CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Chris Colby. Also attending were Dan Berndt, Ken Brown, Cynthia Daube, Don De Keyrel, Ann Farnell, Ed Haskell, Phil Henoch, Phil Karsell, Barbara Porter, Sue Reinke, Joanne Swenson, Joyce Wenz.
Others Present: Audrey Betcher, Library Director; Tom Dyer, Communications Director; and Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Ed Haskell, seconded by Phil Henoch, to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2004, meeting. Motion approved.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTORS REPORT
Audrey Betcher stated that the Library Board has been discussing the 2005 budget. The City has given the library a figure of $4.925 million. Today the County Board approved an extra $9,000. $4.925 million is slightly below what was originally requested, but is almost a 6% increase over the 2004 budget. Staff and the Library Board have made adjustments from the initial submittal.
We are starting to do training with the curriculum of Every Child Ready to Read; staff has finished training and now we will focus on day care providers and parents. We are using a curriculum developed by the Public Library Association. We are also working with First Steps.
The Storytime kits have been very popular. Once all kits are put together we will have 25-30; demand is such that we could quadruple what we have. This initiative would not have been possible without support from the Foundation.
Two members of the management team are retiring and their positions will need to be filled: Rebecca Splittstoesser, Head of Technical Services, and Tom Dyer, Communications Director. We are in the process of filling the Technical Services position and will soon advertise the Communications Director position.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: Nothing to report.
Finance: Phil Henoch stated that the Endowment Fund is doing very well. At the last meeting, the Board approved turning over $21,944 to the library in 2005. We have met the Mayo Matching Grant for the year.
Should we notify Mayo of how the fund is performing so they know the Foundation is being good shepherds of its money? Audrey responded that we did update Mayo early this year and can do so again in early 2005 when we request the matching funds.
Development Committee: We have received a commitment for $2,000 from Premier Bank.
Audrey reviewed progress on the donor recognition system. The Library Board has approved moving forward with the proposed system in the area currently occupied by the events bulletin board. Nigon Woodworking has been contacted about doing the frame-work. The artist reviewed the needs assessment in developing the artwork. We will be within the amount budgeted. There is a good chance that the woodworking and artwork will be completed in time for unveiling at Wit, Wisdom & Wine.
Phil Karsell asked about the criteria for plaques. Audrey responded that there is space for approximately 150 plaques. There will be larger plaques for larger gifts; the criteria in the needs assessment will determine size.
Motion by Don De Keyrel, seconded by Ken Brown, to move forward with the donor recognition system and to approve the contract with the artist. Motion carried.
Wit, Wisdom & Wine: Tom Dyer reported that 12 speakers have been lined up. The invitation has been sent to the printer and should be mailed in the next day or so. He is working with Cynthia Daube on some radio advertising. There will be advertising on KNXR compliments of Daube's and on KROC compliments of Construction Partnership.
We are in need of additional items for the silent auction.
Please contact people you know and encourage them to attend.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The Nominating Committee proposes the following slate of officers for 2005:
Motion by Dan Berndt, seconded by Ed Haskell, to approve the proposed slate of officers. Motion approved.
Chris Colby stated that this is the last meeting of 2004 and his last meeting as president. He thanked everyone for their hard work this past year. Several Board members have reached their term limits and will be going off the Board: Cynthia Daube, John Hunziker, Frank Iossi, and Jean Michaels.
Ed asked what purpose is served by term limits since we have such difficulty getting people to serve on the Board. Dan responded that most boards have term limits. There is value in turnover.
Chris stated that the Library Board Finance Committee met earlier today to discuss the budget process. Audrey added that there have been a lot of articles in the paper about County funding of $117,000; this is actually the amount of the increase, not total County funding.
The community continues to support the library. There is recognition by City and County officials that the library holds an important place in the community.
Tom reported that the Friends of the Library are having a holiday book and bake sale on Sunday.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2005, at 4:45 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Shimek Olson
Secretary Pro Tem