03-26-2002 LIB MINElk River Library Board Minutes
March 26, 2002
Leslie Anderson, Chair Present
Geraldine Graham, Vice Chair Present
Jeri Miller, Secretary Present
Gloria eer!-~~ Present
..
Also present:
Mick Stoffers, Librarian
Vern Oleksowicz, GRRL
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. It was determined that a quorum was
present. The agenda was adopted.
Election of Officers took place. Ms. Graham made a motion to promote Ms. Anderson
from Vice Chair to Chair. The motion was seconded and passed. Ms. Anderson is the
Chair. Ms. Anderson made a motion to promote Ms. Graham to Vice Chair. That motion
was seconded and passed; Ms. Graham is the Vice Chair. A motion was made and
seconded to appoint Jeri Miller as the Secretary. This motion passed; Jeri Miller is the
Secretary.
Secretary's Report -There was no Secretary's report. There were no minutes from the
February meeting because a quorum was hot reached. There were no library Board
meetings in January or December. There was no correspondence and no Suggestion Box
items.
Treasurer's Report
The balance sheet layout was reviewed. Ms. Stoffers explained that the front page was
the reserve fund. This money comes from a set aside from the landfill. Line item amounts
were reviewed including what type of expenditure was acceptable for a particular line
item. A motion was made and seconded that the treasure's report be approved. Passed
unanimously.
Librarian's report
• Cabinets. A bid has been received for $1,660.32 from Goldenwood Cabinetry for
two new cabinets. The two proposed sections would match the current cabinetry
exactly and would be of a height where library patrons could sit to use the PAC's.
Not only would the new cabinets be an improvement for patron access, the
computer cords would be run with fewer extension cords. Goldenwood can start
the project immediately. The money is available for this project. The company
that constructed the original cabinetry (out of business) was more expensive as is
purchasing pre-made cabinets. Ms, Graham moved and Ms. Miller seconded to
order the cabinets from Goldenwood. Passed unanimously.
• Clock repair. A large clock that was donated to the library by a past patron is not
working. One estimate is $89.00 just to look at the clock. Ms. Stoffers will check
with the clock repair company on Highway 101 for an estimate. Ms. Miller
moved, Ms. Graham seconded that the clock repair be done by whichever
company is least expensive. Passed unanimously.
• Storage. There is a need for additional storage behind the desk. Unfortunately,
there is no carpeting under the current unit behind the desk. Ms. Stoffers asked
maintenance to look for matching'carpeting being stored. Ms. Stoffers will look
into additional shelving and will have that information for the next board meeting.
Library efficiency will be improved by adequate shelving behind the desk.
• Board meeting frequency. Discussion was had on holding board meetings every
other month as opposed to every tmonth as is the current practice. Ms. Stoffers
said she could call a special meeting if anything critical came up. Mr. Oleksowicz
pointed out that this change would have to be relayed through the City of Elk
River for public approval and thafthe bylaws would need to be amended. The
board will finalize this decision inApril.
• Art work. Ms. Stoffers presented several photographs to the board for their
review. Ms. Stoffers requested petpnission to hang the photographs for an
indefinite period of time in the library. A motion was mad and seconded to
display the photos in the library. The board agreed unanimously.
Other
Mr. Oleksowicz informed the board about the library's financial support. The City of Elk
River pays for utilities; the GRRL pays far all the books and the staff. The budgeting
process for GRRL begins in April and will be passed in August. The six counties making
up the GRRL have been asked to decrease their budgetary needs by 4-10% that the
previous year. This need to decrease expenditures comes at a time when GRRL is
experiencing greater demand than ever. Please take this opportunity to talk to your state
legislators and let them know how very innportant the library system is to you.
Another important piece of information is part of the bonding bill in Minnesota. Called
Mighty Books, it provides for matching grants for expanding existing libraries or for new
construction of libraries. It hasn't completely passed. Good for libraries in the state of
Minnesota.
Telecommunication is currently provided for by the state. The bill that provided funding
for this expense is set to sunset in July of X002. A permanent funding solution is making
its way through the legislature. The proposed funding would come from a % percent tax
on each phone bill. This proposal has made it through the MN State Senate, but is
expected to have a tougher time in the Hoµµse. Please contact your representatives! This is
very important. If not passed, it would hu~hdreds of thousands of dollars onto the budget
of GRRL and every library.
The GRRL is going to completely restrucT~ure administration/management. Three new
positions have been created; Collection Development Coordinator, Training and
Development Specialist and one additional) Regional supervisor. Mr. Oleksowicz's
position as Deputy Director will change completely. His new duties will keep him in St.
Cloud; he will no longer be attending these board meetings. Bescye Burnett will become
the new Director. She intend to visit each board during a regularly scheduled board
meeting at some time in the near future. These many changes are seen as positive and
will be very good for the future of the GR[tL. Ms. Scoffers will supply board members
with a new organizational chart.
Next meeting is April 23, 2002 at 630 PM
Meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Jeri Miller, Secretary