Minutes_Library Board of Trustees 12.18.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
March 2, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of February 16, 2026; Airport
Commission of December 2, 2025; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Advisory Commission of December 16, 2025; Cable TV
Commission of December 17, 2025; Civil Service
Commission of January 14 and February 11, 2026; Historic
Preservation Commission of January 15, 2026; Human
Rights Commission of January 13, 2026; Library Board of
Trustees Minutes and Update of December 18, 2025 and
Update of and January 22, 2026; Parks and Recreation
Commission of Janaury 21, 2026.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2 16 26 City Council Minutes
2. 26 01 14 Civil Service Minutes
3. 26 02 11 Civil Service Minutes
4. Library Board Council_Update_12-18
5. Library Board Council_Update_01-22
6. Historic Preservation Commission 01-15-26
7. January 13, 2026 Human Rights Commission Minutes
8. Parks and Recreation Minutes 1.21.26
9. Airport Commission Minutes of December 2 2025
10. Cable TV Commission Meeting Minutes
11. Arts Commission Minutes 12.16.25
12. Library Board of Trustees December Meeting Minutes
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Carnegie -Stout Public Library
Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2025
The Board of Trustees of the Carnegie -Stout Public Library (C-SPL) met in the Lacy
Board Room at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Present: President A. Alanda Gregory, Secretary Diann Guns (online), Trustee
Jessica Connery, Trustee Victor Lieberman, Trustee Christy Monk, Trustee Pam
Mullin, Library Director Nick Rossman
1. President Gregory called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.
"Moved to adopt the meeting agenda of December 18, 2025. "
Motion: Guns
Second: Mullin
Vote: Aye — 6; Nay — 0
2. Board President's Report:
A. Communication with Dubuque City Council, November, 2025
"Moved to receive and file the communication with the Dubuque City Council
from November 2025."
Motion: Lieberman
Second: Monk
Vote: _ Aye — 6; Nay — 0
3. Approval of Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2025."
"Moved to approve the Board Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2025."
Motion: Monk
Second: Guns
Vote: Aye — 6; Nay — 0
4. Motion to Receive and File Informational Items:
A. Library Director's Report Summary and Update:
1) Library Financial Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 — Rossman reported that
November marks approximately 41 % of the fiscal year. The library has
spent 42% of our budget to date.
Revenue collected at 25% of projected budget.
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2) Library Use — Rossman reported a 4% decrease in circulation statistics
compared to November 2024.
The library saw a 14% decrease in visitors compared to November 2024.
The library saw a 13% decrease in internet and wireless usage comparing
November 2024.
Patrons used curbside pickup 73 times in November.
All these usage statistics are likely a little lower due to a Winter storm that
closed the library an extra day and made travel hazardous for a few days at
the end of November.
There was some discussion regarding usage stats for the public computers,
Wi-Fi usage, and the new laptop kiosk. With some desktop usage numbers
trending down, and the laptop checkouts trending up. Staff will plan to
present a usage report for the January meeting to look at trends and
potentially help with decision making as the adult computers will be moving
as part of renovation.
Rossman reported there were 2,748 Hoopla downloads in November.
(Hoopla is a web and mobile library media -streaming platform for audio
books, comics, e-books, movies, music, and TV.)
3) Library Programs, Partnerships, and Grants Report - Rossman provided the
following report:
UMB Market President Drew Townsend, and former Carnegie -Stout Public
Library Foundation Board Member Nick Patrum presented the Carnegie -
Stout Public Library Foundation with a $25,000 donation in December.
These funds will go toward renovating bench seating in the Youth
Department. There was some discussion about selecting between pre -
made furniture for the space in considering a price difference in going with
something custom designed. An eye-catching design could be a great
opportunity refurbish the youth space and spark some excitement. More
details will be provided to the Board as available.
The December Tree Lighting program was reworked as a First Friday
event this year. There was a really wonderful turnout, with approximately
200 people in attendance. The Northeast Iowa School of Music Woodwind
Carolers performed, there was a storytime next to the tree, and a special
appearance from Santa.
Library staff had an opportunity to receive Dementia training from
Dementia Friendly Iowa. Public programming has also been provided by
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the group. Staff are going to continue to work with the Northeast Iowa
Area Agency on Aging to provide public programming
The Dubuque community delivered over 400 pounds of food to the library,
which was collected and passed along to the Dubuque Food Pantry. Food
was delivered on November 25.
Library Director Nick Rossman will have an opportunity to provide a library
orientation to the two newly elected City Council members. Council
Member Chris Staver visited on December 11, which went well. Council
Member Tyson Leyendecker will come in January.
A reminder was offered to trustees that the Board of Trustees reception for
library staff and volunteers will take place on Thursday, January 22 from 2
— 4 pm.
The Carnegie -Stout Public Library Foundation is hosting a puzzle
competition on Saturday, January 31 at the Grand River Center. Fastest
teams in two different time slots (10 am and 2 pm) will receive prizes.
The Mathias Ham House has reached out regarding the library -owned
William Allison Secretary Desk that has been on long term loan. They
have changed their policy regarding long-term loans and are looking to
eliminate them from their operating procedures. With planned restorations
happening at the Ham house site, they would like to return the desk to the
library. They did indicate that if the Board of Trustees wanted to transfer
ownership as a donation to the Ham House, they would consider
accepting it, however, wanted to be transparent that there would likely be
times where the item would not be -on -display. -
The Board of Trustees reviewed closure dates for 2026 calendar closings
for holidays and staff trainings. The approved dates will be made available
on the library calendar, and public will be notified by press release as the
dates approach throughout the year.
There was some discussion regarding the structure of the agenda for
meetings. Trustee Guns requested to move the items for approval toward
the top of the agenda, which would help in moving the more important
items toward the beginning of the meeting, leaving the updates toward the
end. Staff will plan to accommodate this change beginning in 2026.
4) Library Space Needs — Library Director Rossman reported that library staff
has met with FEH Design a couple of times to continue refining the
conceptual plans before they are sent to the Board of Trustees for
approval to go out to bid. There is more work to do in January.
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5) Department Updates — Rossman provided highlights of the past month for
Adult, Circulation, Information Technology, Marketing, and Youth
Services.
B. Comment Cards — None.
"Moved to receive and file the informational update from the
Library Director including the Library Operational Expenditures, Revenue
and Budget Financial Reports; and, Library Use Report, Marketing
Report, Library Programs, Partnerships, and Grants Report, and, Library
Department Updates."
Motion: Mullin
Second: Connery
Vote: Aye — 6; Nay — 0
5. Action Items (Action):
A. Library Expenditures FY-26: Operating Expenditures November, Period 5
— The Board reviewed the detailed expenditures reports.
5."
"Moved to approve the library expenditures for FY-26 November, Period
Motion: Guns
Second: Mullin
Vote: Aye — 6; Nay — 0
B. Approve 2026 Library Closures Calendar
"Moved to approve the holiday and professional development library
calendar closures for 2026."
Motion: Mullin
Second: Connery
Vote: Aye-6; Nay- 0
6. Library Board Adjournment — The Board adjourned at 4:52 pm.
"Motion to adjourn."
Motion: Monk
Second: Mullin
Vote: Aye— 6; Nay — 0
Diann Guns, Board Secretary
Date
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