November 2010 - Board Minutes
Owatonna Public Library Board Minutes of November 16, 2010
The Owatonna Public Library Board of Trustees convened their monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 16th, 2010, at Blooming Prairie Branch Library. Branch Manager Nancy Vaillancourt gave a tour of the library and introduced staff.
The meeting was called to order at 4:40PM by President Don Overlie. Also present were Russ Dunn-Foster, Jill Holmes, Eric Mattison, Assistant Library Director Renée Lowery, Director Mary Kay Feltes and Gail Plathe. Angela Sager was absent. One student from Owatonna High School attended to fulfill her SCIP (Student Community Involvement Project) requirement for social studies class.
The October minutes were approved on a motion by Russ, seconded by Jill. All aye.
The October financial report was reviewed. Mary Kay explained the program budget format. There have been no further requests from city administration for more cuts. Eric made a motion seconded by Russ to approve the report. All aye.
Darla’s report on Children’s Services for October was presented. Highlights include a group of 131 children and adults who came to the Pumpkin Party held in partnership with Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Pumpkin stories were read and children enjoyed picking out and washing their pumpkins. ECFE provided crafts, a sensory table and play dough. On October 7th, Read for the Record was held in partnership with the Pearson Foundation. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats was read to 53 people at Owatonna Public Library. Each child in attendance received a copy of the book. Read for the Record is a celebration of reading and learning that each year aims to set a new world record for the most children reading the same book on the same day. Pearson Foundation has supported the program since 2006. Darla visited Migrant Head Start and Parents of Twos. Classes from Washington Elementary School visited the library for a tour and stories. Please see attached report for details.
Comparing October, 2009, to October, 2010, the number of check-outs at Owatonna Public Library increased 5%. Blooming Prairie Branch Library circulation showed a slight decrease. In October over 23,000 people came into the Owatonna Public Library, and 1507 at Blooming Prairie Branch Library. There were 163 new borrowers registered at Owatonna Public Library, and Blooming Prairie Branch Library had 9 new borrowers. Eighty five percent of Owatonna residents possess a library card.
A California resident recently made an offer for the bookmobile, dependent upon a vehicle inspection. Streets Supervisor Mark Arett will arrange for the inspection. The broker will receive 10 % of the purchase price.
On Tuesday evening, November 9, 2010, two police officers visited the library and asked for pornography. From the Owatonna Police Department “Incident Recall Report 10 036085: “Checked the Public Library – No adult magazines beyond Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue – swimsuit issue is kept behind the front desk and only available upon request. Anatomical reference books are cataloged per Dewey Decimal system Compliant within City Ord 1095”. The city attorney agreed that the library is not subject to City of Owatonna ordinance 1095.
Blooming Prairie City Manager Mike Jones introduced himself and welcomed the library board to Blooming Prairie. He acknowledged the library’s part in the city’s success and praised Nancy Vaillancourt, Branch Manager.
Mary Kay commented on the Sunday hours. Numbers of materials checked out in the four hour period each Sunday range from 190 to 323. One hundred seventy five to two hundred thirty three people visited the library on recent Sundays.
The White Horse painting by J. F. Herring was returned to the library on November 10th. The family of Reuben Kaplan, through donations to Owatonna Foundation, will pay all charges associated with restoration, transportation and appraisal of the painting.
With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 5:45pm on a motion by Jill, seconded by Eric.
The next meeting of the Owatonna Public Library Board of Trustees will be held at Owatonna Public Library on December 21, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Plathe
December 13, 2010