ARNOLDS PARK LIBRARY BOARD
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
5:00 P.M.
The Arnolds Park Library Board met Wednesday , February 10 2016, at 5:00 p.m. in the Arnolds Park Library.
Present were Joyce Burgeson, Mitch Brown, Barb Woodley, and Library Director, Kara Rice.
Absent were Diana Jensen and Robb Keizer.
The minutes of January 13, 2016 were read. Burgeson moved to accept the minutes as read. Brown seconded. All aye.
Rice gave an update on the discussion of closing at 6:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. After discussing with other library staff and Police Chief Kruger, it was decided having police staff stay later was not needed at this time. A list of emergency cell numbers and the communication center number has been posted at the librarian’s desk. Police staff has dropped by if in the area at 6 p.m. to check on the library.
New receipt printer: Rice said she was ready to order the new Thermal Printer when she got a call from the company saying it takes a special kind of paper and would not work with what the library has on hand. Rice said the library has a big supply of paper rolls on hand, so decided to use up these supplies first and order the printer only if the current one quits completely.
2016-2017 budget: Rice reported the city has not finalized the budget yet. It will be discussed at tonight’s city council meeting. The budget will be approved and in to her by March 28th.
2015-2016 budget update: Rice was informed by the city that the library was projected to go over budget for FYE 2016. When Police Secretary Sarah Riley was hired it was agreed upon that she would help in the library. When her payroll was set up the library was paying for 40% of her health insurance as well as, 40% her salary. Sarah’s insurance and salary were to be deducted from the police budget except for the hourly wage that would be paid by the library when needed. The corrections to payroll have been made and Ron Walker will look at how to correct the budget to reflect these changes.
Business donation letter: Rice presented the board with a draft of a letter to local businesses asking for donations to the library. She also will send them two pages describing all the activities and services the library provides, with photos of the programs presented last year. She will send a letter to all the businesses in Arnolds Park.
Book sale cart: The Spirit Lake Library got a call from someone regarding the book exchange carts in the local libraries and how the money donated was being spent. It was suggested that the Arnolds Park Library will have the Library Foundation Board write a check for $25.00 at the beginning of the year for all the donated and weeded out books. Any money collected will go back to the Foundation. Burgeson moved that this be approved. Brown seconded. All aye.
Grant: Rice is seeking a grant for $5,000 through Alliant Energy for a Community Grant to purchase Early Literacy Stations. These are computers that are not connected to the internet, but have fun interaction games on them that teach school subjects. There are games for ages 2 – 6 and 8 – 12. The library wants to make it a homework station.
Continuation of the E-Rate program: The library has for the past few years applied for a federally funded program which pays part of the phone bill. The library used to receive about $1400, then that was cut last year to $741, another cut to $375 and they may be cutting the amount again. Rice said it takes a lot of paperwork to apply for the funds and feels we are at the point it may not be worth it. Following discussion, the board members agreed not to apply for the E-Rate for the coming year.
Bills were presented through February 10, 2016 for $2,233.76. There were several magazine renewals. Rice said next year she will write a check at the beginning of the year for all magazine subscriptions. That way, she doesn’t have to deal with constant renewal fees each month. The Amazon bill hasn’t arrived yet, so Rice figured an average owed of $1500. Next week when she gets the bill, she will pay the correct amount and the budget can be amended.
There being no further discussion, Brown moved to approve the bills as presented. Burgeson seconded. All aye.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016.
Barbara Woodley
Secretary