[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6266288,"mediaKeyId","3087249-997b2f74d68ab107bce6426283325655","parentId",3087249,"title","Library hires children's services staff and moves summer reading to paper after Beanstack fees rise","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",230000,"endMs",465000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087249-997b2f74d68ab107bce6426283325655&start=230&end=465","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087249-997b2f74d68ab107bce6426283325655/thumbnail_230000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266288/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Library-hires-childrens-services-staff-and-moves-summer-reading-to-paper-after-Beanstack-fees-rise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266288-42424e10cdb442e2e2badb4404f8d0d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445403&Signature=agsQXQMzyr~aWYCTXfpZvURyHQUdcJUya0K4NM489RZVKXeKbB3WVrKNR-Abd2ync0S-s9bENuDqeqZLJLlVyYPHWAQVUJpgiVfWDga4P-t4icPmlOtiJZ5sQgc2v2uo4T57TkRuMxFDj2OWT9sQ14eJVWWfVZ5WARI2zsQjZtcON0QvKUoFl-ss7rqw6Rq7UTVX7n6JV7xFPeeNYPKociq7J9T1uXeNSffU8m~8NVv91Pcf00-sASPCFeaMBzNozjMV0cIv8LLv~RcY4tTt5I2kywGWebZ4FJoSksnsi0amzOUET0rdhUGWqrfJ37~ArBlfQIdXVq8rJEuQw7iEPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T00:40:49.477Z","article","The Port Washington Public Library reported it has hired Kate Kirschner as a children's services staff member and will replace its digital summer reading tracking with paper records after the state stopped covering the Beanstack subscription fees, staff said at the board meeting.

Library staff described Kirschner as joining the library from the Horicon Public Library with more than eight years of experience; staff said Kirschner started her position the day of the meeting and plans to begin a master's program in the fall. The library also announced it will post a revised storyteller position after the prior storyteller, Amy, gave short notice and left.

Library staff explained the summer reading program's tracking will move from Beanstack to paper because the state and system will no longer pay for the software subscription. Staff said Alyssa migrated existing Beanstack data into paper forms and that the library has simplified procedures so children will not need to use a tablet to document reading. Staff described a planned pool party for summer reading participants that is already booked with the parks department; the meeting included two possible dates mentioned for the event.

Staff also raised concern about federal funding for BadgerLink after learning the federal office that supports museum and library programs experienced funding cuts that may affect state payments. The library director said the state museum/library office had not yet communicated a final decision and that the library system has started an advocacy campaign, including distributing postcards to encourage residents to contact legislators.

The board discussed usage trends and said foot traffic has increased after an earlier drop. Staff noted the library's donation funds are typically used for food, prizes and program supplies; staff said donation funds total roughly $22,000 and generate about $10,000 annually from two private endowments used for program innovation.

A screening of the documentary Free for All, followed by a discussion led by Cedarburg Library Director Linda Eastwood (a Port Washington resident), was announced for June 1 at the Rivoli Theatre from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., staff said. The board encouraged attendance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-21 City of Port Washington, WI Library Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Port Washington Public Library announced the hire of children's services staff member Kate Kirschner, will post a revised storyteller position, and will shift the summer reading program from Beanstack to paper after cost and state-payment changes; staff also warned of potential federal cuts to BadgerLink.","taxTitle","Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",70176,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6266293,"Library board approves up to $100,000 from reserves to cover renovation shortfall",2219,987000,3206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087249-997b2f74d68ab107bce6426283325655&start=987&end=3206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087249-997b2f74d68ab107bce6426283325655/thumbnail_987000.jpg","/articles/6266293/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Library-board-approves-up-to-100000-from-reserves-to-cover-renovation-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266293-7233071146e4709404cacd5b633e5228/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445403&Signature=UD1wNSTjWVpe4n1wKVv4xxheweT8VCozlU1tJdq-O8I4N53HjFEZ2dK39-nbozO0N~ZU2j6Rj5QcBqv2QmBYrGWX-RfsTEoWUtdbhweIzIeTDrqKRmp8c7ysw6cqZU0ME4MhDYjnzCHlECS1mkdPbx2X-U87TEgCfpvTCqhQo~veBltK2KDoAV9pUJf9ZQ6BQHAQpR3viIeaZ3lFC3uaVBbo0KYQvrfVVID86TwJAdR2fMrHlQcJcNXzl3dokBdJSkJRlKsNj0N-f8QVT~B-AQg9DT8E8WIzFVc1ogH63~YcyIR78PQlHIsfJnnhFEAk5FpETbue-FToEdBMg832Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Washington Library Board voted to approve using up to $100,000 from library reserve funds to cover costs not covered by a Flexible Facilities Grant for the library renovation project, the board said at its meeting. The motion passed after discussion about contractor bids, asbestos removal and which building costs are paid from separate city funding sources.

