HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board Minutes 02.10.2009Minutes of the
Laurel Public Library Board of Trustees
February 10, 2009
Attending:
Gail Brice (presiding), Clair Killebrew, Bruce McCullough, Christy Smith,
Nancy Schmidt and Rachelle Tresch.
Minutes:
The minutes of the January 13, 2009 meeting were read, corrected and
approved.
Correspondence
The estate of Ruth Baker sent a gift in the amount of $500 to the library. Gail
will send a Thank You note to Ruth's family acknowledging the gift and
issuing our appreciation for being remembered by a long-time friend and
patron.
Circulation Report
Traffic for January 2009 was up 9.7% over January 2008. Circulation for
materials was up 18% from January 2008. Circulation of books alone was up
17.6% over last January. The biggest increase in circulating items was again
in media - 21 %. There were also 727 internet computer users for the month of
January and 27 children's computer users. The total computer use is up 12.4%
from December 2008. City residents account for 60.5% of our library card
holders, county residents 34% and non-resident card holders 5.4%.
Old Business
The next Federation meeting is set for March 21, 2009 in Big Timber at the
Carnegie Public Library. Nancy and Clair are planning on attending the full-
day meeting - weather permitting. Bruce may try to attend also.
Nancy is still working on the Collection Management Policy. The
implementation of circulation through the computer has made many unwritten
changes to our policy. Integrating those changes into the written policy will
take longer than originally expected. When the CMP is finished it will be
emailed to all board members for review.
Nancy reported that she terminated the employment of two employees. Nancy
did not feel that these two staff members had improved sufficiently in their
duties to maintain the standards expected at the Laurel Public Library. There
had been complaints from patrons that evening staff members were "not very
friendly or helpful" despite repeated warnings to be both friendlier and more
helpful.
New Business
The MLA annual conference is scheduled April 23 - 25, 2009. Nancy is
planning on attending the conference (weather permitting) in Kalispell. There
are travel grants and professional development grants available to help fund
her trip in April.
The hiring process is going slow but steady. The closing date for applications
is February 14, 2009 at 11:30 am. To date there have been 12 applications
returned to the library.
Preliminary budget requests are due in the Clerk's office by Friday, February
27, 2009. Bruce and Rachelle will meet with Nancy to help determine
expenditures for the next fiscal year.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have issued a press release about a new
grant available to libraries. Nancy has filled out the interest paperwork for this
grant and will pass along any information to the board as it becomes
available. The Gates Foundation is interested in improving internet and
technology access to rural areas.
The Laurel Women in Business have requested that they be allowed to host
their annual Easter Play and Egg Hunt at the library on Wednesday, April 8,
2009. Rita Morrissey did not leave a time for the play so Nancy will follow
up next month with more details.
Time to address the Board
No one addressed the board.
Next regular meeting
March 10, 2009 will be the next meeting.