of 2017 shows adult circulation is up .5%, children’s circulation is down and digital circulation is up 13.3%. Attendance at adult programs is up so far this year, young adult program attendance is up significantly due to middle school outreach and children’s program attendance is down.
2. 2017 Budget Status. Trustees reviewed the 2017 budget status.
3. Endowment Report. Trustees reviewed the first quarter 2017 endowment report. VanderHeyden attended an informational meeting at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. He reported that the Community Foundation has lowered their expectations on returns and the spending policy from an endowment fund is changing from 5% to 4.5% in 2018.
4. Staff Reports.
· Stephanie Stieg, Boys and Girls Club Site Manager, would be happy to attend a meeting. Englebert suggested we provide her with some specific questions prior to the meeting.
· Director Lenz submitted an EBSCO Solar Grant worked on in collaboration with Menasha Utilities and Faith Technologies. The decision will be made by the end of May.
· National Library Week was April 9-15. Thanks to Mary Crawmer for her efforts on behalf of the Board of Trustees for staff appreciation, including treats and prizes for trivia quizzes, and to Kathy Wicihowski for the flower arrangements.
· On April 12, Justine Beck, Breathing Tree Yoga, provided staff with training on how to use yoga in the workplace and mindful journaling.
· Trustees reviewed the children’s staff report and Children’s Supervisor Beson passed around sample brochures for the summer reading program.
· Circulation is working on collection maintenance.
· Adult Services Librarian Colin McGinnis will be making a presentation on “Community Engagement Through Podcasting” at the WLA Conference.
· Fox Cities Reads events attracted the largest attendance in 11 years.
· Dennis Farrell has been permanently banned from the library.
· New carpeting in the concourse area will be installed on May 23. The library will remain open.
Discussion / Action Items
5. Board Recruitment. City Attorney Pam Captain said that state statutes state that two library trustees may be residents of other municipalities. Reaching out to Faith Technologies and a marketing person were suggested. The Governance Committee will meet next month to development of a more accurate name and focus for the fundraising committee that would encompass marketing, fundraising and partnering with the Friends of the Library where appropriate.
6. Survey. Lenz would like to survey people this summer and next summer to compare results to help with the next strategic plan.
7. Out-of-State Travel Approval. Liz Tubman, Children’s Assistant Librarian, would like to attend the American Library Association Conference in Chicago June 22-27. Motion made by VanderHeyden, seconded by Halverson to approve Tubman’s estimated expenses to attend the ALA Conference in Chicago. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by VanderHeyden, seconded by Golz to approve up to 10 employees at $20 per person to take the bus chartered by Winnefox and OWLS for a day to see the exhibits at the ALA Conference in Chicago. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made at 4:33pm by Halverson, seconded by Crawmer. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Dreyer, Recording Secretary
