HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board Minutes 08.11.2009Minutes of the
Laurel Public Library Board of Trustees
August 11, 2009
Attending:
glair Killebrew (presiding), Christy Smith, Nathan Baillet, Rachelle Tresch and Nancy
Schmidt
Minutes:
The minutes of July 14, 2009 were read and approved by all present.
Addressing the Board:
A frequent visitor to the library has expressed an opinion, numerous times, that she
should be allowed to have copies for free since she is: homeless, disabled, poor, etc. She
had been told that everyone has to pay for copies regardless of who they are and what
their status currently happens to be. She was invited to present her opinions to the Board
Members but adamantly declined the invitation. Nancy felt that this should be discussed
amongst the board members to offer staff members clarification and options for dealing
with any patrons that continued to express these opinions. It was determined that even
though many people are currently disabled or unemployed, the library could not afford to
offer free copies to all of them. The board members and staff will create a resource list of
those businesses that offer free copies to those that absolutely need them and distribute it
to anyone that expresses the opinion or desire for free copies.
Correspondence:
Clair received a card from Gail Brice thanking the board for her corsage, gift, and
luncheon.
Circulation Report:
't'raffic for July 2009 was 3,126, up 36% over the same time period as last year.
Circulation of items totaled 4,442 compared to 4, 201 last July, an increase of 5.7%. The
number of books checked out totaled 3,936 and media totaled 506 items for July 2009.
Book circulation was up 8.5% over the same time last year while media circulation was
down 13.4% over last year. The computers saw heavy use for the month of July, 1,057
internet users and 71 children users. This was an increase of 21.7% for July 2009 over
July 2008 (about 41/day for internet and 3/day for children). County residents constituted
26.2% of the library patronage for July 2009.
Old Business:
At this time there has been no further progress on Geralyn's raise. Mary Embleton has
reported that the certified mills will be available at the end of August for her review, at
which time we should be hearing more on the final budget. Nancy will keep the board
informed about the progress.
Nancy printed copies of the Public Library Standards for all board members to peruse at
their leisure. The Standards are required by the Montana State Library as part of our grant
qualifications. The copies printed and presented tonight have the standards for the last 10
years listed on them so that comparisons can be made between each year for growth and
activity.
Rachelle completed the forms for our InterLibrary Loan reimbursement on July 14th. We
should hear next month about the amount we will receive.
Cheryll has sent a card with a letter to Geralyn and Nancy letting them know how she is
doing and to also ask for the option of taking all 12 weeks of her medical leave- Cheryl]
Will receive all time allotted to her for medical leave, she just needs to sign some leave
ships to continue to receive vacation pay during her absence. After discussing various
options for filling using volunteers to help with Cheryll's absence, it was decided that
Nancy should consider hiring a temporary substitute to help with illnesses or other
absences. It was eventually decided that two people sharing the position would be the
Most beneficial for the library.
We have tried using WEX Participants to fill in during Cheryll's absence but this has not
been very successful for the library. Our first participant did not show up after the second
week, our second participant found a full-time job and our third possibility did not show
Up for the interview.
A library book borrowed (ILL'd) from Belgrade Public Library was returned to us with
water damage. As Belgrade's policy, the book must be paid for or replaced with a new
copy. Our patron sent payment to Belgrade Public Library but requested that the damaged
copy be returned to them for their personal use. Belgrade complied with this request.
The Library Aid Grant application needed two signatures before Laurel would see any
Money from the State Library. Board Chair Clair Killebrew and Director Nancy Schmidt
supplied the necessary signatures. The grant application was due in Helena August 14,
2009.
The Summer Reading Program had ended with 137 participants signing up and/or
attending the Wednesday activities put on by the Road Runners 4-H. The pro ram ran
f?om June 1St to July 31St, 2009. 36 prizes had been collected as of August 11t . Staff
members will continue to take reading records and give out prizes until mid-September.
With the shortage of staff members, Rachelle has suggested that we consider becoming
an Americorp site for college students. Rachelle contacted MSU-Billings to find out how
we can participate in this program. All Americorp placements have been used for this
year. Since the college places the participants, it was suggested that we fill out an
application to become part of the program. MSU-Billings will send the library an
application in January to participate next year.
Nancy continues to update the library website as time allows, usually on Fridays. She has
ai couple of programs links to add to the site for this fall: AtoZmapsonline and Library
Return on Investment Calculator.
Time has not allowed for progress on the Collection Management policy.
New Business
Nancy is planning on attending the Fall Workshop in Great Falls, September 11 & 12,
1jeing offered by the Montana State Library. She will leave on the afternoon of the 1011'
but should not require staff to fill in for her during this training time.
Priscilla Bell has expressed an interest in helping the library develop a foundation. She
met with Nancy last week to determine how we should proceed with this and to share
ideas for developing our foundation. Nathan has talked with a professor at MSU-Billings
about starting a foundation. Nancy will pass his name and phone number along to
Priscilla so that they may work on the foundation together.
Copies of the current Community Room Use policy were distributed to all board
members so that they could read them and make notations before the next board meeting.
Devising of this policy will take place at the September board meeting.
ARRA: Bob Cooper with the Montana State Library has sent out a letter outlining the
progress of the stimulus funds for libraries. A copy of the letter can be obtained from
Nancy for those that would like to see the status of library funding.
A list of items that library staff would like to see the Friends of the Library purchase for
library use has been started. Any input from patrons or board members would be
welcome. The list is contained on a whiteboard in the back room and can be changed at
any time. Nancy will present the list to the Friends group at their next meeting.
I text regular meeting
?eptember 8, 2009