All right, welcome, everyone.
It is six o'clock, so we will call the meeting to order.
Looks like almost everybody's here except for the one.
There is no correspondence that I'm aware of.
I don't believe there's anyone here from public comment.
So we move straight on to the minutes from July.
I'll make a motion to approve the minutes.
One second.
Thank you.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Invoices for July.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
We've had to spend some extra money on the HVAC.
And I think they have everything worked out.
It seems to be working.
OK, we do have some issues with thermostats in the study rooms.
It's set at 65, so we try to figure out
how to increase that.
But other than that, everything seems to be working OK.
Any questions regarding the bills?
Moved to approve.
I'll second.
Thank you.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Aye.
Aye.
Revenue and expense report.
So really, no difference.
This is from July 31st.
We're still right on tabs for the year.
Most of the, I just sent in a report to Mark with what we
think the final for the year would be.
And we'll be going through most of this budget.
Is there is going to be any savings?
It's going to be with wages.
There might be some savings there.
But other than that, we're right on schedule.
Tom, this came up a little bit at the finance committee
a few weeks ago.
But your request for a full-time children's librarian
and the topic came up about the additional reimbursement
we were getting from the town of Grafton,
since they aren't like, how does that money come in then,
when since they're no longer part of the monarch system?
But we received some of that money.
Can you explain how that works for cash?
So in this state of Wisconsin, I mean, it's actually
part of a law that if you live in a community that does not
have a public library, you can use a public library
and your county will reimburse for that use.
And I mean, you still pay taxes on that
at the county reimburses.
So the town of Grafton decided it no longer
wanted to be part of the city of Grafton.
So what that means is that now, every time their resident
uses us, we get reimbursed from the county.
And so that's based on the formula.
So ours is roughly around $6.15.
So just FYI, if our operations costs keep going down,
that money will go down as well.
So it's a formula that they came up to try
to be as equally fair to everyone.
So it's the same type of setup all across the state.
The only difference here is that Ozaki County
has agreed to pay 100%.
By law, it's only 70%.
So Dodge in Washington County only pays 70%.
So we have a lot of Grafton residents that use us.
So that's only going to continue.
I don't see any big changes.
So that's where the growth will come.
In addition, the county has agreed
to reimburse for the use of Overdrive.
But we haven't started the Advantage program yet.
So if we start the Advantage program,
where we pay that extra to get extra copies of digital content,
we will get reimbursed for that use.
So that should help us.
I mean, it'd be nice if we include
all the different resources.
But right now, it's just Overdrive.
Now, just Overdrive is important because it's
the main tool that we use to provide e-content.
And keep in mind, it was just purchased.
The state is looking at other alternatives
because I don't think the shoe has dropped from Overdrive
because their prices are just going to go up.
So keep in mind, I've said this many times before,
a lot of people think we get those books for like $12.
No, we have to pay $76 for the e-content,
for a digital copy.
And it all depends on what the publisher will allow.
Some are loosening up a little bit.
And but others are, you buy one copy.
It serves 26 times.
You've got to buy the title again.
So yeah, thanks, which is used.
That was used as a rationale for the full-time children's
librarian.
I didn't know how the reimbursement process works, so thanks.
I mean, if you really look at the costs of it's really
is very phenomenal because we're getting that extra money
and adding the position full-time,
it's not creating a lot of extra.
And there will be some savings in health insurance
because I believe two people have, two kids have aged out.
So price it will be a little bit lower.
So any questions about the report, finance report?
Make a motion to approve the report.
Oh, second.
Thank you.
All those in favor?
Aye.
OK, directors report.
So just enough to hear my very staff.
We are now down a shelver.
Mayor Nguyen is off to Stephen's point.
We wish her a lot of luck.
And we had a little party for her on Friday.
And so we are recruiting two 10-hour shelver positions.
We've already received 16 applications.
And so we should be able to find a big candidate.
We're not worried.
The building.
Gentlemen from Miller Electric.
Was there today?
It looks like we'll finally get that book locker ready.
Next week, they're hoping to put in the electric box
and network plug.
And then we'll let everybody take a no.
And then I'm going to say it's going to take about 12 weeks.
I'm sorry, six weeks to get the locker in.
And that's really one of the last things
that needs to be done with the grant.
And there's lighting that's going
to be installed above the spotlight collection.
And we met with, for guys' name, Miller, Jason.
And we're going to pick out the lights.
I think we picked them out so he just needs to be installed.
That was part of the grant.
Hence, it means spotlight, so we'd have a light on it.
