Minutes of the March 25, 2013 Meeting

Washington Public Library

Board of Trustees

Members present: Frank Suda, Linda Sellmeyer, Leon Hove, Maria Brady-Smith, Jon Bauer, Marsha Riggs, Nell Redhage (Director)

Members absent: Linda Bartle, Butch Droege, Cynthia Hoffman

The meeting was called to order by Frank Suda at 7 p.m. The minutes of the February, 2013 Library Board meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Jon Bauer, seconded by Leon Hove, to approve the minutes. The motion passed.

Nell gave the Friends of the Library report. Dr. James Trager from Shaw Nature Preserve will speak at the Friends meeting on April 15, 2013. The Friends approved the expense of an updated library brochure. Nell passed around a draft copy of the brochure.

Nell Redhage gave the Librarian’s report for February, which included the statistical reports regarding circulation, door count, meeting room usage and programs. One year ago today was the Board’s first meeting in the renovated library meeting room. She also distributed the library’s expense report. She feels that we are in good shape for this time of year.

Nell introduced our new webpage, washmolib.org, which is embedded in Scenic Regional Library’s website. Patrons can use all of the databases that are made available through SRL. She also subscribed to Ancestry.com so Washington patrons would be able to access it inside our library. This new website is easier to use. For the time being, there is a link to it on the City of Washington’s website.

Scenic Regional Library is providing e-reader training for all WPL public service staff. This will help staff to assist patrons with downloading e-books from the library to their e-readers.

The Velma Jones Stroetker Service Award Plaque is updated with the names of the upcoming recipients.

Nell reports that she will be on vacation next week.

Marsha Riggs moved that we accept the librarian’s report. Linda Sellmeyer seconded the motion which passed.

In other business, Nell reminded Board members that there will be a reception on April 14 at 2:00 for the recipients of the Velma Jones Stroetker Service Award. The recipients this year will be Mike Hopkins, Diane Schatte and the Washington Missourian newspaper. This is also the beginning of National Library Week so there will be other activities throughout the week.

Nell reported that the City of Washington has begun a compensation study to review all job descriptions and pay scales. Some of the job descriptions for the library were out of date and needed to be updated. She would like to have more professionals on staff and discussed converting the present assistant librarian position to Librarian/Cataloger with a Masters in Library Science degree required. She also would like to see the Children’s Librarian position require a B.S. in an appropriately related degree, with an MLS being preferred. After some discussion, Jon Bauer moved that the Board recommend that both upgrades be adopted by the City. Motion carried. The Board would also like to see an IT position for the library be added in the future.

Jon Bauer moved that we adjourn the meeting, seconded by Linda Sellmeyer. The motion passed.

The next meeting will be April 22, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Washington Public Library meeting room.