Update Library Board 5 28 09
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
May 28, 2009
Present: Paula Connors, David Hammer, Beverly Kolz, Elizabeth Leeper, Kristen Smith
and Mike Willis
Excused: President; Diann Guns
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April marks 83 percent of the fiscal year lapsed. Expenditures were at 79 percent
and revenues at 109.5 percent of projections.
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Library use is up by nearly every measureable service. Circulation is up 6 percent
and visit up 3 percent. Overall questions are up 15 percent, new cards issued
year-to-date are up 5 percent and 11 of 14 informational databases show an
increase in use. Use of lap top computers is up 116 percent.
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Preparation for the summer reading programs this year is underway with the
themes of “Get Creative” for Adults and Children and “Express Yourself” for
Teens. Youth Services Manager, Danielle Day has obtained a record number of
business partners in support of the programs as well as receiving a $3,000 grant
from Mosaic Lodge (Masons) for programs. She was also recently awarded a
“We the People Bookshelf” grant from the American Library Association and the
National Endowment for the Humanities representing a small collection of books
with the theme of “Picturing America.”
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Over 350 attended author Lois Lowry’s visit. Author of “Unlocked: From Prison
to Proust” will visit the Library on June 23.
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The Heade painting is at the Middlebury College Museum of Art. A similar
painting “Roses in a Glass” was sold at Shannon’s Auction on April 30 for
$132,000. The painting was smaller than the Library’s, but the condition is not
known. This is a reflection of how depressed the market remains at this time.
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The status of the Long-Range Plan was presented which has one more year before
the plan expires. We have not been able to focus on this plan due to the
renovation so it will be extended for another year or two until our business levels
off (at an increased rate.) We will likely have many new visitors and users which
may reflect a need for a different focus.
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A revised schedule was issued with a completion date for the renovation now set
for April 6, 2010. The ICN cost is unacceptably high at over $70,000. The
estimate of $10,000 that was provided by the ICN was used for the project. The
ICN room was used fairly often and will be a loss but the cost is too great to
justify because the technology is old. Web meetings and videoconferencing via
computers have improved and gained popularity. If contingency money is
available at the end of the project we can consider completing the ICN project at
that time.
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Staff submitted over 170 ideas as new tag lines that can be used with a logo that is
under development. These were narrowed to the top 8 by staff voted. The Board
selected the tag line to replace “100 Years of Excellence.”
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The patron behavior policy was expanded and updated specifically to deal with
patrons bringing dogs in the Library. Owners that claim dogs are “companion
animals” will be required to provide documentation. The new policy will be
available on the Internet. The Board also updated the policies that have to do with
Fine Arts.
Library Board of Trustees
___________________________ _____________________________
Diann Guns, Board President Susan Henricks, Director
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Paula Connors
David Hammer
Beverly Kolz
Elizabeth Leeper
Mike Willis