The Mead Public Library Board, at its Jan. 28 meeting, approved funding for the installation of audiovisual equipment in the third floor Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center, which is under construction. The amount approved for the installation was a maximum of $20,000.
In other action, the board:

*Approved a statement with revisions concerning the effectiveness of the Eastern Shores Library System. A statement of effectiveness is submitted annually to the state Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning.

*Approved changes in the library’s policy for posting notices on the library’s bulletin boards. The policy sets priorities for posting on a space-available basis. The policy will be posted on the bulletin boards.

*Welcomed Henry Nelson as a new Library Board member replacing Marilyn Toepel who resigned before moving out of the City of Sheboygan.

*Approved a plan to change a programming specialist position from full-time to part-time, to be filled by internal recruitment. The person who held that position has retired. The remaining hours wil be assigned to existing staff members.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Dec. 17 meeting, agreed to transfer to the City of Sheboygan the library’s sick leave and vacation reserve fund balances now under authority of the Library Board. An agreement with the Common Council turns those funds, approximately $460,000, over to the Council which would then assume the responsibility for those liabilities in the future.

The board also decided to proceed with construction of the Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center in vacant space on the library’s third floor. Using bequest funds available now from Myrtle and Hazel Hansen, the space would be finished so it can be used for teen group programs. Later, when additional income is generated from the Maas bequest, the area will be equipped and furnished for regular use by teens. Mike Koenig Construction Co. of Sheboygan will be the contractor for the $64,950 project which is expected to begin in late January.

The board also approved the draft 2010 Initiatives for Mead Public Library.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Nov. 19 meeting, heard a presentation and accepted a report from Dr. David J. Ward of NorthStar Economics analyzing the fiscal flows of Mead Library’s membership in the Eastern Shores Library System (ESLS). The board retained NorthStar to calculate the cost/benefits of ESLS membership and to analyze the ecoomic value of tax dollar support for Mead Library. The report has been posted on the library’s web site (www.meadpubliclibrary.org).

Ward’s report was presented during the planned joint meeting with the Common Council Finance Committee. Since a quorum of the Finance Committee was not present, the meeting was not held and the two members present attended as observers.

The board also approved an agreement about the transfer of sick leave and vacation reserve fund balances now under authority of the Library Board. An agreement with the Common Council would turn those funds, approximately $460,000, over to the Council which would then assume the responsibility for those liabilities in the future.

In another matter, Marilyn Toepel announced her resignation as a board member. Tom Peneski was elected vice president, replacing Toepel. Her replacement as representative to the ESLS board was held for a future meeting.

The Board also approved five single furlough days for 2010. The library will be closed, staff will not report for work, and will not be paid for those days. They are: Jan. 18, Feb. 15, April 2, Oct. 11, and Nov. 26.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Oct. 22 meeting, approved a 2010 budget proposal to be forwarded to the City of Sheboygan’s Finance Department. The Common Council will review the budget and approves funding for the library.

The budget proposal from the board includes funding at “maintenance of effort,” a level that will allow Mead to continue to be a member of the Eastern Shores Library System and receive its state-funded services. The budget assumes there will be five furlough days when staff members must take time off without pay, resulting in a 1.9 percent pay cut annually. The budget also decreases the amount of money spent on purchasing books and other materials for the library’s collections.

The board also authorized a 1.5 percent general salary increase effective the first pay period in December in order to adjust the library salary schedule to coincide with that of the City of Sheboygan Schedule A. Synchronizing library salaries with other city employees has been the board’s policy going back at least 30 years, Library Director Sharon Winkle explained after the meeting.

In another matter, the board delayed action on the transfer of sick leave and vacation reserve fund balances now under authority of the Library Board. An agreement with the Common Council would turn those funds, approximately $460,000, over to the Council which would then assume the responsibility for those liabilities in the future. The matter will be taken up at a future meeting.

The board also agreed to advertise for bids for contruction of the Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center in vacant space on the library’s third floor. Using bequest funds available now, the space would be finished so it can be used for teen group programs. Later, when additional income is generated from the Maas bequest, the area will be equipped and furnished for regular use by teens.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Sept. 24 meeting, agreed with a recommendation by its Building Committee to move ahead with construction of the Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center on the library’s third floor. The room would be available for programs, but would not be furnished or equipped until more money becomes available. The construction will be funded by the Mead Public Library Foundation (using investment proceeds from a donation by Dr. Maas) and from the Myrtle and Hazel Hansen bequest. The project, budgeted at not more than $110,000, will be put out for bids.

The board also heard a Finance Committee report indicating a savings of $59,930 from the library’s one-week furlough in August and the suspension of the 1.5 percent mid-year staff pay increase. Those funds will be moved into a Sheboygan Transition and Recovery Resolution (STARR) contingency fund.

