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Library Board Meeting Minutes |
Minutes
On motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Hemes, the minutes of the December 15, 2004, Finance & Personnel Committee meeting were approved by all Committee members.
On motion of Whipple, seconded by Malueg, the Board approved the minutes of the regular Board meeting of December 15, 2004. (Piergrossi abstained.)
On motion of Whipple, seconded by Sarnecki, the Board approved the minutes of the closed Board meeting of December 15, 2004. (Piergrossi abstained.)
Library statistical reports
Proces reported that the end of year statistics showed a decrease of 5% for the year, which was expected with the Menasha Public Library expansion project complete. Proces noted that receipts were down for the year due to a grace period extended when the new computer system was put into place.
Bills for consideration
On motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Piergrossi, the Board unanimously accepted the December bill payment report.
Director’s report
Proces informed the Board that the library has received 26 applications for the Adult Services Librarian position and that interviewing would start the following week.
Election of 2005 officers
Judy Malueg (the Nominating Committee) gave her report. She noted that the existing officers had agreed to continue in their current positions for another year and therefore she nominated Jeff Hanes for President, Jan Sarnecki for Vice-President, and Dan McIntosh for Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee. On motion of Malueg, seconded by Whipple, the Board approved the recommendations of the Nominating Committee and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominated officers.
Presidential appointment of committee member
Hanes appointed Hemes to the Finance & Personnel Committee.
Certification of Winnefox Library System services
Proces reminded the Board that the State of Wisconsin requires Library Boards to vote to certify (or to raise objections to) their respective library system’s performance. On motion of Hemes, seconded by Piergrossi, the Board approved the recommendation to certify Winnefox Library System performance on providing effective leadership and adequately meeting our library’s needs. Proces noted that Winnefox is considered one of the most successful library systems in the state.
Director’s 2005 goals and objectives
Proces presented his 2005 goals and objectives. Widener noted that he liked the goals and objectives stated in items 2, 3, & 4 because they were measurable. He noted that item 1 sounded more like a mission statement, but overall it was much better than last year’s. Hemes thought that adding “efficiently and” before creatively under #1b would be better. Irish thought that under #1b creatively should be deleted. Whipple thought that #1b should be changed to start with “effectively” instead of “creatively”. Proces interjected that #1 of the goals & objectives had been set by a previous Board. Hanes opined that “effectively” would be a more appropriate word choice for #1b. On motion of Whipple, seconded by Sarnecki, the Board unanimously accepted the Director’s 2005 goals and objectives with #1b changed to read “Effectively manage the library facility”.
Using a collection agency for long overdue fines/items
Proces had sent a handout to the Board outlining the proposed use of a collection agency to collect long overdue (more than 45 days overdue) fines and library materials. The collection agency is a national library-only collection agency and has over 650 library clients (almost all are public libraries). It has a more gentle approach, called the “professional nudge,” than most collection agencies. The handout outlined the current procedure and time constraints on the Circulation Services Manager as well as the response rate to current letters from the Circulation Manager and the City Attorney. Proces noted that there is 90-day trial period and a 60-day notice by either side to cancel the service. This service is being offered to all 25 WALS libraries. Currently, the Oshkosh, Menasha, Coloma, North Fond du Lac, Winneconne, Green Lake, and Neenah libraries are considering using Unique Management Services (UMS). The Fond du Lac library already uses another collection service. Homebound, deposit, and teacher collections would not be affected; children would not be credit reported. The Board asked questions and discussed the matter. Proces noted that UMS will do skip tracing—the library loses much material to people who move out of the area. The Board will require timely reports from Proces on the new policy. On motion of Whipple, seconded by Sarnecki, the Board unanimously approved the recommendation that, if the Menasha library does likewise, the library use a collection agency to collect long overdue fines and library materials; that the library add a $10 collection fee charge to each customer who owes $25.00 or more; and to deposit the fee to and pay the collection agency from the Lost & Damaged Materials account.
Employee raises, benefit changes
Proces noted that library part-time employees have been paid merit raises, based on their annual performance review scores, for at least the last 15 years (with the exception of 2004). He recommended that the Board use the Employees Below Midpoint column of the 2005 Non-Represented Employee Salary Plan, minus the July increases, for part-time raises effective 1/1/05. He noted that this matter would be discussed further within the City. On motion of Piergrossi, seconded by McIntosh, the Board approved the recommendation for part-time pay raises effective 1/1/05.
Agenda items – reports from NJSD & aldermanic representatives
Widener noted that he would like to go back to comments by Board members on the agenda and proposed a motion to do so. Whipple seconded the motion. Proces reminded the Board that the City Attorney had indicated that there needs to be something more specific listed and that Board members may always comment, but that discussion cannot occur on non-agenda items. Widener amended his motion to read that reports from the County representative, NJSD Superintendent, and Alderperson should appear on the agenda. Whipple seconded the amended motion and the Board unanimously approved the amended motion.
Neenah Reads! Program: To Kill a Mockingbird
Proces informed the Board that the library is sponsoring another community reading program (encouraging all citizens to read and discuss the same book during the same time period), using Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The Mayor and library officials will kick off the program on February 13th. The program will run from February 13th until April 16th. Proces noted that both the Adult & Youth departments have worked together to develop the programming that will be occurring during Neenah Reads! This book is the most popular community reading book in the country.
County representative’s report
Widener presented a couple of newspaper articles regarding libraries and taxation.
Next regularly scheduled meeting
The next meeting will be held on February 16, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. in the Carpenter Conference Room.
Adjournment
At 4:53 p.m. on motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Hemes, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.
2005 Library Director’s Goals & Objectives – Neenah Public Library
1. Successfully manage the library.