HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Committee - Minutes - 1/29/20161
The meeting of the Bayfield County Library Committee was called to order
by Chair Mary Lintula at 2:30 pm. Those in attendance were: Dee Kittleson, County
Board Supervisor; Darrell Pendergrass, Washburn Public Library Librarian; Suzanne
Widmar, Drummond Public Librarian; Kristine Lendved, Forest Lodge Librarian; lair
Nelson, Bayfield Librarian; Jim Crandall, County Board Supervisor; Richard
Compton¸ Committee Representative; Beverly Gaber, Committee Representative;;
Kathy Wendling, County Board Supervisor, Bill Sloan, Northern Waters
Representative; Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; and Dawn Bellile,
Deputy County Clerk. Absent were: Linda Parker, Committee Representative;
Courtney Dietsche, Iron River Librarian; and Linda Hultman, Committee
Representative.
Introductions were made again as changes have taken place. A quorum was
present to conduct business.
1. Public Comment: None.
2. Introduction of Sherry Machones, Northern Waters Director.
Abeles-Allison introduced Sherry Machones and thanked her for meeting with us
today as a group. Machones stated that she is new to the area and gave the
Committee her background. The Committee listened to the vision Machones has
for the local libraries and prospective ideas. The Committee discussed with her
the funding formula; library trends; community needs from their library; funding
for the libraries and the hopeful possibility of treating a library like another
department instead of a separate entity.
3. Approval of Minutes from November 6, 2015. A motion was made
by Gaber/Crandall to adopt the minutes from the November 6, 2015 Library
Committee Meeting. The motion carried.
4. 2016 Library Budget and BSL Projects. Abeles-Allison pulled up
the 2016 library budget form and went through this with the Committee. He then
asked Blair Nelson from the Bayfield Library to inform the Committee what has
taken place at the Bayfield Library thus far. Nelson stated that the Bayfield
Library will not need the dollars allocated from the BSL, since he has acquired the
funding directly from the Bremer. Discussion took place on what would be needed
and given back as far as funding. This was wonderful to get the funding from
Minutes of the
BAYFIELD COUNTY LIBRARY COMMITTEE
January 29, 2016 – 2:30 pm EOC Room, Courthouse Annex
Washburn, WI 54891
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Bremer as it allows the BSL monies to be given back to be used towards something
else. Discussion took place on rolling over and saving the money for the future or
as “extra” but they don’t want to discourage librarians from applying for grants.
Discussion took place regarding the Red Cliff Library. It is hopeful that by
March they will be a part of Northern Waters again. Presently, they do have DAP
approval as verified from Nancy Newago.
Further discussion took place on BSL funding. It is like an endowment fund
for all libraries – if a library is in need of something, say a big unforeseen expense
happened, you can come to the Committee and ask for funds.
A motion was made by Compton/Gaber that the money that is from the
Bayfield Library be kept as supplemental to be used at a later date. The
motion carried.
5. 2017 Building Strong Libraries Priorities and Timelines. Lendved
discussed with Committee what a good job is being done and went over what the
libraries are asking for. A question arose as to whether or not the requests meet
the definition of capital funds. A lengthy discussion was held on this topic and it
was thought that capital improvements do not count towards compensation formula.
The way it is working now is how we want it to work with the DPI being the
determining factor.
A motion was made by Compton/Crandall to approve the addition of new
wording to (f) Foundational purchases to initiate a category of
programs/services not currently offered by a library; (g) Purchases of
fixtures or equipment for library grounds that augment the patron’s library
experience; (h) One-time major requests approved by the Library Committee.
The motion carried.
6. Library Technology: Discussion was had on whether an individual
library can pursue or create libraries with high capabilities of uploading and
downloading files. Machone spoke stating the whole process for this has to go
through the system and you can’t single out libraries. However, it is possible to
purchase super high speed internet services at their costs. Discussion on how
summer is a problem as there is a lot of use. The Committee also discussed how
individuals can use the internet just by sitting on the street – it is cheap and slow.
The topic of broadband was discussed and that it would need a separate line. A
question arose as to whether or not this would be advantageous, over and above
Northern Waters; should Northern Waters negotiate on behalf of libraries – this
is only going to grow in the future. Public access to computers is provided by
Northern Waters. Could this go under the BSL? It was noted that electronics are
not reimbursable. Machone again spoke on HI FI not spots and wasn’t sure of the
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requirements for this. Another question arose; “what if Bayfield County tried a
Beta test of different funding?” The State may agree to a Bayfield County test.
This would affect at least 8 counties and would impact everyone. Further
discussion took place.
E-Books were discussed stating there are more and more uses of this.
Regarding the Overdrive; on-line books, videos and games, all you need is your user
card.
7. Library Updates:
Bayfield: Nelson reported that a winter lecture series was held on starting
on January 18th. This was held at the pavilion with the theme being “Water-Blue
Mind.” They have come up with an agreement to have the author present that
evening. The 4th speaker dropped out and a new flyer will go out soon with that
lecture change. Discussion was held regarding putting books in the Washburn,
Ashland and Bayfield libraries.
A showing of the movie “Everest” was held with 21 people attending. It was
an intense movie. The Book Club is reading “On Thin Air”. The library also received
a grant for a Lego workshop. Discussion was held on Lego robotics; they are
amazing, educational and they are trying to get school on board with this as well.
He finished the Final Strategic Plan Draft. They are also in the process of
removing shelves and are working on a time line to move everything at once.
Drummond: Widmar on a new activity with the school called “Star Party.”
An astronomical event with a bon fire, food, skiing was held in conjunction with the
party. It was too cloudy and a 2nd attempt was made but it was too cold. There
was a big interest in this but the outside conditions didn’t cooperate. The quilting
group continues to meet but it doesn’t seem like the public knows it is happening.
Washburn: Pendergrass reported that a handicapped door has been put in
and people are very happy with it. Reported that a projector movie screen was
purchased for use for meetings and the like. They have painted the wall
downstairs for this project. A program called Resume Assistance has been
subscribed to; it is an online program and saves your file. You can access this even
if you move as long as you have your library card. We are consulting with Dick
Olson from Olson Building Materials regarding upcoming renovations.
Forest Lodge: Lendved reported that they have been advised by their
landlords that $500,000 has been given to them via an endowment grant for
maintaining the log cabin library building. There was also given to them $20,000 to
redo the cedar shake roof.
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Northern Waters: Machone stated that the audit has been finished and
we are legal passing with flying colors. She will be in Boston representing
Wisconsin at the Library Legislative Days, Feb 9th to talk about bills coming up.
The next Library Committee will be held on May 13th at 2:30 p.m. Machone
will be able to be in attendance. There being nothing further for the Committee,
Lintula adjourned the meeting at 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Bellile
Deputy County Clerk
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