Minutes of the BAYFIELD COUNTY LIBRARY COMMITTEE August 14, 2015 3:00 pm - EOC Room, Courthouse Annex Washburn, WI 54891 The monthly meeting of the Bayfield County Library Committee was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chair, Mary Lintula. Those in attendance were: Darrell Pendergrass, Suzanne Widmar, Kristine Lendved, Blair Nelson, Richard Compton, Kathy Wendling, James Crandall, Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator and Dawn Bellile, Deputy County Clerk. Absent were: Dee Kittleson, Beverly Gaber, Linda Parker, Linda Hultman, Bill Sloan, Courtney Dietsche. A quorum was present to conduct business. 1. Introductions were made around the room. 2. Minutes of the June 26, 2014 Library Committee Meeting. A motion was made by Wendling/Crandall to adopt the June 26, 2015 Library Committee Minutes. Discussion took place that the date and time was set for the next meeting, being August 14, 2015. The motion carried. 3. Discussion and Possible Action on the Building Strong Library Program (BSL) Applications and Presentations for 2016. Abeles-Allison went over the 2015 guidelines as stated in the Building Strong Libraries Plan, that the Committee approved at the June 26, 2015 meeting. Four libraries submitted applications for funding through the BSL. The Committee was present to listen to the Librarian s presentation. The first presentation was by Kristine Lendved, Librarian, for the Forest Lodge Library. Lendved stated the goals of why her library should be awarded funding and went over the Library s wish list. They are hoping to purchase equipment to start development on a media lab. This would be enable patrons to turn old VHS tapes into DVDs or other usable digital files. Patrons have also expressed a need for a local place to edit and print photos in various sizes. The closest for anyone to use is 20 miles away, that being in Hayward. Also on the list are a scanner, camera & projector, and the program Photoshop Elements. Lendved stated that they would like their patrons to be able to use library tools to create music and movies. They would also like to have the capacity to digitize their own historical documents and work in partnership with our local historical museum to preserve our local history. The dollar figure they are looking at for the start of the media lab is $2,372.02 with 75% coming from the BSL Program of $1,779.00. The Committee went over the criteria worksheet with Lendved with all of her answers being yes, she felt 1
their project met the 2016 project criteria. Lendved also stated that she has local funding in place as well. Suzanne Widmar, Librarian, for the Drummond Public Library is requesting to funds to replace 26 partial windows. Widmar stated that the original windows that were installed included a moving bottom sash and two stationary window panels above it. On the two upper windows aluminum grids were applied using double sided tape. Since they were first installed, one by one the grids have been falling off, both inside and out. The grids in the entryway have been replaced and have only lasted about a year. The aluminum grids have fallen off one by one, nearly hitting some people and the Library Board felt it was a safety concern to leave them on. They have been removed but it makes the building look poorly cared for as you can clearly see that there is something missing on the windows. The Drummond Library was built and paid for by local residents and when they see the appearance of the building it negatively affects the perception of the public. The replacement windows are a much better quality and will provide better efficiency for both cold and warm weather. The amount the Drummond Library request is $5,043.00 with 75% from the BSL Program in the amount of $3,782.23. The municipality will also provide the same amount for funding. The Committee went over the criteria worksheet with Widmar, and she answered yes to the questions on whether or not she believed their project met the 2016 project criteria. Darrell Pendergrass, Librarian, for the Washburn Public Library went over his request with the Committee. Washburn is asking for 3 new Samsun Galaxy Tablets for use by patrons at the museum. Pendergrass stated that this will come in very handy for when all of the computers are busy. If some are there just to play games, they can take a tablet with them to the book room and play in there. This allows someone else the availability of using the computers for schoolwork, job searching, etc. where it needs a computer rather than a tablet. It is Pendergrass goal that everyone who visits the library to work on a computer or tablet, to have that opportunity. It will mean sharing, but, with the addition of 3 new tablets, this can be done. The Committee went over the criteria worksheet with Pendergrass, and he answered yes to the questions on whether or not he believed their project met the 2016 project criteria. Discussion took place on Broadband. Currently Northern Waters is in charge of that for all Bayfield County libraries. It is for the entire Northern Waters system. 2
