HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2017_02_09BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 9, 2017
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Historical
Room of the Brookings Public Library.
MEMBERS PRESENT: James Rice, Kathy Miller, Doug O’Neill, Janell Hoffelt, Deb Waltman
OTHERS PRESENT: Ashia Gustafson, Jen Anderson, Priscilla Pulscher, M.K. Hugghins, Donna Lee
Bartholow, Nancy Swanson
1. Call to Order
Ashia Gustafson called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of Agenda
James Rice called for approval of the meeting agenda. Kathy Miller moved to approve the meeting agenda. Janell Hoffelt
seconded. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
3.1: James Rice called for approval of the minutes from the December 8, 2016 meeting. Janell Hoffelt moved to approve
the meeting minutes. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
3.2: James Rice called for approval of the minutes from the January 12, 2017 meeting. Kathy Miller moved to approve
the meeting minutes. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
4. Old Business
4.1 Coffee Shop Update: Priscilla Pulscher, owner of Sunflower Coffee and Tea addressed the Board members. Three
days a week have been working great. Priscilla would like to see the coffee shop continue but having no luck finding a
replacement yet. She feels it’s important to be tailored with the library during library events. Priscilla talked with Kurt
Osborne (they are already expanding), Jacob from Cottonwood (not a wise option), Donna at Choco Latte (doesn’t want
to expand), but hasn’t talked to the Children’s Museum yet.
4.2 Gift of Art “FREE TO BE ME”: Donna Lee Bartholow would like her artwork to be hung by the coffee shop and
Copper room B in memory of Mary Helen Hopponen (Brookings Library Board Member). She will paint in oils on
stretched canvas and be framed in a wide gold frame.
Discussion: Gift of Art Letter - Ashia will update the Gift of art policy to the Brookings Public Library form. All rights of
artwork need to be given to the Brooking Public Library.
Doug O’Neill moved to approve the artwork. Janell Hoffelt seconded. Motion carried.
5. New Business
5.1 Proposed 2017 Fines Budget: Ashia Gustafson explained the proposed and spent amount in the Fines budget for the
past five years. Fines account is controlled by the Library. Fines amount is carried over from previous year. Ashia
explained that the Fines account pays for membership dues, programming, and professional staff. Deb Waltman moved
to approve the Proposed 2017 Fine Budget. Janell Hoffelt seconded. Motion carried.
5.2 Approval of Bills
The Board discussed the 2017 bills, budget and expenditures.
Doug O’Neill moved to approve the December bills. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
5.3 Annual Report
Ashia Gustafson updated the board members. Fine forgiveness was done in August and showed really good numbers.
James Rice would like more positive highlights with the Library. James Rice would like a total number of people who
come to events with the Library. Ashia will be making adjustments on the annual report. James Rice moved to approve
annual report. Motion carried.
5.4 Patron Loan History:
Ashia Gustafson received a court order last month for a patron’s loan history. The Library TLC program keeps track of
items checked out by Patrons. Some Patrons use this to know what books they have already checked out. The court
order wanted to know all of the Patron’s information with the Library. Ashia Gustafson contacted TLC to turn off so staff
couldn’t see the patron’s loan history but they cannot do that. Ashia Gustafson talked with Nancy Swenson about this
and we do have the patron opt-out option. She is not sure that some of the Patrons even know about the loan history.
Discussion: Board members are concerned about this. Would like Ashia to talk to the city lawyer and discuss privacy
policy for the Patrons. James Rice would like to see the opt-in feature to not be an automatic option. We would like to
give Patrons the option to “Opt-out” when renewing cards or receiving a Library Card. Ashia Gustafson will be reaching
out to Watertown and Madison about how they handle Patrons history.
6.0 Other Items & Reports
Discussion on Outreach program: Ashia Gustafson explained what Outreach is. Karen Burns runs the outreach program
three days a week and bring books to Patrons in the city limit every two weeks. Doug O’Neill would like to see this with
surrounding towns. He is not sure how many people know about this program through the Library, would like something
in the newsletter.
Discussion on Radio: Ashia Gustafson talks to Jay Roe on KBRK about what is going on at the Library on Monday
mornings at 10:30 am. For example: Fiction book club is resuming this month and Craft night is starting again. Friends of
Library Book sale is February 22-26 during Library hours.
Introduction: Nancy Swanson is the new Technology Services Librarian. Ashia Gustafson mentions she has interviews
on Monday and Tuesday for replacing Nancy’s position. We would like to hire someone and fro them to start at the end
of February. We will be back to full staff for shelving and on the weekends.
6.2 Librarian’s Report
Ashia Gustafson presented her monthly report to the Board. She reminded the Board members that UMS is going well,
with good response with getting items and money for lost items. Ashia Gustafson also mentioned that the Library will be
closed on Monday, February 20th for President’s Day.
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
Deb Waltman moved to adjourn the meeting. Janell Hoffelt seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ashia Gustafson,
Director of Library Services