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Muskego library director reports hires, phone changes, program funding review and Giving Tree fundraiser
Summary
The director told trustees the library will hire an administrative worker and a shelver, replace phone system routing, will not submit a separate capital request because parking-lot work is bundled into the roads program, and will run a Giving Tree fundraiser in late November.
Muskego — At the Oct. 21 meeting the Muskego Public Library director updated trustees on staffing, service changes and county-level funding review.
Staffing: The board was told the new administrative hire, Anne Henderson, passed her background check and will start Nov. 3; staff also plan interviews shortly for a shelver to replace a part-time shelver who returned to school.
Phone system and service changes: Staff said the library will implement a small phone-tree in coming weeks so callers are routed to circulation or reference options rather than directly to a desk. The library will also enable voice mail so patrons can leave messages outside desk hours.
Budget and capital: The director said the library did not submit a separate capital request this year because a portion of the parking-lot work was bundled into the city’s roads program; city staff told the library the work is scheduled for 2026. Trustees were told the 2026 schedule is the basis for not filing a separate ask.
Programs and fundraising: Staff announced a Giving Tree fundraiser organized by the Friends of the Library, to appear in late November with QR codes linking to wishlist items such as rugs for children’s areas and blackout shades for meeting rooms. The board was updated that Hoopla service recently ended and that a small final charge is expected.
Act 150 review: The director summarized an ongoing Waukesha County committee (Act 150) evaluating minimum-exempt requirements and the funding formula for libraries; changes under consideration could take effect in 2027. No decisions have been made, and staff will report updates that could affect future budgets.
Trustees asked for follow-up on whether the library can retain room-rental revenue in a board-controlled account; staff said city policy generally directs revenue to the city but that the director will confirm with the CFO whether the board can retain some funds at year end.