Blair Nelson, Librarian for the Bayfield Carnegie Library, went over his request for the Bayfield Library. Last year they received funds for shelving and new furnishings for the library. They have not spent the funds from last year and are requesting that they be allowed to put last year s funds together with this year s funds to complete everything needed for the facelift to the library. The more they got involved in the project, the more they realized that they were not going to be able to complete it with only the funds from 2015. They found out that the electrical needed updated as well as outlets being grounded. They need more shelving than anticipated as well as chairs and a coffee table. Nelson stated that they have also applied to Bremer as a backup should they not be able to use both of the dollar amounts. Nelson will be speaking with a Representative from Bremer in September, but the final decision will not be made until November. Bremer does not require 25% matching funds. This project is part of a long-range planning the Bayfield Library Board has deemed necessary for the library. It needs many upgrades and improvements as it has been neglected for quite some time. Nelson informed the Committee that they would also like to add to their request, a changing table that can be installed on the wall and also a new display case. Discussion took place on what would they do if the Bremer funding came through; would they give back the BLS funding? It was Nelson s understanding that if they received the funding from Bremer, they would not have to use the BLS funding. The Committee went over the criteria worksheet with Blair, and he answered yes to the questions on whether or not he believed their project met the 2016 project criteria. Discussion took place about being frugal and sensitive to each other s needs. Wendling brought up what she thought could be a concern. In reviewing the BLS Guidelines, she believes that we have gone off the grid, as it clearly states what the funds can be used for. Some of the projects do not qualify according to the Guidelines. We either need to revisit and change the Guidelines or deny the projects. We need to be cognizant of this as we are using taxpayer s dollars for these projects. The Committee discussed this more and it was their consent that perhaps they Guidelines should be revisited as smaller libraries can t compete against the bigger ones for projects. All of the projects are necessary, but we have to be consistent. Abeles-Allison talked about distinction making note that we revisit this at our next meeting. Linda arrived at 3:35 p.m. 3
After much discussion, a motion was made by Compton/Crandall to fund all four (4) projects for 2016. The motion carried. 4. Discussion Regarding Digital Checkouts. Lendved spoke about the possibility of applying to BSL for e-books only. She passed out e-books checkouts. There is more interest and demand for this. Electronic titles through this system, audio and regulating and streaming videos. Once checked out they are no longer available. This is for Northern Waters Library members only. Northern Waters has a form to fill out and they will charge to buy in every year. It is hard to budget for this as amounts change. Perhaps some dollars could be designated from BLS for the libraries for this specific purpose. Every year there is a push to put more dollars into the system but we never have extra dollars to do this. If dollars were put into Northern Waters, it would help all Bayfield County libraries. If a library opted out consortium, they would not have access to this. It was stated again, that this perhaps could apply if the guidelines were changed or modified, but as it stands now, this would not meet the criteria of the BSL Program. 5. Library Updates: Washburn Public Library Pendergrass gave a statistical budget update to the Committee and had documents to share with everyone. Iron River Library Hultman reported that they had a 90 th Anniversary party in July. They had a history tent, technical (IT) tent and a makerspace (screen printing) tent. It was well attended. Bayfield Library Nelson reported that Wisconsin Public Radio wants to interview him regarding the upcoming Comic-Sci-FI Con. This event will be held on Saturday, August 22 nd from 10 am to 6:30 pm at the Bayfield Library. There will be a special showing of PBS documentary Superheroes and we have a Superman shirt that will be given away. Drummond Lendved said they will be starting to use Makerspace using quilting squares. There are many quilters who are interested in this and it should be fun and interesting. 6. Budget Process Timeline. Abeles-Allison reported that the budget should be published early October and voted on in November. He will be able to confirm the BSL projects at that time. 7. Next Meeting & Agenda Items. It was brought up that the BSL Program Guidelines should be placed on an upcoming agenda to go over again. Funding of the BSL Program should also be reviewed. Northern Waters is in the 4
process of appointing a new director and that should be announced soon. There was discussion on overdrive d Was discussion on the overdrive. will wait to hear from her. Kittleson has been put in charge of this and we The next meeting of Bayfield County Library Committee will be on Thursday, November 12 th at 2:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Library Committee, a motion was made by Crandall/Wendling to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Deputy County Clerk dmb 5