The item matters because the library must fulfill grant deliverables to receive the grant payment, but the low-bid construction package exceeded the grant allocation. Staff described a multi-source financing plan that includes the grant, city capital borrowing for HVAC work and the library's own reserve and donation funds to cover gaps.

Staff told the board that Dufek Construction of Waukesha was the contractor chosen for the renovation. A bid presentation showed the total construction bid split into an HVAC portion and the library renovation portion; staff later described the contractor bid as roughly $1.16 million, with about $203,000 for HVAC and roughly $962,000 for the renovation portion covered under the grant. The grant amount cited by staff was $1,093,348. Board members discussed a remaining difference (identified in packet materials as about $52,350) and other line items such as computers, furniture and appliances that were not fully covered by the grant.

An asbestos survey identified additional asbestos-containing flooring under carpet in the community room. Staff said the kitchen asbestos tiles had already been removed, and recommended coordinating abatement timing so work in the community room could wait until after the summer reading program; staff and the city project manager said abatement contractors must perform the tile removal because city maintenance staff are not certified for asbestos removal. The board discussed delaying community-room abatement until after summer reading (the summer reading program was described as running through roughly the second week of August) so the room could remain available for youth events during peak months.

Board discussion also clarified that HVAC costs are being funded separately through city capital borrowing (bond proceeds) and are not drawn from the Flexible Facilities Grant or the library reserve funds. Staff described using discounts from TechSoup (a Gates Foundation–affiliated nonprofit reseller) for computing equipment and noted the library has approximately $100,000 in carryover/reserve funds accumulated from insurance savings, lighting savings and staffing changes; board members asked that future uses of the reserve be placed on the agenda as an approval item.

After extended discussion about contingencies and the risk that abatement or renovation contingencies could increase, a board member moved to approve using up to $100,000 from library reserve funds to fulfill items included in the grant package and cover contingencies tied to the renovation; a second followed, and the motion carried. The board and staff said any unused reserve funds would be returned to reserves and that staff would continue to pursue value-engineering opportunities to reduce construction costs.

Votes at a glance
- Approve March meeting minutes: motion passed (vote recorded as 'Aye' by members present). The transcript does not list individual vote names.
- Approve revenue/expense report: motion passed (vote recorded as 'Aye').
- Table item/amendment on a finance report for next month: board agreed to table that item to next month for clarification.
- Approve use of library reserve funds up to $100,000 to fulfill the grant requirements and cover contingencies: motion passed (\"Motion carries\").
- Adjourn: motion passed.

Board members and staff said they will report back to the grantor as required and that project kickoff and scheduling will include coordination to avoid major disruption of summer youth programming.","The Port Washington Library Board voted to permit use of up to $100,000 from library reserve funds to cover items not fully funded by a Flexible Facilities Grant for a planned renovation, after staff reported a contractor bid and unexpected asbestos costs that left a funding gap.","actionData","errors"]

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Library hires children's services staff and moves summer reading to paper after Beanstack fees rise

Library board approves up to $100,000 from reserves to cover renovation shortfall