Quarterly Meeting
                                                              of the
                                          Columbus Public Library Board
                                                            and the
                                      Platte County Library Advisory Board

                                                       December 13, 2007

The regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board and the Platte County Library Advisory Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 13, 2007 by the President, Craig Neid. He read and signed the “Certification of Compliance” regarding the “Open Meeting” law.

Other Library Board members present included Carol Keller, Sharon Farritor and Joie Taylor. Jim Schaefer arrived at 5:00 PM. Liz Young, Carolyn Rohde, and Carol Rosendahl were present to represent the Platte County Library Advisory Board. Joe Mangiamelli, the City Administrator, Brad Hruska, the Children’s Librarian, Jill Owens, the Reference Librarian, and Robert Trautwein, Library Director were also present.

Notice of this meeting was given in advance with a copy of the agenda posted at City Hall, the County Court House and in the Public Library. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.

The Minutes of the November Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as presented with a motion from Sharon Farritor and a second from Joie Taylor. The motion passed by voice vote.

The Library Director distributed the December Financial Reports for the City Library, the County Library Service, and the Library Foundation. He noted that December is the third month of the 2007-08 budget year. A motion was made by Joie Taylor and seconded by Carol Keller to accept the expenditures. The motion passed by roll call vote: Neid-aye, Keller-aye, Farritor-aye and Taylor-aye.

In Director’s Report was reviewed.

There were no Committee Reports.

Under Correspondence, Trautwein noted that a fist fight had occurred in the Library on Thursday afternoon, November 29th. This altercation occurred over the use of a work station in the computer lab. The police were called and a citation was issued. Joie Taylor asked about a policy to handle a situation like that. Trautwein said that there is a “Rules of Conduct” posted alongside each elevator entrance.


Under Old Business, Trautwein said that the revised contract between the Library Board and the Friends of the Library regarding book sales was forwarded to the City Attorney for review. It was returned without any changes. The Board decided to have the contact sent out in the next board packet for review and action at the next Library Board meeting. Mr. Mangiamelli suggested that the document be submitted to the Friends for their review and signature prior to the signing by the Library Board. Trautwein said that the Friends will not be meeting in December and may not have a regularly scheduled meeting until after the next Library Board meeting.

Under New Business, the Board discussed the election of new officers. Mr. Neid has served two consecutive terms as president. Jim Schaefer has been the vice-president. Carol Keller has been the treasurer. It was decided to defer any further action on this item until Mr. Schaefer arrives.

The next item of business was the annual performance review of the Director. Mr. Neid asked if Joie Taylor and Carol Keller would perform that task. They agreed. Trautwein said that there is no deadline for this but he would hope it could be completed by the first of February.

Trautwein reviewed a sheet he had submitted in the board packet on the history of capital improvements for the library building. He said that he hope this will help the Library Board in determining a schedule of future building improvements.

Regarding the renovation of the 1st floor restrooms, Mr. Neid appointed Sharon Farritor and Jill Owens to work with the Director on the selection of tile colors, paint, etc. for the restrooms. Trautwein said that he has been working with local vendors to get recommendations and quotes.

A motion was made by Joie Taylor and seconded by Carol Keller to close the library at 5:00 PM on both Monday, December 24th and Monday, December 31th. This motion passed by voice vote.

Mr. Schaefer arrived. Mr. Neid outlined the earlier conversation regarding officers for the coming year. He asked if Mr. Schaefer would consider the presidency for the coming year. Noting agreement, Mr. Neid called for a motion for Mr. Schaefer to be the next President, Carol Keller Vice-President, and Sharon Farritor Treasurer. Carol Keller so moved and Joie Taylor seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Trautwein asked about any continuing education hours. There were none.

Kathy Ellerton, the director of the Northeast Library System, arrived and spent an hour with the Board discussing the first three chapters of the Nebraska Public Library Board manual.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.