HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Committee - Minutes - 8/17/2022
Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Library Committee Meeting
August 17th, 2022 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Held
Remotely Via Teams
Members Present: Charly Ray, John Rautio, Jim Crandall, Mary Lynch, Karen Jelinek, Diane Posner,
Laurie St. Aubin-Whelihan, Connie Cogger, Darrell Pendergrass, Teresa Weber, Jacqueline Pooler, Addie
Arens, Kristine Lendved, Jared Blanche
Members Excused: Sherry Machones, Cassie Fleming
Other Members Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kim Mattson-Bayfield County
Accountant, 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 5:01 p.m. by Jelinek.
Introductions of members were made.
Item 3: Public Comment: None.
Item 4: Motion Regarding the Minutes of the January 20, 2022 Bayfield County Library Committee
Meeting:
Jelinek asked for clarification from Terry in the minutes and stated that there may be a typographical error.
A sentence in the third paragraph on the third page reads, “On behalf of Sherry Machones, Rae commended
Weber on the Bayfield Library’s strategic plan. on working to bring red cliff into NWLS network. Rae” and
Jelinek asked if the middle sentence fragment should be deleted. Terry explained that the sentence fragment
was a typo and should be deleted.
Motion by Posner, seconded by Crandall to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2022, Library
Committee Meeting with the recommended change to the third paragraph on the third page of the minutes
to delete the sentence fragment “on working to bring red cliff into NWLS network.” Motion carried.
Item 5: Guest Speaker, Professor Abagail Phillips, UW Milwaukee, School of Information and
Library Science:
Jelinek informed the committee that Professor Phillips was unable to attend the meeting.
Item 6: Review 2022 BSL Library Reports: Abeles-Allison listed the projects approved for 2022. Pooler
reported that the Iron River library requested two new computers for 2022 to connect the library with the
historical society next door and has received the computers but is waiting for the computers to be set up.
Weber reported on behalf of the Bayfield Library and informed the committee that KBK installed three new
air conditioners/furnace units. Weber continued, stating that two of the three older units had damage to them
and were pushing out carbon monoxide. Lendved informed the committee that Forest Lodge continues its
efforts to fund the new library and recently heard from the Johnson Foundation regarding funding, but the
funding is not enough to move forward with the project as quickly as preferred. Lendved stated that staff
understands that the project’s funding will be surrendered if the funds are not utilized in the next year.
Item 7: Discussion and Possible Action on 2023 Building Strong Libraries (BSL) Projects Submittals:
Pooler explained that the Iron River Library is looking to acquire three wall-mounted activity panels that are
designed for children in early stages of mental development or those that are on the spectrum. Arens stated
that the Drummond Library is looking to improve their outdoor seating area and that the Town has a project
set aside for the year to spray and clean off the patio’s concrete area. Weber reported that the Bayfield
Library is looking to replace the existing blinds in the library with new, insulated blinds that would all
match and would assist with the energy efficiency of the new furnace/ac units. Lendved stated that this
year’s request is similar to the previous year as the Forest Lodge Library is requesting funds not being
distributed to other libraries to assist with the library expansion project. Pendergrass reviewed the process
for determining the amount of available BSL funds and stated that $58,643 in funds are available for BSL
funding for 2023 and explained how the BSL grant funding is determined. $58,643 available for grant
funding with a total of $196,142 available for library funding.
Motion by Crandall, seconded by Rautio to approve the funding requests with the following allocations:
$2,625 to the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs (Iron River) Library for three wall-mounted activity panels; $4,854 to
the Bayfield Carnegie Library for new insulated blinds; $2,850 to the Drummond Public Library to improve
and renovate the outdoor seating area; and $48,314 to the Forest Lodge Library to assist with building a
new library. Motion carried.
Item 8: Discussion and Possible Action on Bayfield County Library Funding Plan for 2023:
Pendergrass and Abeles-Allison reviewed the proposed funding numbers with the committee. The final
proposed funding amounts are as follows:
• Bayfield Carnegie Library - $89,528.47
• Forest Lodge Library (Cable/Namakagon) - $7,932.15
• Drummond Public Library - $15,441.37
• Evelyn Goldberg Briggs (Iron River) - $27,158.72
• Washburn Public Library - $56,081.05
Motion by Jelinek, seconded by Cogger to approve the Bayfield County Library Funding Plan for 2023 as
presented. Motion carried.
Item 9: Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Item 10: Library Reports:
Weber reported that the Bayfield Library will be having a new brick commons that will be starting outside
as a new community area. The summer reading program is currently winding down and all is well with the
library.
Lendved reported that the Forest Lodge Library held their annual Novel Affair Celebration and had a great
turnout. There are few kids around the area, so the library held an all-ages summer reading program. The
library was down a staff member most of the summer but numbers at the library have continued to increase
with new library cards being given out every day.
Arens reported that the Drummond Library installed new shelving in the children’s area back in April.
Throughout the summer, the library held movies on the lawn events that went well with an average of 30
patrons per showing. Arens stated that the library is looking to hold a garden party to break in the new
seating area once it is complete. The library’s summer reading program did not go very well and
experienced a quiet start to the year, but numbers are starting to increase.
Pooler reported the Iron River Library is currently wrapping up its summer reading program and the number
of participating adults and young adults has stayed steady for the past 3 years with the number of
participating children doubling over the past 2 years. The final event of the summer that will be held by the
library is the Zoo Mobile. Pooler stated that the library has noticed an increase in foot traffic particularly in
the morning.
Blanche reported that the Red Cliff Library has grown from four staff members to seven and has been able
to hold many events over the summer which includes a variety of workshops and the school supplies
giveaway. The library serves over 200 kids per year during the school supplies giveaway. Blanche explained
that he met with the NWLS earlier in the week and the library is currently in the middle of cataloguing their
materials to be entered into the service.
Pendergrass reported that the Washburn Library hosted the Truly Remarkable Loon to put on a juggling
show and had excellent attendance. The library is in the process of replacing their elevator. Pendergrass
explained that a lot of the ADA accessibility projects that have been taken on by the library were able to be
completed thanks to the BSL funds.
Abeles-Allison asked Blanche if Red Cliff is working towards becoming a certified library. Blanche replied
that the library is moving forward towards that goal, and he has signed up for his final fall class for his
library director certification.
Jelinek informed the committee that this would likely be her last meeting and she has appreciated working
with everyone.
Item 11: Adjournment:
There being no further business to discuss, Jelinek adjourned the meeting at 5:43 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