LA CROSSE COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

October 1, 2008

Holmen Area Library

103 State St.

Holmen  WI  54636

4:45 PM

CALL TO ORDER:

President Loren Caulum called the meeting to order at 4:45 pm.

ROLL CALL:

Board members Loren Caulum, Glenn Seager, Andrea Richmond, Barbara Manthei, George Varnum, and Fred Marini, were present.  Mary Bach Filla was absent.

APPROVAL OF THE MEETING AGENDA:

Motion by Andrea Richmond/Barbara Manthei to approve the agenda as written.  MOTION carried unanimously with one absent, Mary Bach Filla.

PUBLIC INPUT:

George Varnum requested that an additional reminder be provided to Library Board members to attend the annual Award Reception.  Chris said she sent out postcards to all the award recipients, and next year would include the board members in that mailing.  

Mary Bach Filla arrived at 4:47.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

Motion by Andrea Richmond/Glenn Seager to approve the September 3, 2008 minutes as written.  MOTION carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF  OCTOBER 2008 EXPENDITURES:

October expenditures are payments for September invoices so this marks the end of the 3^rd quarter.

IT provided another credit for color print charges as they clear up the billing issues on some color devices not tracking charges correctly.

Motion by Andrea Richmond/Fred Marini to approve the October, 2008 expenditures.  MOTION carried unanimously.

2009 BUDGET:

The County Board has only just received the 2009 Budget packets so there has been no action or discussion.

WRLS/COUNTY AGREEMENT:

After the last WRLS Board meeting David asked Loren for a meeting to discuss the La Crosse County agreement with WRLS.  David has already met with the other six counties in WRLS.  David gave Loren a form several pages long to fill in, asking for input on WRLS services provided, library goals and needs, etc. with a deadline to return the form after the first of the year. David will use this information to create a Service Plan to cover the years 2009-2013.  The most recent Service Plan is dated 1998.

Barbara Manthei felt that Chris McArdle Rojo should have been included in the meeting with Loren and David.  Loren would like Andrea Richmond, as the County Board representative on the Library Board, to be on the committee to fill out the form.  Chris says that the Service Plan is for the entire County of La Crosse and should be filled out in conjunction with La Crosse Public Library, plus she would like to have Corporation Council approve it before returning it to WRLS.  Barbara would like to see the service plans formed by the other counties who were approached by David earlier in the year.

Fred would like to suggest that WRLS could apply for grants to help all the libraries.  There are many grants available other than the obvious LSTA and State grants.

CODE OF CONDUCT – UNATTENDED CHILDREN POLICY:

Chris approached the social workers in the Family & Children Unit in the County Human Services Department.  Based on their experience with La Crosse Public calls, they suggested we formulate a policy in conjunction with La Crosse Public Library so both libraries are consistent in the way they handle the situation of unattended children.  The social workers would be glad to help form the policy.

Motion by Loren Caulum/Andrea Richmond to table the discussion pending contact with La Crosse Public Library to coordinate the plan.  MOTION carried unanimously.

MATERIAL SELECTION POLICY:

Chris gave the board copies of a revised policy that could be used by the library.  She said it is used to inform the public and staff of the principles upon which selections are made.  It includes the ALA’s “Freedom to Read” and the “Library Bill of Rights.”  At the end is a “Request for Reconsideration” form to be used if asking the library to add or remove material from circulation.  The policy leads the way to the Collection Development Plan.

Fred suggested that the wording should be updated to include the electronic databases and subscriptions that are available online through the library.

Motion by Andrea Richmond/Barbara Manthei to approve the policy with the change in wording suggested by Fred Marini.  MOTION carried unanimously.

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT:

The Information Technology Department has developed a new website for the library.  It will still be accessed using www.lacrossecountylibrary.com but has now been moved to the County’s server.  The site has a new streamlined look making it easier to navigate.  Although the site is now active, staff continue to make changes and training is still taking place to learn the new software.

MINDORO & FARMINGTON UPDATE:

There are no new developments as the Town is waiting to hear how much land they need before they can decide on a location.

FACILITY AND COMMUNITY UPDATES:

Fred Marini and George Varnum have agreed to renew their 3-year terms with the Library Board.  Congratulations and thank you for your services, past & future.

Loren Caulum has agreed to serve another term on the WRLS board.  Congratulations and thank you for your services, past & future.

The Bangor Friends of the Library are sponsoring the library’s annual book sale on October 17^th and 18^th in the West Salem Library meeting room.  The hours are 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday the 17^th and 10:00 am to 1:00pm on Saturday.

Onalaska’s construction project is moving forward.  On October 5^th the staff will begin to move books from the existing shelves in the older section of the library to the new area.  From October 16-20 the Onalaska facility will be closed while contractors move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of construction and the parking lot is regarded and paved.

Last month the Holmen Village Park/Recreation/Library Committee recommended approaching the Catholic Diocese again to negotiate a price on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Holmen to serve as the new home of the Holmen Area Library.  The Diocese is asking $2 million for the building and grounds; a Village assessment came back at $1.3 million.  A proposal brought forward by a Village of Holmen trustee will be brought to the Village Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 7 for a formal vote.  The proposal states that the Village will purchase the building and grounds of St. Elizabeth for up to $2 million in matching dollars, provided the Friends of the Holmen Library can raise $2 million for the renovation of the church.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

WRLS Service Plan 

Code of Conduct – Unattended Children Policy

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.

RECORDED BY:  Judy Jamesson.  Minutes may be amended or changed at the next meeting.