HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2016_05_12 BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 12, 2016
MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Historical Room of the Brookings Public Library
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Gengler, Janell Hoffelt, Larry Rogers, Kyle Schaefer and Deb Waltman
OTHERS PRESENT: Ashia Gustafson, Alice Hayes
Call to Order
Larry Rogers called the meeting to order.
Approval of Agenda
Larry Rogers called for approval of the meeting agenda. Ashia Gustafson requested the addition of
meeting room contract discussion and of a parton’s challenge to a Library book to the agenda. Janell
Hoffelt moved to approve the meeting agenda as amended. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Larry Rogers called for approval of the minutes from the April 14, 2016 meeting. Kyle Schaefer moved
to approve the minutes. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
New Business
Item Lending Limits
Larry Rogers had read the Library’s policy and procedures manual online, and noted a couple of
inconsistencies. There is a reference of “20 items at a time” and also “circulation system parameters”
allowing 40 items maximum. Ashia Gustafson said that that statement may not need to be in the policy.
Ashia and the Board discussed lending limits. Ashia said that patrons have a tendency not to want to
return DVDs. The Library staff recommended keeping the limit at 5 DVDs. She shared the results of the
informal survey conducted at the circulation desk for two days earlier this month. She proposed a 30
item limit, keeping DVDs at 5. Bill Gengler said he felt the current limit was adequate, and that allowing
more books out would limit the number of books available to browsers. Larry Rogers proposed up to 25
books, keeping DVDs at 5, for a total of 30 items. The motion died for lack of a second. This keeps the
limit at 20. Ashia recommended deleting reference to the maximum limit of 40 and the individual item
limits from the Library policy. Kyle Schaefer moved to change the limit to a maximum of 25 items, to
include a limit of no more than 5 DVDs. Deb Waltman seconded. Voting was 3 in favor, one against, one
abstention. Motion carried.
Approve April Bills
Janell Hoffelt moved to approve the April list of bills. Kyle Schaefer seconded. Motion carried.
Collection of Overdue Bills
Ashia Gustafson said that Alison Tappan showed her a huge file of small claims that have been filed.
Judgement has been rendered but no payment has been received. The outstanding total is $17,753.84 in
materials and fines/fees. Ashia explained the proposal from Unique Management Services (UMS), which
works only with libraries. She also provided information about procedures and cost for using Brookings
Credit Bureau and the small claims process. If we began using UMS, we would need to handle collections
monthly rather than quarterly, which we do now. Kyle Schaefer moved to table the matter for a month
to allow time to contact Jonathan Hayes at UMS with questions. Janell Hoffelt seconded. Motion carried.
Other Items and Reports
Librarian’s Report
Ashia presented her April report to the Board. Nita Gill has completed weeding the science fiction
collection. She is now weeding the adult fiction collection. South Dakota Share-It, the overlay which will
enable the state libraries to do inter-library loans, will be live in July 2016.
Ashia explained some recent difficulties in scheduling meeting room usage for outside groups at the
Library. She requested that the small conference room be listed on the meeting room contract, in
addition to the Cooper Rooms. Kyle Schaefer moved to include the small conference room on the
contract. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
Challenge to a Library Book by a Patron
Ashia has received a complaint from a patron regarding a new children’s book “Sex is a Funny Word”
written by Colin Silverberg. Ashia and Katherine Eberline met with the patron on May 12. The patron
was concerned that the book did not fit in to the Brookings community, and she wanted it removed
from the Library. The patron then said that the book should be in the adult section, not the children’s
section. Ashia explained the formal complaint process to her. Ashia advised City Manager Jeff Weldon
that the patron is working on a formal complaint. When that is received, Katherine Eberline will prepare
an explanation, including rationale and reviews, for purchasing the book. Ashia then will send a written
response to the patron.
Financial Reports
The Board reviewed the April financial reports.
Ashia will be out of town on Thursday, June 9, which is the regular date for the next Board meeting. She
recommended rescheduling the June meeting to Thursday, June 16, at 5:30 p.m. The Board agreed.
Ashia will send an email reminder to the Board members.
Deb Waltman moved to adjourn the meeting. Larry Rogers seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:45
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ashia Gustafson,
Director of Library Services