Library Bd Update 12 18 03carnegie-Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees
Update
From the Meeting of
December 18, 2003
The art sub-committee has met and discussed the library's participation in the Grand
Excursion during three days at the end of June 2004. Library owned artwork would be
displayed as well as the art of 4 - 5 local artists. The library owns original plates of Kate
Van Duzee's works which will be used to reproduce note cards, post cards, or possibly
higher quality reproducti°ns suitable for framing. This wilI be determined in furore
meetings.
Four alternatives for Sunday staffing ~vere presented for consideration. The goal is to
increase staffing on Sundays to provide the same level of service patrons have access to
Mon-Sat without staff having to work 7 days in a row once a month; all of this done
within the current budget allowance. Two alternatives were eliminated. One plan is in
place now:,h/re an on-call library assistant to work at the busiest times (including every
Sunday) and pay this salary out of savings realized from other budget line items, and h/re
on-calls'to cover for regular staffusing the overtime savings to also pay for the on call
personnel. This option will be reviewed in March to evaluate success. If deemed
successful, a determination must be made as to how to fully fund this position next year.
(Possibly, through closing 4 Sundays a year.)
Staffing shortages in general were discussed, particularly creative ways to staffthat may
exist. One such idea was asking the Foundation to support one position (similar to an
"endowed chair" in academia.) The Foundation will be approached with this idea,
however it is likely that the idea will not be considered as it is outside the Foundation
mission statement
The second pbase of the Volunteer report was presented. The board would like to pursue
finding a volunteer who is interested in heading the Volunteer program at the library.
Additionally, we will begin to recruit additional volunteers by contacting the Friends of
the Library and asking to see their membership lists.
Budget on target; 42% of the year lapsed, 43% of the budget expended
Evaluations have been scheduled for all library staffthat have not had a performance
appraisal this year. The director's evaluation will take place in February 2004.
Statistics in nearly every area were down (visits, cimulations, reference questions) over
last month. It is believed this is because the library was closed two daYs in November.
Tkis is the fn'st time the library has closed for Veterans Day and the day after
Thanksgiving. This was implemented to match library closings to those of the City as a
cost savings.
Library Anecdotes
A young adult patron went to Wal-Mart to the department which stocks yarn and related
items. She asked for a pattern to make gloves. She was told Wal-Mart didn't carry
patterns, but to go to the library because "The library has the best collection of patterns,
and I'm sure you'll find something there!"
A patron telephoned the reference desk to ask if we could fred the zip code for Jamaica in
the West Indies. What seemed a fairly straightforward question was not. Resources
indicated that Jamaica did not use zip codes, or postal codes. The librarian thought to
confirm this through the Post Office. When the post office employee was asked, her
response was: "Cai1 the library." (No, Jamaica doesn't use zip codes.)
Dubuquer and library lover Fran Kennedy has joined the ranks of successful children's
authors w/th her book The Pickle Patch Bathtub. The nationally known children's book
publisher, Tricycle Press plans to market the book in May of 2004. Fran brought her
copy of the book in for library staff to read which is not only a great story, but contdms
beautiful iliustmtions. Fran told us that she spent many hours researching facts for her
book at the library. For instance, when her character finally earned enough money for
her own bathtub Fran wanted her to celebrate with a bubble bath. Fran's research at the
library revealed that while bubble bath was available at that point in history, it was only
the very wealthy who had access to it so it was highly unlikely the protagoinst in the
story would have had access to the bubbly liquid.
Library Board of Trustees
Tom Tully, Board President
Michael Shubatt, Board Vice-President
Mary L. Strom, Board Secretary
J.L. Felderman
Sue Lindsay
Kristen L. Sm/th
Alan Avery
Susan Henricks, Director