ARNOLDS PARK LIBRARY BOARD
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
5:00 P.M.
The Arnolds Park Library Board met Wednesday , November 18, 2015 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.
Minutes of October 21, 2015 were read. Burgeson moved to approve the minutes. Brown seconded. All aye.
Rice reported on some ideas for next year’s summer reading program. The title of the program is “Ready, Set, Read!” and she is considering a Reading Olympics theme. She has contacted the Iowa Science Center in Des Moines with the idea to do science experiments outside. She is also hoping to get the Blank Park Zoo again with an Animal Olympics. If the library books both , it can get some discounts.
She is drafting a letter to send out in February to donors who can help with the cost of the summer program. Other ideas she had were including the fire department with some water fights, 3 legged races, and maybe a bouncy house.
Another program idea Rice had was working with the Bedell Family YMCA which opened a kitchen for kids. Perhaps the library could have a dietician teach the kids to make healthy snacks. Also to teach the kids a “mob” dance with a fitness instructor teaching the dance steps.
There are five Wednesdays in June. If the kids are not yet out of school, the library wouldn’t do too much that first week.
Discussion was held on closing the library on Saturday, November 28th, as the city offices are closed that day. The members agreed the library should be closed also.
Rice said a former patron who was banned from the library has contacted her regarding getting their privileges reinstated. The board members were informed of the prior circumstances. Following discussion, the board agreed not to reinstate the former patron.
Rice reported that to get a City credit card, she needed to apply through Marjo at Northwest Bank. She will apply at a later date when she needs to purchase more items.
Discussion of the 2016-2017 budget. Rice referred to a spreadsheet of the current fiscal year budget showing year to date expended and unexpended balance. At almost halfway through the year, the library has spent only 40.27% of the balance. She presented a draft of the proposed budget. She had used a 5% cost of living increase for salaries, FICA and IPERS. Since then, the city advised the State cost of living increase is -0.8%, so the City of Arnolds Park may go with a 3% increase. This will lower the budget asking. The budget does reflect some increases Rice felt were needed. The equipment maintenance (including computers and software) is increased by $2,050. This includes a “Deep Freeze” software for the five public computers. The IT person will have to wipe each computer completely clean, install the Deep Freeze, then customize what the library wants to come up on the computer. When the computers are shut down at night, all viruses, cookies, etc. that have been brought in will go away. This software will not be on the office computers where the work has to be saved daily.
Last week the library modem got fried. IT tried to fix it, but couldn’t, so the library had to buy a new modem.
Rice also increased the budget for periodicals by $500. The library has magazines for adults, teens and children. The check out is definitely up.
The city needs the finalized budget by January 1st. The board will review the final draft at the December meeting.
Rice said the library winter project is to clean out and update the non-fiction section. There are some rules that libraries must adhere to such as their medical books cannot be over 5 years old. She is looking at ordering the Mayo Clinic newsletter. Also there is a reference book that comes out every three years that explains the basic core of materials required for a small library. Scholars, professors, etc. have compiled this list. Rice looked into ordering the book, but it is $380. She will check with Spirit Lake Library if they have an older version she could use. She could also e-mail the district representative to see if they can borrow the book from the State Library.
Rice said the Library Foundation meeting would be Monday, December 7th.
Bills were presented through November 21, 2015 in the amount of $1,670.69. Rice reviewed the bills.
There were no comments or questions. Brown moved to approve the bills as presented. Burgeson seconded. All aye.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 9, 2015.
Barbara Woodley
Secretary