HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Committee - Minutes - 8/19/2021
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Library Committee Meeting
August 19th, 2021 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Held
Remotely Via Teams
Members Present: Charly Ray, Jim Crandall, Mary Lynch, Karen Jelinek, Diane Posner, Darrell
Pendergrass, Laurie St. Aubin-Whelihan, Teresa Weber, Kristine Lendved, Jared Blanche
Members Excused: Jeremy Oswald, Cassie Fleming, Connie Cogger, Jacqueline Pooler, Addie Arens
Other Members Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Lynn Divine-County Clerk, Sherry
Machones-Northern Waters Library Service Director, Paige Terry-Clerk III
Items 1 & 2: Call to Order and Introductions:
The meeting of the Bayfield County Library Committee was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Jelinek.
Introductions of members were made.
Item 3: Public Hearing to Discuss Bayfield County Library Plan, 2022-2026:
Jelinek reviewed the changes that were made to the revised Library Plan which primarily consisted of
updated table data throughout the plan. Jelinek made it a point to show circulation changes during the
pandemic and prior to the pandemic. Machones recommended the dates on the cover of the plan be updated
from “2021-2024” to “2022-2026. Machones informed the committee that, per statutory requirement, the
library committee is required to meet regularly and hold a public hearing every five years to propose a new
library plan. Lendved stated there appeared to be a typo on page six of the library plan in the first sentence
of the first page which reads “All Bayfield County libraries are members of the Northern Waters Library
Network (NWLS)…” showing the parenthesized abbreviation does not match the preceding words. The
Committee discussed possible revision options. Machones explained that all Bayfield County Libraries are
members of the Northern Waters Library Network and the Northern Waters Library Service, excluding the
Red Cliff Library which does not currently qualify to be a part of the service. Jelinek suggested spending
time outside of the meeting reviewing the mistake and revising any other discrepancies that appear
throughout the document regarding the Northern Waters Library Network (NWLN) and Northern Waters
Library Service (NWLS). Lendved recommended another area of revision on page 16 under objective 4
which reads “Encourage local library boards/staff to meet with or send letters to local municipal officials
annually”. Lendved stated that the practice of sending letters is out-of-date. The committee agreed to
change the word “letters” to “communications.”
Motion by Ray, Seconded by St. Aubin-Whelihan to adjourn the public hearing. Motion Carried.
Item 4: Public Comment: None.
Item 5: Motion Regarding the Minutes of the January 21, 2021 Bayfield County Library Committee
Meeting:
Motion by Ray, seconded by Lynch to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2021 Library Committee
Meeting. Motion Carried.
Item 6: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Library Plan 2022-2026:
Jelinek reiterated that there were previously discussed items that were marked for change in the plan.
Motion by Crandall, seconded by Weber to adopt the proposed 2022-2026 Bayfield County Library Plan
contingent upon the following changes being made 1) updating the dates on the cover to read “2022-2026”,
2) revising the terms “Northern Waters Library Network” and “Northern Waters Library Service” used
throughout the plan to ensure they are being used properly, and 3) striking the term “letters” from objective
four on page 16 and replacing with the term “communications.” Motion Carried.
Item 7: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Library Funding Plan for 2022:
Pendergrass informed the committee that Bayfield County has funded the libraries over the past five years
for a total of $187,590. Pendergrass explained that Bayfield County is required to pay 70% of funding
requests. Pendergrass proposed a one-time reduction to the Building Strong Library funds by $1505.15 to
increase the Bayfield County funding total to $189,095.15 which would raise the Washburn Public Library
funding rate up to 70%.
Motion by Posner, seconded by St. Aubin-Whelihan to approve the one-time reduction from the Building
Strong Libraries funds in the amount of $1,505.15 to raise the total reimbursement rate for the libraries to
$189,095.15 in 2022. Motion Carried.
Item 8: Discussion Regarding 2021 Building Strong Libraries (BSL) Library Projects:
Pendergrass reported that the tuck point project undertaken by the Washburn Public Library is nearing
completion and expected to be completed nearly a month ahead of schedule. Pendergrass explained that the
cost of the project came in under the original estimate, leaving the Washburn Library with enough funds to
potentially replace its elevator.
Weber reported that the Bayfield Carnegie Library is nearly finished with the pillar restoration project.
Completed projects on the library include window trim painting, tuck pointing mortar joints replacing
damaged stone around the building. The library will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on September
10, 2021 and invites all members to attend.
Abeles-Allison shared with the committee that the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs (Iron River) Library completed
projects to install hearing assistance station and an AED unit at the library.
Jelinek reported that the Drummond Library furnace and air conditioning repair has not been completed yet
and staff is waiting on installation.
Weber reported that the flooring in the front entry of the library has also been completed and the library
kitchen is in the process of being repaired.
Item 9:Discussion and Possible Action Regarding 2022 BSL Program:
Jelinek reviewed the 2022 BLS Program projects with the committee; the Iron River Library is seeking a
total of $2,600 in funds to install new door openers and AED Units, with $1,950 being received from the
BSL Program; the Bayfield Carnegie Library is seeking a total of $34,500 in funds to replace the furnace/air
conditioning units, with $25,875 being received from the BSL Program; and the Forest Lodge Library is
seeking a total of $2,500,000 in funds to build a new library building, with $20,000 being received from the
BSL Program. Lendved reported that progress to begin building the library is slow. Lendved explained,
with the original request amount, the total BSL Project Requests would be over the total available funding
of $45,714 by $2,111 and suggested removing that overage total from the Forest Lodge Library project
request.
Motion by Crandall, seconded by Ray to approve the funding requests with the following allocations:
$1,950 to the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs (Iron River) Library for new door openers and AED Units; $25,875
to the Bayfield Carnegie Library to replace the furnace/air conditioning units; and $17,889 to the Forest
Lodge Library to assist with building a new library building, fund allocations to the Forest Lodge Library
are contingent upon the project being completed within three (3) years. Motion Carried.
Item 10: Next Meeting Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022, 5:00 PM. The meeting will be held virtually.
Item 11: Library Reports:
Jelinek reported that the Drummond Library held an outdoor movie group that proved to be quite successful,
with the Town of Drummond covering half the costs. Jelinek reported that other programs, such as summer
reading and the book club were able to continue over the past year and proved to be quite successful.
Jelinek informed the committee that the artist Ellen Griffin has textile weavings available for viewing at the
library.
Lendved reported that the Forest Lodge Library recently celebrated its 95 +1 anniversary due to the inability
to celebrate in 2020 due to the pandemic. The celebration had good attendance. Forest Lodge is
continuously working on its capital campaign to secure funds towards building the new library.
Blanche reported that the Red Cliff Library recently received some funds from the American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) and would be utilizing funds to developing a new library space. The library is currently
located across from the Red Cliff Health Center and equipped with laptops and a kitchenette area. Red Cliff
will utilize ARPA funds to purchase more shelving for the library.
Weber reported that the Bayfield Carnegie Library will be finishing its summer reading program, which
proved more successful than years prior, and story time will be starting up at the library again soon. A new
free library has been installed outside the library along with a new bike rack.
Pendergrass informed the committee that he is currently the senior library director.
Machones reported that the Northern Waters Library Services (NWLS) has been busy with meetings and
working on developing a more centralized cataloging system. The NWLS is working on developing services
that can be offered to libraries at lower costs. NWLS is working with the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction regarding PLSR. The NWLS will be relocating all of their library members to the Resource
Data Centers of Eau Claire, which would have less risk of the system going down and being unavailable.
Item 12: Adjournment:
6:22 p.m. – Jim Crandall left the meeting.
There being no further business to discuss, Jelinek adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paige a. terry, Clerk III, Bayfield County Administrator’s & Clerk’s Offices
On behalf of Bayfield County Library Committee
PAT
cc: Ashland Daily Press, via e-mail