Library Board Approved Minutes - July 2, 2020

DeForest Area Public Library Regular Library Board Minutes
Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.

  1. Call to Order and Roll Call
    • President Kathy Van Iten called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
    • Present: Gorres, Lawrence Lowery, Zeimet, Van Iten
    • Absent: Englesby, Runez
    • Also present: Library Director Berg
  2. Approval of Agenda
    • Motion to Approve as presented: Gorres
    • Second: Zeimet
    • Action: All approved
  3. Approval of Minutes of June 4th meeting and Annual meeting of same date.
    • Motion to approve minutes: Lowery
    • Second: Gorres
    • Discussion: None
    • Action: All approved Zeimet abstaining
  4. Public Presentations / Communications
    • There were no presentations nor communications.
  5. Approval of Bills
    • Motion to Approve the Bills: Lawrence
    • Second: Gorres
    • Discussion: Berg noted the invoice for the SenSource counting devices and installation as well as the annual subscription for Safe Space occupancy counter. There is a large bill for Vox books. A Vox book contains an electronic device with a recording of the book on it with page turning prompts. The titles are all classics and very popular with our young patrons and their parents All the other bills were for utilities and books.
    • Action: All Approved
  6. Reports
    1. Director's - Berg talked about the new Forward Dane new order issued on July 1st and noted that it really has no impact on how we are currently providing service. The next mass gatherings planned will be drive-in concerts. Jane may do an book club with one of her groups in the Community room (capacity is 120) and would limit in-person attendance to 10 as per the Public Health Madison Dane County order. Capacity at 30 occupancy which is 10 % of library 1st floor and mezzanine (not counting study rooms, offices, story hour room, etc. Berg responded to a question about interlibrary loan. Books are moving between libraries again but delivery is only three times a week not six days a week so there is a lag time there. Books are then quarantined when they arrive so that slows down the whole process considerably. Berg had circulation numbers for June. 10,891 items were checked out and /or renewed. Compared to last year this is down 50%. In January circulation was down 3.15 % compared to the previous year; February was down 3.52%; March was down 35.44%; April was down 90.6% and May was 76.9% down – but trending upward.
    2. President's - None.
    3. Village Update - Lowery reported that the village board met in person knowing that residents would be showing up about the inclusive resolution that she and Taysheedra Allen sponsored for board action. After discussion and public input it passed. There is a need to do something about flooding at the Dahl Drive area. The village is considering applying for a Community Development Block Grant and an ordinance mandating face masks.
  7. Old Business
    1. None.
  8. New Business
    1. Review Inclusive Service & Assessment Guide for WI Public Libraries.
      • Berg noted that this is a very large document and has lots of good ideas for inclusion some of which this library is already doing. Many of the items in the checklists seem to be ideals rather than what might be possible in a library this size with limited staff. After discussion it was decided to not use the checklists but to revisit the document annually.
    2. Discuss and possibly approve an equity/ social justice/ inclusivity statement
      • Director Berg had been unable get a draft statement out to board members for their input prior to the meeting. There was discussion about taking the time to do this right and what to include and what to stay away from. Gorres stated that timeliness is good, but thoughtfulness is also good. It was decided to review and possibly approve a statement at the August board meeting.
  9. Future Agenda Items
    1. 2021 Budget
  10. Adjournment
    • Motion to Adjourn: Lowery
    • Second: Gorres
    • Action: All approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m.

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