February 2009 - Board Minutes

Owatonna Public Library Board Minutes of February 17, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Owatonna Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 4:30 P.M. by president Ross Leuning. Also present were Jill Holmes, Angela Sager, Russ Dunn-Foster, Renée Lowery, Mary Kay Feltes and Gail Plathe. Don Overlie was absent. Thirteen seniors from Owatonna High School were at the meeting to fulfill their Student Community Involvement Project (S.C.I.P.) commitment for their Social Studies Class.

President Ross Leuning began the meeting with introductions of board members who are appointed by the City Council to serve three-year terms. Library personnel in attendance were also introduced. Ross explained the business and responsibilities of the board members.

The January minutes were approved on a motion by Jill, seconded by Russ. All board members present voting aye, the motion passed.

The January financial report was reviewed. Budget cuts were again discussed. All part time staff were notified of possible lay-offs. All adult programs with the exception of the current Hot Reads for Cold Nights have been discontinued. Film nights have been discontinued. Budget cuts will be evident during the summer months. There will be fewer children’s events as part of the summer reading program.  The community garden will be rented to a local church. City attorney Mark Walbran is preparing a rental agreement. Clinton Falls Farm will supply seeds and seedlings and expertise for the garden.  The board discussed discontinuing the bookmobile service to county residents.

Currently three story times are held each week in children’s services, two morning sessions and one evening family story time. Winter Wonderland, February’s Family Fun Night with Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) was attended by 88 adults and children. Thirty ninth graders from Owatonna High School came by to check out “modern classics”. In addition Darla visited Ellendale ECFE early in January and spoke to daycare providers at Roosevelt School later in the month.

In January the number of people using the library facility increased about 5% at OPL and 26% at Blooming Prairie. The number of books and materials checked out at Owatonna Public Library increased by 6% and Blooming Prairie Branch was up 10%.  Check-outs on the bookmobile increased.  Use of the Internet also increased.

In other business Renée responded to a question about paying fines online. At this point fines cannot be paid by credit or debit cards or online, but SELCO is exploring options in that regard. There are no fines on children’s materials.

Also there was a major leak in the roof above Mary Kay’s office. Over a period of several days water leaked through the ceiling, tiles fell and carpet became saturated. Temporary repairs were made and roof repairmen will return at a later date to complete the permanent repair.

In a related issue, during a period of warmer temperatures, thawing resulted in a pond forming in the library parking lot. As the depth of the pond increased at a rapid rate, waste water treatment plant workers were called to remove excess water with truck-mounted suction equipment. The parking lot has flooded in the past so staff is alert to that possibility.

Due to popular demand and a desire to reduce, reuse and recycle, cloth type book bags will be ordered. They will be sold at cost.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Gail Plathe