Minutes Library Update 2 23 06
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
LibraJ)' Board o/ThJSleeS Update
From the Meetil/g ()/
February 23, 2006
. Fifty-eight percent of the year has lapsed; 53 percent of the budget has been expended
and 54 percent of the projected revenue has been met.
. Work on the first floor Men's room is nearly complete, which took longer than expected
when the water line was not where the plumber thought it was. The floor had to be
broken up. The tile to repair this area was ordered and should be in within a week.
. Staffing requirements in a renovated library were discussed. We currently have 27.11
FTE (FY07 27.61 FTE) and the proposal calls for 33.27 FTE. The estimated salary
increase would be around 15% in FY 07 salaries. The total, with benefits, is
$165,611.00 This proposal requests one half-time professional librarian. The balance of
the positions is part-time, entry level, and support positions and is considered minimum
staffing.
· The Friends of the Library decided to apply to the DRA for downloadable audio books.
The Friends originally planned to apply for ten lap top computers, but a grant from John
Deere will supply them to the library allowing another project to be requested from the
DRA. The Friends also funded $5,325 for the Children's and Young Adult Summer
Reading Programs.
. Irina Koleva is the librarian from Bulgaria who will spend a month at the Library
beginning March 9. She is participating in the Bulgarian Library Exchange Program,
funded by a State Department grant and administered through IRIS (Iowa Resource for
International Service).
. A grant was received to have a building consultant review how much space would be
needed if the library were to expand to a branch on the west side of town. OPN
Architects provided, at no charge, a cost for a small library (10-12,000 square feet)
which includes everything except the opening day collection and computers. With this
information the board can make an informed decision when addressing the Envision
Goal as it relates to the library and exploring options.
. A discussion was held regarding library security and the board concurred with actions
taken so far. Several board members expressed interest in attending the all-staff
meeting on March 9 with Police Chief, Kim Wadding; Cpl. Cory Sommer, Crime
Prevention Officer; and Sandy Hutchcroft who manages Dispatch. They will be here to
discuss security and will cover where we are at, procedures to follow, and what we can
look forward to in the future.
· The Board reviewed the final recommendations from the Community Planning
Committee and voted that the primary service response would be "Current Topics and
Titles" and the second would be "General Information." The Board also noted that both
topics have programming and display components and that "Cultural Awareness" be
focused on whenever possible. It was agreed that this is an important service response
and they do want it included when possible.
KRC Research & Consulting conducted a national study for the American Library Association, which
intcrviewecll,003 adult Americans in a national random-sample telephone survey c.onducted January 3-13.
The estimated margin of error is +/-3.1 percent and some of the findings arc included below:
Libraries and librarians ~ as well as the services they offer - are clearly valuable to Americans. Findings
show that:
. Seven out of 10 Americans report being extremely or very satistied with their public libraries -- up
10 points from 2002.
. More than 8 in 10 Americans (85 percent) agree that their public libraries deserve more f-i.mding-
including 58 percent who strongly agrec.
. More than half of survey respondents (52 percent) believe $41 or more should be spent.
Americans currently provide, on averagcl about $25 per year per person in local tax support for
public libraries.
. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents believe libraries will still be needed in the future "-- even
with all of the information available on the Internet.
. More than one-third of Americans put the benefits of libraries at the top of the public services list
- as compared to schools, roads and parks ~ up 6 points [Torn 2002.
Librar)' Board of Trustees
Alan A very, Board President
Susan Henricks, Director
Sue Lindsay, Vice President
Kristen Smith, Board Secretary
Diann Guns
Beverly Kolz
Michael Shubatt