Wagnalls Library Advisory Group

Minutes

1/17/2008

Meeting called TO ORDER  by

Bobbi Galvin

Meeting called to order at

7:03 PM

present

Erma Storts, Bobbi Galvin, Steve Merritt, Carol Middaugh, Nancy Fisher, George Sheehan, Ellen Gruber

Guests

none

Absent (EXcUSED)

Patti Bartlett, Marilyn Freitag

Addtions to the Agenda

none

Agenda topics

Minutes and Communications

Motion to approve corrected December 2007 minutes:  Carol gave motion; Steve gave 2^nd motion;  All in Favor

Public comment

none

Financial report

Ellen distributed the Wagnalls Library Recent Activity and Balances in Accounts as of January 17,  2008.  The current balance is $43,314.92.  The Wagnalls Library Statement of Account listed the Library’s total expenses to the Foundation as $49,034.86, and the total payments as $275.26.  She also distributed the Wagnalls Memorial Library Shared Building Expenses as of November 30, 2007, which totals $79,114.54.  Questions concerning whether or not the Library owes the Foundation $50,000 is being looked into by Sandy Hall.

Director’s Report

a.)  Erma stated that there are currently 71 children signed up for storyhour times. 

b.)  She also discussed replacing Dee Dawson.  Erma and the Library Board recommend the hiring of Lisa Carefoot. All in Favor. 

c.)  Erma passed out the circulation report for 2007.  Circulation was down for 2007, mainly because of the heavy snow in February of 2007, as well as the heat (and lack of air conditioning) in July and August.

d.)  National Library Week is in April.  Plans for this week are already being made.

e.)  A retirement luncheon for Dee will be on February 1, 2008 at Lindy’s.

f.)  The Budget Agreement with Fairfield County will be negotiated soon.  Erma will meet with the other Fairfield County Library Directors to discuss the county’s budget.

Report (Township)

none

Report (executive)

Bobbi and Steve went to the Deputy Auditor Budget Commission meeting recently to discuss the Library’s finances.

Report (Foundation)

At their last meeting, The Foundation passed the Library Board’s resolution to reorganize into a Library Advisory Group.

 Report (Friends)

No friends meeting was held in December.  However, Erma did receive $1,000.00 for the fiction library and $1,000.00 for the nonfiction library from the Friends.

unfinished business

a.)     Reorganization:  The Library Board will be named “Library Advisory Group”.  Bobbi will merge George’s and her Library Advisory Group description documents and send out to members.

b.)     Motion to approve 2 new Library Group members (Pat Smith and Linda Fiely).  All in Favor

new businesss

a.)     Ellen discussed the Talent show, which will be held on Saturday, February 9.

b.)     Ellen mentioned that the possibility of cutting Sunday hours will be discussed at the next Foundation meeting.

report (personnel)                              none

PUblic Comment

none

meeting adjourned

8:26 PM

next meeting

2/21/2008  at 7:00 PM

submitted, Secretary  (SIGNATURE)                    

SIGNATURE (PRESIDENT)

Wagnalls Advisory Group

Minutes

2/21/2008

Meeting called TO ORDER  by

Bobbi Galvin

Meeting called to order at

7:00

present

Nancy Fisher, Carol Middaugh. Erma Storts, Bobbi Galvin, Stephanie Smoot, Marilyn Freitag

Guests

Absent (EXcUSED)

Patti Bartlett, George Sheehan, Ellen Gruber, Steve Merritt

Addtions to the Agenda

none

Agenda topics

Minutes and Communications

Nancy gave motion to approve the January 2008 minutes as corrected; Carole gave 2^nd motion;  All in Favor

Public comment

none

Financial report

1.)     The Wagnalls Memorial Library Recent Activity and Balances as of February 21, 2008 (as prepared by Ellen) was distributed.  On January 24, 2008, the balance brought forward was $31,628.03.  On February 20, 2008, LLGSF monies were deposited into the checking account ($38,325.72), bringing the balance of funds to $46,388.14. 

 2.)    The Wagnalls Memorial Library Statement of Account was also distributed.  As of 12/31/07, the debt owed to the Foundation was $49,034.86.  Payments and credits for 2007 and January/February 2008 totaled $2,202.75, bringing the amount now due to the Foundation to $46,832.11.

