McLean County Times

Golden Prairie Public Library District Board of Trustees met Feb. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order

President Anderson called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 pm.

II. Roll Call

Trustees Present: Ruth Novosad, Stephen Peterson, Jim Russell, Patti Salch, Kathy Vroman, Ary Anderson

Others Present: Nan Goerlitz, Jeanne Hamilton

Absent: Stephanie Walden

III. Introductions

There were no introductions.

IV. Public Comments

There were no public comments.

V. President’s Report

There was no report.

VI. Approval of Minutes

A. January 17, 2024

Ruth’s name was misspelled in one spot. The minutes were approved as corrected.

VII. Staff Reports

A. Director’s Report: Jeanne Hamilton indicated that construction is going very well. The second floor on the other side of the temporary wall is mostly open space (for bookshelves) with two rooms for the Innovation Lab and the Teen Space, so that space is moving along quickly. Downstairs is more complex with the Circulation Workroom, Technical Services, and the break room making construction more involved. She has received requests for staff tours and will start those soon once carpet is installed. The library will host a grand opening once construction is completed.

B. Outreach Report: Colleen Shaw highlighted the updated Bookmobile schedule and answered questions about the changes.

Colleen indicated that the library has a community partnership with a group through Chestnut Health Systems. That group wants to do backpack distribution to rural areas, specifically Arrowsmith and Ellsworth, for anyone needing help with addiction or recovery. They are looking for contacts in these areas. Patti Salch suggested contacting the Ellsworth Fire Department or the Methodist church in Ellsworth. Jeanne Hamilton indicated that Stephanie Walden is the Trustee from Arrowsmith, so Colleen could reach out to her for contact information since she was not at the February meeting. The library will not be involved in distributing backpacks, just in getting contact suggestions to the group.

Jeanne Hamilton followed up on a request from Patti Salch regarding Bookmobile schedule distribution in Ellsworth. A staff member took them out to the Ellsworth post office last week.

C. Financial Report: The report is in the packet. Jeanne Hamilton stated that the amount approved at last month’s board meeting for capital purposes is being held in the GPPLD money market account at First State Bank & Trust, which is indicated in the report.

VIII. Unfinished Business

A. Strategic Planning Process: Kathy Vroman reviewed next steps with the board. She requested 30 minutes at the March meeting to work on goals. In the interim, each Trustee should think about what the goals should be to support the vision statement. She presented a three-tiered approach starting with Strategic Goals, then Mid-Level Goals, and drilling down to Initiatives. The question was raised to Jeanne about how involved she or the staff will be in the initiatives. Jeanne stated that, depending on the goals and initiatives, it may be work already underway for the Bloomington service area that can easily be duplicated for the GPPLD service area or it may be the board members taking on most of the work. She’d prefer to wait until the board reaches that point and weigh in on specifics.

IX. New Business

A. Approve New Vision Statement: Increase awareness for library access and encourage more use of library programs, services, and resources by our community members.

RUTH NOVOSAD MOVED, AND PATTI SALCH SECONDED, TO APPROVE THE NEW VISION STATEMENT.

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

X. Comments from Board Trustees

Ruth mentioned that she used the library’s Conference Room for a meeting recently. The online booking and use went well and her group was impressed.

Patti wished Stephen a happy birthday. She also mentioned hearing about proposed legislation in another state to make the school libraries submit lists of books checked out by students and if the parents deem the materials inappropriate, the librarians could be arrested.

XI. Reminder

A. Next Board Meeting is March 20, 2024

XII. Adjournment

Ary Anderson adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m.

https://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/sites/default/files/content/minutes/GPPLD%20February%2021%202024%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf