Library Board Minutes 09-19-2012MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
5:30 P.M.
Members present: Branch Manager Deb Luken, Janet Bridgland, Sandra Lommel, Beth Metzger,
Ralph Olsen, Elaine Settergren, Regional Supervisor Brandi Canter.
Member absent: Lloyd Hilgert, City Council Representative.
Minutes read and approved.
Old Business: None
Board members were hopeful the City Council representative would come to future meetings.
The library is in need of more space and it would be helpful to learn about the city's budget and
the possibility of available funds for adding on to the library.
Library Report — Deb Luken:
• Circulation for January through August 2012 increased 2.3% over the same period in
2011. The average number of items checked out per hour decreased by 4 each hour.
The decrease is attributed to the additional 3 hours on Monday.
• The summer reading program was a great success with 715 kids participating and 529
reading coupons returned. The Baby program had 84 babies and the teen program had
92 members. Total for the summer was 891.
• Over 20 teens volunteered to assist children with the summer program. Adult
volunteers have also increased which helps to manage reduced staff hours.
• Legacy amounts for 2013 will be $3500 for each branch. The library will be hosting a bus
tour to the Guthrie for a performance in January.
■ 1000 books Before Kindergarten began in September. This is a joint venture between
GRRL, the City, and the Friends. The program is designed to increase awareness of the
importance of early literacy and to encourage parents to start reading to their children
at an early age. Approximately 100 families are participating.
■ Monticello library will be getting an upgrade to the Internet connection, with a speed 8
times faster than the current connection.
• Friends book sale will be September 22 and 24.
• The Friends purchased an electronic counter which will be used to count patrons during
the week in October that GRRL does their annual door counts. City will install it.
GRRL Update, Brandi Canter:
• Board of Trustees approved minimal changes to most job descriptions.
• BOT approved a Classification and Compensation study by Laumeyer Human Resource
Solutuions. It is expected to begin in October and findings will be ready for the January
BOT meeting. Staff will complete a questionnaire and participate in interviews. This
study should be done every 5 years, it has been 7.
• BOT approved the 2013 budget with a 0% increase.
- Library aid positions will now receive a personal day and 3 holidays prorated
each calendar year beginning in 2013.
-Step increases were approved for eligible employees and a 1% structure
adjustment for all employees in 2013. A budget request for an additional 1%
structure adjustment on July 1, 2013 was not approved. The Board instead
allocated these funds for library materials. The Library materials budget was
reduced by .3% or $2900 even with the additional funds.
• GRRL is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for GRRL.
• Kirsty Smith, GRRL Director, would like to meet with community leaders to discuss what
GRRL could be doing to better help the effort to strengthen our communities. She is
interested in meeting with those who might not be regular users of the library.
• City board members were encouraged to send Brandi names of leaders in the
community who might be interested in offering suggestions. Rotary, Lions, Diversity
committee were some suggestions.
New Business: None
The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Lommel, Secretary