HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023.09.11 LBT MinutesMcCall Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
September 11, 2023 - 10:00 AM
Attendance: (Legion Hall) Meg Lojek, Matt Stebbins, David Gallipoli, Lola Elliot, Amy
Rush
(Virtual) Susie Reddick, Nathan Stewart, Linda Stokes
Call to Order: 10:05 am
Amendments to Agenda: Meg changed the date of the past minutes we will approve
today from June 12th (as it appears on the original agenda) to July 10th. David moved
to approve the change; Matt seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: Matt moved to approve the minutes of July 10th, 2023; Lola
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Matt moved to approve the library history subcommittee minutes of January 17, 2023
and January 31, 2023; Lola seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Public Comment: None.
Director's Report: (Meg)
Payment Approvals: Lola moved to approve payments of 7/6/23, 7/12/23,
7/27/23, 8/4/23, and 8/17/23; David seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
Monthly Budget and Stats: Financials are available online at
https://www.mccall.id.us/financial-statements. Our fiscal year ends in two
weeks. We're in good shape, especially due and with thanks to assistance from
the Friends of the Library who supported children's book purchases.
Grants Updates: The $100,000 LOT grant has been awarded to the library on
the contingency of funding availability. We will find out next year if we will
receive funding from the local option tax.
Lola played a role in the Progressive Club's award of a $10,000 grant which the
library has received. The funds will be directed to the children's section of the
library expansion. We are honored that the group donates their hard-earned
funds (through the Festival of Trees and the Fashion Show) to the library.
The Idaho Commission for Libraries Facilities Improvement grant was not
awarded. They had many more requests than they can fund, but we are happy
that the Cascade Library was awarded one of their grants.
A $10,000 USFS grant that Meg worked on with Morgan Zedalis has been
approved. The funds will go to the USFS to assist with the indigenous artifacts
that will be on temporary loan to the library. Meg is also working with Joe
Thurston to come up with an installation plan.
Page 1 of 4
Public Art Update: Joe Thurston' wood carvings will have their home in lighted
boxes in the expanded library. We can now see a diagram showing where the
boxes will be located along the stairway. CM is exploring cost savings.
Staff Training Update: HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for Positive Experiences).
Recently, library staff attended a virtual training session conducted by Meridian
librarian Audra Green. She guided our staff through various opportunities that
children might have at the library to counter negative experiences in other parts
of their lives. The staff appreciated and enjoyed the training; many thanks to
Matt who connected us with Audra.
Staff and Summer Reading: The staff is understandably struggling at times with
the construction going on around them. The current working environment is
dark, noisy, and challenging, even though we all know the construction leads to
a good end. Discussion and concern about a staff member who has used up all
personal leave.
The summer reading program has wrapped up. Happily, there has been an
uptick in participation and, while the formal report comes out next month, the
numbers look good: over 90,000 combined minutes of reading, 408 books given
away, and 272 prizes handed out. Thanks to all the staff who worked on this
valuable project!
Building Update: (Nathan)
Lots of visual activity is taking place at the library. Last Wednesday, the construction
team met and discussed upcoming goals. Currently the focus is on the exterior,
especially the insulation and rock work. Rough -in interior work is also underway. The
roof was installed this month, and Nathan hopes to see the east parking lot completed
in September. In addition, work is being conducted to manage water run-off between
the library and City Hall. All this work, combined with vehicles and materials in the
area, makes it a challenge for library access. Hopefully, fences will be pushed back,
and there will be more space available for patrons by October.
Crews are on schedule; we anticipate a May 2024 opening of the library expansion and
an October 2024 completion of the existing library's remodel. Formal landscaping may
be delayed to optimize purchasing and planting.
Crews will continue to work inside throughout winter months. After the spring move to
the expanded library, work will begin on the existing library's remodel.
Nathan and Meg are working hard on furniture and shelving acquisition this month.
The City may be able to make direct purchases without going out for bids which would
facilitate the process.
Many materials prices, including lumber, are down from original estimates. Those
savings will help cover some overage costs such as the underground storage tank
removal and roofing material costs which are rising.
Page 2 of 4
Foundation Update: (Amy)
Amy has updated the "case for support" document she uses to recruit donors and is
pleased with the product. She is also happy about two construction site tours, one on
beam -raising day and the other a week later to the top five donors to our project. A
$50,000 gift was the result of one tour which is great. Amy has also received a
commitment to introduce new donors; to that end, she will schedule more tours.
It will take Amy's hard work and the support of the Foundation to complete our
construction schedule with no budgetary interruptions until we're completely done
next fall.
Amy also described her current work on a designated remote working space in the
expanded library. She hopes to have ten local employers contribute $10,000 each and
is off to a positive start with Idaho First Bank.
It's been a good month, Amy reports, though we're still looking to close the funding
gap. Thanks so much for all this good news and your hard work, Amy!
Treasurer's Report: (Linda)
Linda reports that August statements will be available later this week. The FY24
budget packet will be available online on October 1St on the City's website. The
approved Library budget is about $1.5 million; there is a separate budget of $5.4
million for construction. To date, $3.3 million has been spent on the project.
Library Policy Review: Section 1J
After discussion, Matt moved to approve the amended Policy Section 1J; David
seconded the motion which passed unanimously. We should be done editing the policy
manual by the end of 2023. Thanks to Meg for making this such an efficient process!
Friends Liaison report: (Lola)
Lola reports that the Friends of the Library had a terrific month punctuated by a 30 -
year appreciation celebration held in the Carpenters' Shop at the SITPA site and a
celebratory book sale the next day which brought in $1100. The FOL has purchased a
credit card machine to create more purchasing options for customers.
Meg will attend the fall FOL meetings to make her annual funds request of the group.
Lola will be there, too, and will encourage the return of the FOL BBQ fundraiser and a
larger FOL donation targeted at the new children's library.
NOTE: Meg has been working with Linda to secure a credit card machine for our
library. With guidance from the Cascade Public Library, which has a card system in
place, it looks like this will happen in McCall.
Page 3 of 4
City Council Liaison report: n/a Mayor Bob couldn't make it to our meeting today.
Update on History Committee Work: (Susie)
Susie plans to complete the research and written portion of our document that charts
the McCall Public Library history by the end of October. Matt will seek formatting
advice, and Lola will work on interviews in the meantime. We will meet again at
Susie's house on Monday, December 11th to combine our efforts.
Adjourn: 12:09 pm
Next Meetings: October 16th, November 13th, December llth (Library Board and
History Committee)
Minutes prepared by Susie Reddick, Secretary
Respectfully submitted by Jacki Rubin, Chair
?/'
Page 4 of 4
o„(