Report Library Board Council Update #55
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
May 22, 2008
Present: President; Diann Guns, Secretary, Kristen Smith; Paula Connors, Becky Hauder,
Beverly Kolz, Elizabeth Leeper and Michael Shubatt
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83% of the fiscal year has passed with 82% of the budget has been expended and
94.6% of revenue projections received.
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Circulations were up 3% in April over the same time last year attributed mainly to
Dubuque residents. Visits were down 6% from the same time last year. Fewer
visits can be attributed, at least in part, to fewer City meetings in the Library.
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For the second month reference questions increased significantly (up 13 percent).
Seven online databases (of 14) have increased in use. ProQuest Historical
Newspapers database is the most popular. Tutor.com homework help database
has also increased in use significantly over the same time last year.
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The Friends of the Library were awarded a grant for $10,000 from the DRA
which will be used to build their bookshelves and resale area in the renovated
facility. Their area will be located in the area now known as the Gallery. On the
other side of these bookcases there will be two self-check machines. The
Foundation was awarded $20,000 from the DRA for the purchase of one of those
self-check machines.
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Advertising on cable TV (channels such as Bravo, the History Channel, CNN
Headline News, ABC Family, and MTV) has begun and will run through October.
We will specifically advertise downloadable audio and video. Also, online
advertising through the Telegraph Herald’s website has begun for the same
services.
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In a follow-up discussion regarding the Envision idea for west side library service
a proposed five-year budget was created by County Library Director Becky Heil
and Susan Henricks. If the County Library system contracted for library service
from Carnegie-Stout gross revenue generated would average around $188,000
annually; net revenue generated would average $96,000. This plan was presented
by Heil to the County Library Board of Trustees in May. Carnegie-Stout will
wait to hear from them.
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We have also begun advertising at the racetrack with a billboard in a prime
location as well as the season booklet; each features the Ebsco auto repair
database.
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The letter of agreement with the Mall (for library service) has been signed. The
Circulation Supervisor and Library Director will meet with Mall personnel on
June 5 to work on the procedures and book drops will be installed at this time.
Service will officially start on June 16, but we will accept requests right away so
that we can practice and work out any kinks in the system before we get very
busy.
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John Rohrbach from the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas visited the
Library to view the Curtis collection to determine if that museum would be
interested in acquiring the works.
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Our two new board members attended their first meeting: Paula Connors and
Elizabeth Leeper.
Library Board of Trustees
___________________________ _____________________________
Diann Guns, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Paula Connors
Becky Hauder
Beverly Kolz
Elizabeth Leeper
Michael Shubatt