May 2009 - Board Minutes

Owatonna Public Library Board Minutes of May 19, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Owatonna Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 4:45 P.M. by president Russ Dunn-Foster. Also present were Angela Sager, Don Overlie, Renée Lowery, Mary Kay Feltes and Gail Plathe. Ross Leuning and Jill Holmes were absent.

The April minutes were approved on a motion by Don, seconded by Angie. All board members present voting aye, the motion passed.

The April financial report was reviewed. There were no unusual expenditures.

Renée reported on Children’s Services activities in April. Thirty-seven children and grown-ups enjoyed the Family Fun Night held in cooperation with Early Childhood Family Education, (ECFE) with cat and dog stories read by Patty Nichols and Darla Lager. Play-Doh, sensory table and crafts were provided by ECFE. Darla visited two Little Learners’ classrooms at Roosevelt School.

Five classes from Associated Preschool visited in one group of seventy-three people and another group of fifty-eight. Darla and Patty also took part in the Family Festival at Willow Creek where 75 children enjoyed stories.

Artist Maureen Carlson performed two StoryClay Telling programs on a Saturday. In all, eighty-two children and adults participated. Finally, on April 30th El Dîa de los Niños/El dîa de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), seventy children and grown-ups enjoyed food, crafts and stories in Spanish as they celebrated the day. Renée  encouraged board members to have a look at the rotating photo gallery on www.owatonna.info.

When compared with April of last year, the number of people using the library facility increased about 9% at the Owatonna Public Library. Use at Blooming Prairie Branch Library increased by almost 25%. The number of books and materials checked out at Owatonna Public Library was down slightly and Blooming Prairie Branch showed an increase of almost 15%. Checkouts on the bookmobile increased. Internet and public-access computers continue to be very popular with library patrons. In addition, new borrowers increased 36% over April of 2008.

In response to a question about computer use, Renée replied that she is able to find these numbers online and will run a report for the next board meeting. Mary Kay reiterated that the latest information on Minnesota rural residents notes that 31.8% of them do not have internet access.

Lead in books is an issue that has come before SELCO. Amy Klobucher’s representative discussed this issue with SELCO members. Compliance has been extended one year while the issue undergoes further study. 

In other business, Renée commented on the library webpage where there are now links to FaceBook and twitter. The library has a fan page on FaceBook. On Earth Day one posting read: Libraries help you with all 3 Rs -- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Come in, mention that you are a Facebook Fan, and we'll give you one of our new reusable bags! (Actually -- even if you don't mention that you are a Facebook Fan, we'll give you a free bag on Wednesday ... but humor us and let us know if you are!) Numerous bags were distributed. In addition, on the FaceBook page the library has received ‘thumbs up’ signals from fans in regard to our databases.

On another note, children who for achieve summer reading goals will receive books. Three friends of the library, all members of a teachers’ sorority, will each gather a team to take charge of dispersing books. There will be 3 book distribution days during the summer.

Finally, Cindy McCleary, architect, will design a remodeled check-out desk area, planning for stacks, and self check stations both in adult services and children’s services. Owatonna Public Library may receive a price break on the self-check machines by combining their purchases with Austin Public Library. The intention was originally to move the teen area, and that move is still being considered.

The Minnesota Extension Service using Master Gardeners from our area will take over the library garden. They have already spent time cleaning up and clearing out in preparation for planting. The gardeners have posted a schedule for the youngsters with specific topics for each meeting.

Since the governor is now taking on the budget for the next two years and the local budget is uncertain.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Gail Plathe