JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES

   June 23, 2009

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday June 23, 2009 in the Archive Room.  Present were Shirley Weuve, Ellen Jessen, 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 Dennis Schuessler and unanimously approved.

Citizen Comments

• Cheryl Heid received a thank you letter from a student for exam proctoring.
•  Thank you letters were also received from Mrs. Dewhurst’s kindergarten class at Wallace Elementary for the Youth Services’ presentation of ‘Library Idol’.
• Suggestion box comments included a thank you for “putting all the Large Print together” and a concern about filling out forms for annual library card renewal.

Meeting Minutes

Shirley Weuve moved approval of the minutes.  Dennis Schuessler seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Approve bills

Library bills for the month total $38,051.64 with city back charges of $4,377.19.  Steve Scott moved approval of the bills.  The motion was seconded by Dennis Schuessler and unanimously approved.

Election of Board Officers for FY09/09

Steve Scott moved approval of the slate of officers as presented: Dennis Schuessler, President; Shirley Weuve, Vice President; Ellen Jessen, Secretary.  Dennis Schuessler seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Appointment of JPL Foundation Representative:

Steve Scott was appointed as Library Board representative to the JPL Foundation Board with Dennis Schuessler serving as Board President representative.

Approval of Interlibrary Loan Contract

Steve Scott moved approval of the ILL contract for FY09/10.  Dennis Schuessler seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• As of May 31, 2009, total expenditure was $938,544.49.  Spending represented 87.77% of the amended operating budget with 91.67% of the year having passed.
• As of May 31, 2009, assets in the Library Trust total $58,401.84.
• Once June claims are finalized, we will be close to expending the total budget for FY08/09.

Monthly Statistics

• Circulation for the month was 19,306, an 11% increase over May 2008.
• New library card registrations were comparable to last year; renewal registrations were up 53% (due to the policy change requiring annual renewals).
• Youth Services staff made their annual school visits to promote Summer Reading.  Nine Youth Services programs were presented in May with 3,652 participants.

Director’s Report

Enrich Iowa and First Search Agreements for FY09/10:

• Participation in Enrich Iowa qualifies the library for reimbursement for Direct State Aid, Open Access and Interlibrary Loan.  The agreement was signed and sent to the State Library on May 29, 2009.
• The First Search agreement between the Library and Central Iowa Library Service Area provides access to the OCLC First Search databases at a subsidized level.  This agreement was signed and submitted by the deadline.

Sex Offender Legislation Update:

• The Board discussed changes to the sex offender law that will become effective July 1, 2009.

Summer Library Program Update:

• We currently have 981 youth and 209 adults signed up for the Summer Reading programs.

Staff & Training Update:

• A number of staff members expressed their appreciation for the FY09/10 wage increases.
• A resignation of has been received from a part time weekend circulation clerk.

Building & Grounds:

• Many maintenance activities were accomplished prior to Green Days including landscape cleanup, mulching, irrigation mapping of zones and heads, exterior painting of grids and steel beams, replacement of damaged siding and a broken window, replacement of broken curbing in parking lot and paint striping in the parking lot.
• A new swamp oak and a crabapple tree were purchased to replace trees that had died. 
• JPW staff painted two study rooms and revamped electrical outlet accessibility in the study rooms.
• Technicians from SimplexGrinnell have worked on both the Fire and Security alarms in the building.  A contact point at the Staff entrance was replaced which hopefully will resolve the recent problem with false security alarms.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• eLibrary, an updated version of our online catalog, is now being used.
• The Express Check machine was installed the first of June and launched to the public on June 11.  Reception has been positive as many customers are already using similar products at other libraries.  On June 11, 50% of the day’s checkouts were done by Express Check and the average since has been 25-50%.  The email receipt option is also now working.
• Dreama, Willona and Maurine worked Sunday June 21, upgraded 27 public computers with new security software and added two new additional PCs for public use.
• TumbleReads, a new online database, has been added to our website.  It encourages new/reluctant readers who want to “read along” with books online.

Public Relations & Networking:

• Green Days celebration was held June 18-21.
• Willona provided the URL link for the DMPL Director’s blog which has been featuring a discussion of the benefits of regionalization of public library services.
• Willona discussed the OCLC marketing project that launched this week.
• The Johnston Alliance for Character Development partnered with the Library to present the Family movie on Thursday night of Green Days.  JACD provided volunteer assistance, coloring books and prizes.
• Willona will represent the Library at a strategic planning meeting for the Partnership for a Healthy Community Board in August or September.
• Willona will write a recommendation for Sarah Wessling, Johnston High School English teacher, as a community support for her nomination for the Iowa Educator of the Year award.

Foundation Report

• The Lions Club presented the Foundation with a donation of $1,878.24 from the annual book sale.
• Paul Jacobson tendered his resignation from the Foundation Board as he will be moving from Johnston to accept a new job.
• Greg Judas, Foundation President, represented both the Library and the Foundation in the Green Days Parade on June 20.

Other Business

• The donation from the Lions Club book sale will be used to purchase additional Large Print materials for the collection.

There being no further business or Trustee Comments, Shirley Weuve moved adjournment.  The motion was seconded by Dennis Schuessler, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.

Ellen Jessen, Secretary

Last updated: July 17, 2009