REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Winnefox Library System

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

 

 

WINNEFOX LIBRARY SYSTEM –                       This year’s System Annual Report is

ANNUAL REPORT                                                  included in your packet.  This is a required

                                                                                    report which must be submitted to the state in order for us to receive our second aids check.  Mark and Julie have prepared it with lots of help from others.  It describes our progress on goals and objectives from our Annual Plan.  Discussion.  Action Requested: accept Annual Report.

 

WINNEFOX COOPERATIVE                                 WCTS is based upon an agreement between

TECHNICAL SERVICES (WCTS)              each member library and Winnefox.  That

REVISED AGREEMENT                                        Agreement has expired and needs to be

                                                                                    renewed.  I’ve included a draft of a revised Agreement.  There are no substantive changes in the Agreement other than to update it for current dates and circumstances (language to be deleted is overstruck and new language is in italics).  Mark Arend and Cindy Wallace (WCTS), whose suggestions for change have been incorporated, reviewed the Agreement.  A copy was also sent to all WCTS Member library directors for comment.  The only comment received was that it looked good.  Upon your approval of the draft language, we will send it to all of the libraries for action by their Boards.  Discussion.  Action Requested:  approve draft WCTS Agreement as contained in Exhibit A.

 

WINNEFOX STAFF MANUAL                               Exhibit B contains revisions to the

PROPOSED REVISIONS                                        Winnefox Staff Manual that have been compiled by Mark Arend, Rick Bowman

and Julie Schmude (language to be deleted is overstruck and new language is in italics).  The

changes recommended fall into three categories: 1) cleaning up language (changing  inconsistencies, redundancies and grammar); 2) changes to reflect current operations (i.e. Assistant Director vs. Coordinator, paychecks are now direct deposit, etc.); and 3) clarifying part-time staff benefits.  Vacation, sick & personal time is pro-rated for anyone working more than 86 hours in a month (20 per week).  Holidays are eliminated because they're difficult to calculate, but an increase in personal time makes up for it.  Health insurance is eliminated, but no employees are affected by this change since none of the current drivers are taking it anyway.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve Staff Manual revisions as contained in Exhibit B.

 

2003 WALS BUDGET – REVISION                       We have proposed several revisions to the

                                                                                    2003 WALS budget (Exhibit C).  The WALS Executive Committee, who agreed by consensus to all the changes, has reviewed these revisions.  The shaded items in the budget summary in Exhibit D identify those areas of the budget changing.  The Maintenance category is dropping by over $27,000 because we now don’t anticipate the computer system upgrade until November rather than May, thus deferring some increased maintenance costs.  We have revised the Capital Expenditures item upward due to the

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fact that our most recent revised upgrade quote from SIRSI now includes Fond du Lac Public

Library.  The increase in this line item is offset by an increase in revenues from our Shared Capital Reserve account – a wash.  We are now reflecting $56,100 in LSTA (federal) grants for Kingston, Packwaukee and Fond du Lac to join the shared automation system and to help with the cost of the upgrade.  And we have lowered the Interest revenue projection by $26,000 due to lower interest earnings.  In general, none of these changes affect anyone’s costs for service for 2003 and for the most part were anticipated, but couldn’t be exactly predicted at the time we prepared the budget.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve proposed WALS budget revision as contained in Exhibit C.

 

2004 WALS ASSOCIATES FEES                            The WALS Executive Committee met

                                                                                    to review the 2003 WALS budget revision proposal, to get a preview of the 2004 Preliminary WALS budget (based upon the inclusion of Fond du Lac Public Library) and to discuss setting 2004 WALS Associate Fees.  After review of all the above items, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the fee schedule included in Exhibit D.  These fees represent a 3% adjustment to the base fee and a 2nd year reduction in the Gates Server grant reduction factor (planned last year when we proposed a significant temporary fee reduction because of receiving Gates Grants for server upgrades).  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve 2004 Proposed WALS Associates fee schedule as included in Exhibit D.

 

2003 WINNEFOX LSTA GRANTS/                        Exhibit E contains grant notification letters

BUDGET REVISION                                               and abstracts of the two Library Services

                                                                                    and Technology Act (LSTA) grants for 2003/4.  They collectively represent $63,800.  Most of the money, $56,100, is applied toward our WALS automation consortium and is reflected in the budget revision previously approved.  Of that amount, Fond du Lac PL is receiving $25,000 and Kingston and Packwaukee are receiving $10,000 each toward their startup costs of joining the automation consortium.  The remainder, $11,100 is being used to help pay for part of the SIRSI upgrade.  The final $7,700 is being used to complete a project to purchase assistive technology devices for several Winnefox member libraries that will improve access to electronic resources, by people with special needs.  Upon approval, we will make the necessary revision to the Winnefox budget reflecting the additional $7,700 in LSTA funds.  Discussion.  Action Requested: accept 2003/4 LSTA grant awards as described in Exhibit E.

 

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RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS           On April 5th, Berlin Public Library will be

ON THE BERLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY                  celebrating their 100th anniversary of

CENTENNIAL                                                          establishment as a public library.  Since the

                                                                                    Celebration of a centennial is a significant milestone, so we have prepared a Resolution for your approval which Mark will share at their Centennial event.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve Resolution of Congratulations as

contained in Exhibit F.

 

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF                           Exhibit G contains a proposed Resolution

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES                   opposing significant cuts to shared aids

                                                                                    to municipalities and counties as well as the proposal to repeal the 1872 free public library statute or to even weaken it.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve Resolution as contained in Exhibit G.

 

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES                                           This will be a regular feature of our  

STATUS REPORT                                                    reports for the rest of this year.  Mark and

                                                                                    I will report to you on the status of issues as they affect Winnefox and our member libraries.  I’ve included several items for your information.  Exhibit H contains a summary from the Wisconsin Library Association of legislation and budget issues affecting libraries.  It is current as of March 20th.  Exhibit I is a chart from the same source describing the historical trend for public library system aids.  The estimates are predicated upon the Governor’s budget proposal.  Exhibit J includes the state charts showing the effect of the Governor’s budget proposal on shared revenues in each of our member counties.  This is a very significant issue for libraries since 90% or more of library funding comes from city and county property taxes.  Anything affecting a municipal or county budget, ultimately affects the library budget.  We will discuss the latest activities on these and other issues.

 

Oshkosh Public Library has updated a special section of our web site entitled Wisconsin State Budget - http://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/pages/state_budget/wistatebudget.html.  It is frequently updated with links to the latest information, news stories, about the budget bill.  Last year, this was the busiest page in the Oshkosh Public Library web site and its use is growing again.  Another source of good information about library legislative issues is the WLA website and especially - http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/legis.html.  Discussion.  Action Requested: none.

 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS -

 

·        Trustee Manuals -.those of you who asked to continue getting a print manual will be receiving your updated Trustee manuals at this meeting. 

 

 

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·        Winnefox Assistant Director’s Report – Mark has prepared a report (Exhibit K) identifying a number of activities/meetings that have been occurring during the past couple of months in order to keep you informed.

·        Correspondence – I have included a very nice letter (Exhibit L) from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Elizabeth Burmaster.  While it was addressed to Oshkosh Public Library about our Dr. Seuss hats on our Lions, I thought it was worth sharing since I think it says a lot about our new Superintendent.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

John V. Nichols

Director