The Arnolds Park Library Board met Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. in the Arnolds Park Library.
Present were Joyce Burgeson, Barb Woodley, Mitch Brown and Library Director, Kara Rice. Absent were Diana Jensen and Robb Keizer.
The minutes of December 14, 2016 were read and corrected. Burgeson moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Brown seconded. All aye.
Board Appointments: Term for Mitch Brown, Diana Jensen, and Joyce Burgeson are up. Brown and Jensen agreed to stay for another 6 year term. Burgeson requested to be replaced. She agreed to stay on until a replacement can be appointed.
Library Credit Card: The City of Arnolds Park has a credit card which all departments are using. The problem is there is a $2500 limit. The card is sometimes declined because the total is over the limit. It was suggested that each department should look at getting their own credit card. There would be one city account, but each department would have their own card. The library card would have a $1500 limit.
Review Position Pay Plan: Rice reported there are three categories for the library pay scale, Library Director, Library Assistant (which Deb and Grace) and Library Aide (which is Sarah part time). Grace is at the top of her pay scale and will continue to get the cost of living raises each year. Rice advised that she felt Deb’s wage should be increased as she is not getting pay equal to the duties that she is handling. After discussion the board agreed that Deb’s wage should be increased to Step 5, $14.21 per hour. Rice will advise the city council of the change.
2017-2018 Budget: Rice handed out a copy of the letter she is presenting to the City Council to explain the proposed budget along with graphs of the circulation growth over the past year. Rice spoke with Robb Keizer and Diana Jensen and they are okay with the budget as it is going to be presented to the City Council. After review of the proposed budget, Burgeson and Woodley were also in favor of the 2017-2018 budget to be presented. Rice said she would be meeting with the budget committee to answer any questions they would have.
Discussion of IT Service: Rice said that currently the library computer service is provided by Mike at Computer Zone in Spirit Lake. Cost is $750 per month. This contract cost is too much for the library budget. She has asked Mike to provide more detailed bills which he agreed to do. She needs to discuss with him if he will provide service to the library on an as needed basis.
Bills were presented for January 11, 2017 in the amount of $2,474.99. Rice reviewed the bills. There were no questions. Brown approved the bills as presented. Burgeson seconded. All aye.
Rice said she had been working on the summer reading program. The theme this year is “Build a Better World.”
Some ideas are: Brandon Aronson, Magician and Illusionist will present a show.
Reptiles and Amphibians from the Minneapolis Zoo. They take in unwanted pets. They said they could bring 10-12 animals to set up as a petting zoo at a cost of $250.
She will ask the Science Center to come.
Other ideas were having the kids work on building things with Legos and robotics that are age appropriate and possibly sponsoring a free movie at the Milford Pioneer Theatre two times a summer.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting will be February 8, 2017.
Barbara Woodley
Secretary