Library Board Approved Minutes - August 1, 2019

DeForest Area Public Library Regular Library Board Minutes
Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

  1. Call to Order and Roll Call
    • President Kathy Van Iten called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
    • Present: Englesby, Gorres, Lawrence, Runez arrived at 6:10 p.m., Van Iten
    • Absent: Lowery, Zeimet
    • Also present: Library Director Berg.
  2. Approval of Agenda
    • Motion to Approve as presented: Englesby
    • Second: Gorres
    • Discussion: None.
    • Action: All approved
  3. Approval of Minutes of July 11th Library Board meeting.
    • Motion to approve minutes: Lawrence
    • Second: Englesby
    • Discussion: None
    • Action: All approved
  4. Public Presentations / Communications
    • None.
  5. Approval of Bills
    • Motion to Approve the Bills: Englesby
    • Second: Gorres
    • Discussion: Berg noted that this bill run includes the first monthly bill from T-Mobile for unlimited data on the mobile hot spots the library will begin circulating. The snack containers from Janway, Berg explained, are for the baby bags we give to new parents and as incentives in the 1000 Book club.
    • Action: All Approved
  6. Reports
    1. Director's - Berg reported that the Harry Potter Party was a huge success again this year. The library was able to use NHS (National Honor Society) student volunteers for setting up and taking down which really reduced the amount of time required. Berg noted that two full sheet cakes were consumed and that the “Fanged Geraniums” (Cactus “pups” from the cacti which occupy Berg’s office west-facing windows. They are very prolific. This year 40 pups were potted and labeled as “Fanged Geraniums”) disappeared faster than the cake. Nature’s Niche brought a number of animals as part of Professor Venom’s Harry-Potter-themed presentation on the Monday prior to the party. It drew a nice crowd and all those willing to interact with the critters were able to. The Coati was the hit of the show.
    2. President's - President Van Iten congratulated the staff on a wonderful event and looks forward to serving cake at the party next year. She also said she had had strangers come up to her and tell her how great the public library and schools were in DeForest. She was passing the praise on.
    3. Village Update - None.
    4. School - Runez said that the schematic design phase for the Intermediate School was almost finished. That the the high school and Yahara were further behind. There is a lot of curriculum work going on this summer which should help students succeed not only at school but with their lives.
  7. Old Business
    1. Discussion and possible approval of 2020 Budget Draft.
      • Berg explained what she knew of the budget process and time line. She stated that she had just this very day received the remainder of the numbers for insurance, long-term disability, etc., she had been waiting for. The numbers have been run numerous times so should be good. This budget gives a 3% increase to staff, adds hours to the Teen Librarians position and insurance benefits, and adds dollars where line items have not been adequate. Overall, with the additional revenues from the Dane County reimbursement for serving county patrons the increase on the village levy is just less than 3%.
      • Motion to approve the draft library budget for submission to the village: Runez
      • Second: Englesby
      • Action: All approved
  8. New Business
    1. Review and possible approval of Long Range Plan with 2018 data.
      • Motion to approve the Long Range Plan with 2018 monitoring data: Gorres
      • Second: Englesby
      • Discussion: Since all goals had been previously reviewed and discussed, there was no discussion.
      • Action: All approved
  9. Future Agenda Items
    1. Review General Policies and use DPI Inclusive Services Assessment Guide
    2. 2020 Budget
  10. Adjournment
    • Motion to Adjourn: Lawrence
    • Second: Runez
    • Action: All approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

Back to Library Board