HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2014_05_13BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 13, 2014
MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. in Cooper
Room A of the Brookings Public Library
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Gengler, Mac Harris, Larry Rogers and Kyle Schaefer
OTHERS PRESENT: Elvita Landau, Alice Hayes and Cathy Enlow
President Larry Rogers called the meeting to order.
Larry Rogers called for approval of the meeting agenda. Bill Gengler moved to approve the agenda. Mac
Harris seconded. Motion carried.
Larry Rogers called for approval of the minutes from the April 8, 2014 meeting. Mac Harris moved to
approve the minutes. Bill Gengler seconded. Motion carried.
Bills and Salaries:
Mac Harris moved to approve the list of bills. Bill Gengler seconded. Motion carried.
Financial Report:
Elvita Landau noted that the General Fund telephone line item will go over budget this year, due to a
lower-than-needed amount being budgeted. The General Fund advertising line was fully used to
promote the Library’s Civil War programming.
The Library received its first quarter 2014 stipend from Brookings County.
Gifts Account receipts for the month reflect a $400 Jumpstart mini-grant which Ali Bruinsma will use for
young adult summer reading programming.
Librarian’s Report:
The Library has switched staff computers to the cityofbrookings.org domain with a few resulting
problems. Public printers remain under the Library’s domain. Staff printers were switched to the City of
Brookings domain.
Mango Tree Coffee:
Elvita Landau and Larry Rogers had met with Harsha Mistry last week to discuss Mango Tree Coffee
operations. Elvita distributed copies of an email from Harsha received after that meeting. Larry Rogers
noted that he had believed that an understanding had been reached with Harsha during their meeting,
but the email did not indicate that. Larry also noted that the Board was unaware of Harsha’s plan to be
closed during the month of May. Several Board members discussed the fact that patrons/prospective
customers do not know when Mango Tree will be open, so they make other stops to purchase coffee
before coming to the Library. This is an issue that the Board has addressed several times in the past.
Elvita suggested offering a three-month extension rather than a one-year contract at the end of June.
The Board agreed to put this item on the June agenda and that Harsha should have an opportunity to
attend the meeting.
2015 Budget Discussion:
Elvita presented the proposed budget for 2015. She has proposed hiring a year-round helper for the
children’s department to work 18 hours per week. Elvita has discussed funding for the upcoming
changes in the Library’s computer services with City Manager Jeff Weldon. Mac Harris moved to
approve the proposed budget for 2015. Kyle Schaefer seconded. Motion carried.
The 2015 Brookings County funding request was discussed. Kyle Schaefer suggested requesting more
than $35,000 and proposed that the Board speak to the Brookings County Commission directly to plead
our case. Elvita will check with Stephanie Ellwein about the possibility of a budget hearing with the
commissioners. Mac Harris moved to ask for $50,000 in funding. Bill Gengler seconded. Motion carried.
South Dakota Library Network Update:
Elvita distributed copies of a new email message from Sam Gingerich. The Board discussed the contents
of the email message and other available information. Future plans are still unclear for SDLN members.
The Board asked that Elvita contact the Brookings city attorney to make sure he is up-to-date on the
situation.
The general session of the meeting ended at 7:05 p.m. The Board continued with the South Dakota
Trustee Academy viewing and discussion.
Respectfully submitted,
Elvita Landau, Library Director