JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
 November 17, 2011

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday November 17, 2011 in the Archive Room. Present were Alex Johnston, Shirley Weuve, Heather Schmitz, Taena Fowler, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda

Heather Schmitz moved approval of the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Citizen Comments

• Comments from the suggestion box included a recommendation to divide the fiction collection into genres and another to purchase DVD’s in Spanish and about Spanish speaking countries.
• Thank you notes were received from the State Library for use of the meeting room for a Summer Library Program training session, from a Library volunteer for the send-off given by staff prior to her departure for Arizona and from 2 children who attended the Pumpkin Patch Party having just moved here from Chicago.
• Letters were also received from Horizon Elementary students as part of a social studies class.

Meeting Minutes

Heather Schmitz moved approval of the minutes of the October 20, 2011 and November 9, 2011 meetings.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved

Approve bills

Library claims for the month total $17,732.99 with city back charges of $3,722.00.  Heather Schmitz moved approval of the bills.   The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Endorsement of City of Johnston Employee Handbook

Heather Schmitz moved to endorse the City of Johnston Employee Handbook for the library staff.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• As of October 31, 2011, total expenditure was $320,480.98.   With 33.33% of the year having passed, spending represented 32.35% of the total operating budget.
• As of October 31, 2011, balance in the Library Trust totaled $50,464.20.
• Budget preparation for FY12/13 is in process.   The Library’s budget request was submitted prior to the November 14 deadline; requests for decision packages are due November 23.  The Department budget work session with the City Council will be December 13 at 5:30 pm.

Monthly Statistics

• October circulation was up 2% over last October.
• Door count was down approximately 60 visits/day this month.
• Volunteers worked a total of 111.25 hours this month equaling almost a ¾ time employee.

Director’s Report

Building & Grounds:

• Willona is investigating the possible addition of 1 or 2 wall-mounted bio-ethanol fireplaces which would be purchased by the Friends.
• The Foundation approved funds in 2012 for enhancement of the former vending area.  The first upgrades will be an additional security camera and signage updates.

Programs:

• Iowa author, Ty Smedes, will be here November 19 and the monthly Family Movie @ the Library will be November 27.
• Regular youth programs continue through the week of December 12th.
• Holidays in Johnston will be December 3 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.

Marketing Public Relations and Networking:

• Several recent library activities have been featured in the Johnston Patch.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• Response time testing has identified a potential problem with limited bandwidth city wide.   Staff has requested the city consider upgrading the bandwidth to 40-50 mgps; we are awaiting a response to this request.
• Mark, Dreama, Willona and Maurine participated in a technology work day addressing infrastructure upgrades, problem solving and planning.

Staff & Training Update:

• Willona submitted the renewal for her Level VI certification for 2012-2014 and Rita Samuelson will submit her Level V renewal for the same period.
• All three Youth Services staff participated in the 2012 Summer Reading Program training.
  

Foundation & Friends Report

• The Foundation Board approved the 2012 budget including an investment strategy that includes laddering CDs.
• The Foundation received a $10,000.00 gift from the estate of Kay Heard, long time Johnston resident and former Johnston Library volunteer.
• The Friends officers and Willona met on November 10.   Officers approved using some Art in the Barn proceeds for the purchase of an After-School Edge computer workstation – an education resource with a number of education software packages geared toward students ages 6-14.

Other Business

The next board meeting will be Wednesday Dec. 21 at 5:30 pm.

There being no further Business or Trustee Comments, Heather Schmitz moved for adjournment.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. 

Taena Fowler, Secretary

Last updated: December 22, 2011