Lake Mills Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

3:30 p.m.

 

 

Meeting was Called to Order at 3:32 PM

·         Attendance

o   Members Present: Julie Aamodt, Larry Rice, Shannon Bruhns, Luke Peters, Jan Belica

o   Members Absent:

o   Staff Present: Kim Brackey, Library Director and Melanie Dauplaise, Youth Services Director

o   Public Present:

·         Agenda

o   Motion to approve the agenda by Larry Rice and 2^nd by Shannon Bruhns

o   Approved Unanimously

·         Previous Minutes

o   Motion to approve previous minutes was made by Shannon Bruhns and 2^nd by Jan Belica

o   Approved Unanimously

·         Monthly Finances

o   Motion to approve Monthly Finances made by Luke Peters and 2^nd by Shannon Bruhns

o   Approved Unanimously

·         Library Updates

o   The circulation report was discussed. Kim pointed out the decrease in all areas due to the completion of the Summer Reading Program.  This was to be expected and is not alarming. Numbers will increase again when regular programming starts this month.  It is also a great reminder of how valuable the Summer Reading Program really is.

o   Director’s Report: Kim shared a document highlighting the month. The Book Sale continues with prices decreasing.  Books are moving, but hopefully, there will be even greater movement when the Bag Sale level is reached. Reports to the State Library of Iowa were due by the end of August.  The Annual Survey is due at the end of October. It is completed other than some financial numbers she needs from City Hall.  Kim opted to wait until the audit and software transition had been completed before pursuing these numbers as it isn’t pressing at the moment. PLOW website work continues but will be discussed during Trustee Training. Lunch & Learn is underway again.  August L & L had a good turnout, and September’s topic should draw a good crowd as well. LMPL, LM Parks & Recreation, and LMCDC have been meeting, planning, and organizing the Fall Festival which is scheduled for September 24^th. Kim has been working on possible grant requests for this fall and hopes to submit them to the City for September’s meeting.

·         Youth Services Director Report

o   Melanie shared a written report with staff highlighting her activities over the last month. A youth event, “Fishing Lure Bracelets” was held with a follow up DIY/Make & Take event for adults (per their request) as well. She is busy preparing for the start of Little Learners and ATLAS this week. Melanie has, single-handedly, created the new PLOW website and it is nearing completion.  We plan to promote the new site in the next couple of weeks, replacing our current one with this ADA compliant version.  We have until the 2028 deadline to complete the process, checking each portion of the newly created site for compliance.  A new feature, “Break-In Boxes” were created to challenge children while in the library.  Clues are presented and they must use these clues to crack the code that opens the Break-In box and retrieve the prize inside. Melanie plans to offer one event in the fall and one event in the spring for youth in grades 6-8, coinciding with ATLAS, to check interest level and, hopefully, springboard into a regular offering in 2027-2028 to keep the middle school youth engaged at LMPL.  Melanie continues to complete all graphics/PR for LMPL on Canva as well as assist with regular library duties.

·         Old Business

o   The proposed Borrowing Privileges policy was reviewed. Jan Belica made a motion to approve the changes to the policy with Luke Peter’s addendum suggestion.  Larry Rice seconded the motion.  It was approved unanimously.

o   Brackey shared updates with the Board regarding the latest Community Wellness Center information and shared a short video walk-thru created by Atura.

·         New Business

o   Brackey shared copies of the previous three year’s budgets, as well as the final budget report for 2025-2026 ending 6/30/26. She asked the Board to be prepared to discuss it at length at the October meeting. She shared some areas in which she felt we could look at decreasing the budget, as well as a couple areas where we may need to request a bit more for next year.

o   The Bulletin Board and Displays policy, as well as the Confidentiality policy, were shared with Board members for review to be discussed in October.

 

·         There were no public comments

 

·         Trustee Training:  Melanie Dauplaise walked the Board through the process used to create the new PLOW website and the reasons for the changes. She shared some of the new website pages with the Board to illustrate the necessary changes in headings, contrast, etc., to become ADA compliant. Board members suggested we create a policy regarding social media and use of photos and videos to make sure patrons are aware of their right to opt out of any social media presence if so desired. Brackey will begin working on that and present for changes/additions/etc. at a Board meeting soon.

 

·         The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 6^th, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

 

·         Motion to Adjourn: Jan Belica.  Seconded Shannon Bruhns.  Approved unanimously.

 

·         Meeting Adjourned at 4:52 pm