Minutes Library Council update #53_2 28 08
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
February 28, 2008
Present: Alan Avery, President, Diann Guns, Vice President; Kristen Smith, Secretary;
Becky Hauder, Beverly Kolz, Sue Lindsay, and Michael Shubatt
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58% of the fiscal year has lapsed and expenditures are at 58%. Revenue is at 72%
of projected income. Boosting revenue was from the State of Iowa at nearly
$12,000 which represents partial reimbursement for reciprocal borrowers using
Carnegie-Stout and the provision of books to other libraries.
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The Governor’s proposed budget reflects an increase of 6% but a cut to public
libraries of 75%. Library advocates are working with legislators in opposition to
this proposed cut.
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Although circulations increased slightly, overall library use was down in January.
Severe weather likely contributed to visits being down 7% and some of the lowest
attendance to programs.
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Downloadable audio was launched on February 20 and we will also circulate MP3
players so all can experience this new format.
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Mike May wrote a grant on behalf of the Library Foundation for the City’s 175
anniversary celebration which was awarded. The grant will make possible the
digitization of the book The History of Dubuque by Randy Lyon.
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Volunteer dinner is May 1, mark your calendars!
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Adult Services was encouraged by their response last year to the first ever Adult
Summer Reading Program and decided to host another one this year. The theme
will be “green” and feature programs by master gardeners, the herb society, and
city recycling to mention some. In addition, best-selling author Tess Gerritsen
will visit early in June. Her most recent book is The Bone Garden.
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We will be ready for a soft opening of service at Kennedy Mall on April 1. A
policy will be presented to the Board for review and approval at the March
meeting.
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The grant for the evaluation of West Side Library Service is wrapping up and
Anders Dahlgren will present his findings to the Library Board at an upcoming
meeting.
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As we have planned for the renovation of the Library many projects have been
postponed. One set of stairs leading to the Library have crumbled steps, the door,
the elevator and the emergency back-up lighting system among other building
repair issues. Costs total over $100,000 to repair all that is needed at this point,
but would be wasteful as everything will change or move to a different system in
the renovation. These issues cannot be put off longer and we must push the
renovation in order to resolve these maintenance needs.
The renovation was discussed and it looks as though we will fall about a million
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dollars short of our goal. We are at 80% in fundraising, but the last is proving
very difficult to raise. Michael Shubatt and Diann Guns will make an
appointment with the City Manager to discuss options. The City Council declined
to approve the project go to bid at their February 21 meeting. The Board proposed
a loan with some library assets as collateral, or a sale of some assets to cover the
$1 million shortfall if it could not be raised by the time the bids were awarded.
The City was concerned about selling assets which they believed were City assets.
While the assets are associated with the City of Dubuque because the Library is a
department of the City of Dubuque, according to Iowa Code and City Ordinance,
the Library Board controls all “expenditures of gifts….” The City has been
strongly supportive of the Library and our project and is our top contributor.
Identification of ways to move forward that involve the City Council in the
decision making process will take place.
Library Board of Trustees
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Alan Avery, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Diann Guns, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Becky Hauder
Beverly Kolz
Sue Lindsay
Michael Shubatt