Minutes
                                                                      Meeting of the
                                                            Columbus Library Board
                                                                     February 9, 2006

 
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2006 by the President of the Board, Craig Neid. Other Library Board members present included Carol Keller, Jerry Jirka and Lynne Rambour. Also in attendance was Jill Owens, Library School student, and Robert Trautwein, Library Director.

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 Director informed the Board that he had received a phone call from Jim Schaefer to ask to be excused from the meeting. A motion was made by Jerry Jirka and seconded by Craig Neid to excuse the absence. The motion passed by voice vote. Trautwein also noted that Joe Mangiamelli, the City Administrator, was not able to attend the meeting as he was on a recruiting mission in Red Oak, Iowa.

The Minutes of the January Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as presented with a motion from Jerry Jirka and a second from Lynne Rambour. The motion passed by voice vote.

The Library Director distributed the February Financial Reports for the City Library, the County Library Service, and the Library Foundation. He noted that February is the fifth month of the 2005-06 budget year. There was a discussion regarding the elevator maintenance contract. Carol Keller said that she was aware of a second elevator maintenance company, Otis, that services elevators in the Columbus area. Trautwein said that he had just signed a new one-year contract with O’Keefe Elevator Company, but he would be interested in switching companies next year if it would be less expensive. A motion was made by Jerry Jirka to accept the financial reports. This motion was seconded by Carol Keller. The motion passed by roll call vote: Jirka-aye, Keller-aye, Rambour-aye, and Neid-aye.

In reviewing the Director’s Report, Trautwein pointed out the current statistics regarding the ARL Credit Services work done for the Library. Trautwein also noted that the monthly statistical report has been missing the last two days circulation count. He said that he has learned how to correct this count and he anticipates a larger monthly count with this correction. It was noted from the report that Sally Hansen is presenting programs at the local retirement homes
There were not Committee Reports.

There were no items of Correspondence

Under Old Business, Trautwein said that he has been working with the Nebraska Humanities Council to get sponsors for the meals to be served at each of the six “Prime Time” programs. Thus far, Columbus Bank and Trust, Cornhusker Public Power District, and the Runza Restaurant have agreed to be sponsors. There is also money in the grant ($2,000) to help pay for meals. Trautwein said that he is working at securing a “Pre-school Coordinator” to work with and entertain the younger children of the 25 families that will be involved in the program. It was suggested that he recruit high school students who need to do community service to work with the Pre-School Coordinator.

On the topic of the new bookmobile, Trautwein said that he has been working with several people at the North Carolina bus plant on the interior of the vehicle. The floor covering, upholstery and shelving materials have been select. The vehicle is slated to take its place in the assembly line in May and will be delivered in June. Trautwein said that the local Fire Department has shown an interest in the vehicle. He said that he wants to advertise the bookmobile on a website for bookmobile librarians.

A motion was made by Jerry Jirka to “Enter into Executive Session to consider the performance review of the Library Director.” This motion was seconded by Carol Keller. The motion passed by voice vote.

At around 5:25 PM the Library Board resumed its open meeting. A motion was made by Carol Keller and seconded by Jerry Jirka to “Return from Executive Session.”. This motion passed by voice vote.

Under New Business, Trautwein asked the Library Board to review the list of suggested purchases he will be presenting to the Library Foundation. He noted that he had learned from Dan Keiter, an architect at RVW that it will be impossible to install a large skylight in the children’s room as the ceiling tussles are too close together. He said that the architect also said that it would be against the city’s fire code to install any windows that face the alley. There was a discussion about the possibility of installing a window or several windows on the south side of the room. Craig Neid suggested that we again visit with an architect about finding a way to brighten the room to make it more attractive for the patrons. Jerry Jirka suggested “sun tubes” to bring natural light into the room.

A motion to adjourn was made by Jerry Jirka and seconded by Lynne Rambour. This motion passed by voice vote.