Minutes
                                                                      Meeting of the
                                                            Columbus Library Board
                                                                         August 11, 2005

 
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus Public Library Board was called to order at 4:35 PM on Thursday, August 11th by the Vice-President of the Board, Craig Neid. Other Library Board members present included Lynne Rambour, Jolaine Nielsen, and Jim Schaefer. 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.

A motion was made by Lynne Rambour and seconded by Jim Schaefer to excuse the absence of Jerry Jirka. This motions passed by voice vote.

The minutes of the July Board meeting were reviewed and allowed to stand as presented with a motion from Lynne Rambour and a second from Jolaine Nielsen. The motion passed by voice vote.

The Library Director distributed the August financial reports for the City Library and the County Library Service. Trautwein noted that the reports reflect the 11th month of the city’s fiscal year. In reviewing the report for the “County Library Services” he said that two tires on the bookmobile had been replaced. Trautwein said that when the bookmobile returns to the road the fines will be raised to the 10 cents per day level charged at the City Library. He said that the SIRSI circulation system cannot distinguish county patrons who are using the city library from those using the bookmobile and as a consequence, it charges every user the old five-cent a day fine for over-due books. This quirk in the circulation system has meant a reduction in fine revenue for the city. In order to correct the situation, an across-the-board 10 cent fee will need to be instituted. In his review of the City Library budget he pointed out that there had been some unexpected expenditures related to “Building Maintenance” including the repair of a gasket in the hot-water heating system and the re-keying of 49 interior doors because of the loss of the master key by one of the staff. He also said that he had the book-theft detection system repaired at the cost of nearly $2,000. A motion was made by Jim Schaefer and seconded by Jolaine Nielsen to accept the financial reports. This motion passed by roll call vote: Neid-aye, Nielsen-Aye, Schaefer-aye, and Rambour-aye

The Director reviewed his reports for July. He noted again the number of staff absences due to illness.

There were no committee reports.

Under Correspondence, Trautwein commented about the recent bequest received by the Library Foundation. He said that he had an opportunity to thank Thomas Maul, the attorney, for his efforts in helping the Foundation secure the bequest. He said that he had learned in his conversation with Mr. Maul that Jim Schaefer had also visited with him about the bequest. Trautwein urged the other board members to make it a point to thank Mr. Maul.

Under Old Business, Trautwein referred to the signed 4-year contract with the county. He said that since the Library Board came to an agreement with the County Board of Supervisors, the residents in the subdivision adjoining the city (but not annex by the city), have been voicing their concern about the bookmobile no longer stopping in their neighborhoods. Many of these residents are represented by Tom Martins, a County Supervisor. Trautwein said that he is referring the complaints to members of the Platte County Library Advisory Board. He said that he hopes at the next meeting, the Advisory Board will voice its opinion on what the level of bookmobile service should be for these residents.

On the topic of the city library budget, Trautwein said that it appears that the new budget will be pretty much as he had requested with the exception of several capital improvement projects. Those projects cut from the budget were $30,000 for the renovation of the ceiling in the Children’s Room and about $6,500 for a camera security system for the second floor. The “Library Materials” line item—which is a sales tax item—was increased from $92,000 to $94,000 and for the coming year the Library will have $8,000 instead of $6,000 to replace aging computers.

Under New Business, Trautwein recognized the two terms (8 years) that Mrs. Nielsen has served on the Library Board. He showed the Board a book plate that will be placed in 30 books to publicly recognize her service. He also gave Mrs. Nielsen a copy of the book plate to take with her. The other members of the board expressed their appreciation for her years of service.

Trautwein said that he had four suggestions for the Board to consider regarding a replacement for Mrs. Nielsen’s position. He said that he had not contacted several of the persons and he would do so prior to suggesting their names to the Mayor.

Regarding the bookmobile specifications, Trautwein said that he retyped the specifications for the old bookmobile and will use those to work from when reviewing specifications for a new vehicle. He has received specifications from the Mathews Specialties Vehicles Company and from the Ohio Bus Company. When asked about the possibility of ordering a vehicle that is handicapped accessible, Trautwein said that he is under the impression that it does not need to handicapped accessible. Trautwein said that in the years that he has been working with bookmobiles, a question of the need has never come up.

Trautwein referred to the announcements listed on the agenda. The Library will be closed Monday, September 5th in observance of “Labor Day”. Also, the Library Foundation book sale begins at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 11th.

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