JOHNSTON LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
September 17, 2009

The Johnston Public Library Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting at 5:30 pm Thursday September 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

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

Citizen Comments

Written comments included a customer’s thank you for reference help and a request for a coat rack for use this winter.  A note was also received from Sarah Wessling in appreciation for the recommendation submitted in support of her nomination for Iowa Teacher of the Year.

Meeting Minutes

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

Approve bills

Library bills for the month total $13,017.19 with city back charges of $194.77.  Steve Scott moved approval of the bills.  Shirley Weuve seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Urbandale Integrated Library System (ILS) Agreement

Willona reported on the quote received from Urbandale for the Sirsi ILS for FY10/11.  Approval of the agreement will be on the October Board agenda.

Budget and Finance

• As of August 31, 2009, total expenditures were $142,087.87.  With 16.67% of the year having passed, spending represented 15.29% of the operating budget.
• As of August 31, 2009, assets in the Library Trust totaled $60,645.50.

Monthly Statistics

• 25,795 items were checked out in August, an increase of 15% over last year.
• The number of library visits increased significantly with 19,970 visits recorded.  The average daily door count was 644 as compared to 393 last year.
• 248 new library cards were issued for a 29% increase over last August and 269 card renewals for a 43% increase.  As reported last month, we now have a staff member working 9 hr/week whose sole responsibility is database management work related to registrations.

Director’s Report

Building & Grounds:

• Incidents of disruptive customer behavior continue.  Johnston Police Officers are now including the Library in their regular patrol routes.
• Youth Services staff has begun reorganization of the YS workroom.
• Other maintenance related items included follow up on a small leak in the roof, a problem with the outside irrigation system and a fire alarm that resulted from a faulty heat head/smoke alarm unit.

Programs:

• Regular Youth Services programming resumed this week.  A ‘School-Age Special’ program will be held September 28 and the annual Pumpkin Patch Party will be October 26. Sundown Storytime launches tonight.
• Adult programming included the monthly Book Discussion, a program on RV’ing Adventures, an author visit with Dennis Weidemann and an informational program on the H1N1 virus.  October will offer several events:  a database training session, individual computer classes, two evening flu clinics and an author visit from Chad Lewis, author of “Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations”.

Marketing, Public Relations & Networking:

• The monthly door count is being closely monitored and a “Help us reach a million” visits campaign will be introduced in the coming months.
• The new Brightboard digital sign was installed on August 31.  The unit was provided by the Johnston Library Foundation and made possible by a generous donation from Lois Roets on behalf of her late husband and herself.
• Cheryl Heid has the Library’s Facebook and Twitter sites operational.  The url’s are www.facebook.com/johnstonlibrary and www.twitter.com/johnstonlibrary
• Willona will be working with the City’s communication specialist and  the City’s website planning team, looking toward an opportunity to enhance both the City and Library’s websites.
• Willona is part of a group of metro library directors who meet informally every few months.
• The “Geek the library” campaign continues.  Willona attended a meeting on plans for Phase II and will be sharing that information with community groups in the coming months.
• Willona attended the September Lions Club meeting and reported on the use of their donated funds.
• Both the Library and Foundation will participate in the Homecoming Parade on October 1.

Technology, Telecommunications, Networking:

• Conversion to the new EnvisionWare management PC and the new Jamex coin-op machine was completed on August 28.
• A new Alliance technician has been assigned for our monthly network preventative maintenance.
• Willona and Maurine met with City staff, Alliance Technologies and Foth Engineering to discuss status of the City’s fiber optic project.  Plans include housing the main equipment in the Library’s telecom room; discussion continues about the firewall, etc.

Staff & Training Update:

• Diane Nelson has been hired for the 14 hour/week Library Clerk position.
• Joanne Wilkinson submitted her retirement effective September 11.  We have reallocated some of her responsibilities and will fill the position as a Library Clerk with focus on circulation duties.  The Library Clerk position has been posted and interviews are being held this week.
• Several staff members will attend the State Library’s Town Meetings which will be held at the Urbandale Public Library.

Foundation Report

• The Foundation Board met on September 2, 2009.   Sherryl Viars submitted her resignation from the Board; replacements are being sought to fill two existing vacancies.

Trustee Comments

• Thanks to Dennis Schuessler for the presentation of the annual report to the Council.

There being no Other Business, Shirley Weuve moved adjournment of the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Steve Scott, unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

Ellen Jessen, Secretary

Last update: October 16, 2009