Mitchell Area Public Library board approves program funding, summer-reading budget and small purchases

Mitchell Area Public Library board members on Monday approved a package of program and equipment funding requests that library staff said will support summer reading, youth programming and day-to-day circulation operations.

The votes covered multiple small purchases and program budgets. The board approved replacing an older iPad used for the library’s point-of-sale system, modest supply requests for children’s and teen programs, seed-library supplies, and the library’s largest annual request: a children’s summer-reading budget Jean said totals $8,950 and includes a performance by hoop dancer Star Chief Eagle.

The board’s approval follows presentations from library staff about how the items support attendance and circulation. Kevin, the library director, said the existing iPad is a fifth-generation device that Apple has marked end-of-life and that staff have recently had problems with the receipt printer losing connection; the replacement iPad item was described as a basic model currently selling for about $300. Kevin said staff selected the purchase to reduce ongoing point-of-sale interruptions.

Jean, who presented the children’s programming requests, described a strong response to recent library events and said the summer-reading budget would cover performers, program supplies, prizes and volunteer gifts. “We had very, very strong attendance,” Jean said of a recent Creativity Day, and she told the board that the library’s gate count for that Saturday exceeded 300.

Staff detailed several smaller requests included in the package: - Seed-library purchases: staff reported receiving donations from seed companies and asked to buy roughly $100 in additional seed varieties plus approximately $250 in supplies (small baggies and tracking materials) to operate the seed library. - Dungeons & Dragons supplies: a small request listed $75 for dice trays, storage and dice. - Children’s Bookopoly (junior) supplies and prizes and adult/teen Bookopoly materials: staff said the children’s package is itemized and that adult/teen materials are being combined into a single request; the exact adult/teen dollar figure was not specified in the meeting materials presented to the board.

Jean also asked the board to fund a mural project in the children’s area by volunteer artist Stan Sherwood; she said Sherwood typically provides outlines and allows children to help paint sections. Sherwood’s previously quoted, general figure was about $500, but Jean noted supplies could increase that total.

On the Star Chief Eagle performance, Jean said a single evening show could cost about $800 and that adding a morning workshop could raise the fee to roughly $1,300–$1,400 depending on scheduling and whether other area bookings lower the rate. Board members discussed seeking outside sponsors to offset the additional workshop fee; Kevin said the library would pursue supplemental sponsorships as part of outreach.

A trustee moved to approve the funding requests and to seek up to $500 in sponsorships to help cover a possible morning workshop associated with the Star Chief Eagle visit; the motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the funding package.

Board members also approved routine meeting items earlier in the session, including the agenda, minutes, the director’s report and the financial report.

The board penciled its next regular meeting for March 18; staff said they will refine vendor quotes and follow up with the City Council on any supplemental budget requests required for larger items such as a digital sign.

Ending

Library staff said they will finalize vendor quotes and submit any required supplemental requests to the city. Staff also said they will solicit sponsors for the Star Chief Eagle workshop and report back at the March meeting.