MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
April 17, 2008
Call to order at 4:31 p.m. by President Fuchs
Present: Eckstein, Eisen, Enos, Fuchs, Stanke, Werley
Absent: Englebert, Foth
Also present: Director Saecker, C. Brandt (Head of Circulation Services), J. Bongers (Head of Adult & Technical Services), M. Loch-Wouters (Head of Children's Services), K. Seefeldt (Administrative Assistant), K. Drechsel (Librarian Assistant), Joyce Schoepel (Winnefox Library System Board member), Mayor Don Merkes
Public Comment
The Library Board recently stated in their annual report to the state that they were dissatisfied with the leadership provided this past year by Winnefox Library System. Joyce Schoepel, Winnefox Library System Board member, addressed the Board's concern, specifically the practice of hiring one individual to serve the dual role of Director for Oshkosh Public Library and Winnefox Library System and the effect this has on individual libraries within the system. Our trustees were assured that this matter was taken into consideration recently when selecting a new director. Schoepel noted that communication between the system and member libraries has improved since that time. Our Board's opinion continues to be that individual libraries may be better served if the dual position were split.
Authorization of Bills
1. Motion to authorize payment of the April list of bills, excluding the invoice for $2864.07 from Arrow Audio, from the 2008 budget by Enos, seconded by Stanke and carried unanimously.
Joyce Schoepel left the meeting at 4:58 p.m.
Consent Business
2. Approve minutes from the Library Board meeting of March 20, 2008.
3. Approve minutes from the Policies & Personnel Committee meeting of April 1, 2008.
Motion
Motion to approve the minutes from the Library Board meeting of March 20, 2008 and the Policies and Personnel Committee meeting of April 1, 2008 by Eisen, seconded by Enos, and carried unanimously.
Director's Report/Information Items
4. Statistics. Statistics this month far exceeded expectations. February lending was up 14.9% overall from last year. Children's circulation raised an astounding $22.5% over 2007 with over a 29% increase in books alone. The adult department showed a respectable 8.5% increase overall.
5. National Library Week. We are celebrating National Library Week with a variety of library programs and special treats for our patrons.
6. Book Sale. The Friends of the Library spring book sale was a tremendous success. They raised $2769.85.
7. Fox Cities Book Festival. The Festival is being held April 16-20 with programs and events for people of all ages. Our library will be hosting Wisconsin author Sandra Kring on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
8. PLA Conference. Director Saecker, Marge Loch-Wouters and Joe Bongers attended this year's conference in Minneapolis. Many interesting programs were offered.
9. WAPL Conference. The state's public library conference will be held in Steven Point from April 30-May 2. Several from the library will attend. Director Saecker will be speaking at two sessions. Library Board members are welcome to attend.
10. LSTA Advisory Committee. Director Saecker has been appointed to the state's LSTA Advisory Committee. This committee sets the rules and structure for the state's Library Services and Technology Act grants.
11. American Libraries. Menasha Public Library was mentioned in a recent article in the April 2008 issue of American Libraries entitled "Isn't It Del.icio.us?" Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that enables users to assign multiple descriptive terms to each website so they are easier to find. The article noted that our library has a link to our del.icio.us bookmarks on the front page of our website.
Discussion/Action Items
12. Library Board Terms. Charlotte Foth and Helen Englebert's current terms are due to expire. Both have decided to leave the Board. Director Saecker encouraged Board and library staff members to give names of individuals, preferably library users, who may be interested in serving on the Library Board to the Mayor. Fuchs recommended that we replace Foth with another representative from the school district.
13. Audio System - Company E Room. Building Supervisor Adam Alix and Director Saecker recommended that we purchase a new sound system from Arrow Audio for a total cost of approximately $4,000. In their opinion, Arrow offered us the best system at a reasonable price. Director Saecker requested that the Board approve their invoice of $2,864.07 for equipment costs. An additional invoice for labor will be submitted after the project is complete.
Motion
Motion to approve the purchase of a new audio system from Arrow Audio for approximately $4,000 by Eisen, seconded by Eckstein, and carried unanimously.
Motion
Motion to approve payment of $2864.07 to Arrow Audio for equipment costs by Enos, seconded by Stanke, and carried unanimously.
Sue Werley arrived at 5:12 p.m.
14. Premium Pay. The Policies and Personnel Committee recommended that premium pay for winter Sundays and summer Saturdays for existing staff be retained. They also recommended that all new hires to the Library receive premium pay only for winter Sundays. Department Heads Marge Loch-Wouters and Cate Brandt noted the challenges this would create when hiring and scheduling new staff, and the affect this may have on staff morale. Eisen stated that he was apprehensive about continuing to include this line item in our budget. In his opinion, this was a concern to City Common Counsel members during the library's last budget hearing. Board members felt it was prudent to voluntarily make this cut at this time.
Motion
Motion to retain premium pay for winter Sundays and summer Saturdays for existing staff by Werley, seconded by Enos, and carried unanimously.
Motion
Motion to approve premium pay for winter Sundays only for new hires effective immediately by Enos, seconded by Werley, and carried unanimously.
15. Department Head Exemptions. The Policies & Personnel Committee also recommended that the three library department heads be classified as salaried exempt effective July 1, 2008. The pros and cons for making this change were discussed.
Motion
Motion to retain existing department heads as non-exempt and to make all new hire's salaried exempt by Werley. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion
Motion to classify department heads as salaried exempt as presented by Eckstein, seconded by Werley. Motion passed on a roll call vote, with four members voting aye and one voting nay.
16. Full Time Weekly Hours. Director Saecker noted when full-time hours were changed from 37.5 to 37 hours per week, staff took a reduction in pay. If full-time hours revert to 37.5 hours per week, staff will need to be paid for the additional ½ hour that they will be required to work. There was a consensus that discussion of this item be tabled.
Joe Bongers left the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
17. Parental Advisory Policy and R-Rated DVD Policy. This item was tabled until the May Board meeting.
18. Winnefox System Effectiveness. This item was addressed under Public Comment.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 p.m. by Eckstein, seconded by Eisen, and carried unanimously.
Future meeting dates
The next regular board meeting will be held in the Gegan Room on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris Seefeldt, recording secretary
