Appleton Public Library

Board of Trustees Minutes

October 10, 2003

Present: Bergman, Bloedow, Ducklow Dunlap, Eng, Schuessler

Excused: Bergen, Chandler de Young

Others present: Attorney Behrens, Bend, Dawson, Kelly, Lemke, Lenz, Muench, Nitz, Shriver, Streyle, Van Lieshout, Wiltzius

Communications

President Bergman called the meeting to order at 12:04 PM. Dawson read a letter of resignation from Kathy Schuessler. Schuessler will be moving out of the City and, under the present statutes, will be ineligible to be on the Library Board.

Minutes and Bill Registers

Bloedow moved and Eng seconded approval of the minutes of the September 10, 2003 meeting. The motion passed. Ducklow moved approval of the September 2003 bill registers, Eng seconded. After some discussion of expenditures to date, the motion passed. In de Young’s absence, Bergman appointed Bloedow as acting secretary to sign the bills

Military Leave Policy

The Board reviewed the revised Military Leave Policy. Eng moved approval, Schuessler seconded and the motion passed.

Director’s Report

The Mayor has submitted his Budget for the year 2004 and as it stands right now, the Library will be asked to make several adjustments to the Budget the Board approved in June, 2003. The budget will require a 33% cut in part time non-benefited employees, no increase in the material’s budget, a $5,000 deduction in equipment, a $5,000 deduction in telephone, and a reduction in library programming. Due to the significant cut in staff, the Library will need to adjust the hours open. Dawson presented three different alternative schedules for the Board to consider and after considerable discussion, Eng made the motion to approve:

Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (or 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (closed in summer)

Schuessler seconded the motion and the motion passed. The motion could be reconsidered after final approval of the budget by the City Council in November.

Dawson asked the Board to approve the 2004 Calendar for the days the Library will be closed.

Including holidays as specified by policy, Dawson recommended closing on:

Jan. 1

Feb. 16

April 11

May 30

May 31

July 5

Sept. 6

Nov. 25

Dec. 24

Dec. 25

Dec. 26

Dec. 31

All Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day

Schuessler made the motion to approve the 2004 calendar, Ducklow seconded and the motion passed.

The Library will receive the 2003 Library of the Year plaque at the Wisconsin Library Association’s Award Banquet on Oct. 29. Seventeen library staff, Board members, and family members will attend the banquet. On October 9, WHBY radio will broadcast from the parking lot of APL with Mad Dog and Merrill cooking and serve lunch. There has been a staff committee formed to plan for a further celebration.

Dawson asked that the Frank P. Young Scholarship process begin and asked Wiltzius to facilitate the process with committee members: Dunlap, Bloedow, and Ducklow.

The Library Board Retreat is November 21, with the location yet to be determined. Planning Chair Bloedow will work on an agenda.

Other

Dawson has been elected Vice President/President-elect of the Wisconsin Library Association. This will be a 3 year commitment as Vice President, President, and Past President. Kelly has been elected to a three year term on the WLA Foundation Board.

Ducklow moved to adjourn, Eng seconded and the meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.