Library Board Minutes 12-08-2014MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, December 8, 2014
5:30 p.m.
Members present: Library Services Coordinator Deb Luken, Sandra Lommel, Janet
Bridgland, Elaine Settergren, Patron Services Supervisor Ryan McCormick.
Minutes of the last meeting approved.
Old Business: Library Services Coordinator, Deb Luken, stated that her report to the City
Council was well received by council members. The City provides the Monticello library with
$7,000 in funds; $6,000 to be used for programs and $1,000 for supplies. Monticello is very
fortunate to have funding from the city.
Library Report — Deb Luken:
Statistics - The number of items checked out January through November of 2104 showed a
15.9% decrease from the same period in 2013. This is a trend that GRRL and all public libraries
are experiencing. Out of the 32 branches of GRRL, 26 show a decrease in circulation. System
wide the decrease is 9.6% from 2013. Digital statistics (ebook and audio book) show an increase
of 1824.4% from 2013.
Programs — Programs that were directly paid for with City dollars January through November
totaled 135 programs with 2,554 children and teens attending. This figure doesn't include 808
participants in the Summer Reading Program or the Legacy programs which were an additional
14 programs with 703 participants. Programs offered through City funding are specifically for
babies, toddlers, preschoolers and teens. We have 286 children signed up for 1000 Books for
Before Kindergarten. This program was started in September 2012 and is made possible
through financial support from GRRL,the City and the Friends.
News —The use of our self check out machines continues to grow, representing 17% of our
check outs for the month on November 2014.
Building/ Maintenance Issues — We have experienced problems this summer and fall with
water damage due to a leak in the roof. This problem has now hopefully been corrected.
From Deb: On behalf of the Community and the Library, I would like to thank the City of
Monticello for their generous financial support of past library programs and ask for their
continued support. I would be happy to speak to the Council and answer any questions.
Patron Services Supervisor. Rvan McCormick:
• Ryan attended the meeting in place of Brandi Canter who is on medical leave.
• The GRRL Board of trustees approved the hire of an external consultant to conduct a
nationwide search for a new Executive Director.
• The 2015 budget was ratified with no drastic cuts.
• A powerful genealogy research tool, Ancestry for Libraries has been added to the GRRL
system. It is available for patron use only in the libraries.
• Local libraries were able to make the decision to close during the early November
snowstorm.
• GRRL libraries will no longer accept credit cards at the circulation desk. Patrons can pay
fines through the express checkout stations. Cash and checks still accepted. Patrons
must pay fines before they can use the digital library.
New Business:
• Terms of Ralph Olsen and Elaine Settergren expire in December 2014
Elaine has agreed to remain on the Board, Deb will contact Ralph since he was not
at the meeting.
• The Friends of the Monticello Library will host 2 events this spring: Ron Schara on
March 24 and Minnesota Crime Wave authors, William Kent Krueger, Ellen Hart and Carl
Brookins at the Annual Meeting May 19.
Schedule of Library Board Meetings for 2015:
Tuesday. March 10
Tuesday, June 9
Tuesday. September 8
Tuesday. December 8
Next Meeting will be Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Lommel, Secretary