REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Winnefox Library System

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

 

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY INSURANCE FUND                 
Since at least the mid 1980s we've insured 'personal property' through the Local Government Property Insurance Fund (basically everything Winnefox owns except the vans).  The fund is requiring all who insure with it to have an up-to-date resolution of authorization.  The resolution is included as Exhibit A.  Discussion.  Action Requested: Approve the resolution in Exhibit A.

 

 

WINNEFOX STRATEGIC   PLANNING UPDATE
The strategic planning committee has continued its work over the past two months.  An assessment of Winnefox’s operating environment is underway on several fronts: 1) a subcommittee has been formed to study comparative service offerings and service costs of Winnefox and three other “peer” Wisconsin public library systems; 2) I have completed a report on the organizational structure, staff duties and personnel funding (see next report item); and 3) Mark and I are working on a presentation that will give a general overview.  The committee has also approved hiring a consultant to facilitate discussions among system member library directors about any outstanding concerns they may have with system service delivery and local library needs/challenges.  The consultant will also be asked to analyze the results of a survey of system member library directors about concerns with Winnefox and WALS technology support.  Minutes of the March and April meetings of the committee are included as Exhibit B.  Discussion.  Action Requested: None.

 

WINNEFOX ORGANIZATION, STAFF DUTIES & FUNDING REPORT

The report, delivered to the strategic planning committee at its May 22, 2007 meeting, is included as Exhibit C.  Discussion.  Action Requested: None.

 

 

WINNEFOX 2007 BUDGET                                   
Exhibit D. contains the letter fromRick Grobschmidt accompanying our second System Aids check.  It represents $228,966 for a total of $915,866 for 2007 that is 4.11% more than we received in 2006.  Despite this increase, the amount of System Aids hovers at 8% of the amount spent by local government on library service in Wisconsin – significantly below the 13% statutory benchmark set out for DPI budget requests.  Discussion.  Action Requested:  none.

 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS -

·        Report of System Activities, May 18, 2007:  Mark Arend’s latest report of system highlights is included as Exhibit E.

·        What’s Happening at Winnefox Reports:  I have initiated a bi-weekly email message to system member libraries reporting on the activities of system staff.  An example of one of these reports is included as Exhibit F.

·        The Universal Service Fund (USF) and Library System Funding: Included as Exhibit G. are a couple of items pertaining to state legislative activities pertaining to the use of segregated funds in the state budget.  The Universal Service Fund, an example of a segregated fund, currently constitutes about one-third of public library system funding from the state.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Gilderson-Duwe

Executive Director