And we're just waiting for the final report
regarding the wayfinding, all the different signage.
We've already received a report from the vendor
and gave him all our comments.
And so we're just waiting for his final report.
And then see how much it's going to be
and get what we can done with the rating money.
We still have not heard from the state regarding
the additional money that we may not get back.
And we don't really know when that's going to happen.
But other than that, the buildings doing good,
we just have that the controls issue
with the air in a couple of study rooms.
The library statistics, any questions?
Our numbers are looking really great for the year.
The summer reading program was awesome.
There'll be a full report the next month's meeting.
And I think it ended on Friday with the pool party.
There was over 135 kids, we showed up,
which is really impressive.
But we did not hit 800.
We hit 796.
That's in Telson kids.
And so in the report, we'll have it all broken down.
But kudos to the staff.
They worked really hard.
They had a lot of fun.
They were very popular.
And I think the programming numbers are going to continue to be high.
It's people are looking for affordable.
Programs for the kids.
And in this case, we're really good.
Kids are free.
And getting nothing but great comments.
Regarding Kate and Amanda with the story times.
It was a lot of fun.
There was a lot of proud kids with their minutes.
And everyone wants that $100 Amazon card.
So I hope we can get to it because adults can do it.
So I'm hoping a kid gets it.
When is the pick for that?
Friday.
Monday.
She told me it's Friday.
I was pulling it.
Okay.
Monday.
We can go into a new business.
Sure.
Yeah.
So I did get all my CE done.
Oh, my God.
Those were some long days.
I've also started 13 hours of different workshops.
So I'm just working on the final paperwork.
It's already been sent to the system.
But there are some changes because the forms have to be perfect before you send them in.
So I just got to make a few changes.
And then finally.
There was a person here who spoke regarding free printing.
And I thought this would be the time to discuss.
I will tell you right now what we do.
It is really rare where we will deny someone a print.
There are options.
Sometimes they'll say, we'll catch us.
And the next time you're in, or you can put it on your account.
And we've really have never had a problem.
Where someone couldn't get a print.
We, you know, for example, we have a lot of people who rush in.
And get a boarding pass, a print on a boarding pass.
Or tickets, concert tickets, all that type of stuff.
We don't want to delay that and, you know, over 25 cents.
So what are your thoughts?
We could not find.
I couldn't find. I know.
Rosalia looked a library that provided.
There were some that were providing free, but.
The accounting involved in keeping everything free.
It's a little cumbersome.
But.
I think you might have just addressed my question, Tom, in terms of our comparable libraries and what they're free printing or free pages.
Policy would be.
Nothing in the area.
You kind of do what we do.
You know, if someone needs something.
We're not going to deny someone.
A page.
Or a couple of pages.
However.
There are people.
We provided free printing.
They'll print a book.
I mean.
That's the thing.
We can't.
We already do.
I think a really good job of.
Making sure that people do pay for their printouts.
Because when someone wants something to print out.
We the staff at the desk has to.
Approve it.
And.
We have saved so much paper.
I mean.
You guys remember the beginning days of public Internet and libraries.
It was crazy.
People would print out whole reams of paper.
Oops.
So now we don't have that.
You know, probably on port are very good with.
Paying their fees and their fines.
And so.
Do you have any perspective on what you recommend for a policy or a rubric at least.
I mean, is it.
Good faith is it.
Yeah, I.
I kind of don't want to have an official policy.
I kind of.
I mean, it makes it easier for staff.
To make the decision.
I'm.
I'm the goal person.
I know it's probably really not the right term.
But since it's.
It really hasn't been a problem.
This wouldn't address copies, right?
Copies are not exempt from the, like this is set copies are separate.
No, because what we do is the coffee machine is a printer as well.
So, and that's actually.
I think a good idea because we save a lot of waste.
And.
Yeah, we'll get someone a free copy.
I mean, I'm not going to deny a senior citizen.
You know, I mean, it's probably they don't have.
Extra money or they forgot.
You know, we try to let them leave with a smile on their face.
But if someone comes in like with a hundred pages, it's like.
No, you got a.
Sorry, we can't.
Give this away because it is the tax for his money.
And I think we're.
Staff are very aware of that and, you know, but at the same time we want to give them some leeway.
Just because it helps with the customer service aspect.
And.
It is, you know, 25 cents.
I mean, it's a board wants us.
Change rules and be really tough on that. We can.
But since it's not really a problem.
It kind of be better.
Staff still have that little bit of leeway.
And it almost sounds like there's two different considerations. There's the funds.
But then also the staff time and management of the system is that fair to say.
