Good afternoon. It is 400 p.m. on Thursday, October 9th, 2025. Um we this is the New Elm Public Library Board meeting in the New Elm City Council chambers. Um, we have our agenda and I hope everyone got a chance to look
over the meeting um agenda. Do we have a motion um to approve the agenda? I'll move. Second. We have a motion and second. All in favor of approving the agenda say I. I. All oppose? Nay.
All right. on to approval of the minutes from September 11th um 2025. Do we have a motion to approve the minutes from uh last month's meeting? I'll move. So, and second,
uh we have a motion and second. Um is there any discussion on the the minutes? Okay. All in favor of approving the minutes say I. I. All oppose? Nay.
All right. The minutes are approved. The next item is the financial report. We can go to that. Uh we are 75.34% through 2025 and our budget is
approximately 77.42% expended. Some of the bills that we paid during September included $74 to Amazon for um variety of items, books, audiovisisual materials like DVDs um and our library of things games and
then just some general supplies. Um, we also paid $230 to Demco for book processing supplies, $5,450 to Ingram for um books, $268 to Metro Sales for the two printer
contracts that we have with them, $111 to Riverview Sanitation for our monthly trash service, $55 to the Springfield Advanced Press for our annual subscription, and $35 to Verizon for service for the eight Wi-Fi hotspots
that we offer to the public. Um the miscellaneous revenue line includes faxing and sale of items like coffee and headphones. So that's why um and so right now it is um we have received 237% of the revenue that we budgeted for that
line. Um I'm not really sure why we've seen such an increase this year. Um we had not met our budgeted revenue for the last couple of years before this. So, I had decreased it and well, that just was lucky. I guess that didn't work.
Jinxed just in the right way, I guess, to um receive more. But that's um I have noticed that we're selling more coffee and I think a lot of that is staff driven. Um and then we um $8,875 of TDS grants were reimbursed to the
special events programming line. I had mentioned that last month that it appeared over spent because we hadn't received those grants. Um so now that line is accurate again um and spent at 54%. And then um we used a fund balance um
earlier this year for the badge entry cabling for the um entrances on the west side of the building and that's still coded to the contractual maintenance building line. Um, so when we consider that expense that was coming from fund balance, that line is spent at
approximately 63% right now. And then I just want to note that the subscription and memberships line is over spent because um of two expenses that were budgeted to the um computer supplies and equipment line, but our
auditor has recommended that those are be coded to the subscriptions and memberships line. Um and I corrected that in next year's budget, but it was still under um the computer supplies line for this year. So, we have a
license for our website where um we have a a he kind of a header website that allows it to look more like an official library website rather than just a subpage of the city's website. Um and then also our lib data license which
we've um paid in a previous previous month were both were coded to that line. Um so, and I'm also still expecting an invoice from EPCO for our annual magazine subscription. So that subscriptions and memberships line will continue to be over spent due to that
change in coding but the computer supplies and equipment will be underspent to offset that. And then um our budget is approximately 70.8% 8% expended when we remove the spending for the Melon Foundation grant in the library technology grant and
library furniture grant lines and then that badge cabling project that I meant I mentioned and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have any comments or questions for April thank you April
okay the library department and activities right report. Um so we have received um resignations from library aid Heidi Schuof and um library page Zach Lingal. Um Heidi's
last day is October 15th and Zach's last day is October 25th. Um we wish them both well and we're sad to see them go. They've been um great to work with and they both do a really excellent job for the library. Um so we just wish them the
best in their their next adventure. Um we will be hiring two pages. Um we have a position open right now um for Megan Gratham's open position for library page and that closes October 12th. So we'll be able to hire two people from that
pool now for the library page position. And then the library aid position hasn't been posted yet. We usually wait to post until the current employee has had their last day. Um and then just a note, the maintenance techni technician that position that I mentioned um in recent
months that has been reposted. We did interviews, made an offer, and that person declined. So we just need to go back to through that process again. Um and then um our assistant director Megan KDerman attended the Human Rights
Commission welcoming week on September 19th. So she had anformational table for the library and shared our resources and upcoming events with visitors. Um so we're looking for more of those outreach events that we can
participate in to meet um new patrons or um create more awareness of the library and the services and programs that we offer. We've been having issues with one of the AC with the AC unit that cools our server room. Um, and that was a unit
that we had replaced in early 2025. So, the replacement unit that we ordered was covered under the warranty and we actually had to order a replacement for the replacement because something went haywire right away. So, maybe we won't order that kind of model next time we go
through that replacement. But I I think we're okay again now with the one we've received. Um and then I've I'm still working with vendors um and the city building official to get quotes on the work for the elevator keypad. That's not working. That's just been a process to figure out
um how to get that done. So, we're still waiting on information from some of the venture vendors that we've contacted. And then I don't really have an update on the Institute of Museum and Library um services funding. um it's still
included in the federal budget last update that we had, but um we're just waiting for the federal budget to pass at this point to know for sure. Okay. And I can share a few statistics if you'd like as well. Um we had a total of 17 study room reservations in
September. That was down from 34 in August, but that's following our typical trend of um a decrease in traffic um once everyone starts the back to school season. Um our door count was down 10% between August and September of this year, but
that's very similar to 2023 and 2024 where we saw 11% decrease between August and September. And our Wi-Fi stats have been inconsistent again. Inconsistent again. We saw a really big jump this month with those stats. So, I've been working with
um Traverse Due, our regional library to identify the access points that might be picking up signals from um neighboring um buildings. We think maybe some smart TVs are connecting to it and then losing a connection and just trying to make
that connection over and over, which is skewing the stats. And it's not really a concern for us because so much um because it doesn't affect our speed, but at the same time, we're not getting accurate stats of what people are using that for in the library. So, we're just
looking at adjusting that signal so it makes more sense from month to month. Um I did reach out to Numis House to make sure that it wouldn't negatively affect their residents if we adjust our signals and they have their own service there. So, we'll be okay.
