HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board Minutes 05.21.20241
MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
05/21/2024 06:02 PM
Laurel Public Library
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
X Katie Fjelstad X Arthur Vogele, Board Chair
X Kate Manley X Lela Schlitz – via Zoom
X Nancy Schmidt, Secretary X Mary Nelson
Clair Killebrew – Foundation Liaison
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. Public Input
Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of city business not on the agenda. The duration for an
individual speaking under Public Comment is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the
committee will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
a. Addressing the Board – None
2. General Items
a. The minutes for March 2024 were presented for approval. Arthur motioned the minutes be
approved as presented, Lela seconded the motion. Motion passed.
b. Correspondence – the following were received this month: a $25 donation from Ray Wells, the
dulcimer players gave us a small donation with a Thank You card, and payment for a sample of
the library plate. We have started to receive payments for the purchase of the library plates
from the Montana Department of Revenue.
c. Circulation Report – (compared to the same time period as last year) Traffic: up 10.8%; circulation:
all items circulated totaled 4,871 (including 634 eBooks), book circulation was up 21%, media
circulation was up 31.5%, eBook checkouts for this month was 14.4% of total book circulation,
we circulated 936 items to partners and 213 items from other libraries; computers: internet use
was down 27.4%, children’s use was up 38.5%, wi-fi use down 50%; patron cards: city patrons
make up 65.3% of registered users, county is 25.8% and state/out of county has 8.9% of our
registered patrons. There were 35 tech assists in April.
3. Old Business
a. The mill levy resolution was voted down by the council 1-7. Kate stated that she felt the council
members weren’t really understanding what was being requested by the library. There is an
alternative to getting the mill levy on the November ballot. A petition signed by 5% of the
registered voters of Laurel could put the levy on the ballot. Looking at the timeline, it would be
really tight to get this done right now. After a lengthy discussion it was decided by the board
members that this would be something that would be looked at after the new year.
b. The final amount raised at the book sale was $3,394.50. There was also $1,476.25 deposited in
the Foundation account - $1,000 Town Pump grant, $60.00 from license plate sales, and
$419.25 in other donations. Our next book sale is scheduled for the end of October.
c. The federation sponsored trustee training was held May 14 th in Billings. There were 18
attendees – 4 directors and 14 trustees. Katie and Arthur attended the training and felt that it
2
was very informational. It was suggested that we have more training held by the Local
Government Center in Bozeman.
d. Arthur and Nancy attended the annual Montana Library Association conference in Butte. They
attended the Shared Catalog meeting on the first day. There was also an opportunity to hear
some of the directors talk about using outside space around the library for a community
gardens. The Joliet librarian shared her experience about making sure we use self -care to help
us continue giving out best to our community. It was also discussed that interest displays would
be beneficial to help patrons see some of our niche offerings. It was very informational for both
attendees.
e. The federation has a new state library consultant since Suzanne Reymer and Pam Henley
retired. Cara Orban will now be working with our federation. Nancy met with her last week to
discuss how the federation will be running in the new fiscal year. Cara is trying to help us decide
how to create the smaller regional meetings that have been determined to be needed by the
membership. The next meeting is being held in Roundup in September. Part of the plan of
service is allowing for Laurel library staff to receive a stipend for handling the circulation and
maintenance of the book kits.
4. New Business
a. The city applied for a few grants through HB 355 – State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of
2023. They were awarded four grants, one of which was for the repair/replacement of the soffit
and fascia on the library. This is a matching grant of which the city will meet the 25% required
for completion of the work. The timeline is September 2024.
b. The FY 24/25 budget was completed and turned into the clerk/treasurer. It includes increases
for items that are going to need to be repaired or replaced within the next year such as the
exterior door hardware, computer updates, wage increase per CBA contract, travel increase for
training staff, and cleaning increases.
c. One of the items mentioned at the conference was the need for a Disaster Preparedness and
Disaster Impact Policy. Lela mentioned that her husband has worked in this area before. Nancy
will meet with Lela and her husband after her leave to complete a draft form of the policy.
d. The summer reading program will be part of the Book Buzz program presented by the school
librarians. It begins June 12th and runs through July 31st. The programs are scheduled for 10:30
am each Wednesday (except during the 4th of July week). Zoo Montana and the Billings
Symphony will be part of the presenters.
e. There won’t be any summer lunches served at the library this year. According to the State
Office Public Instruction, we are no longer in the FRAC map area that allows for us to be part of
the lunch program. West Elementary is in the map area but because of the construction, it
won’t be used. The school superintendent decided that the lunches will be served by the
middle school.
f. Nancy will be taking 4 weeks off for knee surgery in June. She will be gone June 4th through July
5th for sick leave. Mike will be left in charge of the library with help from Eli where needed.
Nancy will be in contact with library staff via email or text if anything important arises.
5. Other Items
a. Upcoming Items: No board concerns at this time.
3
6. Announcements
a. The next regular meeting is July 9, 2024 at 6:00 pm in the library community room. A Zoom link
will be added to the next agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy L Schmidt
Nancy L Schmidt
Library Director
Secretary for the Board
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of listed agenda
items.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81873158498?pwd=zpwR85eU1wFSuOb0NeXntgr8ZIsxYp.1
Meeting ID: 818 7315 8498
Passcode: 551579