Minutes

1. Roll Call

President Teresa Clark called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Present were Library Board members Teresa Clark, Marg Dredla, Carol Holyoke, Eric Vath and Kristin Wiebe. Also present were Library Foundation Chair John Massey, Library Director Bev Russell, Judy Oltmanns and Deb Carlson (acting secretary for meeting).

A notice of the meeting had been published on February 26, 2010, in the Star Herald, a newspaper published and of general circulation in the city. The notice stated the date, hour and place of the meeting, that the meeting would be open to the public. Anyone with a disability desiring reasonable accommodation to attend the library board meeting should contact the Library Director’s office. An agenda of the meeting, kept continuously current, was available for public inspection at the office of the Library Director. The Library Board could modify the agenda at the meeting if it is determined that an emergency so required. A similar notice, together with a copy of the agenda, also had been delivered to each Library Board member.

2. For public information, a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the Meeting Room doors.

President Teresa Clark announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted in the library meeting room.

3. Notice of changes in the agenda. (Additions may not be made to this agenda less than 24 hours before the beginning of the meeting unless added under item 3 of this agenda.)

Because of time constraints, agenda item 8a was moved to follow agenda item 7d. Agenda items 7e,f, and g, followed and became 9a,b,c.

4. Citizens with business not scheduled on the agenda. (As required by state law, no matter may be considered under this item unless the board determines that the matter requires emergency action.)

There were none.

5. Approve Library Board meeting minutes of February 10, 2010.

Kristen moved that the minutes of the February 10, 2010 meeting be approved. Eric seconded.

Yes – Clark, Dredla, Holyoke, Vath and Wiebe No – None

6. Correspondence: There was no correspondence.

7. Reports and recommendations from the Library Director and/or Library Staff:

a. Report and discussion regarding Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant.

Bev explained that the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant is a two-part grant application. There were 139 public libraries in Nebraska, selected to participate in the grant opportunity. Our library was one of them. Also, we were chosen to be one of eight Nebraska libraries to qualify for the Broadband Technology Grant consideration. The timeline for the application materials came at the same time as the library building construction process “took off” and so it was quite hectic. Bev has complied with the requirements for the first part of the grant, which will donate computers and computer hardware to the designated libraries. The money for this comes from federal stimulus funds and the Gates Foundation. Bev approached the City Council for permission to proceed with the second part of the grant because she was concerned it would commit the city to a long-term financial commitment. After further investigation, this will not require a major financial commitment from the city. Bev stated that the City Council was receptive to the grant proposal and directed her to move forward.

As a result of all of this grant preparation, Bev has discovered that our fiber optic connection with Allo is not up to the speed that we should have. It may be possible that we may need to buy a bigger bandwidth. Allo is investigating the situation.

Regarding the Internet speed problem, Kristin suggested we check with the hospital because their system works well. Marg also suggested that we might talk to ESU13 and B.J. Peters who does a great job with all of this.

b. Report on construction progress; donor wall and related issues.

We are preparing to move everything from the dock. On Friday, Tom Beeney of Olson Moving and Storage will move what we need to store to the Bluffs Business Center. Irving Rushall has temporarily donated a storage unit at the Bluffs Business Center downtown.

The meeting room will also be emptied soon. It can probably be used until the middle of April. McCauley will let us know in advance when it needs to be cleared out.

Also, by April 1, we must move the children’s nonfiction books on the west wall between the two pillars moved to another location. A door will be built in the west wall of children’s library. It will serve as the entrance into the library during much of construction.

Teresa asked if Jerry from McCauley had visited all of the neighbors around the library to inform and visit with them about the project. Bev indicated that he had.

Regarding the Donor Wall, Teresa had visited with Nancy Novak from Leo Daly. The wall will be located in the library entrance on the brick. Eric said that Heather at Create Away had an idea for making hand signed glazed tiles of different colors. At 11:00 on Wednesday at the library, Nancy Novak will meet with interested Board members to discuss a plan for the donor wall in more detail.

c. Discussion of Library Foundation fundraising activity, suggestions of possible events, library projects for fundraising, and budget for remaining building project funds.

John Massey discussed the idea of a Foundation fundraiser for the expansion fund. He requested ideas from the Board. Teresa said people sometimes enjoy going to a “dress up” affair. She said a Casablanca event with a 40’s theme might be fun. Other suggestions included a cocktail party and/or a mystery dinner in a hangar at the airport; a casino night; a night at the races; a tour of kitchens; cheesecake festival; maybe a “fest” based on a particular topic.

Marg Dredla asked when a fundraiser would be scheduled. John Massey said the foundation board would be meeting soon and would make those decisions.

John asked Bev if she had an idea of a designated need for the fundraising project. She stated that there was interest in building a band shell or structure of some sort in the park in front of the library, which would include a teaching or learning garden. The group agreed that was a good choice for the fundraising proceeds. It would be great for small outdoor concerts or youth events and programs. Bev Russell reported that the Leo Daly firm will be bringing ideas for this when they in town and that she will get more specifics from them, regarding the budget allocations for the park.

John explained that the Foundation Board will meet soon to set a final budget for the remaining funds for the project. He also said that the terms for several members on the Foundation Board have expired so replacements need to be found for them. He encouraged the Library Board to suggest people who might serve on the Foundation Board.

d. Discussion regarding Federal Depository Library status with Judy Oltmanns, Federal Depository Librarian.

A discussion was held on the library’s Depository status. Judy Oltmanns reported that processing depository materials slowed down in recent years due to staff cuts. The goal is to have 1/3 of the current materials ready by July. She feels that the Depository is still relevant, and the library should continue to carry these materials. Over the last ten years, the amount of materials has been greatly reduced due to many going to electronic forms and more will do so in the future. She also said that some materials that we automatically receive come in paper form, and we couldn’t afford to buy them if we dropped the service.

Kristin Wiebe asked if statistics on use could be provided and if there is designated floor space in the remodel plan. There was discussion on moving the files from the upper level to a storage space. Marg Dredla has older students who might be available to help move materials if needed.

8. Action Items:

a. Approve changes in Internet Policy (see attached policy).

Because of time constraints, the board decided to move the action item (8.a) up on the agenda. The revised Internet policy includes the following changes: clarifies age requirements for use of Internet computers, brings the policy up-to-date with current library technology, and establishes penalties and due process for violations of the Internet policy. Kristin moved the approval the changes to the library’s Internet Policy as discussed at the February meeting. Eric seconded.

Yes – Clark, Vath, Wiebe, Dredla and Holyoke No – None

The revised Internet policy is attached to these minutes.

9. Reports from the Library Director and library staff.

a. Library statistics and activities for February 2010 (See Board Packet)

Since this meeting was so early in the month, the statistics were not available. Bev said she would provide them for the April meeting.

b. New library employee Melanie Gowin.

Bev said how happy we are to welcome Melanie Gowin to our staff. Those who know Mel echoed Bev’s enthusiasm. With her teaching and library degree and experience, she will be a tremendous asset to the library.

c. Reminder of Rotary Gold fundraiser for the library building project on March 27, 2010.

Bev reminded the board of the Rotary Gold fundraiser and said tickets were available for $40 each from Eric Vath. The evening will include dinner, entertainment, and a silent auction.

10. Adjournment:

The next meeting will be April 14^th at 8:30 a.m. Depending on the construction and the condition of the meeting room, the meeting may be held at an alternate location.