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

                                                      June 14, 2007

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board and the Platte County Library Advisory Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, June 14, 2007 by the President, Craig Neid. He read aloud and signed the “Certification of Compliance,” regarding the “Open Meeting” law.

Other Library Board members present included Carol Keller, and Jerry Jirka. There were no members from the Advisory Board. Also present were, Marilyn Zehring of the Friends of the Columbus Public Library, Joe Mangiamelli, City Administrator, Karen Hake, Bookmobile Librarian, Brad Hruska, the Children’s Librarian, and Robert Trautwein, the Library Director.

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

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

The Library Director distributed the June Financial Reports for the City Library, the County Library Services, and the Library Foundation. Trautwein noted that June was the ninth month of the 2006-07 budget with 61% of the operating budget spent.. A motion was made by Jerry Jirka and seconded by Carol Keller to accept the financial reports as presented. This motion passed by roll call vote: Neid-Aye, Keller-Aye, and Jirka-Aye.

In reviewing the Director’s Report, Trautwein added that Sally Hansen is now working part time, in the mornings.

There were no Committee Reports, however, Mr. Neid complemented Jerry Jirka and his son, Grant, for their YouTube entry in a library publicity campaign sponsored by Thompson Gale Publishing. Their entry is one of five being shown around the nation. The winning entry will be announced at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 24th, at the American Library Association Conference. Carol Keller said that she would look into getting the entry shown at the local movie house.

Under Correspondence, Karen Hake, the bookmobile librarian, discussed her efforts for the summer reading program. Currently, she has 423 children signed up for the reading program. All are excited about the new patches for their bags. Karen excused herself.

Marilyn Zehring, the president of the Friends of the Columbus Public Library, was introduced. She explained that the group has been organized for only one year. As of the second year’s membership drive, there are over 100 household members. She listed events sponsored by the Friends: a Christmas brunch for the library employees was held in the Art Gallery; during National Library Week, rolls and coffee were served to the employees; the “One Book-One Columbus” program was sponsored with the book, “Marley and Me” featured.. She discussed the programming involved around the “Marley and Me” book. She noted that on Sunday, July 29th, the Friends will be holding their “annual meeting” with an election of officers. The meeting will be followed by a “preview” book sale. She said that the group would like to produce a “cemetery tour”, but cannot get it organized for Columbus Days. It may be done in October. She discussed the Friends efforts to recruit “friends” to help the library in its outreach services, shelf reading, hosting book discussions, and being readers during storytimes.

Current officers of the “friends” include Mrs. Zehring as the president, Diane Klug as the vice-president, Jim Dean the Treasurer, Melodee Pederson as the secretary, Mary Pietz as a member-at-large. Two new members-at-large will be added at the June annual meeting.

Craig Neid thanked Mrs. Zehring for attending today’s meeting. She excused herself.

Under Old Business: The renovation of the Children’s Room is progressing. Trautwein said that the rough openings for the three windows on the west wall have been cut. The ceiling and light fixtures are being torn down and removed. A “time line” has been posted for the project on the bulletin board in front of the entry to the Children’s Room. As various tasks are completed, they will be marked off the timeline.

Regarding the budget for the coming year, Trautwein said that the budget is at city hall. Joe Mangiamelli said that the city council will begin reviewing all the departments’ budgets around the 1st of July.

On the topic of the Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) project, Trautwein said he has been working with both Connecting Point and Jeff Uckmann of Community Internet. A technician from Connection Point has identified and isolated a Cat5 wire from the computer room to the reference desk. The city has provided Mr. Uckmann with an IP address. Supposedly, all of the equipment has been delivered so that the library is just waiting for Mr. Uckmann to install it.

Brad Hruska, the Children’s Librarian, discussed the library’s “Summer Reading” program. He currently has 578 children registered this year.

Under New Business, the presentation by Mrs. Zehring of the Friends group was held earlier.

The President adjourned the meeting.