ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Elisha D. Smith Public Library
Company E Room
October 24, 2023
Called to order at 4:02pm by Chair Halverson
Present: Trustee Englebert, Trustee Golz, Chair Halverson, Secretary Lane (arrived at 4:11pm), Trustee Stojanovic, Trustee Turner (arrived at 4:15pm), Trustee Witt and Superintendent of Schools Zimmerman
Absent: Trustee Franzoi and Teen Rep E. Lane
Also Present: Director Kopetsky, Programming Services Manager Moore-Nokes, Library Services Manager Raschke and Business Manager Dreyer
Public Comment/Communication
Welcome to Trustee Engelbert.
Consent Business
A motion was made by Golz, seconded by Witt to approve the Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from September 26, 2023. Motion carried unanimously with the indicated change.
Authorization of Bills
A motion was made by Englebert, seconded by Golz to authorize payment of the October 2023 bills from the 2023 budget and endowment account. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates
Planning Process Update
Kopetsky will be meeting again with community members, mayor and city attorney about how to move forward with vendors.
Friends of the Elisha D. Smith Public Library Update
⦁ Friends have started a membership drive. Currently, they have 18 members.
⦁ The Friends used book sale will be held November 1-5. We will also include some chairs.
⦁ A Memorandum of Understanding is being developed between Friends and the library.
New Business
Director’s Report
⦁ Kopetsky met with Trustee Zimmerman and will be meeting with the Director of the Menasha Boys & Girls Club to evaluate and develop our literacy efforts for kids 3rd grade and below in our community. This would include efforts to eliminate barriers to accessing library materials, providing library cards to kids, offering literacy support and encouragement to parents, and building an awareness of the importance of literacy to the future of our community.
⦁ We will be discontinuing Unique Management services.
September Statistics
Our physical circulation continues to struggle with drops YTD in the usage of magazines, DVD’s, music and audiobooks. Our books circulation remains relatively stable. Electronic collections continue to increase. The LoT collection continues to increase. Program attendance is up 29.7% YTD.
2023 Budget Status
Trustees reviewed the 2023 budget status.
2024 Budget
We have completed the 2024 budget. Even with the changes to the wage scale, our overall budget comes in at a 3.7% increase over 2023 which tracks with inflation. The budget session is being held on Thursday, November 9 at 5:00pm. Motion made by Turner, seconded by Witt to approve the 2024 as presented. Motion carried.
December Board of Trustees Meeting
Trustees agreed to change the December meeting to Monday,
Staff Reports
⦁ Circulation has been working on collection management.
⦁ Programming is completed for November and December. We are working on programming for January and February.
Our next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 4:00pm.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made at 4:55pm by Turner, seconded by Witt. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Dreyer, Recording Secretary