In other reports, the board learned that building delays will push back the dedication of the Myrtle and Hazel Hansen Teen Library Center. The board approved a new date of Nov. 22. The board also learned of a problem with termites in the building, the need for replacement of the outdoor book returns, and the resumption of materials recovery services after the recent computer system upgrade.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Aug. 27 meeting, approved a contract with NorthStar Economics Inc. to produce a Funding and Fiscal Flows Analysis pertaining to the benefits and costs associated with Mead Library’s membership in the Eastern Shores Library System. The report cost is approximately $19,000 and it is to be completed by Oct. 30.

The board also increased the contingency fund for the Hansen Teen Library Center construction and related projects from $7,500 to $15,000. Several change orders were required including replacement rather than repair of the drywall on the perimeter of the second floor.

The board also received the January-June 2009 activity report which noted that checkouts were up approximately 9 percent over the same time period last year.

The scheduled meeting with the Common Council Finance Committee was canceled due to a lack of a quorum for the Finance Committee.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its July 23 meeting, approved the Request for Proposals for Funding and Fiscal Flows Analysis. The report would analyze the benefits and costs associated with Mead Library’s membership in the Eastern Shores Library System. The board approved up to $20,000 for the study.

The board also approved action recommended by the Finance Committee to replace the elevators control switches on the three elevators in the building. This would make them more reliable and easier to maintain. The board approved the replacement at a cost of $9,000.

The board also approved guidelines for loaning laptop computers to be used within the library building. They would be available on a first-come basis and could be used for Internet by using the library’s wireless service. Borrowers must sign an agreement acknowledging financial responsibility for lost or damaged equipment.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its June 18 meeting, awarded the construction contract for the Myrtle and Hazel Hansen Teen Library Center on the second floor of Mead Library in the area just north of the staircase. The area is named in memory of the women whose bequest will fund the project.

The Library Board awarded the contract to Chappa Construction of Sheboygan Demolition work is scheduled for the week of Aug. 10, during which time Mead Library will be closed for a staff furlough week. The demolition is related to the future installation of a stairway in the Hansen space on the second floor. It will lead to the third floor area that is designated as the future Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center, a project to be funded by a bequest from Dr. Maas to the Mead Public Library Foundation designated to improve library services for young people.

The board approved a second project that will take place during the furlough week: replacement of very worn carpeting in the high traffic areas of the first floor. Dulmes Decor will perform the carpet installation.

The board also accepted a proposal for an engineering study related to work needed on the library's 30-year-old HVAC system to make air conditioning the building more efficient. Now, as a measure to save energy and money, the library runs only part of the system in the summer which results in the building interior being too cool.

The board also approved guidelines for loaning five Amazon Kindles purchased by Mead Public Library with funds from the William R. Werk estate, designated for materials that assist the visually impaired.

While the Kindle has features to assist a visually impaired person, any adult with a Mead Library card in good standing (not blocked due to upaid fees or lost materials) can borrow a Kindle through the second floor Adult Services department beginning in early July. Because it's considered a technology trial project, Kindles are not available through EasiCat or for those who have cards from other libraries.

Each Kindle will have the same 120 titles, a variety which includes many different types of books. The checkout period is seven days (with no renewals), one per household.

Because of the cost of the Kindles, borrowers must sign an agreement acknowledging financial responsibility for lost or damaged equipment and the late fee of $5 per hour the library is open.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its May 28 meeting, approved several recommendations from the library director to decrease 2009 expenditures in line with the 3 percent reduction required by the City of Sheboygan STARR program (Sheboygan Transition and Recovery Resolution). The board voted to suspend the July 1 general salary increase of 1.5 percent for library staff members. The board also approved a furlough for staff of one week during which time the building will be closed for public service. The furlough week is tentatively planned for the second week in August.

A study concerning Mead Library membership in the Eastern Shores Library System moved a step forward. The board approved creation of a "scope of work" draft for the study. The proposed fiscal flows analysis could help the board and the Common Council determine whether ESLS membership and EasiCat participation is a good value to City of Sheboygan citizens.

The board also heard a report from Marilyn Toepel, chairman of the Personnel Committee. She said the employment agreement between the board and the library director automatically renews at the end of 2009 for two years unless other action is taken by the board or the director. The board voted to confirm the automatic renewal.

In other matters, the board:
*      Met with the Common Council Finance Committee. Discussed were the actions taken to comply with the STARR program, the ESLS fiscal flows study, the 2010 budget outlook, and a report showing the increase in library use during the past six months.
*    Re-elected unanimously Bernard Markevitch as president, and Toepel as vice president. All committee chairs, members, and other appointments will remain the same, Markevitch said.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its April 23 meeting, agreed to a plan to purchase five Kindles, which are electronic book readers sold by Amazon. Funding for the project will come from the Werk Memorial for the Visually Handicapped since Kindles have special capabilities to make it easier for persons with vision impairments to read. However, use of the Kindles will not be restricted to those with vision impairments, said Library Director Sharon Winkle.

The Kindles will be checked out as a technology demonstration project at Mead and consequently will be available only to Mead Library cardholders who pick them up at Mead Library and agree to be responsible financially for the equipment. Each will contain five titles, with additional titles to be added monthly.

