Appleton Public Library

Board of Trustees Minutes

November 14, 2001

Present: Bergen, Bergman, Bloedow, Chandler, de Young, Ducklow, Schuessler

Excused: Heuring, Dunlap

Others present: Dawson, Kelly, Lemke, Muench

President Schuessler called the meeting to order at 12:05 PM.

Communications

A thank you letter was received from Wisconsin Library Association President Mike Gelhausen acknowledging the Association’s appreciation to the Appleton Library Board of Trustees and the staff of the Appleton Library for the excellent WLA Conference that Appleton hosted the week of October 21^st. Bloedow moved to extend the Board's appreciation to the Staff for all the work that was put into making the Conference such a huge success. Chandler seconded and the motion passed.

Minutes/Bills

Minutes of the September 12, 2001 meeting were reviewed: Chandler moved approval, Ducklow seconded, and the motion passed. Ducklow moved approval of the September and October 2001 bill registers, Bloedow seconded. Chandler questioned the telephone account and after discussion it was suggested that when the contract expires in 2004, negotiations begin in 2003 to address the problems created by not being able to account for the expenditures. No action can be taken at this time. The motion passed

Committee Appointments

A copy of the Committee Appointments for 2001-02 was distributed to the Board.

Policy Changes

Changes to the language used in the Funeral Leave section of the Personnel Policy were presented for approval. The Library will use the City's Family Medical Leave Act Policy and reference it in the procedures section of the Personnel Handbook. Staff suggested changes to the Meeting Room Policy to allow more flexibility in the rules for use of the rooms by non-profit groups. Bergman moved to approve the changes to the policies as presented, Bergen seconded and the motion passed.

Director's Report

Dawson reported that the Finance Committee report on the budget would be presented to the City Council for approval this evening. At this time, the budget modifications requested by the Library Board are included in the budget. Bergen suggested that if the Library budget is approved as presented, a follow-up report should be given to the Council next year outlining what the Library was able to accomplish with all the funds received. Dawson noted that the County has increased its payments to OWLS for APL by $70,000 for 2002.

The Library will not close on President's Day in 2002 because many of the staff felt the workload was over-whelming at this time of the year. School Year Hours will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day and extend to the Saturday before Memorial Day. The rest of the calendar will remain the same as in prior years.

Dawson asked that the Scholarship Committee begin discussing the process for awarding the Frank P. Young Scholarship.

Other Business

Bergman made the motion that a letter of thanks be sent to County Chairman Paltzer in appreciation of the County's support of libraries, Bloedow seconded, and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.