Director’s Report

 1.)    Erma stated that, after discussions with Ellen, it would be prudent for the Wagnalls Advisory Group to accept the negotiations for the LLGSF funds with the other Fairfield County Libraries.  Therefore, the Wagnalls Memorial Library Advisory Group agrees to maintain the current LLGSF funding rate. 

2.)     Erma also mentioned that the CLC has been looking into changing the Library’s computer system.  However, this change would not occur until 2009 at the earliest.  She also mentioned that the CLC has been setting aside monies to help with the switch to a different computer system (there are currently several other libraries in the area that are considering a switch as well).

3.)    Summer Reading Program:  The juvenile library staff is currently working on plans.  The theme this year will be insects.  The Friends and Thrivent have given donations to help with the Summer Reading Program.

4.)    Circulation Report:  The January circulation was 10,169.  In addition, 82 new patrons became members.  The circulation report also noted that circulation was slightly down for 2007, from 108,966 in 2006 to 105,882 in 2007.  Erma speculates that circulation was down because of the weather in 2007,  with the Library being closed for 2 days for snow/ice in February 2007, and being closed for 2 whole days and 2 half days in August 2007 for excessive heat (no air conditioning).

5.)    Erma also stated that Sunday Library hours will remain the same.  Erma was able to rearrange personnel for coverage in critical areas of the library to allow the Library to remain open on Sundays.

Report (Township)

none

Report (executive)

Bobbi and Steve met to discuss the budget.  They agreed that it is in the Library’s best interest to keep the LLGSF funding as is. 

Report (Foundation)

1.)       Craig recently finished the 2007 books.  The report should be completed soon.

2.)       State Report:  this is due by the end of February.  Erma will submit the report once she receives the appropriate numbers from Craig and Ellen.

 Report (Friends)

The Friends recently gave $2,000.00 for the fiction collection and $2,000.00 for nonfiction.  They will also be paying for all of the unpaid magazine subscriptions.

report (personnel)

none

unfinished business

1.)     Mission Statement:  After lengthy discussions during 2007 and the current meeting, the Mission Statement was approved as the following:  “The Wagnalls Memorial Library is committed to fostering literacy and promoting life-long learning by meeting informational, cultural and recreational needs”.  All in Favor.

2.)     Two new Advisory Group Members, Pat Smith and Linda Fiely, were unable to attend the February 2008 meeting. 

3.)     Bylaws and Responsibilities of the Advisory Group:  the draft was distributed by Bobbi.  Bobbi will update the bylaws with changes that were discussed.

new business                                        

                                                         The March 2008 meeting date has been changed to Thursday, March 13.

PUblic Comment

none

meeting adjourned

8:22 PM

next meeting

Thursday, March 13, 2008

submitted, Secretary  (SIGNATURE)                    

SIGNATURE (PRESIDENT)

Wagnalls Library Advisory Group

Minutes

3/13/08

Meeting called TO ORDER  by

Bobbi Galvin

Meeting called to order at

7:05 PM

present

Ellen Gruber, George Sheehan, Nancy Fisher, Carol Middaugh, Steve Merritt, Erma Storts, Bobbi Galvin, Stephanie Smoot, Patricia Bartlett

Guests

Absent (EXcUSED)

Marilyn Freitag

Addtions to the Agenda

Add fundraising to “New Business”

Agenda topics

Minutes and Communications

Motion to accept minutes (as corrected):  Carol motioned;  Nancy gave 2^nd;  All in Favor

Public comment

none

Financial report

1.  Ellen stated that the Foundation is transferring to a new system to handle all numbers, including the Library, Foundation, Theatre, etc.  This should streamline the accounting process.

2.  Due to the Wagnalls Advisory Group meeting being moved up one week, the February 2008 reports aren’t completed yet.  They will be completed by the Foundation meeting (3^rd Monday in March). 

Director’s Report

1.  Erma stated that she attended a Library Directors meeting last Tuesday.  They discussed purchasing language courses (Mengo),  There will be 16 languages in which to choose from.  Wagnall’s share of the purchase will be $700.00.

2.  Senate Bill 185 recently passed.  It makes OPLIN permanent.  It also changed the name of funding from LLGSF to PLF (Public Library Fund).

