_07212026-2969

Approved Minutes Monona Public Library Board Library Board Room July 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m. I. Roll Call Library Board Trustees Present: Joseph Swinea, Secretary; Roselyn Ebel, President; Christina Jones, Vice President; Margaret Clark, Community Representative; Wilhelmina Fessenbecker, Community Representative; Library Staff Present: Director Ryan Claringbole Library Board Trustees Absent: Doug Wood, City Alder; Dan Hilgartner, School Board Representative; II. Call to Order A. President Ebel called the meeting to order at 7:02 III. Approval of Minutes A. President Ebel moved to approve minutes B. Secretary Swinea seconded the motion C. Motion passed unanimously IV. Appearances A. None V. Consent Agenda A. Review of and Approval of Bill Payments, Financial Report, and Activity Report B. Vice President Jones moved to approve C. Representative Fessenbecker seconded the motion D. Motion passed unanimously VI. Library Director’s Report A. The Friends of the Monona Library has new leadership, with Allison serving as the Board President. 1. The Friends are discussing strategies to increase fundraising, with some concern regarding costs and expenditures due to inflation. 2. There is an additional focus to increase awareness in the community of the Friends of the Monona Library. B. Director Claringbole signed the contract for the Strategic Plan and will be setting all milestone dates for the project within the next 2-3 weeks. C. The library’s circulation supervisor submitted their resignation to pursue other ventures D. SCLS is hosting a town hall conversation with library directors and staff to discuss whether it is necessary to remove reading history of patrons’ accounts prior to 2020 E. The library is looking at making it possible for members of the public to purchase t-shirts, hoodies, and other items with the library logo on it via a commerce website. VII. Board Discussion Topic A. Summer Reading Program 1. The library has 1,453 registrants for the Summer Reading Program in Beanstack. B. Facilities 1. The library suffered HVAC issues in late June a) Components were broken in RTU 5. b) The issue was resolved after three days. 2. The library roof needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent severe leaking into the library due to pooling and cracks in the membrane. 3. A contractor has advised that at some point in the future, the lower-level doors will need to be replaced. 4. The HVAC project has been moved up and demo will begin August 10 a) There will be a dumpster in the parking lot to help clear debris and construction waste. C. Landscaping 1. The library has heard negative comments about the landscaping of the library. a) The library budget landscaping line item was reduced last budget cycle. b) Director Claringbole is working with local Master Gardeners who are volunteering their time to beautify the grounds. c) Director Claringbole is also working with the City facility staff to trim some of the trees and do clear-cutting of weeds and plants. d) The library is open to different groups volunteering to help D. Goal Setting E. Staff Feedback F. Capital Budget 1. Director Claringbole is moving forward with the two project proposals introduced at last month’s board meeting: a) New self-check kiosks b) New circulation desk G. Circulation Supervisor Position H. Book, TV, and Movie Recommendations VIII. Action Items A. Officer Elections 1. President Ebel made a motion to nominate Joseph Swinea to fill the role of secretary, Christina Jones as Vice President, and Rose Ebel for President 2. Vice President Jones seconded the motion 3. The motion passed unanimously IX. Announcements A. Next Board Meeting: August 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. X. Adjournment A. President Ebel moved to adjourn B. Representative Clark seconded the motion C. Unanimously approved D. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 Minutes recorded by Joseph Swinea, Secretary Minutes approved on August 18, 2026