The Board also discussed the library chiller replacement project engineering study proposals so the work itself can proceed if federal stimulus funding is available.

In other matters, the board:
o    Heard that Ald. Marilyn Montemayor and Edward Wackowski have been reappointed to the Mead Public Library for terms ending April 30, 2012.
o      Heard Winkle report that library circulation in March was up 12.5 percent in March compared with 2008.
o Heard Winkle report that two outdoor and one indoor sculptures have been installed. The outdoor sculptures were donated to Mead Public Library; the sculpture in the foyer was purchased with donated funds.
o   Heard from Winkle that the Eastern Shores Library System will receive a $7,900 grant for services directed toward the needs of unemployed and underemployed area residents.
o    Received an update on the construction timeline for the Hansen Teen Library Center, which is being built with funds from the Hazel Hansen Bequest. Construction of the area on the second floor will begin in late July or early August.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its March 26 meeting, agreed to revise a 2009 Adult Services initiative to focus on basic computer and Internet use skills and support for online government services (such as unemployment insurance applications). The board had previously approved an initiative to promote information literacy, but Mead Library staff now see a need to provide basic computer instruction. Small group classes will be scheduled at the library beginning in May.

The Board also discussed the library chiller replacement project which was approved earlier for funding as a city capital improvements project. It now appears that the project may not be funded. If so, said Library Director Sharon Winkle, the library has funds in reserve to pay for an engineering study and then explore alternate funding, such as federal stimulus money. Board members agreed to send a letter to the Chair of the Committee of the Whole expressing concern that the library could not function without a working chiller, which is needed for air conditioning.

In other matters, the board:
o    Heard a report from Business Manager Mark Zehfus that the city's transition to new finance software, Munis, has caused delays in paying bills resulting in some late charges assessed to the library.

o  Approved a credit card application for Mead Library online transactions.

o   Agreed to accept a grant from the Gates Foundation Opportunity Online computer hardware program.o  Heard from Winkle that Mead Library has been authorized to have two VISTA volunteers working with Youth Services this summer.

o  Heard Winkle Report that library checkouts in December increased 11 percent and January was up 4.2 percent. February checkout was up 10.3 percent and visits to Mead Library were up 31.2 percent.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Feb. 26 meeting, approved several committee recommendations regarding expenditures.

The Board approved the purchase of an interior signage system to promote library services and events and the purchase of a new photocopier, both with Automation Reserve funds. Also approved was the replacement of Story Garden carpeting with funding from donations.

Major donors to Mead Library through the years will be recognized with the purchase of the sculpture “Font of Knowledge” to be installed in the entry foyer. The Board determined that donation funds will be used for the project. Another large-scale sculpture, “The Knot,” was accepted by the Board as a donation from Dr. Christopher Graf of Woodlot Gallery. It will be installed outside the library building.

The Board also approved an Information Technology Committee recommendation to migrate Mead's e-mail service to the City of Sheboygan equipment. That will allow Mead to comply with open records law while saving the cost of purchasing and maintaining a local server.

In other matters, Library Director Sharon Winkle:

ο    Requested a half-day Staff Institute on Thursday, April 30. The Board agreed that the library will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. so staff members can attend training about the 40 Developmental Assets program for teens.

ο    Reported that planning was under way to supplement the fixed public Internet workstations with laptop computers for teens and adults that can be used within the library building.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Jan. 22 meeting, accepted the recommendation of its Building Committee to choose a design option for developing the Hansen Teen Library Center. The area is on the library's second floor, near the staircase, where teen fiction materials are now located. The remodeling would create a more enclosed space for teens with casual seating and 12 computer workstations.Work on the Hansen Teen Library Center is expected to be completed by the summer. Funding came from a bequest from Hazel Hansen.

In other matters, Library Director Sharon Winkle reported:

o     There will be an additional source of Everhard bequest funds from an Everhard relative's trust.

o     The 2008 pledge payment from the Weill Charitable Fund has been transferred to the City of Sheboygan.
o      Eastern Shores Library System members, including Mead, will be allowed to designate some items to be available only at the library and not subject to requests.
o     The staff is planning a proposed half-day Staff Institute for training about how teens and children in the community learn and develop.

The Mead Public Library Board, at its Dec. 18 meeting, accepted a gift from Dr. Christopher Graf of a sculpture, "Storm Rock," for exterior installation. The acceptance is pending on getting permission for the installation outside the library on property owned by the City of Sheboygan.

The board also heard a report from the Building Committee about the status of the Hazel Hansen Teen Library Center, which will be on the second floor in the area where teen fiction books are located. It will include Internet computers for teen use and is expected to be completed before summer.

In other matters, the board heard Library Director Sharon Winkle report that some progress is being made by Eastern Shores Library System on issues related to the new library management software, and that the City of Sheboygan is implementing a new finance system.

View agendas and minutes from the Mead Public Library Board and its committees.

Information about the Mead Public Library Board of Trustees.