Minutes Library Council Update #54_3 20 08
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of March 20, 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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The Library Board voted to officially end the active fundraising campaign.
Follow up on some prospects will take place, but the consensus is that the Cabinet
has raised as much money as can be raised for this project. The effort has brought
in just under $2,000,000 in contributions and pledges. With additional grants
being submitted we will likely exceed that amount, so there is cause for
celebrating. Our campaign was a more difficult one to raise money for because
we are a city department. A fair number of prospective donors said that the city
should be funding the entire project and either contributed significantly less than
we had hoped for or declined to donate. The project remains short, between
$1,000,000 and around $1.3 million. The next step is for two or three board
members to meet with City Council members in small worksessions during the
middle of April to present options that are available to us at this time in order to
reach our project’s goal.
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The campaign received disappointing news when the Kresge Foundation declined
to approve a request for a challenge grant. The basis for their decision was
largely about the limited diversity of the population served by our project. Our
grant writer had indicated that the homogeneous nature of our community in
general would not help our cause, but we didn’t think it would put us out of the
running. This is particularly ironic in that – within the limited diversity of
Dubuque – the Library serves a more diverse group on a regular basis than the
majority of organizations and businesses in town.
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At this Board meeting two members resigned. Alan Avery will soon be leaving
town to take a position elsewhere. We are very happy for Alan (and very sad for
the Library and Dubuque). Sue Lindsay has decided to resign for personal
reasons. Sue is a long-time board member and the epitome of a library supporter
whose experience and gracious presence will be greatly missed. As vice president
of the board Diann Guns will become board president after Alan’s resignation
becomes official.
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Campaign Coordinator Dawn Grierson’s last day with the Library will be March
31. This position was that of city employee until December 31, but was not a
budgeted position. Reallocation of resources took place to accommodate this
position in the budget. Dawn continued after the first of the year paid by the
Library Foundation for her work. After March 31 the remaining work associated
with the campaign will be clerical. Library Administration will take over this
work. If the time commitment is too great consideration will be given to hiring an
intern.
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67% of the fiscal year has passed and expenditures are at 67%. Revenue is at
80% of projections.
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While an effort has been made by legislators to restore the State Library and
Library Service area budgets to the fiscal year 2008 level, it is not known how the
75% cut to public libraries will be reversed. We need to continue our lobbying
efforts.
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February circulations were up 6 percent over February of last year, and are up 2
percent year to date. Visits were down 4 percent which very likely has to do with
the fact that City Council meetings are no longer held in the Library. February
was usually a busy month for the library because Council met frequently for
budget hearings.
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A circulation policy has been approved for library service at Kennedy Mall. This
service was scheduled to begin on April 1 and we are ready, but the Mall has not
returned a signed contract so this date will be delayed.
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May 1 is the annual volunteer recognition dinner; mark your calendars!
Library Board of Trustees
___________________________ _____________________________
Alan Avery, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Diann Guns, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Becky Hauder
Beverly Kolz
Sue Lindsay
Michael Shubatt