JOHNSTON  LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES

June 24, 2008

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday June 24, 2008 in the Library’s East meeting room.  Present were Shirley Weuve, Ellen Jessen, Stephan Johnson, Taena Fowler, Dennis Schuessler, Director Willona Goers and Assistant Director Maurine Myers.

Approve Agenda 

Stephan Johnson moved approval of the agenda as amended.  Ellen Jessen seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

Recognition of Outgoing and Incoming Trustees

The Board recognized Stephan Johnson and Shirley Weuve for completion of their respective terms and Stephan Johnson was presented a plaque in appreciation for his service to the library.  Welcomed were Dennis Schuessler as an incoming Board member and Shirley Weuve who is returning for a full term.

Citizen Comments

Willona responded to letters received from Mrs. Easter’s 3rd grade class at Lawson Elementary.  Comments in the Suggestion Box included suggestions for library purchases plus a comment about staff being “very helpful but rude at first”.

Meeting Minutes 

Stephan Johnson moved approval of the minutes.  The motion was seconded by Ellen Jessen and unanimously approved.

Approve bills

Library claims for the month total $52,533.83 with city back charges of $10,029.87.

Stephan Johnson moved approval of the bills.  Ellen Jessen seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Election of Officers

The FY08/09  slate of officers was presented for approval:  Taena Fowler, President; Steve Scott, Vice President; Ellen Jessen, Secretary.  Stephan Johnson moved approval of the slate of officers as presented.  The motion was seconded by Ellen Jessen and unanimously approved.

Appointment of JPL Foundation Representative:

Taena Fowler will fill the Board President slot and Ellen Jessen was chosen as the second representative.

ILL contract

Stephan Johnson moved approval of the annual Interlibrary Loan contract with CILSA for ILL service at a reimbursement of $1.50/per OCLC request.   Ellen Jessen seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Budget and Finance

• The budget and finance report was distributed for review.  As of May 31, 2008, total expenditure was $883,056.21.  Spending represented 86.03% of the amended operating budget with 91.67% of the year having passed. 
• The Library Trust has a balance of $74,207.89.

Monthly Statistics

• May’s circulation was just over 17,384. 
• New card registration was comparable to last year and renewal registrations were up 27% due to the change to annual renewals for all cardholders.
• Youth Services staff made their annual school visits to promote the Summer Reading Program.  A total of 3,507 youngsters attended the 9 programs presented in May.

Director’s Report

Library Accreditation:

The accreditation notice from the State Library should be forthcoming.

20th Anniversary Celebration:

A celebration is planned in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Johnston Public Library. The Library opened July 5 1988 with Lori Belknap as Director; longtime volunteer Jeanne Hansen  was the 1st person to check out an item.  In observance of the occasion, the public is invited to share refreshments with the Staff on Tuesday July 8 from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Summer Library Program update:

There are currently 888 youth signed up (223 future readers; 480 readers, 158 teens) and 141 adults with a total of 1029 participating to date.

A truck of new books for the Youth Services area was presented as an example of the many new materials added for kids in preparation for summer reading.

Polk County Library Association:

Willona reported that the West Des Moines, Urbandale, Pleasant Hill, and Clive libraries have approved the same formula approved by this Board at the May meeting.  Remaining library boards have not yet had a chance to discuss and vote; however, Grimes and Ankeny libraries will meet later this week.

Staff & Training:

Staff members were notified of the 5% pay increase as well as closure payments for those affected staff members. 

Building & Grounds:

• The key audit is complete and an emergency alarm has been added to the Meeting Room fire exit door.
• Staff and cleaning personnel have all been trained on arming/disarming the perimeter security system and the security system is now being used regularly.
• The Library has not been affected by recent flooding but we continue to experience incoming water problems at the front and staff entrances (depending on the direction of the winds).
• CSS made two visits this month to work on the HVAC system and rebalance the air pressure in the building – improper balance affects the efficiency of the system and creates higher utility bills.
• Required signage for the smoke free legislation that goes into effect July 1 has been ordered.  Ash cans will be removed from outside the building; employees and the public will be allowed to smoke in their personal vehicles in the parking lot.
• A notice was received from MidAmerican that we are getting the best rate available and the library is now on an automated meter read.
• Green Days update – The Board discussed concerns about parking lot congestion and safety related issues during Green Days activity.  Willona will discuss alternative logistics with the Green Day’s committee.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• Staff  believes that the final issues related to the EnvisionWare implementation have been resolved.
• WILBOR, the consortium for downloadable audiobooks, was launched on JPL’s website on June 2.  1,150 titles were included in the initial launch with 84 libraries participating.
• The Library is adding several new online databases that can be accessed remotely through our website.  We hope to have these available July 1 and have arranged to have an article in the DM Register’s Johnston section highlighting these databases and the WILBOR downloadable audio.  The databases include:
• Teen Health & Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers – an online database from Rosen Publishing that provides students with comprehensive curriculum support and self-help tools on topics such as diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, fitness, mental health, eating disorders, family life, friendship & dating, grief & loss, diversity, life skills, etc.
• Magill’s Medical Guide – an online resource that includes diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and issues in an A-Z format, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders.
• Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center – an online comprehensive career research database that consists of three main sections: 1. Jobs (featuring  thousands of job listings, profiles, and industry overviews); 2. Skills (to help users learn the essentials of getting a job and keeping it—with guidance on establishing a career path, honing interview skills, writing resumes & cover letters, and demonstrating professional behavior) and 3. Resources (includes 51,000 resource entries to help users achieve career goals)
• LearningExpress Library— an interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help users prepare for academic and/or licensing tests. Service includes immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of a users’ results for a variety of tests including ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, Real Estate, EMS, GED, GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, Citizenship, and more.
• Issues and Controversies – timely, in-depth articles that explore controversial issues and hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture with pro/con arguments, timelines, primary source documents, statistical data and more.

Sirsi ILS (Integrated Library System):

The Urbandale Public Library is planning a major upgrade to the Sirsi ILS in August.  This upgrade will involve staff training and new learning by the public.

Express Check:

Discussion of Express Check was tabled until after completion of the Sirsi upgrade.

Public Relations & Networking:

• Several articles with photos highlighting the Library have appeared in the print and online versions of the local newspapers.
• 15 people attended the Chamber’s Breakfast Before Business session that was held at the Library on June 15.  Stephan Johnson, Gerd Clabaugh, Willona and Maurine hosted the event.
• Willona reported on the progress of the Community Needs Assessment Committee.

Foundation Report

• Willona attended the June 9 Lions Club meeting and was presented a check for the JPL Foundation.  The check in the amount of $2,161.98 was for proceeds of the Lion’s book sale.
• The JPL Foundation received a $1,000 matching gift from the Meredith Corporation Foundation based on a Meredith’s employee matching contribution.
• The Johnston Bluegrass Festival committee decided not to hold the 2008 festival because of difficulties with monetary sponsors and the rising gas prices.  If and when the Festival is again held in the future, the organizers will do so under their own 501(c)(3) designation rather than being under the umbrella of the JPL Foundation.

There being no Other Business or additional Trustee Comments, Stephan Johnson moved for adjournment.  Ellen Jessen seconded, the motion was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

Stephan Johnson, Secretary