ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Elisha D. Smith Public Library
Company E Room
October 26, 2021


Called to order at 4:30pm by Chairman Golz
Present:     Chairman Golz, Vice Chairman Halverson, Trustee Lane, Trustee Schwerbel, Superintendent of Schools VanderHeyden, Trustee Witt and Teen Rep. Chintamani (arrived at 4:35pm)
Absent:    Trustee Franzoi and Trustee Turner
Also Present:     Director Kopetsky (via Zoom), Support Services Supervisor Raschke, Adult Services Supervisor Moore-Nokes and Business Manager Dreyer

Public Comment/Communication
None

Consent Business
A motion was made by Witt, seconded by VanderHeyden to approve the Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from September 28, 2021, and accept the Ad Hoc Committee to Establish Friends Group meeting minutes from August 23, 2021 and September 28, 2021.   Correction – In the Board of Trustees meeting minutes of September 28, 2021 under Consent Business it should say “valves” not “values”.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Authorization of Bills
A motion was made by Schwerbel, seconded by Lane to authorize payment of the October 2021 list of bills, endowment fund and WALS Technology account from the 2021 budget.  The invoice from United Paper is for paper products purchased in bulk and MBM is the annual contract fee.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Unfinished Business

Building & Grounds Committee Update
We had six architectural firms tour the library.  The deadline to submit RFP’s is November 1.  The committee will determine how to proceed depending on the number of received.  

Ad Hoc Committee to Establish Friends Group Update
There was no update.

New Business
Director’s Report

  • We are reassessing the space in the library for programming.  Custodian Dave Powell has started removing the shelving in the book sale room.  We plan to repaint the book sale and activity rooms and add some acoustic tiles to the book sale room.  
  • Librarian Eva Kozerski has begun to relocate materials that are not local history into the nonfiction collection and refocus the collection to local history.  
  • The library received a $7,000 grant from the Theda & Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation to be utilized to build out our fabrication capabilities in the learning space.
  • Kopetsky applied for a Spark Grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.  Due to an operational systems outage at the Community Foundation, we have not heard as to the status of this grant application.   
  • We continue to plan for 2022 programming.  We currently have 5 new program series planned and hope to get people in our community to help lead them.  
  • We had 75 people attend our final outdoor movie on October 9.  Thanks to the City of Menasha Park and Rec Department for use of the park, power generator, promotional support and handling concessions.
  • So far, several qualified applicants applied for the new librarian position.  The deadline for submission is November 1.
  • We continue to monitor COVID active cases.
  • Our budget session with City Council is November 11 beginning at 5:00pm.

September Statistics
Checkouts remain on course to reach pre-COVID levels.  We are seeing the use of e-books taper off and physical materials increase.  We will be reviewing the current statistics spreadsheet so that we can monitor new programming in 2022.  

2021 Budget Status Report
Trustees reviewed the 2021 budget.  The projection does not include the 2020 carryover.  

2022 Budget Status Report
The Mayor released his executive budget.  In order to come in below levy limits, the city needed to reduce department budgets which resulted in a $35,000 reduction to our request.  

Purchase of Initial Collection of Makerspace Tools, Computers and Equipment
Kopetsky has started to purchase items for the Makerspace with funding from grants and materials budget.

Staff Reports

  • We held an in-service on October 21 where we discussed the 2022 budget, programming and online platforms.  The Mayor also came and talked about city planning.  
  • Kopetsky met with Kevin Englebert about community engagement.
  • The Fox Cities Book Festival was held October 13-17.  They hope to hold this event in person next year.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made at 5:13pm by Lane, seconded by Witt.  Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Dreyer, Recording Secretary

 

 

Board Minutes