Report_Library Board of Trustees 9 26 13Carnegie -Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
September 26, 2013
Present: Mike Willis, President; John Anderson - Bricker, Frederick Miller,
Secretary; Trustees, Daniel Boice, and Diann Guns
Excused: Paula Connors and Jenny Weiss
The Library Board of Trustees met on September 26. Following is a summary of
the meeting:
• Seventeen percent of the fiscal year has lapsed. The budget expenditures
are at 16 percent. Revenue income is at 21 percent of projections. Dates
for the FY 2015 budget process have been set.
• Although check outs were down 4% compared to August of last year, the
number of visits was up 4 percent. Number of visits is a much better way
to track overall library use because many people use the library but do not
check out material. Access to the library's wireless has jumped 28
percent over last year. Circulations to Dubuque residents were up just
over 5 percent year -to -date compared to last year, and over 4 percent in
August compared to August of last year. Downloadable media continues
to increase measuring a 22 percent increase over last year.
• The library's digital collection now includes: one source for e- books, two
sources for e-audio books, one source for music and one source for
magazines as well as 18 databases and sources for proprietary
information.
• Through a grant award from IBM the library has purchased an Apple TV
and accessories. The librarians plan to use the equipment to teach
people how to use an iPad and other technologies
• The new exterior signs have been installed. As the limestone ages and is
exposed to various climates it will blend in more with the building.
• The Geek the Library campaign continues to gain momentum with the
posters generating the most excitement. Some businesses are linking the
digital image to their websites or are incorporating the theme further into
their businesses. The Julien Inn — Riverboat Lounge will feature a "Geek"
drink and Chocolaterie Stam is creating a "Geek" gelato.
• Books - for - Babies officially launched and all mothers of newborns born in
Mercy or UnityPoint — Finley Hospitals will receive a board book, baby's first
library card, information on the importance of reading to their baby,
recommended book lists for titles available at the library, and a schedule
of reading times at the library for infants in a packet.
• The strategic planning process continues with another scheduled meeting
of the Planning Committee. Members of this committee will propose three
service responses and library staff will brainstorm ways to implement
these ideas. The committee will review these ideas and make a
recommendation of service responses to the full board. Public input will
be sought prior to final adoption of the service responses. Once the
service responses are adopted goals, objectives, tasks, and activities can
be identified for implementation. The goal is to have the plan completed by
the end of the year for submission to the state library.
• Technical Services Supervisor Deborah Fliegel is retiring on September
27.
• Earlier in the year, Henricks began a research project to identify what
makes a public library effective from the perspective of different
stakeholders. Stakeholders for this project included the Library Board of
Trustees, library staff, library Foundation, and the public. Understanding
multiple perspectives can be helpful in the strategic planning process as a
way of identifying the needs of library users and establishing priorities for
the future. This can also provide valuable information as the library works
to narrow gaps in perceptions through education and raising the
awareness of the public. This study is just one tool in the identification of
priorities defined by the public. Understanding what is most important to
the public and aligning library services and programs to meet demand is
critical to the library's success. The findings are too lengthy to include in
this document, but are available upon request.
Library Board of Trustees
Mike Willis, Board President
Jenny Weiss, Vice President
Frederick Miller, Board Secretary
John Anderson - Bricker
Daniel Boice
Paula Connors
Diann Guns
Susan Henricks, Director