MUSSER PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008 – 4:30 P.M.
LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
PRESENT:
Drake, Durham, Johnston, Nus, Stelzner, Ward.
STAFF:
P.Collins, B.Collins, Derbin, Fiedler, Haas, Warschauer.
ABSENT:
Koehrsen, Lande, Martin.
M I N U T E S
I.
CALL TO ORDER:
President Durham called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m.
II.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Discussion of the Bylaws was added to VII. Review
Committee Activities. Johnston moved to approve the amended agenda. Second by
Stelzner. All ayes. Motion carried.
III.
APPROVE MINUTES:
Ward moved to approve the minutes of the Sept. 10, 2008
meeting. Second by Johnston. All ayes. Motion carried.
IV.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Ward moved to approved the following bills for
payment: 9/16/08
$19,303.11
9/30/08
9,300.32
10/14/08
17,209.26
Second by Ward. All ayes. Motion carried. The filtering software was purchased
from 8e6 Technologies was mistakenly listed in the 10/14/08 Trust bills. It will
be paid out of the General Fund. Trustees discussed the usage of the research
databases versus the cost of purchasing them. It was thought their usage would
increase over time.
V.
CITIZENS SPEAK:
Durham heard some good comments on the last newsletter.
VI.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A.
Staff Liaison
– Derbin reported that 50% of hold notices are now being
emailed. The restructuring of the schedule to accommodate the later PALS
delivery is working well. An extra person is now available to fill in at the
Circ Desk and processing holds is much smoother. The Friends Book Sale
was really easy on staff this time as Friends did most of the setup themselves.
B.
Director’s Report
– A written report was received. 1) Collins reported that
Greg Benefiel did a great job of restructuring the schedule and the changes
are working well. 2) She passed out information on an Engaging Libraries
seminar being held over the ICN in Davenport. Trustees are welcome to
attend. 3) B.Collins and P. Collins have been working with the Art Center on
a Fairy Tale project. The Art Center will have an exhibit of Fairy Tale
Illustrations while the Library will structure Storytimes to have Fairy Tale
themes. On Saturday, Jan. 3, a Fairy Tale Extravaganza will be held after
hours for families, geared for elementary age children (K-5) with various
activities all over the library. This cooperative project will involve many
costumed volunteers and a great deal of planning, but will be a wonderful
family event, drawing visitors from both locations.
VII.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A.
Long Range Planning
– Members of the Management Team had a great
meeting with Koehrsen and Martin about the short term possibilities of
upgrading this building to let the library function more like today’s library. A
brief tour of the library was conducted to show trustees some ideas for
possible changes. According to a VIP School Suppliers representative,
changes in the children’s area, such as appropriate sized shelves and seating,
changes upstairs to include a special teen area, replacing casual seating and
tables throughout the building, and a kitchen in the meeting room would be
possible for under $250,000. Trustees discussed how this would impact a
total remodel project in five years, how to get estimates, find consultants, and
fundraise. An ad hoc group made up of staff, board and friends members
could be in charge of brainstorming, planning and moving the project along.
B.
Appointment of Committees
– Durham made the following appointments:
Budget Committee: Nus, Chair; Durham; Johnston.
Operations: Stelzner, Chair; Nus, Lande.
Long Range Planning: Ward, Chair; Koehrsen, Martin, Drake.
Building: (Inactive)
Parliamentarian: Lande
VIII. OLD BUSINESS:
A.
Contracts with Fruitland and Buffalo Prairie
– The City Attorney’s letter
to Fruitland listed an incorrect amount per capita, which is what the Fruitland
council decided to pay. Their City Clerk said they would discuss it at their
next meeting on Nov. 5. We will send a representative to explain what will
happen if we terminate their service, explain the mistake, and offer to keep
their check but expect full payment next year. Buffalo Prairie Township will
make a final decision at their next meeting, however their supervisor stated
that he doesn’t think they can pay what our county residents pay.
B.
Friends of the Library
– Collins is encouraged with the progress of the
Friends. They seem excited about helping with the Fairy Tale Project and
seem to want more things to do beyond just the book sale.
C.
Bylaws
– Lande has reviewed our bylaws and is recommending we update
them using a bylaws template.
IX.
NEW BUSINESS:
A.
Requests for Community Funding
– (tabled to next meeting)
X.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene Johnston, Secretary
/iw