6.6. LIBSR 11-17-2015 kiouit- u1/5
Patron Services Supervisor Report
To: Elk River Library Board
CC: Will Hollerich, LSC
From: Brandi Canter, PSS
Date: September 22, 2015
Strategic Plan Process
During the summer our new Executive Director, Karen Pundsack, led a series of community
meetings and staff feedback sessions to gather feedback for use in drafting a new strategic plan.
We are also wrapping up user/non-user surveys to determine what kinds of services our patrons
use,and what might help us get more community members to use our services.
In the coming weeks the Leadership Support team (Executive and Associate Directors,
Accountant and Patron Service Supervisors) will begin compiling the feedback into a new
Strategic Plan that we expect to present to the GRRL Board of Trustees at its November meeting.
GRRL Board and Budget
The GRRL Board or Trustees (BOT) met July 21 for a regular meeting and passed a 2016 budget
with a 2% overall increase. As a result of this budget, GRRL will be able to make some much
needed changes. We will be hiring an additional full time computer analyst position, enabling us
to keep up with online security concerns and move forward with some much-anticipated updates
to our online catalog. We will also be adding more benefits for aides — two holidays and three
days of paid time off(PTO) — as well as implementing a Senior Library Aide pilot project for
some of our smaller branches.
In addition, some Trustees expressed interest in reviewing the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA)
which details the decision making and budgetary responsibilities of the BOT. Trustees discussed
the JPA at their August work session, and as a result the BOT will be creating a Finance
Committee to work more closely with GRRL Administration in the development of GRRL's
annual budget.
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Patron Services Supervisor Repot
To: Elk River Library Board
CC: Will Hollerich,LSC
From: Brandi Canter, PSS
Date: November 16, 2015
The GRRL Board of Trustees Meeting is November 17, just after the Elk River library board
meeting. A number of weighty agenda items will be on the list, including approval of the new
Strategic Plan, additional paid holidays for aides, a request to approve using unspent 2015 funds
for additional express-check machines, earlier increase in aide salaries to meet the 2016
minimum wage requirements, etc.
In addition, Mary Eberley is expected to be appointed as one of GRRL's representatives with the
Central Minnesota Library Exchange (CMLE). From the CMLE vvebsite (www.cmle.orgiabout-
us-2/facts):
• CMLE's mission is to serve as the Central Minnesota library hub, a clearinghouse of
talent, materials, and expertise for all types of libraries'. CMLE leads, supports,
encourages, engages, and connects library personnel with the resources they need.
• CMLE serves 12 Central Aiinnesota counties including: Aitkin, Benton, Chisago,
Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright.
• Staff help member libraries share collections of materials, ideas and special expertise.
• 320 member libraries include K-12, academic, public and special libraries.
• Staff usually interact directly with librarians and school media personnel who are then
able to better serve their clients'needs.
It has been rare that we have a GRRL Trustee serving on the CMLE board, but it is also
important and useful to have this representation. GRRL leadership is very glad to have Mary take
on this role!
Other news: The GRRL Board will have an opening for another Sherburne County citizen
representative to fill the position being vacated by Laura Hayes of Big Lake Township. If you
know of someone who may be good in this role, please pass along the news.