JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
December 17,  2009

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday December 17, 2009 in the Archive Room.  Present were Shirley Weuve, Dennis Schuessler, Steve Scott, Taena Fowler, Councilman Gerd Clabaugh, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda

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

Citizen Comments

• Julie Walter, Johnston School Board member, addressed the Board as liaison representative from the Johnston School Board. 
• Comments from the Suggestion Box included concerns about the police presence in the Library and keeping back issues of Value Line (these back issues are offered for sale in the Book Sale Room at the request of a customer who uses them as a teaching tool for a financial information class).

Meeting Minutes

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

Approve bills

Library bills for the month total $14,549.92 with city back charges of $3,769.14.  Willona pointed out an item on the claims list that was charged to the wrong account – the Finance Dept. will move that bill to the proper line item.  Steve Scott moved approval of the bills.  Taena Fowler seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• As of November 30, 2009, total expenditure was $424,068.61.  Spending represented 40.14% of the operating budget with 41.67% of the year having passed.
• As of November 30, 2009, balance in the Library Trust totaled $40,055.20.
• Taena Fowler presented the Library’s budget request to the City Council on Tuesday December 15, 2009.  Dennis expressed his appreciation to Taena for handling the budget presentation in his absence.
• Dave Lindeman will be the City Council liaison to the Library Board beginning in January.

Monthly Statistics

• November circulation was up 1% over last November.
• Door count and use of the meeting room were up considerably over November 2008.

Board Evaluation

Willona reported the previous Board evaluation was done in November 2008.  Board members agreed to complete the Trustee Manual evaluation form and discuss their responses at the January meeting.

Director’s Report

Building & Grounds:

• There was another roof leak which was not covered under warranty; repair was done by Bailey Roofing.
•  A different leak in the Mechanical Room is suspected to have come from snow blowing in during the recent blizzard; Library and Public Works staff is monitoring the situation.
• Public Works was commended for their great job of snow removal.
• Another smash/grab robbery occurred in the parking lot on December 11. Library staff  is consulting with the Police Dept on possible solutions.

rograms:

• Holidays in Johnston was quite successful with approximately 800 attending.

Marketing, Public Relations & Networking:

• Willona and Maurine met with the Urbandale Public Library staff on December 15 for a quarterly meeting.
• Willona and Cheryl Heid met with Alliance Technologies to discuss potential enhancements to the Library’s website.  The 2010 Foundation budget includes some funds for website upgrades.
• The Library was again a pick up/drop off site for the Johnston Community Education’s Project Share.
• Donation of sundry items for the Closet at Crown Point was encouraged as part of this year’s Holidays in Johnston event.
• The Johnston Dollars for Scholars Holiday Boutique at the Simpson Barn was cross-promoted with Holidays in Johnston.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• Dreama and Maurine are continuing to work on the “on order” project.
• Following a site survey for the fiber optic project, Qwest representatives reported that the recently installed equipment cabinet must be relocated.   The cut over to the new fiber optic is still scheduled for December

Staff & Training Update:

• Library staff has remained relatively healthy thus far this flu season.

Foundation Report

• Foundation Officers met in December.
• The Foundation’s fiscal year will close at the end of December.
• A new Foundation Board member has been identified and will be presented for approval at the January meeting.

Building Tour

• Board members enjoyed a behind-the-scenes building tour following adjournment of the regular meeting.

Trustee Comments

• Thanks to Taena Fowler for her presentation of  the Library’s budget request to the Council.
• Holidays in Johnston was very well organized and most enjoyable. 

There being no Other Business, Shirley Weuve moved adjournment.  The motion was seconded by Steve Scott, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.

Last updated: January 22, 2010