lbm19861104November 4, 1986
MUSKEG0 PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD 3 ' Muskego City Hall
Present: Board members Christenson, Leichtfuss, Matheson,
eanders, Turzinski, Wolf and Director Holly Sanhuber. Excused: Buhrandt,
Mimier, and Roberson.
Christenson. Agenda was approved by motion of Ed Turzinski; seconded by
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by President Ray
Ruth Leichtfuss. Minutes of October 7, 1986 meeting were approved by
motion of Ruth Leichtfuss, seconded by Don Matheson. Next meeting
scheduled December 2, 1986.
Treasurer's report: Motion by June Wolf, seconded by Ed
Turzinski, to approve October exps?nditures in the amount of $12,093.09.
October WCFLS expenditures in the amount of $3,083.23. Motion carried.
Motion carried. June Wolf moved, and Ed Turzinski seconded, to approve
Communications: none Guest comments: none
Old business:
a. Friends of the Librar.y. Mention was made of the stenciling
January.
demonstration on November 5th and a flowers, of Wisconsin program in
b. Trust Fund now stands at $18,139.71.
c. Librarian's report: read and placed on file. Copy attached.
d. Interlibrary cooperation: no report.
e. Automation: Waukesha Public Library has selected INLEX as
their automation vendor. The system runs on Hewlett Packard hardware and
the City of New Berlin already uses it, so there is a chance New Berlin
Holly talked about the demonstration grant which has brought the LePac
library will be able to automate as well, as they have funds set aside.
machine to us. A sheet in tonight's packet explains some of the
terminology and reasons the library is excited by the opportunities of
this new technology.
New Business:
a. 1987 budget: Holly t.hanked the board for their support at
meetings. At this point it looks: as though the operating budget will
are able to spend system money to fund the position. Holly emunerated
remain the same as last year's. There will not be a new page, unless we
pros and cons, and it was decideel-to wait until the new year to see what
the system budget looks like, as that is not money we presently have in
hand. Holly mentioned how valuable she finds direct communication with
the Mayor on administrative matters.
b. Workshop/meeting attendance: There has been some criticism of
the way departments send staff to meetings, etc. Holly gave a report
(copy attached) of her rationale, which was approved by the board.
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meeting with an eye to simplification, and a proposed re-wording
c. Business cards: this policy (VII/K) will be looked at next
5 accompanies these minutes.
d. The police department is working on a bond schedule revision,
and a fine has to be set for violation of 9.34, Muskego Municipal Code.
'Don Matheson moved I and June Wolf seconded, that in cases of petty theft,
materials, be recommended. Motion carried.
a $100.00 fine, plus court costs, plus the cost of replacing the stolen
e. Check return charge: In the case of bad checks, June Wolf
moved, and Ruth Leichtfuss seconded, to institute a $10.00 service charge.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
I Secretary pro-tem
.
'? LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
November 4, 1986
It took the combined expertise of Byte Shop and Central Office
Systems, but my computer is finally talking to my typewriter. This is
being typed into the former and printed by the latter. Hallelujah! a.
Charlene Lenzen and I went to an unemployment hearing for
Evelyn Wink. The decision was in the city's favor. She has since
appealed that ruling, and the commission will review it sometime next
spring.
Charlene and I attended a lecture, sponsored by the CCBC, and
given by Newbery Award winning author Elaine Konigsburg.
LePac training was held last week at Waukesha. A
demonstration follows this meeting for anyone interested. I will be
happy to repeat it for people who could not be here tonight.
Waukesha Public Library has selected INLEX as their automation
vendor. The vote of the committee to recommend this system over DYNIX
was unanimous, and the Waukesha Public Library Board agreed with this
choice. The City of New Berlin has Hewlett Packard equipment already, '
and it is anticipated New Berlin library will be anxious to join the
system.
month. Their witchy appearance last week was enjoyed by the costumed
Melissa Matz and Teri Searing have been busy programming this
children, who held a parade in the library. The first of our
cooperative programs with Park an.d Rec was very successful. An
Regular storyhours ended with "Ha.t Day," and a new session starts
Discovery Days Preschool and Vernon Daycare also came for storyhours.
soon.
a offlclal '. from Lincoln State Bank even helped carve pumpkins.
This was another 10,000 crirculation month, with evenings and
Saturdays being especially busy.
October's Artist of the P.onth celebrated the work of Victor
Chambers.
yesterday, and we are taking part by making the books available.
The school district's "Readers' Choice" program began
well underway, so I anticipate bringing more policy matters to the
board in the next months.
On a more mundane note, revision of the procedure manual is
philosophy of neeting and wcmrkshop attendance to the library
At the November, 1986 meeting I outlined my
board. After reaffirming the importance of such attendance,
they requested that the points I had made be put in
permanent written form:
assigned to the staff member/s who I feel will benefit from
the training, or who work in the area being discussed.
Since each library job is different (beyond the basic
functions - checking books in and out, shelving, etc.) an
individual staff member's needs and skills will differ.
Attendance at meetings, workshops and conferences is
Basic clerical skills (ability to type and file) are
necessary to begin work here: everything else is learned on
the job. This training is accomplished by sending all
paraprofessionals to the A-50 course offered through the
university extension, by in-service staff meetings, through
instruction by more experienced staff, and by attendance at
special events. The system offers four half-day free
workshops. These are often held in the mornings when we are
closed, usually at a county library.
events. That is especially done when the topic is
automation, because both public and technical services are
of both types of workers because the field is unfamiliar and
covered at the same time. We need the input and expertise
rapidly changing.
It is true that we send more than one person to some
is an obligation of our membership. We do this within
reason, and because if staff constraints, as little as
possible. Reading for this committee work is often done at
home, on our own time.
Serving on working committees for the library system
The two professional librarians attend one or two
Madison is the farthest away we've gone. The events we
day-long sessions per year. The tuition is reasonable, and
sessions, and then exchange information. According to state
choose are often multi-sessioned. We attend different
grade I certification. It seems wise that the Assistamt
statute., the Library Director in a city our size must hold
Attendance at conferences is .one way of obtaining points
Library Director should also retain her certification.
both librarians have taken university courses without cost
towards those needed for re-certification. In addition,
to the city. Writing book reviews and teaching courses are
also fone in free time. mileage and workshop fees are the
only cost for which we are reimbursed, and thy come out of
the WCFLS budget, not the operating expenses. Lodging,
meals, tuition, membership fees and he costs of professional
addition, lectures and conferences often take place in the journals are all borne by the individuals involved. In
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evening (as was the case with the Konigsburg lecture
mentioned in October's libra,rian's report) or on weekends,
a further saving for the city.
There has been some criticism of a stress workshop
to which I sent almost everyone. It was held the morning
the hole for the elevator was cut in the library floor. As
one of the people who remained behind, on the theory that
the captain goes down with the ship, I can truthfully state
were the ones who left the library for the sake of learning.
that the people who gave the city their due that morning
Extraordinary situations call for unconvenional measures.
I feel our approach to release time is conservative
and well thought out. Workshops are a time for our staff to
step back from their daily rs>utines, to learn new skills,
and to renew their energies. I feel they form an important
part of the continuing educa.tion of the employee.
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