Columbus Public Library, Columbus, Nebraska


Minutes of Meeting of the Columbus Library Board
July 14, 2005 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 4:30 PM on Thursday, July 14th by the President of the Board, Jerry Jirka. Other Library Board members present included Lynne Rambour and Craig Neid. Also in attendance were Brad Hruska, the Children’s Librarian, 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. A motion was made by Lynne Rambour and seconded by Craig Neid to excuse the absence of Jim Schaefer and Jolaine Nielsen. This motions passed by voice vote. The minutes of the June Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as presented with a motion from Craig Neid and a second from Lynne Rambour The motion passed by voice vote. The Library Director distributed the July financial reports for the City Library, the County Library Service, and the Columbus Library Foundation. Trautwein noted that it is 10th month of the city’s fiscal year. In reviewing the report for the “County Library Services” he said that he will be replacing two tires on the bookmobile during this budget year. A motion was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Lynne Rambour to accept the City Library’s financial report. This motion passed by roll call vote: Jirka-aye, Neid-aye, and Rambour-aye The Director reviewed his reports for June. There were no committee reports. Under Correspondence, Brad Hruska, the Children’s Librarian, reviewed the activities of the Library’s “Summer Reading Program”. He noted that there are currently 905 children enrolled in the Library’s program and over 500 on the bookmobile. Hruska said that one reason for this large increase in numbers is that the public school’s “migrant worker program” has incorporated the Library’s “Summer Reading Program” into its schedule of activities. Trautwein noted that several times a week, three of the schools large white vans park near the library and unload dozens of children who attend the Library’s programs. Hruska said that the “Summer Reading Program” ends on July 28th with an ice cream social. During this social, Mr. Hruska will battle a dragon. The dragon is currently being made by the Columbus Art Gallery staff. Trautwein said that the book bags have added a new dimension to the summer reading program. Children are encouraged to reuse last year’s bag. Each bag that is returned from last year gets a “dragon” badge sewn on it. About 400 dragon badges have been sewn onto the bags. The ladies of the Calico Quilt Club have been doing all of the sewing. In some cases, the ladies have actually mended the bags. Next year, he hopes to have a different badge—one with the “pet” theme. Children who return with the first year bag will then have two badges sewn on their bags. Under Old Business, Trautwein said he has been working with the City Attorney on writing a new contract. This morning, Trautwein picked up a revision of the contract from the attorney’s office and walked it to the County Court House to give it to the County Attorney. If it meets her approval, it will be on the agenda for the July 19th meeting of the County Board of Supervisors. After their approval, it will be taken before the City Council for its approval. Craig Neid said that in the “gentlemen’s agreement” between the Library representatives and the County committee, it was agreed that there be a one-year plus a three-year contract in which the first year contract would be slightly higher than the current year to operate the current bookmobile and its staff. For the three years following, the amount would be less as reflected by a smaller one-person vehicle. After the first year of the smaller amount, there will be an escalator clause which will increase the contract the amount of the Consumer Price Index for the earlier year. Mr. Neid said that he had noticed a “thank you” form at the check out desk. Trautwein said that both at the Library and on the bookmobile, patrons are being asked to fill out the form to “thank” the Commissioners for continuing county library service. He said that in a few weeks, he will work with Karen Hake to match up the forms to the commissioner He will then mail the commissioners the forms from their electorate. On the topic of the Library’s budget for 2005-06, Trautwein said that the City Administrator and Anne Kinnison, the City’s Finance Officer, have eliminated two of the Library’s capital improvements requests. These requests are the $30,000 for the remodeling of the ceiling in the Children’s Room and $8,000 for the security cameras and recorder for the second floor. Trautwein said that the city department heads had asked for capital improvements in excess of what sales tax moneys will be available, so Mrs. Kinnison had to prioritize the requests and make many cuts. Regarding the operational budget request for the Library, Trautwein said that the Library’s budget is moving forward, even thought it is for a 7% increase over the previous year. He said that he understands that most of the other departments were also asking for substantial increases in order to provide for the same level of services as in previous years. Under New Business, Trautwein asked if any Board member had a suggestion for a possible replacement on the Board for Mrs. Nielsen, whose term ends in August. Trautwein said that Carol Keller, the public relations person for Ernst Auto, had inquired about serving on the Board. Lynne Rambour recommended Joy Gilmore. She said that she had no idea if Mrs. Gilmore would be interested, but she thought she ought to be considered. It was decided to wait until the August meeting before making a formal recommendation to the Mayor. On the topic of a new bookmobile, Trautwein said that he had made inquires to the three major bookmobile manufactures in the United States: Ohio Bus Company, Maroney Buses, and Mathews Busses. He is now waiting for material from each of these companies. He said that he would like to see a new vehicle by the end of April or May of next year. A motion to adjourn was made by Craig Neid and seconded by Lynne Rambour. This motion passed by voice vote.