In terms of the funds.
Would it be something rather than the board acting on it?
If it becomes something that is a point of conversation that could go to the friends for like a funding for community printing.
Yes.
And.
There doesn't happen that much. It wouldn't be a lot of funds.
It's just that it's the economy, you know, keeping it all separate and making sure you have the right button on the.
Because it happens.
It doesn't happen very often. So.
It's.
It's somewhat easier when it's we can't keep everything like clean and simple.
But like I said, we there was some libraries that they were they would use donation funds.
I mean, we can do that.
I just think.
My question.
I'm asking the staff is, has this person ever came up and talked to the librarians? I mean, I talked to librarians about everything.
And I afterwards she I wanted to talk to her basically after last meeting, but she went out the dog too quickly and I did not again touch it there.
No.
So you've never heard that. Okay. Because I was wondering if it was brought to the librarians first. That's I would have brought it up. I think.
Okay.
That's my question.
It's not like we're making money on copies and prints.
No.
I mean, paper costs money, toner and costs money.
It's really the toner. That's actually expense. Yeah. And we have a lease. So.
Which I think is going up next year a little bit. So we're on the same plan as city hall, which actually is really nice because it's clean and simple.
They're really quick to come and repair.
And I mean, we've had this printer for, I believe, three years, which is.
Pretty good.
But we just follow up. You know, it's a cooperation with the city. I think that's important. And it's been working fine.
I guess you got this on the agenda for past discussion, possible action.
Like what kind of direction you're looking for the from the board, then Tom.
I just want to do you guys want to pursue it or do we just.
Let it live for a while and just see how things go. See.
The demand changes and then we can revisit the way you describe it. It sounds like I can kind of get free printing now from the library.
I assume you wouldn't necessarily advertise this. No, obviously, right. It was just.
He is needed, but.
We don't want to deny anyone.
You know, it's like with fines.
You know.
We want the materials back. So if we get the materials back in good condition.
We can wave the fines.
And like I said, this is it.
It doesn't happen very often.
It sounds to me like step has the ability to wave that printing fee.
On a discretionary basis, you know, on an as needed basis, but it's not a daily thing. It's not a common occurrence.
This is what it sounds like to me.
Okay.
That's my question. So then, is there any action needed necessarily from the board or like we would just continue doing what the.
Continue what we're doing.
I think it's important to, because she addressed us, you know, we're talking about it and.
And we can leave it as status quo.
After her public comment, were there any other comments within the library staff or other public comments about it?
Yeah, I did talk to staff about it and.
Their whole thing. Well, how do we separate the money?
You know, because it's we have, I mean, unfortunately.
It.
The desk can get really busy and then you got it.
I mean, I know it may sound silly and not a big deal, but it just.
It's it's much more convenient and effective.
To let them make that decision.
And, you know, we're not going to let someone with 100 pages walk out.
Are there people that are doing that?
Yeah.
It's extremely rare because.
I mean, important people are very honest.
I mean, they truly, I mean, I'm still surprised somebody are so excited to pay their fines off.
And.
And they don't want to die on their record. They do not.
Which is really great. So.
So that's that's all I have.
I guess then perhaps no action is needed then. Right. No action. Okay.
All right. That's everything on our agenda. Do we have any other comments or input?
Tom, can I just ask, did the AC repair come into 1500.
Is that what you told us?
It was the estimate was 1500. I didn't get. I only got the agenda.
I don't know why I didn't get all the stuff I got.
But you had to go to the link on the city council website.
Okay. So that's probably why I didn't go that way. I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Actually, I think it was 1600.
Okay. I just wanted to know if it was close to that or.
Yeah, it costs a little extra because we had to bring in.
Two different companies to make sure to get it right. Okay.
Doing the controls and then.
Bassett who's a city does have a.
Service country service contract. Thank you.
And actually, he said, you know, it.
The repair person said, you know, this is what happens when you combine old with new.
It takes a little while to get them all to like each other and get it all to work, but.
Yes.
I was going to say the line item says 1571.
Okay.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I guess.
I guess make a motion to adjourn.
Please.
Second.
Thank you. All those in favor.
I adjourned.
Thanks, everyone.
So nice to see those numbers come at least close to what they.
Yeah.
Well, that's I didn't see it.
Never know.
I wanted to make sure it was like.
And this HVAC system in the library has been a nightmare for as long as I've been here.
Yes.
It's amazing.
Well, half the things are the windows.
Okay.
It makes me back in the day, I remember like making a note to myself.
Don't ever buy.
Whatever brand it was that we were dealing with.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you.