August 2011 - Board Minutes

Owatonna Public Library Board Minutes of August 23, 2011

The Owatonna Public Library (OPL) Board of Trustees convened their monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library. The meeting was called to order at 4:33 pm by President Eric Mattison. Also attending were Angela Sager, Jill Holmes, Russ Dunn-Foster, Don Overlie, Library Director Mary Kay Feltes, and Gail Plathe. Assistant Director Renée Lowery was absent.

The minutes of July 19, 2011, were approved on a motion by Holmes, seconded by Sager. All aye.

The expense report for July was reviewed. Feltes briefly outlined the five program budget areas. A few expenses in building repair include replacing an exterior door on the north side of the building. Feltes responded to questions about budget items. Discussions on the 2012 budget have begun. Board members are concerned about the insurance premium issue. The premium is based on the value of the library building, its contents and the annual budget. There was some discussion about the revenue line that had paid this premium in the past.  Feltes cut $12,000 + from the library budget to offset the insurance payment. This amount included cuts in building repair and postage.

Darla Lager, librarian in charge of Children’s Services, presented the July report. Numerous programs were presented during the month. Some of the highlights included a Bike Rodeo conducted by Owatonna police officers in the library parking lot. Bike safety and rules of the road were emphasized. The program with the most attendance was RADZoo. Almost 300 people attended this program featuring reptiles and amphibians. Steele County Safe and Drug Free Coalition sponsored a program for teens. Participants meet two afternoons each week. They have been working on anti-drug posters and radio commercials. Part time library staff was hired to help with the program. A closing program will be held on a Friday evening in Central Park. Children’s Services report is attached.

Board reviewed library use for the month of June.

At the Owatonna Public Library (OPL) in July 2011 library users checked out 29,956 items compared to 28,095 in July, 2010. Customers visited OPL 19,000 times in the month and cards were issued to 137 new borrowers in the month. Library users at Blooming Prairie Branch Library (BPBL) checked out 4,158 items in July. Customers visited 2,400 times and BPBL added 7 new borrowers. The numbers of interlibrary (ILL) loans continues to increase. Over 27,000 residents have library cards.

Use of electronic media was also reported. During the month of July, 249 customers downloaded 1554 songs from 25 genres using Freegal, the downloadable music service. The average number of downloads per day was 50. Owatonna Public Library customers are also avid users of OverDrive and lead other libraries in the region on numbers of downloaded electronic books. One hundred twelve patrons downloaded 296 e-books and 51 e-audio books. The daily averages are 10 e-books and 2 e-audio books.

In old business, Feltes has received a preliminary report from Loren Lovhaug, a consultant from Northfield regarding future technological needs for city departments, a road map for the next few years. The self-check machine at the adult check out desk has been replaced.

New business

There is no extra funding for adult programs. Film programs last year were paid with grant funds.

In the capital improvement plan, funding to update audiovisual equipment in both the Gainey Room and children’s program area in children’s services has been requested. Carpet replacement has been in the capital improvement budget for several years. The estimate for repairs to the brick wall on the north side of the building is about $7,000. Staff and departmental computer replacement is in the administration technology budget. Sager recommended replacing the outdoor sign board near the Broadway Street entrance.

Business in the teen room has decreased. Speculation is that the popularity of iPhones, laptop computers and other mobile devices is a factor. Board members began a discussion on new technology and its impact on the library staff, facilities, and services. Digital downloads began in 2009 and they have increased dramatically in the last 2 years. Freegal and Overdrive downloads do not impact circulation numbers. This new technology and resulting addition to library services has had a huge impact.  It’s difficult to predict the level of use or the numbers of people. All circulation staff, especially the librarians, answer technology-related questions. Patrons call the library or stop in with their questions. Technology consultations need infrastructure for support. Another city technology staff person is needed. There is more work than one person can handle. Seventy percent of the librarians’ time is assigned to information services. The library is understaffed Friday, and especially Saturday and Sunday. Feltes re-stated the core services of the library are circulation and information. The library board supports decisions made by the library director. Capitalize on change and quantify the value of what we do.

Off site

MK will explore the possibility of establishing library stations in the county. Washington County Minnesota has several stations. It was suggested that library information could be published in newsletters other than the Owatonna Public Utilities newsletter. The publication of Steele-Waseca Co-op was mentioned as another avenue.

Other

City council will set the preliminary levy in September. Feltes will meet with the city council at a work session the end of August. A budget review session will be held in October. Feltes reminded board members that the library’s budget is 6% of the total city budget and the budget cuts made two years ago were made in good faith.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 pm on a motion by Sager seconded by Overlie.

The next meeting will be held at 4:30pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

Respectfully submitted,
Gail Plathe