Report_Library Board of Trustees 12 18 14 Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meering ofDecember 18, 2014
Present: Mike Willis, President; Jenny Weiss, Vice President; Dan Boice,
Secretary, and Trustees, John Anderson-Bricker, Paula Connors, and Jon Trotter
Absent: Patty Poggemiller
• Expenditures through November, 2014 were at 41 percent with 42 percent
of the fiscal year lapsed. Revenue collected is at 44% of projections.
• Open Access transactions decreased 20% compared to last year at the
same time. Although library use has decreased in general it remains 16
percent higher than the pre-renovation facility.
• Urmilaben Vacchini resigned her position as a part-time library assistant in
Circulation Services. The staff shortage in hours per week is now 79.
Adult Services Manager, Michelle Hellmer, has announced her retirement
effective January 31 . Hellmer's position was approved to fill and
advertising has begun.
• MEP Engineers has been hired to evaluate the design and equipment of
the entire HVAC system in an effort to identify a solution to the issues
associated with the system since its original installation.
• Bibliotecha, the RFID vendor, sent a company representative to the library
to review outstanding issues with the equipment. The visit was
productive and we should receive an action plan very shortly outlining
steps the company will take to resolve problems related to their
equipment and software.
• The Library Board voted to establish new hours, which are reduced, to
accommodate the staff shortages that have been experienced since
March of 2014. New hours: Monday — Thursday, 10:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.
and Friday — Sunday, noon — 5:00 p.m. The library will continue to close
on Sundays during the summer months. Although the library will open an
hour later and close an hour earlier on most days, three hours are gained
on Thursdays and one on Sundays. The new hours will take effect on
Friday, January 2, 2015. Hours must be restored before the end of
February, 2016, at which time the library will apply for reaccreditation.
The minimum number of hours required to maintain accreditation is 61
spanning six days per week.
• The Library Board voted to adopt a new strategic plan that includes
evaluation of parking and marketing, strengthening the library's financial
base and expansion of library services to the west side of Dubuque.
Establishing library service in the western area of the city will be achieved
by using the James Mutschler Trust Fund, which was designated for
library expansion of services, and requiring no City appropriations.
Success of this service will determine whether the Board will recommend
its continuation, which would have to be made possible by citizens voting
for a community-based funding model in the form of a library levy
authorized by the Code of Iowa 384.12 (21).
Library Board of Trustees
Mike Willis, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Jenny Weiss, Vice President
Dan Boice, Board Secretary
John Anderson-Bricker
Paula Connors
Patty Poggemiller
Jon Trotter