JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
August 20, 2009

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday August 20, 2009 in the Archive Room.  Present were Dennis Schuessler, Steve Scott, Shirley Weuve, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda

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

Citizen Comments

• Written comments included 1) a favorable comment about the ease of Express Check, 2) appreciation for access to downloadable audio books, 3) a thank you from a customer who was allowed to leave her car in the Library parking lot until she could arrange to have it removed for repair and 4) a thank you from a user who received some special attention and assistance during a library visit.
• The suggestion box included a request for “emails after renewals”.

Meeting Minutes

Steve Scott moved approval of the minutes.  Shirley Weuve seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Approve Bills

Library bills for the month total $28,130.83 with city back charges of $9,030.81.  Steve Scott moved approval of the bills.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Social Technologies and Website Policies

Steve Scott moved approval of the Social Technologies and Website Policies as written.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve and unanimously approved.

Library Board Self Evaluation Process

The updated Library Trustee manual includes options for both individual and group board assessments that can be utilized for a Trustee self evaluation process (the State Library recommends Library boards do an annual assessment).   The Board agreed to table the discussion of Trustee self evaluations until a later date.

Budget and Finance

• As of July 31, 2009, total expenditure was $72,334.34.  With 8.33% of the year having passed, spending represented 6.85% of the operating budget.
• As of July 31, 2009, assets in the Library Trust total $60,638.59.

Monthly Statistics

• July was a record breaking month with the highest monthly circulation in our history (29,682) and the highest average daily circulation (1,024).
• Circulation was up 9% over the same month last year.
• We recorded 16,981 library visits in July, an increase of 16% more than last July.
• Program attendance for the month was 1,890; the summer reading finale program alone had more than 400 attendees.
• The annual report to the State Library was submitted on July 28, 2009.

Presentation to City Council

• Dennis Schuessler will present the Library’s annual report to the City Council at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8 in the Library’s meeting room.
• Items to be included in a packet for distribution to the Council include: 1) memo to the Mayor and Council, 2) Library brochure, 3) annual statistical report and 4) report of activities related to the Strategic Plan.

Director’s Report

Building & Grounds:

• The Library lost power for a 2-hour period one day.  The UPS system kept the computers at the Circulation desk, Reference and the public computers running and everything else came back normally when power was restored.
• Library has recently encountered a number of problems with skateboarders, unmonitored children and vandalism in the public men’s restroom.

Programs:

• Regular youth programming will resume in September.

• A new program “Sundown Storytime” will be added on the third Thursday of each month at 6:45 p.m.  It will follow the same theme as the daytime story times for that week so it will not require a separate preparation but will provide an evening option for families unable to attend during the day.
• “Stories & More” (ages 2-6 with an adult) will also change.  Rather than being on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, an identical program will be offered on a Monday morning and Saturday morning.  This involves a single preparation and will offer both a week day and weekend option.
• Adult programming for September will include several small-group computer classes, a program on the RV’ing lifestyle and an author visit by Iowa author Dennis Weidemann who will discuss his new book ‘This Water Goes North’.
• Use of the large meeting room by outside groups has resumed after the room was reserved exclusively for Library programming during June and July.

Marketing, Public Relations, Networking:

• Willona helped staff the “Geek the library” booth at the State Fair on August 13.
• Willona and Maurine attended a quarterly meeting with the Urbandale Public Library management team on August 18.
• The Library will be represented at the Johnston Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, August 25.
• The Polk County Library Association will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Public Library.
• Willona and Maurine met with a Youth Homes representative to review and revise the policy for issuing library cards to their residents.
• The Polk County Health Department provided a display and information on the Healthy Polk 2020 initiative and a representative will provide a presentation at the PCLA annual meeting.
• Willona attended a farewell/welcome reception for Sarah Willeford who left CILSA to become the new Assistant Director for Ankeny’s Kirkendall Public Library.
• Willona met with Moulder & Associates as part of the search process for hiring the new police chief.
• Willona participated in an input session with consultants working on the update of the Johnston Comprehensive Plan.
• Willona met with the City’s new Communications Specialist and provided an introduction to the Library.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• Willona and Maurine participated with other area libraries in a webinar demonstration on SirsiDynix’s reciprocal borrowing module.   Joint consensus was that the product did not address the desired issues.
• The latest EnvisionWare upgrade has created a number of problems with the existing coin-op machine and we will be purchasing a replacement unit.
• Because of concerns about the continued viability of the computer that controls the public computer reservation process, a new PC has been ordered that will replace the EnvisionWare management console.  Conversion to the new computer is scheduled for August 28.
• Willona met with Foundation member Dave Kurns to discuss options for effective use of technology in marketing.

Staff & Training Update:

• Staff Paid Time Off (PTO) is creating a scheduling challenge.
• One staff member is currently off for medical leave and will return on limited duty for several weeks; another has reduced her work hours because of family considerations.
• A circulation clerk position that will cover every other weekend, night and some day hours has been posted and there will be some realignment of remaining hours among existing staff.

Foundation Report

• There was no meeting of the Foundation officers or board in August.
• A significant donation was received from Lois Roets for the purchase of the Brightboard digital signage. 

Trustee Comments

• Next Foundation meeting will be September 2 at 8:00 a.m. 

There being no further business, Steve Scott moved adjournment of the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Weuve, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Maurine Myers on behalf of

Ellen Jessen, Secretary

Last updated: September 18, 2009