HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board Minutes 03.09.2021MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
Library Board
03/09/2021 06:48 PM
Laurel Public Library
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Vacant
X Bill Hanson, Vice -Chairman
X Nancy Schmidt, Secretary
X Clair Killebrew — Foundation Liaison
OTHERS PRESENT:
X Arthur Vogele, Board Chair
X Samantha Barnhart—via phone
Vacant
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.
2. General Items
a. The minutes for January 2021 and February 2021 were presented for approval by
the Library Board members. Bill motioned the minutes be approved, Sam
seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
b. The library received two items of correspondence: a $50 donation from Ray
Wells and $240 in memorials for Dixie Feller.
c. Circulation Report- Traffic: down 38.7%; circulation: all items circulated totaled
3,579 (including 426 eBooks), book circulation was down 18.7%, media
circulation was down 39.3%, eBook checkouts for this month was 10.9% of total
book circulation, we circulated 813 items to partners and 192 items from other
libraries; computers: internet use was down 62.5%, children's use was down
90%, wi-fi use : up 7.2%; patron cards: city registrations made up 49.4% of library
users, county patrons 46.5% and non-resident registered patrons 4.1%. There
were 56 tech assists in February.
3. New Business
a. Library staff have asked about revising the hours that the library is open to the
public. After some discussion it was decided that the library would be open until
7:00 pm permanently (or until there is a need for longer hours) during the week
with no change on Friday or Saturday.
b. A piano has been donated to the library. It is currently sitting in the front
entrance but may take up residence at another location in the library as needed.
We may consider using the piano for lessons or fund raising in the future.
c. The state library has provided 10 hotspots, 8 iPads, and 6 HP ProBooks. All of
these are the property of the library. Sustainability on the hotspots has been
discussed at the last NAC meeting. The State Library Commission is considering
providing funding for the hotspots for at least one more year.
d. There is legislature before Congress to provide funding for libraries across the
nation. The State Library is sending out weekly reported on this. If approved, it
will be provided through IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services). This
could provide over $2 million dollars to the Montana State Library for current
needs.
4. Old Business
a. The book sale is being held March 29 —April 10th. The hours will be 9:00 am —
7:00 pm Monday -Thursday, 9:00 am — 5:00 pm Friday, and 9:00 am — 3:00 pm on
Saturday. We are looking for volunteers to help set up and work the sale.
b. For the vacancies on the Board, Katie F)elstad and Clara Killebrew have
submitted letters of interest. IThe letters will be forwarded to the Mayor with a
letter stating a preference for which person to place on the Board.
c. The budget amendment proposed by Clerk/Treasurer Langve was approved by
the Council. There will be an amended amount moved from the General Fund to
the Library Fund to cover some items that were budgeted lower than actual
amounts. The amount of the amendment was over $6,200.00
d. Foundation update: the monies received from the book sale will go into the
Foundation account. There were some small miscellaneous charges to the
Foundation for the library, mostly office supplies and computer items. Mike and
Nancy also went to Barnes & Noble to purchase new books for circulation.
Patrons should be happy for a few weeks.
5. Other Items
a. Upcoming Items:
The South Central Federation meeting is being held via Zoom on Saturday, March
27th at 10:00 am. I will be attending from the library and Arthur will attend from
work. Anyone else wanting to attend will be logged in at the library or sent the
link to their email so they may attend through Zoom.
b. There is a meeting with the Mayor's office, Union Reps, Library Director and
Board Chair on Wednesday, March 141h at 9:00 am concerning the library staff
being allowed to join the union. Nancy and Arthur will report on the results at
the next Board meeting.
6. Announcements
a. Next regular meeting is Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 6:30 pm in the Community
Room of the Laurel Public Library. Meetings from this date forward will stay on
the 2nd Tuesday of each month but will start at 6:30 pm.
Sam motioned the meeting be adjourned at 7:31 pm. Bill seconded the motion,
meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy L Schmidt
Secretary for the Board
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of
listed agenda items.