Appleton Public Library

Board of Trustees Minutes

January 14, 2004

 

Present:                Bergen, Bloedow, Chandler, de Young, Ducklow, Dunlap, Eng

Excused:              Bergman

Others present:   Attorney Behrens, Dawson, Kelly, Lemke, Muench, Wiltzius

 

 

In the absence of Board President Bergman, Eng moved that the Board appoint de Young as acting chair for the meeting.  Chandler seconded and the motion passed.  de Young called the meeting to order at 12:05 PM.

 

 

Minutes and Bill Registers

Bloedow moved and Chandler seconded approval of the December 10, 2003 minutes.  The motion passed.  

 

The agenda for this meeting was corrected to read “Bills & financial reports December 2003.”

Dawson explained that the bill register that is being presented for approval is the first of two reports for December, 2003 and that final 2003 bills should be presented for approval at the February meeting.  Ducklow moved to approve the bill register, Eng seconded and the motion passed.   Eng asked about the 2003 carryover in funds and Dawson said that he will be asking for a 100% carryover of funds to pay for a few items not billed until 2004 due to delays. 

 

 

Nominating Committee

Due to the resignation of Kathleen Schuessler who was the Board’s Vice President, Bergman and Dawson requested that the Nominating Committee meet to nominate a new Vice President to complete the current term.  Karen de Young suggested that, rather than convening a Nominating Committee meeting to report next month, the Board move into a session as a committee of the whole to take up Nominating Committee business.  Bergen moved to approve, Bloedow seconded and the motion passed.  de Young offered to be Vice President if Bergen would assume the Secretary position.  Ducklow made the motion, seconded by Bloedow, to elect de Young Vice President and Bergen Secretary to complete the current term that ends in September, 2004.  The motion passed.  Eng moved and Bergen seconded that the committee rise and report.  The motion passed.  Eng moved to approve the committee’s recommendation, Ducklow seconded, and the motion was approved.

 

 

Donations 

Dawson reported that a donation for $300.00 had been received from Drs. Merkhofer and Aristegreta.  Eng moved to accept the donation and place it in the Frank P. Young Scholarship, Bergen seconded and the motion passed.

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Employment Policy

Dawson presented the City of Appleton’s draft Seasonal Employment Policy.  After discussion, Eng moved to approve the policy, Bergen seconded and the motion passed. 

 

 

Advocacy Committee Report

Dawson, de Young, and Eng attended the quarterly meeting of the Friends of the Appleton Library (FOAL) to address the issue of Advocacy and becoming more involved with the political process of Library issues.  They discussed involving FOAL in the Advocacy Committee, and ways to organize support for library issues.  The committee will meet before the next Board meeting.

 

 

Director’s Report

Dawson distributed copies of the 2004 materials budget for discussion.  There was no                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     increase in the budget from 2003, the costs of materials continues to rise so adjustments were necessary.  Reference cut the standing order for magazines by eliminating $5000 from the magazine microfilm collection.  Dawson noted that Board input is welcome into overall library materials directions including balancing nonfiction, popular materials, children’s materials, and media. 

 

WLA Legislative Day, February 3, 2004 is the date when people interested in libraries will meet with state legislators and voice their concerns over issues concerning libraries.  Dawson and Kelly will attend, and Dawson noted that Board members would be very welcome and helpful.

 

At the Board Retreat in November there had been discussion on developing a new Long Range Plan.  The Library will be closed on President’s Day, February 16th, to allow staff the opportunity to discuss and review directions and needs.  Dawson asked that the Planning Committee meet to review the planning process.

 

 

Other Business

  • OWLS will sponsor a Trustee Workshop on January 29th at the Black Creek Library. 
  • The Personnel Committee will schedule a meeting to discuss the Director’s 2004 goals. 
  • Dawson acknowledged Lemke’s upcoming retirement, January 30, 2004.  The Board acknowledged Lemke for her service.

 

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.