3.  The Summer Reading Program theme this summer will be “Catch the Reading Bug”.  The staff in the Children’s Library say that they are almost ready for the program.

4.  Circulation:  Erma pointed out that circulation was up in February, from 1,100 in January to 1,182 in February.  However, there were no visiting classes in February.

5.  The Library has a new computer class instructor.  They will teach classes in Excel, Word, and Power Point for both beginning and intermediate levels.  The classes will start next week.

Report (Township)

none

Report (Foundation)

Ellen made some suggestions regarding Wagnalls’ involvement in the Honeyfest, which is held on the grounds of Wagnalls Memorial in September.  She suggested that Wagnalls offer tours of the building, as well as possibly conducting a “spelling bee”.

Report (executive)

none

 Report (Friends)

The Owl’s Nest book store is having a sale this Saturday.  The theme is “a foot of books for $3.00”.

unfinished business

1.       The Wagnalls Advisory Group is hoping to hear from the new Advisory Group members next month.

2.       Bylaws are still under construction.  Bobbi will make changes and bring them to the next month’s meeting.

new businesss

1.       The Wagnalls Memorial Library Advisory Group passed a resolution to extend the LLGSF agreement with the Fairfield County Libraries for a period of two years.  Nancy moved to accept the resolution;  Steve gave 2^nd motion;  All in Favor.

2.       Fundraising:  Stephanie agreed to look into fundraising ideas.  She will bring her ideas to next month’s meeting.

3.       Discussion was brought up regarding a possible township tax levy.  There were concerns that Bloom Township residents will be taxed twice for library services (with an already existing tax for Fairfield County Libraries).  George suggested that Patricia look into this.

PUblic Comment

none

meeting adjourned

8:13

next meeting

4/17/2008

submitted, Secretary  (SIGNATURE)                    

SIGNATURE (PRESIDENT)

Wagnalls Library Advisory Group

Minutes

4/17/2008

Meeting called TO ORDER  by

Bobbi Galvin

Meeting called to order at

7:05

present

Patti Bartlett, Steve Merritt, Nancy Fisher, Erma Storts, Bobbi Galvin, Ellen Gruber, Stephanie Smoot

Guests

Absent (EXcUSED)

Marilyn Freitag

Addtions to the Agenda

none

Agenda topics

Minutes and Communications

Steve motioned to approve March 2008 minutes.  Patti gave 2^nd;  All in Favor

Public comment

none

Financial report

Ellen distributed financial statements  for the two month period ending February 29, 2008.  Total revenue for the first two months of the year for the Library was $75,576.  Total expenses for the first two months were $74,716.  Ellen also distributed the Wagnalls Library Statement of Account.  Total payments for Shared Building Expenses for 2007 and so far in 2008 is $3,091.11.  The Amount Now Due is $45,943.75.   

Director’s Report

a.)     Erma stated the LAFAA is on a hiatus.  They have been disappointed with attendance. 

b.)     Children’s Book Week will be held in May.  The Friends will be sponsoring a drawing for gift cards.  There will also be a “Vote For Your Favorite Book” activity.

c.)      Kelly Patino is starting a teen program.  More information will be given in the next newsletter.

Report (Township)

none

Report (Foundation)

Ellen stated that the Foundation Board held a retreat last week.  She also mentioned that the air conditioning proposals are due next week.

Report (fundraising)

Stephanie outlined some possible dates for fundraisers (Memorial Day weekend, Summer Reading Program, Honeyfest, and Christmas Open House).  Several members gave ideas for a fundraiser for Memorial Day weekend, including a possible raffle. 

 Report (Friends)

The Friends are going to have a book sale during the Memorial Day weekend.  They are also helping to sponsor the Summer Reading Program (Thrivent Lutheran is helping as well).  The Friends are also helping with unpaid magazine subscriptions.

unfinished business

a.)     No new Advisory Group members are present.  They will be contacted again regarding the May meeting.

b.)     Bylaws are tabled until a new Foundation Representative is selected.

c.)      Levy Report:  Patti stated that she hasn’t yet gathered information.

new businesss

none

PUblic Comment

none

meeting adjourned

8:15 PM

next meeting

May 15,  2008

submitted, Secretary  (SIGNATURE)                    

SIGNATURE (PRESIDENT)