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Library director outlines blinds, AV and security costs and proposes space study after data shows heavy juvenile use
Summary
The library director reported payments for blinds and an AV upgrade, outlined a $50,000 CIP security allocation and shared collection data showing juvenile items account for roughly half of circulation.
Library leadership reported several facilities and collection items at the West Bend Community Memorial Library board meeting on Tuesday, March 18, including outstanding payments for blinds, an AV-system replacement, a $50,000 capital improvement project for door fob security and cameras, and a proposed space-planning study to respond to demand for more juvenile materials.
The library director told the board the library paid a prior-year invoice of $9,251.83 for blinds that were not invoiced last year, and that a current installation totals $21,443. The director also reported an AV upgrade for the youth story-time room that cost $8,715. On planned capital projects, the director said, “We will have the CIP this year with security modifications, dollars 50,000,” and described that the county capital share would cover 50% of that amount.
The board reviewed volunteer-produced collection data that shows juvenile materials account for roughly 50% of the library’s circulation while juvenile items make up about 35% of the collection; adult items account for about 46% of circulation and 59% of holdings, according to the spreadsheet the director shared. The director said the numbers indicate the library should expand its juvenile collection to match usage and proposed exploring options such as swapping the nonfiction collection upstairs with the youth collection or commissioning an outside space-planning study.
Architect quotes for a professional space plan were cited as about $50,000; the director said moving and renovation costs could add an estimated $50,000–$100,000 if the board pursues reconfiguration. The director recommended the board consider a committee to guide space planning and suggested that having a mayor-appointed voice or city buy-in might help secure support, but also cautioned that using library fund balance or strategic-plan money would deplete reserves.
Board members asked about whether the security allocation included ongoing software or support; the director said the system would be the same the city uses and the city would program fobs and run the system. The director also noted a separate carpeting/finish project and that some window blinds are higher-cost installs because of their location.
No formal vote was taken on the proposed space study or reconfiguration at the March 18 meeting; the director asked the board for direction and suggested follow-up through a committee process.
