Minutes_Library Board of Trustees 1 23 13Carnegie -Stout Public Library
Library Board of Trustees Update
From the Meeting of
January 23, 2 013
Present: Mike Willis, President; Vice President; Frederick Miller, Secretary;
Trustees, Daniel Boice, Paula Connors, and Diann Guns
Excused: Jenny Weiss
The Library Board of Trustees met on January 23. Following is a summary of the
meeting:
• December marked 50 percent of the fiscal year lapsing. Expenditures
were at 51 percent. Revenues are at 66 percent of projections.
• Overall library use is down compared year -to -date FY 2013. The
decrease in circulation is associated with the adult collection. The Youth
Services collection showed an increased in check outs. The number of
circulations to Dubuque residents increased 3.3 percent compared to
Fiscal Year 2013 -to -Date, while checkouts to open access patrons
decreased 1.6 percent. Visits have decreased one percent compared to
year -to -date FY 2013. New library card registrations are down 3 percent
compared to year -to -date FY 2013.
• The circulation of a -Books has increased 26 percent compared to FY
2013.
• The Library Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) did not meet in January
as planned due to time constraints caused by the budget process for the
interim director of the County Library.
• The Open Access program was discussed and costs reviewed. We have
made positive progress in reducing the cost of this service due to
restrictions in borrowing and a small increase in funding for the program at
the state level. Overall, 51 percent of all circulations to Dubuque County
residents are from the three other public libraries in Dubuque County (45
percent are from Carnegie - Stout).
• Library visits were discussed, specifically hours between 8 and 9:00 p.m.
when business is the slowest. A full cost - analysis was given to the board
reflecting a two -week period of time in the summer, and again in early
December when darkness comes much earlier. The initial review of hours
was prompted by the decrease in visits to the library last summer and the
likelihood of a perception of safety possibly influencing travel to the library.
Visits between 8 and 9 pm are the slowest, which result in the highest cost
per visit. Thursday evenings were the slowest in both summer and winter,
particularly between 8 and 9 p.m. The library's management team
discussed these points:
• Is it possible to schedule staff more strategically for cost - savings when
we have seen business to be the slowest?
o Considerations — we are already lightly staffed in the evenings
and must balance this with security (for instance, we only have
two people working the entire second floor in the evenings)
• Perception of safety
o Invest in brighter lights outdoors
o Invest in additional cameras outdoors (Existing — one at the
main entrance, which only focuses on the doors; one for the
Bluff Street parking lot, and one downstairs at the historic
entrance)
• Close Thursday evenings and take those four hours and place in the
mornings. Hours would then become 9 -9 Mon -Wed and 9 -5 Thurs -Sat
and Sundays 1 -5.
o Considerations — popular evening for programs and meeting
rooms (likely where much of the gate count is coming from now)
o Still have good traffic between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Just one day
a week with closing at 6:00 would likely be confusing to visitors
A decision was not made and we will continue to monitor hours.
• The Library Foundation met on January 16. They will begin developing a
long -range plan with goals and objectives in the coming months. Funding
requests in support of library programs were made totaling around
$20,000 and support for a DRA grant request was made.
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
PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
MINUTES
APPROVED;
VOTE:
BOY SOUT
REQUEST TO
WAIVE E.P.P.
ENTRANCE FEE;
VOTE:
PARK DIVISION
REPORT:
RECREATION
DIVISION
REPORT:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
4:30 p.m., Snack Bar, Bunker Hill Golf Course
Bob Blocker, Robin Kennicker, Ken Klinge, Kate Lydon, Karen Lyness, Evelyn
Nadeau and David Schlueter.
Marie Ware, Dan Kroger and Eileen Trimble
It was moved by Klinge, seconded by Kennicker, to approve the minutes of the
December 10, 2013, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Peter Flynn and Andrew Hunt were present representing the Order of the Arrow.
Mr. Flynn requested to waive the entrance fee to Eagle Point Park for attendees
at their pancake breakfast on Mother's Day. In return the Boy Scouts will have a
crew work at Eagle Point Park on Saturday, April 26th to pick up sticks and clean
up at the park.
It was moved l Nadeau seconded by Lyness to waive the entrance fee to
Eagle Point Park on Mother's Day for those attending the Boy Scout pancake
breakfast. The motion passed unanimously.
Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal was not in attendance so Leisure Services
Manager Marie Ware presented the report:
• There have been 17 snow and ice events since last commission meeting.
Crews worked over the Christmas and New Year holidays to provide safe
parking lots, trails and sidewalks thus ice rinks were not flooded. • Sledding
safety sings are up at Bunker Hill and Allison- Henderson Park. • Staffing: Park
Ranger Tyson Brown has accepted a Conservation Officer job with the Iowa
DNR so we will be working to fill his position. City Horticulturalist Mike Horsfall
will be retiring in March. We are also working on the Park Foreman position that
needs to be filled. • Ben Alden will be attending two boat shows this month to
promote the Marina. • Steve will be attending the NRPA Maintenance
Management School in Wheeling, West Virginia at the end of this month. • Work
continues on picnic tables, tree pruning, equipment maintenance, etc.
Recreation Division Manager Dan Kroger presented the following report:
• The Recreation Program Supervisor position had to be re- opened. • Golf:
we sent a letter Friday to 30 season pass holders that have purchased a pass for
10 or more years and asked them to complete a survey; eight have been
returned already. Next wave of letters will be to those that have had passes for
5 or more years and then we'll see how the feedback goes. • Staff is working on
new programs and utilizing space at Bunker Hill during the off season. There
are 11 people registered for a Tai Chi class to be held in the snack bar and an
early morning Yoga class is also being offered at Bunker Hill. • Over 60 people
took advantage of the online early registration; only 2 people showed up for
the in person registration the first day. • We are partnering with Audubon and
Lincoln Schools to offer programs. This past fall Audubon had their first after
continued
MANAGER
REPORT:
OTHER
BUSINESS:
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
January 14, 2014 meeting
page two
school volleyball program and this winter is the first time for the after school
basketball. Ed Glaser the Principal is working hard to involve families. The
second year of a Saturday program offered at Lincoln had 0 show up for the
open house but after working with Dr. Loewen the Principal to promote the
program more, 45 children showed up on the first day of the actual program. •
Aquatic Center: Managers Ware and Kroger and School representatives will be
going on an information gathering trip in February to visit pool sites that have city
/ school partnerships. Plans are to visit two cities near Kansas City, Missouri
and two near St. Louis; Byron, Illinois; and Whitewater, Wisconsin. The public
engagement process will be starting later this month.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware reported the following:
• Bee Branch: Commissioners were sent a link via e-mail to watch a video
relating to Bee Branch project. She told commissioners to let her know if they
hear of citizen concerns and /or questions so she can get them to the City's
communication committee. Commissioner Kennicker mentioned the following: 4
People have mentioned concerns about where the bridge meets Lincoln — it is
low and if flooded, the water running over it could cause a lot of damage. 4 Are
the walkways going to be pavers or regular sidewalk? 4 Someone saw fencing
and thought that was a bad idea because it would make snow removal, etc.
more difficult. 4 If there are going to be water fountains for humans and pets,
could waste stations also be installed? 4 If canoening / fishing / biking is
allowed, maybe the City could provide a building to rent canoes, etc.
Commissioner Lyness asked where to direct people that had questions on Bee
Branch. Ms. Ware said go to the city website for all the general information and
to view plans / drawings but for questions, call the Engineering Department.
Commissioner Lydon asked if there was any timeline for work on all the
alleyways that are included in the project. Ms. Ware was not sure.
• Chaplain Schmitt Island: The first round of meetings was held with
stakeholders that reside on the island and /or have leases. Meetings also had to
be held with the Army Corps of Engineers and IDNR to make sure all
environmental requirements are known and met.
• 3rd Grade Reading: The Community Solutions Action Plan Executive
Summary and the 2013 Summer Academy Results Summary were sent to
commissioners as part of the agenda packet. Manager Ware said the summer
academy had good results for a pilot program.
• Budget hearing with the City Council is Thursday, February 20th with a meal
at 6:00 p.m. and presentations to follow. Commissioners need to let office know
if they will be attending meal so City Manager's office can order food.
It was moved by Blocker, seconded by Kennicker, that the meeting be adjourned
at 5:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson