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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Committee - Minutes - 8/24/2023 Minutes of the: Bayfield County Library Committee Meeting August 24th, 2023 - 4:00 p.m. Meeting Held Remotely Via Teams Members Present: Charly Ray, John Rautio, Jim Crandall, Vicki Redenbaugh, Jennifer McBain, Diane Posner, Laurie St. Aubin-Whelihan, Darrell Pendergrass, Teresa Weber, Addie Arens, Kristine Lendved, Jared Blanche, and Sherry Machones Members Excused: Connie Cogger, Jacqueline Pooler, and Cassie Fleming Other Members Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kimberlie McAvaney- Red Cliff Library, and 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 4:02 p.m. by Committee Vice-Chair Jennifer McBain. Introductions of members were made. Item 3: Public Comment: None. Item 4: Motion Regarding the Minutes of the January 18, 2023 Bayfield County Library Committee Meeting: Motion by Rautio, seconded by Ray to approve the minutes of the January 18,2023 Library Committee Meeting. Motion carried. Item 5: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bayfield County Library Funding Plan for 2024: Pendergrass reviewed the proposed 2024 library disbursements with the committee. Discussion took place regarding the distribution formula and amounts. 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 – $15,692.25 • Iron River Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Library – $32,919.66 • Washburn Public Library – $62,525.08 • Total Funding - $208,597.61 Motion by Ray, seconded by Posner to approve the proposed funding amounts and recommend forward to the full County Board for approval for the 2024 budget. Motion carried. Item 6: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding 2023 BSL Program Projects: Teresa Weber reported that the Bayfield library has finished installing insulated blinds in the upstairs level of the library and they have already proven useful during the hotter days of summer. Addie Arens reported that the Drummond Library is still in the process of updating the outdoor patio area. The shade sales were received the past week and staff is still waiting for the furniture to arrive. Arens stated that staff is expecting the project to come in under budget with remaining funds being put back in the BSL program. Kristine Lendved reported that the Forest Lodge Library is still working on fundraising for the library expansion project. The library’s board recently approved a significantly downsized expansion plan with a fundraising goal of $1.7 million. The project is currently at approximately 40% of its fundraising goal. Item 7: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding 2024 BSL Program Submittals: Weber, Bayfield Library, informed the committee that the library is looking to replace carpet in the lower level of the library. The carpet was replaced many years ago, but new shelves have since been put in that now expose old, mismatched carpet that is thread bare. Lendved stated that the Forest Lodge Library is again seeking funds to put towards the library expansion project. Lendved explained that the library staff is aware that, should the project be unable to show signs of moving forward with the project by the end of 2024, that the funds would be returned to the BSL program. Abeles-Allison reported on behalf of the Iron River Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Library and informed the committee that the library is looking to purchase a tranquility tunnel that would help minimize overstimulation and provide a calm, safe environment for children. Motion by Crandall, seconded by Ray to approve the funding requests with the following allocations: $6,964 to the Bayfield Carnegie Library to replace the carpet on the lower level, $33,876 to the Forest Lodge Library to expand the library, and $2,775 to the Iron River Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Library for a tranquility tunnel. Item 8: In Recognition of Kristine Lendved, Forest Lodge Library Librarian, for her Years of Commitment and Service: The committee recognized Kristine Lendved for her years of commitment and service to the Forest Lodge Library and on the Library Committee. Item 9: Discussion Regarding Wisconsin’s Capital Projects Broadband Grant: Abeles-Allison informed the committee that there is funding available through the state for last mile fiber broadband expansion. Abeles-Allison stated that he is working to come up with ideas on how to create/expand broadband throughout the county. The committee discussed Wi-Fi availability throughout the county. Arens asked if the funding could be applied to the municipal campgrounds as well. Abeles-Allison replied he believed so. 4:50 p.m. – Jared Blanche left the meeting. Item 10: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Library Awareness Press Release: Abeles-Allison asked if the committee should advocate for library funding and if the committee should write a letter to the editor to express support for library funding. Lendved stated that it is important to also advocate on behalf of the mission of public libraries and the services they provide. Posner asked if there was a National Library Week coming up. Machones replied that Banned Book Week was coming up in the fall and September is Library Card Sign Up Month. Machones continued, stating that the Iron River Library could use support given the current situation it is experiencing. Posner asked Abeles-Allison what would be expected from the committee members. Abeles-Allison stated that the committee members could come up with ideas to share with Abeles-Allison so he could draft them into a letter. The letter would be distributed to the committee for review before being sent out to municipalities or the newspaper. The committee agreed to send topics to Abeles-Allison to have drafted into a letter with the letter being reviewed by the committee before being sent out to municipalities or the newspaper. Item 11: Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 4:00 PM Item 12: Library Reports: Lendved reported that the Town of Cable has been actively involved in the search for a new director for the library. The job has been posted and applications received. St. Aubin-Whelihan stated that five applications have been received to date and the board will be holding a meeting the following Tuesday to review and select interview candidates. The board hopes to make a decision by mid-September. Weber reported that the Bayfield Library started distributing a monthly newsletter back in March to keep the community informed on what is happening with the library. The newsletter has helped gain attendance for events put on by the library. Weber stated she is interested in the topic of broadband expansion as the library frequently has individuals outside the library looking to use their Wi-Fi. The library now has a solar bench outside that citizens can use to recharge their devices. On average, the library sees 56 visitors a day. Arens reported that the Drummond Library did not hold a summer reading program this year and instead hosted Summer Crafternoon events with two hours of crafts every Thursday afternoon. The Movies on the Lawn event was very successful. Arens stated the patio remains under construction. 5:00 p.m. – Darrell Pendergrass left the meeting. 5:06 p.m. – Charly Ray left the meeting. Posner reported that the Washburn Library held a successful summer reading program with over 50 kids in attendance on the busy days. The program was nature-focused this year and made possible through a generous grant from the Thrivent representative. Classic movie night once a month at the library continues. Staff spent a lot of time dealing with challenges from the new elevator. The library’s second I Love My Library Gala will be held on September 23, 2023. McAvaney reported on behalf of the Red Cliff Library and stated that the library is attempting to revamp its available programs. The library is currently short-staffed and will be posting two new positions should funding allow. McAvaney stated that the passport programs have assisted with getting individuals to visit the library. The school supply giveaway will be held, but a date is yet to be determined. Item 13: Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Posner, seconded by Rautio to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 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