Scottsbluff Public Library

Board

August 11, 2004

Minutes

 

  1. Roll Call

    2. President Clark Nichols called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. Present: Nichols, Mandujano, Brown, Harvey, Viesmann and Library Director Bev Russell.

  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 July 29, 2004.

    5. Marj Mandujano moved the approval of the minutes. Rita Brown seconded. Motion carried.

  5. Petitions, communications, public input: There were none.
  6. Reports and recommendations from the Library Director and/or library staff:
    1. Statistical reports: July 2004. (see board packets) The board reviewed the statistical report for July. The increase in circulation of juvenile materials was noted. This is the result of a record setting summer reading program.
    2. Library activities for July 2004 & Summer Reading Program update. 1,407 children registered for the Juvenile Summer Reading Program this summer. This is a record number of children registered. The number of teens who registered for the teen program was 186, which is also a record. 128 teens completed the program.
    1. Library Budget for FY04-05

      2. Bev reported that the budget for the library for the next fiscal year will include the 2% reduction that was mandated in April. The library will be allowed to purchase a new automation system server, using Regional Library funds. The Foundation will pay $2,087 toward that purchase. It was a rough budget season, and an issue involving money budgeted for part time personnel developed. Because less money was budgeted for this than was expected, page hours will be reduced by 20 hours per week for the coming fiscal year.

    2. Keno Request for feasibility study approved by City Council: Next Steps

      3. Bev reported that she had discussed the process of arranging a feasibility study with Steve Fosselman from the Grand Island Public Library and Becky Baker from the Seward Public Library. Grand Island’s situation more closely resembles ours. Grand Island organized a Feasibility Study Committee and sent out RFPs (Request for Proposal) to architects in a bid process. Bev recommended following the Grand Island model. Karon moved that Bev prepare an RFP for a feasibility study and present it at the next meeting for board approval. Steve seconded. Motion carried

      Karon reported on her phone conversations with a Wal-Mart representative and a representative from the mall ownership. There is interest on the part of both entities about the library moving to that location. Wal-Mart would like the board to sign a non-binding letter of intent; however, Karen told them that her contact with them was an inquiry only, and she did not have the authority to go further. The Wal-Mart building is owned by a trust, which is asking $4.5 to $5 million for the building. Karen believed that a much better deal might be possible, working through Wal-Mart. The board asked Bev to arrange a meeting with the City Manager and a representative of the City Council as well as herself and a library board member to explore the Council’s feelings about pursuing further discussions with Wal-Mart.

    3. Discussion regarding market research and strategic planning:

The Blue Ribbon/Visionary list was finalized, and board members selected names from the list and will visit with them to solicit their advice and thoughts about the library building project. All members will attempt to have visited with their assigned people by the October meeting and report back to the board on their visits.

This will be discussed further at the September meeting.

f. Board policies for discussion at September meeting: Library Board & Library Hours

Board members are to read through the policies regarding the library board and library hours and be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting. At each future meeting a policy or two will be assigned so that all policies will have been reviewed by the July meeting each year.
  1. Actions items:

8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.