September 2009 - Board Minutes
Owatonna Public Library Board Minutes of September 15, 2009
The regular monthly meeting of the Owatonna Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 4:30 by President Russ Dunn-Foster. Also present were Jill Holmes, Angela Sager, Renée Lowery, Mary Kay Feltes and Gail Plathe. Ross Leuning and Don Overlie were absent. Also present was city council candidate Jillian Schiell.
The August minutes were approved on a motion by Jill, seconded by Angela. All board members present voting aye, the motion was passed.
The August financial report was reviewed.
Renée presented the August report for Children’s Services. It was a very busy, successful month. A total of 452 people attended storytime during August. Darla visited Migrant Head Start and read to 64 children and teachers. One hundred twelve people participated in the Take-It-Apart workshop. Ninety three kids created book marks, lanyards and other crafts on Create-a-Craft day, the last program before the beginning of school. Most other community summer programs end after the county fair. The final book fair was held August 27th. Three teams led by DKG volunteers organized the book give-aways during the summer reading program. Over 2000 books were given away this summer. Books may be given as prizes again.
People numbers and check-outs at Owatonna Public Library showed an increase over the same month in 2008. At Blooming Prairie Branch Library people count was up and check-outs decreased somewhat. Check-outs of new fiction books are up; cds, juvenile cds, and juvenile nonfiction are all up. DVD use has increased at both branches. Bookmobile numbers were down a bit from last year. Three thousand borrowers used their library cards in August. Three hundred eighty patrons used their cards at Blooming Prairie Branch Library and 25 at the bookmobile.
September is library card sign-up month. An press release was published in the Owatonna People’s Press and signs were displayed in the library. Renée is posting “how to use your library card” tips on facebook each day during September. Ted Boosalis of Costas’ Candies and Restaurant has been providing coffee and treats in the library’s reading room four days each week as well.
Other Business
Mary Kay noted hand sanitizer and keyboard wipes are provided for public and staff use throughout the library building. Library patrons are using the products. A link to H1N1 flu information can be found on the library’s website. Owatonna Public Library is leading the way with protective procedures during the flu crisis.
On November 4th and 5th the city council will meet with department managers during budget study sessions. Mary Kay and Ryan, assistant technology coordinator will attend.
Mary Kay will meet with Steve O’Connor and his instructional cabinet, which includes elementary school principals.
In December all Owatonna first graders will come to the library for stories and a tour. Golden Kiwanis Club members have donated money for field trip transportation costs.
In the community garden this year there was not as much interaction with children and families as in the past, but the garden looked great.
Due to budget cuts (10 pages were laid off in January), the library is in need of shelvers. At this point four students from Riverland Community College are doing most of the shelving at the library. This is a budget concern for 2010.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Plathe