JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
July 15, 2010
The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday July 15, 2010 in the Director’s Office. Present were Taena Fowler (via conference call), Heather Schmitz, Alex Johnston, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.
Approve Agenda
Heather Schmitz moved approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Alex Johnston and unanimously approved.
Citizen Comments
Several comments have been received from regular library users about the continued difficulties with the ‘My Account’ portion of the online catalog. The Urbandale Library technical staff is continuing to work with the vendor to resolve the issues.
A note was received complimenting Cheryl Heid and the “high caliber of people working at the library”.
Meeting Minutes
Approval of the June minutes was tabled until the August Board meeting.
Approve bills
Library bills for the month total $11,202.75. Heather Schmitz moved approval of the library claims. The motion was seconded by Alex Johnston and unanimously approved. Heather Schmitz then moved for approval of city back charges in the amount of $11,603.39. The motion was seconded by Alex Johnston and unanimously approved.
Appointment of JPL Foundation Representative
Heather Schmitz moved to approve the appointment of Taena Fowler as Library Board of Trustees representative to the Foundation Board. The motion was seconded by Alex Johnston and unanimously approved.
Budget and Finance
As of June 20, 2010 total expenditure was $1,048,850.13. With 100% of the year having passed, spending represented 99.24% of the operating budget. The unspent portion was related to personnel costs which had been preserved to ensure adequate coverage of payroll and benefit expenses.
As of June 30, 2010, balance in the Library Trust was $44,696.31.
Monthly Statistics
June circulation was the highest monthly circulation ever and was up 16% over last June.
Total circulation for FY09/10 was 290,943, a 9% increase over last fiscal year.
Door count for June was 16,561, a 5% increase over last June.
Total door count for FY09/10 was 158,551 or a 4.2 % increase over last fiscal year.
The “One in a million” campaign to recognize the 1,000,000th visitor to this building will begin next week.
Director’s Report
FY09/10 Strategic Plan Highlights:
Willona highlighted accomplishments for FY09/10. This information will be included in the Library’s annual report to City Council in September.
FY10/11 Focus Areas:
Willona presented recommendations for focus areas for FY10/11 including Building-related issues and space utilization, Documentation and Customer input. The Board agreed with these focus areas, commending Willona and the Library for the accomplishments thus far. Special recognition was noted for avoiding reduction of hours during recent budget constraints.
Draft of Public Library Measures of Quality:
Willona presented an update on the revision of the State’s public library standards for accreditation.
Programs:
The final report for the ‘Visions of the Universe’ exhibit is nearing completion.
It has been a record number year for Summer Reading participation with 275 Future Readers, 611 Readers, 225 Teen Readers and 290 Adult Readers.
The teen summer finale program will be July 23 and the children’s finale will be July 30. Drawing for the Adult summer program prizes will also be the end of July.
The laptop lab was here the week of July 5. Cheryl Heid and Maurine Myers presented six classes at Crown Point for senior citizens and Cheryl conducted a public social networking class at the Library on July 8.
Officers from the Johnston Police Dept. will present a workshop “Safety CSI” on July 31.
Youth Services will take a break from programming in August as preparations continue for fall.
The Johnston Police will have a ‘Bike Identification Tagging’ program on Saturday August 21 at the library.
Building & Grounds:
Willona is obtaining quotes to repair the laminate ledge surface near the BrightBoard display at the front entrance.
The Electrical Room’s separate air conditioning unit was repaired.
Several leaks were identified and repaired by Public Works staff during this month’s rainy spell.
The Board discussed ongoing concerns with the ‘bump out design’ of the Circulation Desk; Willona will investigate possible design modifications.
Staff & Training Update:
Staff has done a great job in meeting the summer’s demands.
Having Elizabeth Brown as a temporary Youth Services assistant this summer was a tremendous advantage.
Rather than utilizing the laptop lab for staff training sessions, a session on Web Junction will be presented at the July staff meeting.
Kristin Bakke has submitted her resignation as library shelver and a 2nd shelver resignation is anticipated mid-August.
Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:
The last eLibrary upgrade from Sirsi continues to be problematic with numerous difficulties related to the ‘My Account’ portion of the online catalog. The Urbandale Library technical staff is continuing to work with the vendor to resolve the issues.
Pat Howard, Communication Specialist for the City of Johnston, met with Willona and Cheryl Heid to discuss techniques and strategies for the library’s website.
Dreama Deskins, desktop expert/supplemental cataloger, has been troubleshooting a number of recent public computer issues.
Marketing, Public Relations & Networking:
The Library will be staffing the city information booth at the Johnston Farmer’s Market from 3:00-6:00 pm on August 31.
The “One in a Million” campaign will launch this month.
A representative from Red Rock social services assistance will regularly be at the Library on Tuesdays from 1:00-4:00 pm. This service is offered in cooperation with the Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community.
Four Johnston high school students (members of Young Leaders of Character) assisted with the July 6 Storytime on character development.
Willona attended a retirement party for the directors of the Des Moines, Carlisle and Ankeny Public Libraries and the administrator of the Central Iowa Library Service Area.
Willona met with the interim Des Moines Public Library Director to discuss library services in the metro area.
Willona attended a luncheon meeting of the suburban library directors to discuss items of mutual interest.
Willona reported on recent activities in her role as President of the Iowa Library Association Public Library Forum.
Foundation & Friends Report
Char Kimball tendered her resignation from the Foundation Board.
The officers meeting scheduled for July 7 was postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
The Foundation shared strategies with representatives from Ankeny who are working on a capital campaign for their new library building.
The Library Friends board meeting was held July 13.
There being no further Trustee Comments or Other Business, Heather Schmitz moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded by Alex Johnston, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
Last update: August 19, 2010