Wayne Public Library Board of Trustees

Tuesday, July 5, 2005 / 5:15 p.m., Conference Room

 

MINUTES

 

President Joel Ankeny called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.

 

Board members Joel Ankeny, Betty Heier, Maureen Kingston, and Dennis Lipp were in attendance.  Board Secretary Mary Carstens was absent.  Library Director Lauran Lofgren was present as were staff members Julie Osnes and Beth Ann Sharer.

 

President Ankeny appointed Betty Heier to serve as Secretary pro tem.

 

Minutes of the June 7, 2005 meeting were approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Director Lofgren reported that things were on track financially with 75% of total funds expended at 75% of the fiscal year.

 

The financial report was approved.

 

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

 

The following items from the printed Director's report were highlighted and/or discussed:

 

• Statistics

-         Circulation continues to increase.  Director Lofgren stated that CD-ROM and Internet usage is "going off the charts."

• Staff projects and concerns

-         Long-range planning group will meet on July 18 for prioritization, etc., of plans

• Computer/Building concerns

-         New blinds have been installed in the children's room.  They blend beautifully with the window and room décor.

-         Director Lofgren reported that the library received $33,000 from the Nebraska Library Commission, so the software project will move forward.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

• Update on software change – weeding and patron database

-         Director Lofgren stated that the contract for the new software would be signed in August

-         The Board spent some time discussing how long to keep inactive patrons in the database.  That decision will be made at the next meeting.

-         Director Lofgren stated that there will be considerable weeding before the change over to the new software is made.

• Budget presentation to council is set for July 25^th at 8:00 a.m.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

City Administrator Lowell Johnson joined the meeting at this time.

 

• Following is a summary of the presentation to the board by staff members Beth Ann Sharer and Julie Osnes concerning issues related to the increased use of library services by patrons:

-         Computer Lab's numbers are "off the chart"

1)      Often there are two or more waiting lists for staff to keep track of

2)      Responding to patrons' requests for help is time consuming as users become more and more sophisticated.

3)      Staff sees the need for offering at least three new classes:

a)      E-mail

b)      Evaluating web sites

c)      Refined and efficient use of web search engines

-         Children's Room numbers are way up

1)      More children are in the library longer and often unattended by an adult

a)      Staff has to re-order the room after "damage" is done

b)      Many children want to use computer games, and staff cannot spend time to teach them how to use the games.

-         Circulation Desk becoming extremely busy as more users request more materials

1)      Patrons have become more knowledgeable in their requests and thus are more demanding of staff time.

2)      Often staff is doing multiple tasks for an individual patron

3)      Staff is concerned about maintaining a high level of service

4)      Since staff time at the desk is so busy, other tasks can't be done.

a)      Some work is being done by staff at home on their own time

b)      Some children require "parenting" and attention

 

The board discussed two possible solutions:

• Volunteers to provide shelving help and supervision in the computer lab
• Interns from WSC who could work on a regular basis in the library

 

At the close of this discussion, staff members and Lowell Johnson left the meeting.

 

• Internet Policy

-         Director Lofgren asked the board to consider whether there should be a limit on how long to keep Internet permission slips before having people re-register.

-         Director Lofgren stated that there is a possibility of making the library's wireless capability available to individuals with their own laptops.  The issue of signing policy sheets for usage will need to be considered.

• United Way Application

-         The board approved a motion to have Julie Osnes prepare a request for $900 for the Summer Reading Program

• NITC Tiger Grant for technology

-         The board approve a motion to have Director Lofgren prepare an application for a Tiger Grant

a)      Use the funds for stipend fro the development and/or teaching of the three proposed technology classes.

b)      WPL must provide 20% toward the project, and this can be in-kind rather than cash.

• Director Lofgren reported that news of the $10,000 Kiewit grant should be coming soon.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

Betty Heier, Secretary pro tem