Library Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes
On motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Malueg, the board approved the minutes of the regular board meeting of November 16, 2005. (Wiswall, Whipple, McIntosh, and Irish abstained.)

On motion of Sarnecki, seconded by McIntosh, the minutes of the December 14, 2005 Finance & Personnel Committee meeting were approved by all Committee members.

Piergrossi arrived at 4:05 p.m.

Statistical Report
The statistical report showed an increase of 5% for the month of November, with circulation up 6% for the year. The library may break its all time high circulation record. Programming numbers are up substantially. The Neenah Reads program appears to be generating much interest, with 150 copies of The Glass Castle almost continuously checked out.

Hemes arrived at 4:08 p.m.

Bills for consideration
On motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Whipple, the board unanimously accepted the November bill payment report.

Director’s report
Menasha Public Library Director Jack Fry has announced that he will be retiring at the end of June 2006.

Boiler #1 (one of the small boilers) has broken down again. It is currently being repaired and the director suggests shutting it off and only using boiler #2 (another small boiler) and the two large boilers (#3 and #4). It is anticipated that boiler #2 will have the same breakdown in the future, at which point boiler #1 would be run. This would hopefully put off what seems to be the inevitable replacement of the small boilers, which have both had significant repair costs over the last 5½ years. The cost of a new mid-size modulating boiler to replace the two small boilers would be approximately $15,000. This would be a capital project for the 2007/2008 budget. The director will need to keep an eye on the cost/benefit ratio of continuing to repair the small boilers versus replacing them.

Legislative Day will be Tuesday, January 31, 2006. Any board members wishing to attend are to let the director know and he will make the arrangements.

Adult Services Librarian Mike Thomas’ federal grant application to digitize part of the local history collection has been approved for $3,812. Mike’s grant application was rated #1 out of the seven applications received. The board appreciates his efforts and extends its congratulations.

Proces noted that he had just received a phone call before the meeting of the possibility of a $10,000 grant-type donation. Because of the circumstances of the possible donation, the board granted Proces broad discretion in applying for the grant as to subject matter and scope. The board directed Proces to obtain President Hanes’ permission before submitting the actual application.

Annual performance reviews & raises
For non-represented employees, the City Attorney has proposed a 2% across the board January 1 increase and a merit increase based on the annual performance reviews effective July 1. The percentages for the merit increases will be decided after all performance reviews are completed.

New Winnefox Library System director named
Brown County Library director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe has been named as the Oshkosh Public Library/Winnefox Library System director. Winnefox Library System Board President Malueg gave the board details of his hiring and background.

Fire Door release system update
Although it took awhile for this project to be completed due to a software issue, the fire door holders are all now fully operational. The doors now close automatically if a pull alarm or a detector is activated. Employees may now legally leave the fire doors open while the library is open.

Security Camera system update
The new security camera digital system has been installed is working. Proces offered to show any board members how the new system operates.

Food for Fines report
A report from Circulation Services Manager Britten compared the number of food items received and the amount of fines cleared during Food for Fines for the past several years. This year 2,416 food items were received. The Neenah-Menasha Red Cross was very grateful for this help and for the coordination of this event with the Menasha Public Library.

Nomination committee for board officers
President Hanes appointed Malueg to present a slate of officers at the January 2006 meeting.

Thank volunteers and staff
On motion of Whipple, seconded by Sarnecki, the board unanimously voted to send thank-yous to all staff and to the Friends of the Neenah Public Library. Board members expressed thanks to staff members for all their hard work.

Irish arrived at 4:30 p.m.

Winnebago County representative
Widener noted that both his and Merry Whipple’s terms on the Winnefox Library Board have been extended by the County Board.

Widener noted that there would be two County representative spots opening in Neenah— neither of the incumbents is seeking re-election. The deadline to file papers is January 3, 2006. He encouraged anyone interested to seek election.

Next regularly scheduled meeting
The next regular meeting will be held on January 18, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. in the Carpenter Conference Room.

Closed session
At 4:35 p.m., on motion of Sarnecki, seconded by Hemes, the board unanimously voted to enter into a closed session as provided for in 19.85(1)(c) Wisconsin Statutes to consider the performance and compensation of a specific employee under the jurisdiction of the Library board.