HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board Minutes 12.14.2010 Minutes of the
Laurel Public Library Board of Trustees
December 14, 2010
Attending:
Clair Killebrew (presiding), Christy Smith, Nathan Baillet, Bruce McCullough, and Nancy Schmidt.
Minutes:
The minutes for September, October, and November 2010 were read and approved by all present.
Correspondence:
Nancy received a check from the Montana State Library in the amount of $100 as a stipend for Clair and
Dixie attending the Trustee Workshop in October.
Lloyd Mickelson, a Parmly Billings Library trustee, sent a letter requesting a meeting be set up between
representatives from both the Billings and Laurel libraries to discuss building a stronger relationship.
Nancy will contact Bill Cochran to set up a meeting time with Parmly.
Circulation Report:
Traffic for November 2010 was down 10.8% over November 2009. Total number of items checked out
during November 2010 was up 14% over November 2009. There was some discussion regarding the
possibility that staff members may be missing some patrons when they count during their shift. Book
circulation was up 27.4% for November 2010 over the same time period last year. Circulation of media
items increased 61.6% for November 2010.
Old Business:
Nathan talked about his meeting with Priscilla Bell about the creation of the foundation. He presented a
copy of a letter that had been created to help increase interest in the library foundation. The discussion
that followed was about the tone of the letter, sending a copy to Bob Cooper at the State Library, and
what changes we should /should not make to the letter. It was decided that we would set up a meeting
for January 4, 2011 with Priscilla to discuss the letter and what steps we should follow next.
Nancy stated that she would send a letter to Lacie Lanaghan concerning the library flower gardens
sometime before mid - March. The issue with the flower gardens is misconceptions over statements that
have been made and expectations for the future.
The BTOP grant is closer to being ready for libraries to use. A list of items that Laurel had requested was
distributed to board members so they would have a better understanding about what we could be
expecting. One of the requests for Laurel was a part-time employee to help with staffing for Friday and
Saturday hours. Once a contract has been signed and returned to us we should be able to start
advertising for a part-time employee; possibly after the first of the year.
Nancy attended the Yellowstone County Commissioner's meeting in Billings on December 9, 2010 along
with the Assistant Director of Parmly Billings Library, Dee Ann Redman. It is Nancy's feeling that the
County Commissioners did not think they needed to support the Laurel Library with any county funds.
The Commissioners stated that we should "talk to Parmly because they get all the mills for the county
library". Nancy will set up a meeting with Parmly Board of Trustees and Director to help determine how
our two libraries can 'work together' for the future.
The holiday program presented by Bernice Mason was not as successful as it has been in the past. We
had four people attend instead of our usual dozen or more. The icy roads and bad weather may have
played a large part in the poor attendance.
Just a reminder that both Christmas and New Year's fall on a Saturday this year which will result in two
3 -day weekends back -to -back. Nancy will put a notice on the website.
Other:
Nancy stated that her current certification ends December 31, 2010 and will need to be recertified by
the end of January 2011. The recertification forms will need to be signed by the Board Chair before they
can be submitted to the Montana State Library for approval.
Next regular meeting:
January 11, 2011
Future Considerations:
Overdue Collections Policy Personnel Evaluation
Technology Plan Update Library Personnel Policy
Library Partnerships