JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
September 17, 2008
The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Wednesday September 17, 2008 in the Archive Room, Present were Taena Fowler, Dennis Schuessler, Shirley Weuve, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.
Approve Agenda
Dennis Schuessler moved approval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.
Citizen Comments
The Library received a compliment from a new library user expressing her appreciation for both the library (facility and contents) and the welcoming staff. An email was received from the Friends & Neighbors group thanking staff for the outreach program on Library services that was presented for the group’s fall kickoff. Staff also received a thank you from a library colleague for the EnvisionWare demonstration.
Meeting Minutes
Dennis Schuessler moved approval of the minutes. Shirley Weuve seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Budget and Finance
As of August 31, 2008, total expenditure was $91,101.23. Spending represents 15.21% of the operating budget with 16.66% of the year having passed.
As of August, 31, 2008, assets in the Library Trust total $76,554.07.
Monthly Statistics
We circulated 22,368 items in August with an average daily circulation of 722 items.
The number of library visits for August was 12,179 or an average of 393 visits/day.
We added 191 new registrations and renewed and/or replaced 188 cards.
A total of 561 items was added to the collection and 1,155 items were withdrawn as part of the overall collection development project.
Polk County Library Association Meeting:
The formula that was previously approved by the Johnston Board as part of the Metro Library proposal was presented to the full Polk County Library Association. The other Polk County libraries were supportive of the formula and the remaining six boards are to officially vote on approval at their September meetings.
Approve bills
Claims for the month total $13,842.83 with city back charges of $ 5,524.68. Dennis Schuessler moved approval of the bills, the motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.
Staff Guest
Jessica Young, Youth Services Library Assistant, described her role and duties at the library and presented background information on the MySpace page and policy request.
MySpace Page Policy
Dennis Schuessler moved approval of the MySpace Policy as amended to include “to enhance our programming efforts” at the end of the first sentence. The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.
Director’s Report
State Annual Report:
The FY07/08 annual statistical report has been completed and submitted to the State Library well ahead of the November 1 deadline.
Collection Development Update:
The collection development team has met deadlines through early September with approximately 10% of the overall collection evaluation, weeding and acquisitions process completed.
Building & Grounds:
Security system – the west staff entrance door was checked after the security system triggered additional security calls. Simplex Grinnell replaced the security sensor magnets and Public Works tightened the door and latch.
Willona, Maurine, and Public Works staff (Brian & Doug) did a walkthrough of the building’s interior and exterior to plan for routine building maintenance over next year.
Public Relations & Networking:
The Library’s accreditation renewal was nicely reported by the media.
Great letters of support were received from Johnston Community entities, Camp Dodge, a local Boy Scout leader, the JPL Foundation and a local model rocket group for the Library’s application for the Visions of the Universe exhibit. The application was submitted September 11; we should receive notice in October whether the Library was selected to host the exhibit.
Willona and Maurine met with the Urbandale Public Library administrative team in early September.
Willona facilitated 4 focus groups in August and September as part of the Johnston Communication Education’s community needs assessment process.
The Iowa Library Association will hold its annual planning meeting here on November 7. Approximately 80 library leaders from around the state will attend to develop ILA plans for 2009.
The Library and the Foundation will participate in the Johnston High School Homecoming Parade on September 18.
Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:
The Sirsi upgrade on August 26 went smoothly although staff used the back-up checkout system the entire day. Staff was vigilant in attention to accuracy and detail and few problems resulted.
The Sirsi system upgrade was an intermediate step that needed to be completed before the move to the upgraded Java version. The move to the Java version will make the screens look and function more like what we are accustomed to with a Windows application and make additional enhancements available.
A staff member from the Bondurant Public Library visited the Library to see our EnvisionWare PC and print management software.
Several additional staff members have been trained on the maintenance of the Library’s website.
Staff & Training Update:
Willona will serve on the local arrangements committee for the 2009 ILA conference which will be held in Des Moines in October 2009.
Willona will attend a session at this year’s ILA conference to determine whether a particular presenter would be a good prospect for an in-service day here at the library. No date has yet been identified for an in-service day; however, we will not plan an in-service on an existing city holiday.
Several staff members will be involved in continuing education in September with the state Library Town Meetings and the annual ILA conference.
Foundation Report
Kaye Lozier from the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation gave a presentation to the Foundation Board at their September meeting. The JPL Foundation is considering whether to invest a portion of its funds with this group.
The Foundation approved several funding requests including support for Diane deGroat, a children’s author/illustrator, who will be presenting here on October 23. The Foundation also provided some additional funding to help update the children’s non-fiction collection.
Other Business
The next Library board meeting will be Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm and the Holidays in Johnston event is scheduled for the 1st Saturday in December.
There being no additional Trustee Comments, Dennis Schuessler moved adjournment of the meeting. The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and the meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Ellen Jessen, Secretary