JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES

April 17, 2008

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday April 17, 2008, in the Archive Room.  Present were Shirley Weuve, Taena Fowler, Steve Scott, Councilmember Gerd Clabaugh, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda

Steve Scott moved approval of the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Taena Fowler and unanimously approved.

 Citizen Comments

• An appreciative comment was received about the fun programming that was planned for middle schoolers during spring break.
• Questions asked and responded to: 1) Why doesn’t the library have a telephone for public use?  Response: Most people now have cell phones and staff will make phone calls for people who need a ride, etc.  2) Why does the library charge .25 for printing when other libraries charge .10? Response: Our library provides color copies where the libraries that charge a dime provide only black & white and the color toner costs more.
• The Suggestion Notebook was replaced with a Suggestion Box so comments could be made in a more private manner per a customer request.

Meeting Minutes 

Steve Scott moved approval of the minutes.  Taena Fowler seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

Approve bills

Library bills for the month total $24,834.53 with city back charges of $5,227.61.  Taena Fowler moved approval of the bills, Steve Scott seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• The budget and finance report was distributed for review.  As of March 31, 2008, expenditures totaled $701.435.90.  Spending represented 67.67% of the amended operating budget with 70.35% of the year having passed.  As of March 31, 2008, a balance of $71,934.48 was reported in the Library Trust.
• Willona presented an update of the Polk County Library Association meeting held at the Johnston Library on April 16, 2008.  Saul Amdursky, President of the Polk County Library Association, had reported that negotiations with the Polk County Supervisors regarding the contract for library services are still ongoing.
• Willona presented a proposal for the final budget amendment. Taena Fowler moved approval of the final budget amendment with $14,000.00 from the health/dental line item being redistributed in library commodities based on approval of the finance director; otherwise approval as presented at the meeting.  Steve Scott seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Date for June Library Board meeting

The date of the June board meeting was confirmed for June 19.

Library Trustee Applications

Willona distributed copies of the five applications that have been received to date (deadline for applying is not until the end of April).  Stephan Johnson, Taena Fowler and Willona will interview all of the applicants in May.

Library Director Evaluation Process

The Board discussed the process for the Director’s evaluation.  Willona’s self evaluation will be distributed to all of the Trustees who will forward their comments to Shirley by May 9.  A subcommittee consisting of Shirley Weuve & Taena Fowler will conduct the actual performance review with Willona prior to the May 15 board meeting.  The Board discussed the possibility of a 360 review in the future, perhaps looking at the summer and using SurveyMonkey for the process.

Staff & Training Update

• The City will provide an information session on Paid Time Off on May 7.
• Willona reported on her trip to the Public Library Association exhibits.
• Willona and Maurine expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Computers in Libraries 2008 conference.
• Willona will attend the Governing the Library program offered by the State Library on Wednesday April 23, 2008.  Taena Fowler and Shirley Weuve will also attend the session.
• National Library Week is the week of April 13-19 and National Library Workers Day was April 15.
• Staff will be recognizing and honoring library volunteers during the April staff meeting.
• Willona and her husband are planning a trip to China later this year, and coverage at the library has been confirmed.

Strategic Planning Update

Willona presented a Strategic Planning Progress Update on initiatives related to the Strategic Plan from December 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008.

Director’s Report

Statistics:

• Circulation was comparable to this month last year at 21,000.
• Registration was up 5% and average visits/day were up 10% compared to last year.
• A total of 908 people attended programs compared to 779 last year.

Technology, Telecommunications, Equipment:

• The coin op unit is still not working although VendaPin and EnvisionWare have now identified a programming source code that needs to be fixed.

Building & Grounds:

• The UPS battery replacement is scheduled for April 23.
• Interior and exterior window washing is scheduled for May 6.
• Willona has been working on cleanup of the landscape beds outside the library.

Public Relations & Networking:

• The Library received good coverage in the local media for the Money Smart Week programs and photographic coverage in the DM Register’s Johnston section for its programs.
• PLA and Computers in Libraries provided a good opportunity to network with colleagues.

Foundation Report:

• The Foundation Board met in April.
• Julie Herrmann submitted her resignation as she and her family will be relocating to the Kansas City area.
• The Lions Club Book Sale was quite successful.  The Foundation may receive approximately $2,000.00 from the sale.

There being no Other Business or additional Trustee Comments, Steve Scott moved adjournment of the meeting.  Taena Fowler seconded, the motion was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.