JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
 January 21, 2010

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday January 21, 2010 in the Archive Room.   Present were Dennis Schuessler, Ellen Jessen, Shirley Weuve, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda

Ellen Jessen moved modification of the agenda to postpone the Board Evaluation process.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.  Ellen Jessen moved approval of the agenda as modified.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Citizen Comments

• A thank you was received from the Community Education Resource Council for the Library’s participation in the Project Share program.

• Several appreciative comments were received from staff for the early closing on January 7 due to the winter weather.

• A comment from the Suggestion Box expressed disappointment that the customer could not download an audiobook while in the library and suggested we designate one public computer for this purpose (the restriction on downloading audiobooks inhouse is related to the amount of bandwidth consumed during the download process, not PC availability); another requested more Westerns and a display highlighting new arrivals for music CDs.

Meeting Minutes

Shirley Weuve moved approval of the minutes.  The motion was seconded by Ellen Jessen and unanimously approved.

Approve bills

Library bills for the month total $23,454.76 with city back charges of $5,240.18.  Ellen Jessen moved approval of the bills.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Policy Review & Update 

Ellen Jessen moved acceptance of the policies as changed.  Shirley Weuve seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• As of December 31, 2009, total expenditures were $497,262.50.  With 50% of the year having passed, spending represented 47.07% of the operating budget.

• As of December 31, 2009, balance in the Library Trust was $40,061.27.

• Willona reported on the January 18 City Council work session that was devoted to the FY10/11 budget.

• A check for $21,095.84 for Open Access and Access Plus (ILL reimbursement) was received from the State Library.

Monthly Statistics

• December circulation was up 8% over last December despite the weather and an additional closed day.

• Door count was up approximately 3% over the previous year and public computer use was up 29%.

Status Report on theFY09/10 Priorities in the 2008-2011 Strategic Plan

Willona presented a status report on the progress of priorities identified for FY09/10 in the Strategic Plan.

Board Evaluation

Board Evaluation discussion was tabled till a later date.

Director’s Report

Building & Grounds:

• The extreme weather has caused considerable heaving in the sidewalks and concrete around the building.  We have also had problems with the vending area doors and the southwest meeting room door as thresholds have raised and some grouting has split along edges of the floor tile.

• Public Works has addressed some smaller maintenance issues in the building: repair of a leaking water fountain, replacement of batteries in the people counters and repair of the dryer in the staff room.

• Staff is continuing to evaluate storage needs and recycling some older furniture and equipment.

Programs:

• The Library was selected as an additional location for the “Visions of the Universe” travelling exhibit; however, acceptance is yet to be finalized as there are some funding and timing issues to be addressed.

• The American Girl Holiday Tea was a great success.   The film showing of ‘Up’ over Winter Break was well-attended with over 70 attendees and a family movie program ‘Cloudy with a chance of meatballs’ was held on Sunday January 17.

• Library staff is working with the Johnston Police Dept. to offer some safety/security programs for adults and kids.

• A program on ‘Preserving Family History’ will be held on February 11.

Marketing, Public Relations & Networking:

• The Library hosted the Chamber of Commerce’s Breakfast Before Business on January 19.

• Recent marketing efforts have been successful as the Library has been included in the local newspapers and websites on a regular basis, event calendars and publicity are going out in advance and Facebook and Twitter are regularly being utilized to promote and update library activities.

• Willona is continuing to work on website enhancements, prioritizing which projects will be done with currently available funds.

• The Library is investigating an expanded presence in the schools’ summer Connection publication.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• The fiber optic project has moved more slowly than expected and the cutover date is now planned for President’s Day.  The Library is scheduled to be closed that day for the city holiday and we have determined that due to disruption of service, it will be necessary to be closed when the cutover occurs.

• Willona attended an organizational meeting on January 4 for CILSA’s Laptop Lab and Cheryl Heid attended a training session on January 12 to become familiar with the equipment.   We are scheduled to use the lab late February/early March and program planning for both the public and staff is currently in process.

Staff & Training Update:

• Cheryl Heid taught a mini-class on Facebook and social networking at the December staff meeting.

• There will be several staff development opportunities while the Laptop Lab is in residence during February/March.

• The Clive, West Des Moines, Urbandale and Johnston libraries are collaborating on a potential staff development opportunity for the fall of 2010 hoping to bring Warren Graham, an expert in library safety/security, for some staff training sessions.

Foundation Report

• The Foundation Board met in January and Carol Crane and Tim Heldt were elected to fill the current vacancies on the Board. 

• Ideas for the Foundation’s annual report were discussed.  The report will be distributed in late February or early March.

• The Foundation Board’s annual meeting will be in February.

There being no additional Trustee Comments or Other Business, Ellen Jessen moved for adjournment of the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:26 pm.

Ellen Jessen, Secretary