ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES University of Oshkosh-Fox Cities 1478 Midway Road, Menasha
M1319
December 17, 2024
Called to order at 4:01pm by Chair Halverson
Present: Chair Halverson, Vice Chair Witt, Secretary Stojanovic, Trustee Golz, Trustee Lane, Trustee Englebert, Trustee Turner, Superintendent of Schools Zimmerman and teen representative Lance
Absent: Trustee Franzoi
Also Present: Director Kopetsky, Business Manager Kozerski, Programming Services Manager Moore-Nokes and Public Services Manager Raschke
Public Comment/Communication
None
Consent Business
A motion was made by Witt, seconded by Golz to approve the Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from November 26, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.
Authorization of Bills
A motion was made by Lane, seconded by Golz to authorize payment of the December 2024 bills from the 2024 budget and endowment account. Motion carried unanimously.
Updates
Renovation Process Update
- The last day open at the temporary library was Saturday, December 14.
- The project is still on track. Glass and murals have been installed and the largest pieces remaining are lighting and elevator installations. Discussion ensued.
- Staff has been organizing and packing workspaces and the collection. The movers will be at UW-Oshkosh at Fox Cities on Friday, December 27th and will unload at the First Street location the next day.
- The anticipated opening date of the renovated library remains February of 2024. Discussion ensued on: building occupancy, project additions and funding.
Friends Update
The January meeting of the Friends will be held in the renovated library, with a tour included.
New Business
Director’s Report
- Materials purchases have mostly wrapped up for fiscal year 2024, a 2025 materials budget has been drafted and will be finalized within the next month.
- The biggest challenge moving forward will be adjusting to the renovated library and preparing the building and the collection for reopening.
November Statistics
December’s Checkout Challenge was considered successful. Preliminary numbers show twice as many checkouts in the temporary location as normal for the temporary location. This will be reflected in the December statistics next month. This will help minimize any financial impact due to lower circulation from the renovation and moves. Discussion ensued.
2024 Budget Status
The library is still tracking to come under budget for 2024. In addition to variations in spending due to the remodeling, utilities expenditures were lower due to staff and patrons not occupying the building.
Library Policies
- Kopetsky detailed proposed changes to the Patron Code of Conduct policy to make it more utilitarian and enforceable. Plans are to have this policy physically posted in the building and will help maintain consistency with both the public and staff. Discussion ensued.
- Kopetsky detailed proposed changes to the Facilities Policy to reflect building and service changes that the renovation will bring.
Staff Reports
- Raschke provided details on the status of the packing of the collection and work areas and shared that staff have had a lot of positive interactions with patrons excited for the library’s move and imminent reopening.
- Moore-Nokes shared that staff have been assisting in collection packing as well as the team work areas. Looking forward, staff have been focusing on programming opportunities in the renovated space.
- Lance highlighted some of the tween and teen-oriented programs including decorating a tree for Gather ‘Round and creating seed packets to use and give away.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 4:00pm.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:38pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Eva Kozerski
