JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
February 18, 2010
The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:45 pm on Thursday February 18, 2010 in the Archive Room. Present were Ellen Jessen, Shirley Weuve, Steve Scott, Council Liaison Dave Lindeman and Director Willona Goers.
Approve Agenda
Ellen Jessen moved approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Steve Scott and unanimously approved.
Citizen Comments
We received a thank you from the Iowa SIDS Foundation for the use of our meeting room. The Executive Director particularly complimented the staff that helped her on the day of their meeting.
A note was dropped in the drop box saying, “Please come up with a drive thru Book Return.”
Meeting Minutes
Ellen Jessen moved approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by Steve Scott and unanimously approved.
Approve bills
Library bills for the month total $14,862.14 with city back charges of $6,475.63. Ellen Jessen moved approval of the bills. The motion was seconded by Steve Scott and unanimously approved.
Budget and Finance
Operating Budget - As of January 31, 2010, our total expenditure was $580,343.11. January month-end represents 58.33% of the year; our spending represents 54.94% of the operating budget for expenditures.
Trust Balance Sheet – As of January 31, 2010, the assets in the Library Trust total $40,065.88.
The public hearing on the FY10/11 budget will be in March.
Monthly Statistics
January circulation is up 9% over last January despite the weather and three early closings. DVD’s, particularly children’s movies, tend to be very popular this time of year!
Door count was down slightly as compared to last year. Given the weather conditions we were surprised that it was down more than it actually was.
Director’s Report
Programs
On February 23 Cheryl Heid and Willona Goers will participate in a telephone conference call with the American Library Association concerning details about the “Visions of the Universe” exhibit that we will be hosting from April 21-June 25, 2010. We just received word that we will receive the $500 additional stipend to help with programming costs; this had not originally been offered to the libraries on the extended tour. We will also be involved in a pilot project with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory called “Scientists on Reserve” which features live teleconferences with astronomers and other scientists.
We are setting various dates for programs provided by the Johnston Police Department. This is a cooperative “win” for both JPD and the Library.
Thirteen participants attended the program on “Preserving Family History” on February 11.
AARP tax assistance began February 2. This is a heavily utilized service that extends through April 15.
The laptop lab will be here the first week of March. We will be offering several small group classes for the public, as well as two outreach programs at Crown Point in conjunction with the congregate meals.
March 14 we will be showing a family movie – “Where the Wild Things Are.” These movies have been quite popular over the past few months, and we are trying to build this into a regular monthly offering.
March 22 the Johnston Police will offer a safety class on “Sexting” for parents and students.
March 23 we will have a master gardener presenting “Gardening 101.”
The Youth Services department is currently preparing Teen Tech Week and spring break offerings in March.
Staff & Training Update
The laptop lab will be used for several classes exclusively for staff. All full-time and part-time staff members are expected to take at least one class while the lab is here at JPL. Cheryl Heid will be teaching the classes.
Maurine Myers will be attending a Cataloging Forum which will be held in our meeting room later this month. She will also provide a tour for the attendees.
Kinney Carnahan and Lynne Hoehamer will be attending a Children/Young Adult continuing education event at Heartland AEA in February.
Cheryl Heid will be attending a Library Technology conference for two days in March in St. Paul, MN.
Willona Goers will be attending the Public Library Association conference in Portland, OR and will be out of the office from March 22-26.
Building & Grounds
We replaced two non-working security cameras this month. JPW staff finished several other maintenance projects that had been on hold during the time that the focus was on street snow removal.
A couple of the vending doors are working properly now, but we do have one set roped off due to a raised threshold.
Performance Finish touched up our tile floors on Presidents Day when we are closed to the public.
Marketing, Public Relations and Networking:
The double-page spread for Johnston Community Education’s summer catalog was submitted on Feb. 9.
Willona Goers met with Lisa Cooper, a library user who is enthused about helping to revitalize the Friends organization. We are planning an organizational meeting in April for interested people. We’re working on a mailing to approximately 100 people. The Foundation annual report will also include an article about the Friends Book Sale area and will encourage people to inquire more about becoming a Friend. We are working on a brochure and will publicize the group visibly on our website.
The last regional meeting for the “Geek” campaign will be held March 11. They are encouraging highlighting “Geek Week” in mid-March.
Maurine Myers will attend a Green Days planning meeting on February 24 to represent the Library.
Willona Goers will attend a Community Consortium meeting on March 4 led by the Partnership for a Healthy Community. The discussion will focus on unmet needs in Johnston (e.g. food pantry, etc.).
The Polk County Library Association will meet on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. at the Urbandale Public Library.
Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:
The fiber optic cut-over did not occur on Presidents Day, but will likely occur in the next few weeks.
Maurine Myers and Dreama Deskins have an established process in place for showing items “on order” at Johnston. They met with Urbandale staff to work out a similar process for UPL. On February 16 we implemented on “on order” notification, which is a great service enhancement for our library users.
Foundation Report:
Willona Goers provided an orientation for new Foundation Board members, Carol Crane and Tim Heldt.
The Foundation Board held their annual meeting in February. The officers for this year will be: Greg Judas, president; Char Kimball, recording secretary; Willona Goers, secretary (as stated by the by-laws); and Matt Thacker, treasurer.
The Board reviewed a mock-up of the Foundation’s annual report. Several editing improvements were suggested, as well as ways to expand the mailing list.
There being no additional Trustee Comments or Other Business, Ellen Jessen moved for adjournment of the meeting. The motion was seconded by Steve Scott, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.
Ellen Jessen, Secretary
Last updated: March 19, 2010