Minutes Library Update 9 27 05
Carneg;e-Stout Public Ubrary
L;brary Board (4 Trustees Update
From the Mee(;llg of
September 27, 2005
.:. 16.7 % of the fiscal year has lapsed; 15% of the budget has been expended and 11.7%
ofthe revenue projection has come in.
.:. Friends of the Library granted the following at their last meeting: a commercial
popcorn maker and stand that will be used when movie viewings are planned; $1000
toward the support of Adult Programming; $300 toward the refreshments for the
Library's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and $100 for packaging for poster
display for the silent auction held during the book sale Sept. 30 - Oct. 1.
.:. Tutor.com (live interactive homework help online) was launched with many positive
comments and requests from schools for demonstrations. Statistics for the first month's
use should be available next month.
.:. Computer classes for first-time users began on September 22. The demand has been
greater than our ability to lead the classes. Before the deadline to register we had
enough for 2.5 classes. When wireless Internet becomes available in November, we
should consider a portable computer lab using lap top computers which will enable us to
hold more classes without shutting down the public Internet room. The Foundation has
added this request to their top four projects to mention to donors in this year's fall
campaIgn.
.:. Personnel: Interviews have begun for the position of Library Aide in Adult Services
due to Sherry Ewert's retirement. 85 applications were received. Alison Boomershine,
clerical assistant in Administration resigned to move to the Quad Cities. Applications
recently received for Library Clerks will be reviewed for candidates and interviews will
begin the first week of October. The Relations Committee was charged with
coordinating the Director's annual performance evaluation.
.:. Discussion was held regarding the need for a library vehicle. Through partnering with
the Dubuque Community Schools, materials return boxes (to be purchased by the
Foundation) can be located at Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School and this service can
begin immediately, however a van with a lift is required to service the drop boxes.
Previous attempts to secure funding for a vehicle have failed. Last year the Foundation
wrote a grant to the DRA for the full cost of the van but it was not awarded. This year
the Director recommended a three-way split: $9,000 from the Foundation to support a
van, $9,000 from the City and maintenance, and a $10,000 request from the DRA. It is
hoped the sharing of the cost will be more attractive to those being asked to fund the
vehicle. The Foundation has committed to the $9,000 and to write the DRA grant. An
improvement package will be written and submitted to the City Manager and City
Council for their review and consideration.
.:. The Police Department was contacted regarding harassment of library staff by a
neighbor. Seven staff members have received notes on their vehicles telling them to
park where they work. An additional staff member was shouted at on her way to work
for parking where she did. These eight staff members park a few blocks from the
Library to free closer parking for patrons as well as to avoid having to run out to pay
meters during the work day. Although the responding officer said he would talk with a
suspected person, the notes have continued.
Library Facts
Public libraries receive most of their revenue from the unit of local government of which they
are a part. As of 2002, 54.2% of U.S. public libraries were part ofa municipal government, and
10.4% were part of a county government (with the remainder reporting various other situations
oflegal basis). In that same year, the percentage breakdown for sources of revenue (or operating
income) were 79.1% local, 11.7% state, 0.6% federal, and 8.7% other.
There are an estimated 117,664 libraries of all kinds in the United States today. 9,211 is the
total of public libraries. The largest number belongs to school libraries totaling 93,861 and the
smallest number of 314 are Armed Forces Libraries.
Library Board of Trustees
Alan Avery, Board President
Susan Henricks, Director
Sue Lindsay, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Diann Guns
Beverly Kolz
Michael Shubatt