Yeah, that's quite a jump. Yes. Okay, thank you. Um Oops. Let me get back to the agenda here. The October programming. Um so we have author Amy Greg returning
to the library on Saturday, October 18th at 3 p.m. She'll be talking about her new book called Fowl Play, and that's the second book in her Accidental Farmer Mystery series. We're really excited to welcome her back. She, um, does a really nice presentation and, um, from what I
hear, the last presentation was a lot of fun. So, um, and then evening sensory playtime is Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. And morning sensory playtime is on 30, Septe excuse me, Thursday, September 30th at 10:00 a.m. And so we'll enjoy stories, songs, and lots of
sensory play um, for parent or excuse me, for children and their caregivers or parents. And this just a note that the library will be closed on Friday, October 24th for our library staff training day. Um we will be open normal hours on
Saturday, October 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And then the Friends of the Library have their annual used book sale on Friday, November 7th, and Saturday, November 8th. And Friends of the Library members can shop early on Thursday,
November 6th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Um you can renew your membership at the door. And if you're not a friend, make sure you become a friend before the sale so you can shop early if you want to. And you can stop by the library service desk and library staff can um get you
the information you need to become a member. That's a a um a very beneficial organization for the for our library. It's a good group. Um, okay. Any questions or comments about
the programming or activities? I just want to say that I enjoyed the um the presentation of a farewell, the short the uh short film that was presented and um Carla Felt's presentation about the
uh I it was the dis no, the corruption in in the in the Brown County and the uh also Scott Sparland's introduction to his book. I enjoyed those things. So, thank you, library.
Anybody else have any comments? All right, on to our action items. We have two today. Uh, the first one is resolution number 2025-26, approving the 2026 library fees and fine
schedule. Um uh before we go ahead with this uh since it's been posted twice, are we um uh good with just reading this resolution and and adopting the fines or would you like me to read through the
the schedule of fines and fees? Does the board have any specific I think we can skip the actual reading of the fines and it's been it's been Yes, I agree. Okay. Um this is the second reading and
adoption of the library fees and fines schedule. The city of Newm annually revises its schedule of fees. As part of this, the library is required to update its fees and fines schedule. The library director proposes the attached schedule for 2026 fees and fines. The library
director does not recommend any changes to library fees and fines. Changes proposed by the library board members will be incorporated after second reading and adoption at the October 9th library board meeting. The schedule then
will be submitted to the finance department for final approval by the city council. Okay. Do we have a motion to approve the 2026 library fees and fine schedule? I'll move.
I'll second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Um, would you do the roll call? Sarah, yes. Dustin, yes. Caitlyn, yes. Lynn, yes. Yvonne, yes. Menan, yes. Hope, yes.
Nancy, yes. the uh resolution is approved and for the library fees and fine schedule. Then we have Lynn, can I just make a note for the public who might be watching um this schedule, there's no
changes between 2025 and 2026. So if you want to view the 2026 schedule, it is available on the city of Newm website um newalm.gov um under the agendas portion for the library board. Otherwise, um it is identical except for some formatting to
our current 2025 schedule which is posted on the libraries website. Thank you, April. Yes. Um the next action is resolution number 2025-27 accepting July 1st through September 30th, 2025 donations, first reading and
adoption. The list below describes the donations received by the library from July 1st to se through September 30th, 2025. July 2nd, Dory Nicholas um
uh provided um $19 worth of adult books, one copy of um Cottonwood Farm, donated that to the library. uh July 14th and there was an anonymous donation of $20
in cash and in in the undesated category. On July 17th, Friends of the New Public Library donated $350 in cash for children's books, storytime kits, and puzzles. On July 18th, Betty and Doug Royer
um provided a cash donation in memory of Mardell A. Steber for adult books. On July 29th, Larry Steber provided a cash donation um that was undesated
in memory of Mardell A. Steber. On August 1st, there was an anonymous donation of $1157 cash in the und designated um category. On August 5th, Judy and
Nelson um donated uh $20 cash uh for children's books. On September 4th, Robert and Helen Vogle donated uh made a cash donation of $25 for large print books in memory of Connie Bezmer
Iverson. On September 12th, Jill Culz um donated a $20 cash and undesated um uh funds for Carol in memory of Carol
Aerson. On September 18th, Randy and Teresa Merkel donated uh $25 in cash um in memory of Connie Berson. And uh on September 29th, Michelle Finan donated
$75 um for board games and pu two board games and two puzzles. On September 30th, the Optimus Club of Newm donated $800 in cash to children's programs. This is $1,44657
total cash donations, $94 in total physical donations for a total of $1,54057 total cash and physical item donations. I just want to note that on um September 15th, there was a anonymous donation of
$100 um uh just designated for the children's room as Miss Katherine sees fit. So um just a children's general is the designation there. Oh, I'm sorry. I skipped that. Thank you. Yeah, there just a little skinny line there. Sorry. Okay. The library board of new uh
public library accepts these donations with gratitude to the donors. Do we have a motion to accept these donations? So moved. Second. We have a motion and second. Would you do the roll call, Dustin? Sarah, yes.
Dustin, yes. Caitlyn, yes. Lynn, yes. Ivonne, yes. Manan, yes. Hope, yes. Nancy, yes. Okay, the resolution is accepted. The donations are accepted. Um then do
we have any other business? Any other business? I would just like to comment. Thank you, April, for the um information regarding the ban books this week and the article in the journal. So, thank you for
helping clarify those things. Thank you. No other business. Seeing none, we are adjourned.