Scottsbluff Public Library

Board Meeting

June 9, 2004

Minutes
  1. Roll Call

    2. Chairman Clark Nichols called the meeting to order. Present: Nichols, Mandujano, Viessman and Russell. Absent Brown. Karon Harvey arrived later.

  2. 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.)

    3. There were none.

  3. 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.)

    4. There were none.

  4. Approve regular board meeting minutes of May 12, 2004.

    5. Steve Viessman moved the approval of the May 12, 2004 minutes. Marj Mandujano seconded. The minutes were approved.

  5. Petitions, communications, public input: There were none.
  6. Reports and recommendations from the Library Director and/or library staff:
    1. Statistical reports: April & May 2004. (board packets)

      2. Bev mentioned that the library was still unable to get statistical reports on computer usage. Staff is in contact with Vendprint, trying to get this corrected.

    2. Library activities for May 2004.
    1. Discussion regarding market research and strategic planning:

Bev summarized staff discussion to this point. She presented the library board with the joint staff and board list of names for the Blue Ribbon list.

The library board discussed names to add and delete from this list. The list will be finalized and board members will be assigned to visit with the people on the list at the July meeting.

This was tabled until the July meeting.
    1. Library Budget for FY04-05 discussion:

Bev discussed the budget situation for the library. The 2% budget reduction, which was instituted in the current fiscal year will undoubtedly continue in FY04-05.

There is a lengthening list of capital projects that will be postponed another year because of budget constraints.

Bev was informed that the only way the library can purchase a replacement server for the automation system is by using Regional Library funds

Regional Library Budget issues: Bev explained is detail the situation with the Regional Library budget. The Regional budget no longer takes in enough money to replenish what is taken out in salary. There is only about $12,000 available for the server, and it will severely deplete the Regional Budget. To help alleviate the strain on the Regional budget, she is requesting that the portion of a salary, which comes from this budget, be reassigned to the general fund Library Budget. The library server will cost $14,087, and Bev said that she will ask board members (when they reconvene as the Library Foundation Board) if the Library Foundation will pick up the additional $2,087, needed to purchase this replacement server.

Library Board members felt that the library’s server is part of the continuing cost of operation at the library. They noted that the Foundation had funded the original automation of the library with the proviso that the city would be responsible for the continued update and maintenance of the automation system. They feel that because this server is so crucial to the operation of the library that the city’s general fund budget should be the appropriate fund to use for this equipment.

Library board members asked Bev to prepare a letter to the City Manager for their signatures, stating their serious concerns and reservations about this issue. They also asked Bev to contact the City Manager and invite him to the next meeting of the library board so they could discuss this further with him.
    1. Summer Reading Program update
    2. Adam Bahl finished the mural in the local history and genealogy area.
  1. Actions items:
    1. Library Summer Hours: August end date.

Tabled until the July meeting.

8. Adjournment