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Cottage Grove library board approves meeting minutes and vouchers, outlines summer, Earth Day and STEAM plans
Summary
At its March 19 meeting the Village of Cottage Grove Library Board approved minutes and vouchers by voice vote, heard a programming update focused on summer events, an Earth Day series and STEAM outreach, and learned the library’s capital campaign shows about $535,000 in contingent pledges ahead of an April 1 election.
The Village of Cottage Grove Library Board on March 19 approved last month’s meeting minutes and the bills and vouchers by voice vote and heard a programming report that laid out summer events, a two-week Earth Day series and options for STEAM outreach tied to the bookmobile.
The programming update was delivered by Tracy (staff member), who summarized recent attendance and described an Earth Day with Your Friends series of five small events the library and the Friends of the Cottage Grove Library will run in April. “So I’m organizing 4 events, and the friends are organizing 1 event, and together we’re calling it the Earth Day with Your Friends series,” Tracy said, listing programs on DDT and local recycling, a Badger Talk about Aldo Leopold, a story time in the forest and a “birding with babies” event at McCarthy Youth Park.
Board members discussed priorities for summer, including continuing STEM and nature programming, repeat adult programs (shipwrecks and Great Lakes topics), Curious Critters and partnerships such as program exchanges with Monona Public Library. Board members asked about attendance patterns; Tracy said summer programming has been “definitely heavy on kid programming” and that adult attendance has been similar year-round. The board agreed to aim for a final summer program list for distribution to schools by May 23 if they want it sent to students.
Staff and board members flagged several outreach and logistical items: trying STEAM sessions at a bookmobile stop (bookmobile schedule noted in the meeting as approximately 5:45–7:45 p.m. at “the pig”), a June 18 hula-hoop program from Madison Circus Space, a bookmobile celebration, and continuing established events such as the Teddy Bear Sleepover with public safety and the Bridal/Disability Pride activities. The board also discussed outreach for Juneteenth and Pride flag-raising events and noted the need to coordinate with local community groups so those events are led by or in partnership with the affected communities.
In her president’s report, a board member said the library’s capital campaign had about $535,000 in contingent pledges and reminded the board that early voting and the April 1 election date are on the village website. The board noted that, if the referendum passes, the facility subcommittee may reconvene before the April meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes from Feb. 19, 2025 — Motion by Megan; second by JP; voice vote; outcome: approved (tally not specified in transcript). - Approval of bills and vouchers — Motion by Megan; second by Eric; voice vote; outcome: approved (tally not specified in transcript). - Adjournment — Motion by Megan; second by Ally; voice vote; outcome: approved (tally not specified in transcript).
The board set its next regular meeting for April 16 and listed revisiting the strategic plan and, contingent on the referendum outcome, reconvening the facility subcommittee as potential agenda items.
