HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Committee - Minutes - 5/17/20131
Minutes of the
BAYFIELD COUNTY LIBRARY COMMITTEE
May 17, 2013 – 2:00 pm – EOC Room, Courthouse Annex
Washburn, WI 54891
The monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Library Committee was called to
order by Chair Beth Meyers, County Board Supervisor, at 2:00 pm. Those in
attendance were: John Bennett, County Board Supervisor, Mark Abeles-Allison,
County Administrator; Dawn Bellile, Deputy County Clerk, Kristine Lendved, Mary
Lintala, Connie Cogger, Jim Pedersen, Courtney Dietsch, Roberta Menger, and
Darrell Pendergrass. A quorum was present to conduct business.
A motion was made by Bennett/Pendergrass to adopt the minutes of the
last Library Committee meeting. The motion carried.
1. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Library Committee
Appointees. Abeles-Allison explained that the purpose of Library Committee
appointees is to invite more individuals for more dialogue. Discussion took place on
what the responsibility of the appointees would be and clarification was given.
Abeles-Allison gave clarification that pursuant to the County Ordinance, the
Library Committee should consist of 3 County Board members, 1 person from each
library and 1 from Northern Waters. We don’t want to replace Librarians; we want
more input from the respective Library Boards. It was thought that we could
brainstorm for ideas for funding, keeping our residents using libraries within
Bayfield County, thereby reducing the dollars going out of the County.
Abeles-Allison touched based on Act 420 that came into being in 2007-08.
Bayfield County feels libraries are very important and critical to our area. We
don’t want to replace the current Librarians with volunteers, but rather work
together with more.
It was discussed that different library groups be formed, for instance if
residents of Barksdale would use the Washburn Library versus using Vaughn in
Ashland this would help our monies stay within the county as well as circulation.
A question was asked as to whether or not meetings were open to everyone;
and the answer is yes. If we can’t sell the idea of having committee appointees to
the librarians, then maybe this isn’t the route that we should pursue. We need to
come up with individuals who would be willing to serve on the Library Committee,
which we will then present to the County Board for approval. The County
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Ordinance states that we have to have members appointed that come to meetings
rather than Librarians.
Discussion took place on whether the Library Committee has ever voted on
anything that has had an impact on the libraries.
Discussion on what type of Committee this is. It was pointed out that it is
strictly an advisory committee. Discussion also took place on who the Librarians
should run their budgets by, their own Boards or this Committee. They felt like
this was an additional layer of approval that didn’t seem necessary. Discussion
then took place on the authorities the Library Committee has. No matter what,
the individual Library Boards have the final say; Librarians are not voting members,
only their boards. No matter if we have additional appointees or not, the ultimate
goal is to try to keep the dollars in Bayfield County.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Lendved/Bennett to
table this item. The motion carried.
2. Discussion and Possible Action on Committee Plan of Action.
Discussion started regarding the possibility redistricting the libraries. This
procedure is not recommended for the simple reason that if after redistricting a
library should want to pull out on its own again, then you have to redistrict all over
again. It is better left alone. Abeles-Allison gave an explanation for possible use
in the future based on funding. He stated that libraries would report all revenue
to be used for major capital expenditures. The County in turn, could help out the
libraries by providing dollars for capital expenditures, which would not be based on
circulation. We want to keep the circulation rate the same as last year. The
County was anticipating approximately $25,000 for capital expenditures.
Discussion took place on whether each library would be awarded this or the library
with the most need. It was stated that each library could apply for money for
capital expenditures. Discussion also took place on awarding everyone a percentage
based on a formula.
3. Northern Waters Presentation. Jim Trojanowski was present to give
a powerpoint summary of SRLAAW Subcommittee on Public Library System
Configuration and Services. He stated that this is an informal group that meets a
couple of times each year. A legislative group was put together under Chapter 40
to put together a committee for the process of gathering input from 5 different
areas. The document in its entirety is about 24 pages long and this is a summary of
that document. In reviewing the document, Trojanowski stated that he believes we
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can expect funding to get tighter and tighter. We’ve listened to other states and
we are taking a proactive approach. A brief discussion took place.
4. Discussion and Possible Action on 2014 Budget Library Plan
Submitted by Bayfield County Libraries. Abeles-Allison reported that this is an
excellent topic but we do not have time today for discussion. It was suggested to
table this for the next meeting with the reminder that this needs to be submitted
by July 1st.
5. Library Plan Update – Next Meeting June 14, 2013. Darrell
reported on the circulation and dollar percentage figures over the past few years.
The numbers looked like they have jumped and we have been holding our own hoping
that circulation would flat line. These figures do not include e-media or our own
town people. The recommend reimbursement for 2014 is $216,549.00. Tim
Kane,UW-Extension Educator, will be present at June’s meeting to discuss the
library plan with the committee. Discussion took place.
6. Library Updates.
a) Bayfield Library – Robert Menger reported that their
Strategic Plan is completed for audit.
b) Cable Library – Kristine Lendved reported they had a big event
for appraising antiques, wine tasting and collectible books.
They created a short video library with photos of events which
was well received by the community. They are getting ready for
the summer reading program and William Kent Krueger coming.
c) Drummond Library – Mary Lintala reported that they are
updating policies for use of internet; working on newsletter; and
working on the 4-5 year plan.
d) Washburn Library – Darrell Pendergrass reported on their
strategic plan; summer reading program will be starting soon.
He also reported that the same 10-15 people attend each
program. Bayfield County Economic Development meets at the
library and has given them a donation for use of their room.
e) Iron River Library – Courtney Dietsche reported their
Strategic Plan was completed last fall; they are working on plans
for expansion; have created a survey to go out June 15th and
discussed who survey would be going to. The Friends of the
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Library are taking care of the survey. The summer reading
program will be starting; and have a new staff member.
7. Meeting Schedule: Next meeting will be on June 14th at 2:00 pm in
the EOC Room of the Courthouse Annex. A decision will be made at the June
meeting when in July and August to meet.
Abeles-Allison updated the Committee with the response that was received
by the survey sent out for County Board budget priorities. He showed that out of
the 204 responses that were received, a number of them stated that libraries are
of high importance to them. He just wanted to share that information with the
Librarians.
There being no further business to come before the Library Committee,
Meyers adjourned the meeting at 3:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Bellile,
Deputy County Clerk
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