REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Winnefox Library System

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

 

 

DELIVERY VAN PURCHASE                                The recently acquired delivery vans were                                                                                               purchased without air conditioning.  I have discussed the impact of this decision with Mark Arend and with the delivery drivers, and recommend acquiring vans with air conditioning.  My memo detailing the dealer’s offer to substitute vans with air conditioning is included as Exhibit A.  The cost of the air conditioned vans will be $15,996 each.  Although higher than the initial purchase price of $15,540, it is still well below the originally budgeted amount of $20,000 per van.  Discussion.  Action Requested: approve acquisition of two air conditioned delivery vans.

 

BLUE DOOR CONSULTING –                              In 2003 and 2004, Blue Door Consulting

MARKETING RESEARCH REPORT                   was engaged to study and make

MAY, 2004                                                                recommendations on the marketing

                                                                                    challenges faced by Winnefox and

Oshkosh PL, and the organizational assets available to address them.  Consultants Heidi Strand and John Ingala interviewed staff from the system and from system member libraries as well as area library users and non-users.  Their report, dated May, 2004, is an inclusion.  An executive summary of the consultants’ findings appears on pages 2-6.  I suggest that the report be used to inform a strategic planning process for Winnefox.  By highlighting the disengagement of some segments of our patron population from the public library’s service program, the Blue Door report echoes recently published studies from OCLC and ALA.  I will share these other studies with you in future months.  Discussion.  Action Requested: accept report.

 

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

2005 ANNUAL REPORT                                         is included in your packet as Exhibit B.  

This is a required report which must be

submitted to the state in order for us to receive our second aids check.  Mark Arend and Julie Schmude 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 2005 Annual Report.

 

WINNEFOX LIBRARY SYSTEM                          Since the last election of officers produced

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE                   some changes in the Executive Committee,

                                                                                    it was necessary in accordance with the By-Laws, to modify the makeup of the Committee to maintain a balanced geographic distribution.  A memo from Board President, Lewis Rosser, with the revised Executive Committee appointments, is included as Exhibit C.  Discussion.  Action Requested: none.

 

WINNEFOX LIBRARY SYSTEM                          Exhibit D contains a Depository Resolution.

DEPOSITORY RESOLUTION                                Discussion.  Action Requested: approve Depository Resolution as contained in Exhibit D.

 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS -

 

·        An Overview Of Winnefox Library System Activities In 2005:  This report from Mark Arend is based on the narrative sections of the annual report to the state.  It is included in your packet as Exhibit D.

·        Report of System Activities, March 16, 2006:  Mark Arend’s latest report of system highlights is included as Exhibit E.

·        Director Activities: In my first two months or so as Winnefox Executive Director, I have worked at informing myself about staff, services, operational challenges and member concerns.  I have visited the libraries in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Menasha and Ripon, and I have seen the WCTS operation at the Berlin Public Library.  I am impressed by the dedication of the staff of the member libraries and of the system, and by the beautiful library facilities I have seen.  Mark Arend and I will attend the Public Library Association Conference in Boston during the week of March 20th.  We may have highlights to report if time permits.

·        Unanticipated BadgerNet Router Purchase:  The telecommunication network used by WALS is a combination of FoxNet and BadgerNet.  BadgerNet, the state network that serves most of Wisconsin’s schools, public libraries, and academic institutions, is in the process of moving to its next-generation system.  Winnefox has been involved with the planning of that migration over the last 18 months. Late in that planning the state discovered that it would be necessary for most participating institutions to replace their routers.  This was not known at the time the 2005 WALS budget was approved.

We have ordered routers for the libraries that need them.  The cost is just under $30,000 and will be paid from WALS capital reserve funds.  The smaller libraries will have the option of paying for the equipment over the next several years as part of their Associate fees.

·        Trustee Manuals:  Those of you who asked to continue getting a print manual will be receiving your updated Trustee manuals at this meeting if you haven’t already picked them up.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Gilderson-Duwe

Executive Director