ARNOLDS PARK LIBRARY BOARD
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
5:00 p.m.
The Arnolds Park Library Board met Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the Arnolds Park Library.
Present were Mary Dreier, Diana Jensen, Barb Woodley, and library director Kara Rice. Absent were Robb Keizer and Mitch Brown.
The minutes of October 10, 2018 were read. The minutes were approved as read.
There was a discussion of the possibility of getting a pet or pets as a library mascot.
Library closings for holidays: The library will be closed on the following days:
Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Friday after.
Close at noon Christmas Eve day and Christmas.
Close at noon on New Year’s Eve day.
Budget FYE2019 to date: The board reviewed the spreadsheet of expenses paid through November 9, 2018. We have only expended 39.82% leaving a balance of $81,427.38 which should be enough through the end of the fiscal year. Since the library will be seeking part time help, there was a discussion of the current budget covering the extra help.
Budget FYE2020: Rice explained the line items in the proposed budget. She started high at 5% cost of living increase and that may be adjusted lower. She made a 10% increase to the extended insurance coverage. She increased travel and training to cover continued education training. Programming was raised because of the increase in patrons at the library. This also includes money for the expenses of the summer reading program. She has already started the planning. Some ideas are a star gazing program with a blow-up planetarium that could be held at the Nature Center and a man who holds the world record for jump roping and teaches the participants how to make their own jump ropes and how to do tricks. Books and movies purchases was increased because of inflation and to buy more than one copy of popular books and movies. There is a line item for salaries that includes money for new part time person.
Rice pointed out that the library did receive increased funding form the county and contracting cities.
Area Library Comparison Sheet: Rice presented a library comparison sheet for Arnolds Park, Milford, Spirit Lake, Estherville, and Spencer. A spreadsheet and graphs showed the comparisons for expenditures, collection data and check-outs and wages paid to library employees.
Library Accreditation: Rice continues to work on the paperwork to apply for this accreditation.
Library Board continuing education: The board members were asked to read and study Chapter 14 of the Iowa Library Handbook, The Board’s Relationship with Library Staff.
Bills: Bills were presented through November 14, 2018 in the amount of $2,957.81. The biggest expense was from Baker and Taylor and Amazon for new releases of books and movies.
Dreier moved to approve the bills as presented. Woodley seconded. All aye.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Meeting adjourned.
Barbara Woodley
​Secretary