Library Board of Trustees Update 11 17 09
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
November 17, 2009
Present: President; Diann Guns, Paula Connors, David Hammer, Beverly Kolz,
Kristen Smith and Mike Willis
Excused: Elizabeth Leeper
The Board met on November 17. Following is a summary of their meeting:
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October marked 33% of the fiscal year lapsing. Expenditures were at 33
percent and revenue raised was at 30 percent of projections.
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The Library’s Maintenance Level budget hearing with the City Manager
and Budget Director was held on November 12. The budget request was
only 1.5% over last year’s approved budget. This increase will likely be
reduced further since the budget hearing, as we received news that State
Aid revenue will hold allowing for a higher revenue projection and close to
$14,000 in equipment replacement has been identified that can be
deferred.
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Improvement Level Decision Packages were presented; 10 of the 12 were
staff related. The City Manager requested that, if possible, the priorities of
#1 and #2 be broken down and prioritized. This was done and
resubmitted.
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October was a very significant month. It was the most difficult time yet for
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patrons to enter the Library. There were times when 11 Street and
Locust Street were both closed as well as the main entrance to the
Library. Despite this, Library was busier than ever averaging nearly 100
people an hour. Year-to-date circulation of materials increased 7 percent
over the same time last year when we were not under construction and
were experiencing historical all-time high use. Reference questions are
up 6 percent. A six percent increase was seen in the number of people
applying for new library cards which average over 48 a day, seven days a
week all through October. Number of visits was up 3 percent and the
growth of circulating lap top computers continues to be robust with an
increase of 62 percent over the same time last year.
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A summary on the history and pros and cons of cross-training was
presented to the Board (available upon request)
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Work in the Administration Offices will begin the week of November 23.
When this is complete the entire area will be begin renovation and is
expected to last around 9 weeks – or until January 25, 2010.
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Phase Four – the current Youth Services area is expected to begin in
January and be completed by the week of April 19, 2010.
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Francis Boggus, the State Coordinator for “Iowa Great Places” visited the
Library on November 12. He was very pleased with the progress since his
last visit and was most enthusiastic that the entire historic area where the
reference desk will be located, stacks, and glass floor mezzanine will be
dedicated as an
“Iowa Great Place.”
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Jim Kolf of Durrant Group attended the meeting to discuss the renovation
and to address questions and comments from the Board regarding
construction management.
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