Monthly Meeting
                                                                       of the
                                                 Columbus Public Library Board
                                                                April 14,2005

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, April 14th by the President of the Board, Jerry Jirka. Other Library Board members present included Jolaine Nielsen and Craig Neid. Also in attendance was 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 Library Director informed Jerry Jirka, president, that Lynne Rambour and Jim Schaefer had phoned to ask to be excused from the meeting.

The minutes to the March 10th Library Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as submitted with a motion from Jolaine Nielsen and a second from Craig Neid. The motion passed by voice vote.

The Library Director distributed the April financial reports for the City Library, the Platte County Library and the Library Foundation. He noted that the reports were for the 7th month of the fiscal year. Trautwein expressed his concern that for the city library, several budget categories such as “Building Maintenance” and “Office Supplies” will be overspent for the budget year. Following a review, a motion was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Jolaine Nielsen to accept the reports. This motion passed by roll call vote: Jirka-aye, Nielsen-aye, and Neid-aye.

Trautwein reviewed his monthly report. He noted that he is working with the city on selecting an Internet filtering device for both the Library and city offices.

There were no committee reports.

Under correspondence, the letter from Tom Maul, a local attorney, concerning a possible Library Foundation benefactor was reviewed

Under Old Business, Trautwein said that Larry Nagorski, the bookmobile driver, plans to retire at the end of May, when the rural schools take summer break. Trautwein said that Mr. Nagorski would like to continue working on a part-time, 20-hour a week basis. Trautwein said that the Library will soon begin advertising for a second part-time driver.


Under new business, Trautwein reviewed a policy to limit the borrowing privileges of patrons who had long overdue library materials and whose accounts were submitted to a collection service. This policy would limit the amount of books to be checked out to 2 items at any time for a five-year period. A motion was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Jolaine Nielsen to accept this policy as submitted. The motion was passed by a roll-call vote: Jirka-aye, Nielsen-aye, and Neid-aye.

The next item of business was a discussion regarding the negotiations for the library services contract with the County Board of Supervisors. Trautwein said that the City would like to see a long-term contract rather than a year-to-year contract. With a long-term contract, the City would be more willing to replace the current vehicle. It was decided that Craig Neid and Jim Schaefer will represent the Library Board in the negotiations. Trautwein said that he would submit a letter to the Supervisors to ask for a meeting to discuss terms.

A motion to adjourn was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Jolaine Nielsen. This motion passed by voice vote.