Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Great Falls Public Library trustees approve routine items, hear public concerns about meeting notices and remodel plans
Summary
Trustees approved the agenda, minutes and financial reports and heard public comment urging clearer website notices about the meeting reschedule and opposing plans that would relocate or isolate the children’s area; staff reported remodel renderings are in development and the director evaluation may be moved to June.
The Great Falls Public Library Board of Trustees met March 30 and approved routine governance items while hearing public concerns about meeting notices and proposed remodel concepts.
At the start of the meeting, the board unanimously approved the agenda after a motion by Trustee Jessica Crist, seconded by Trustee Sam DeForest. Resident Richard Irving used public comment to say the library’s website and packet materials “did not clearly reflect that the March 24 meeting had been rescheduled to the current meeting date,” and urged the board to correct the discrepancy, warning such errors could “lead to potential legal or public trust issues” if left unaddressed. Chair Anne Bulger and Trustee Noelle Johnson agreed to record in the minutes that the meeting was a rescheduled session.
The board also unanimously approved the February minutes (motion by DeForest, seconded by Johnson) and accepted the financial reports (motion by DeForest, seconded by Crist). Trustees and staff discussed the format of the vendor summary and an additional detailed sheet generated from the city system; Director Amy Dissmeyer and staff said the extra detail was added to improve clarity. Dissmeyer confirmed that the newly installed phone system is “installed and is functioning well.”
Irving reiterated concerns about financial transparency, suggesting the library maintain a separate, standard debit-and-credit set of records to improve public readability, a proposal board members noted would require additional work and expense.
On facilities, Irving also objected to remodel concepts he said would relocate or isolate the children’s area; the board heard that Cushing Terrell is preparing visual renderings. Dissmeyer said the firm’s materials will be displayed at the Montana Library Association reception in Great Falls on April 15, when the library will close at 5:30 p.m. for an opening reception and the Montana Book Awards.
Board members discussed scheduling for the library’s strategic-plan work with consultant Ms. Sloan and whether future sessions should be virtual or in person; Bulger asked trustees to provide April availability. The task calendar was adjusted to reflect the new director’s hire, and trustees discussed moving the director evaluation to June and soliciting suggested goals and questions in advance.
Trustee Jessica Crist thanked colleagues and staff for support following a recent family loss; Chair Bulger offered condolences. Director Dissmeyer said she has met individually with nearly all staff and has been meeting with city officials and participating in community events to learn local priorities.
The board moved to adjourn and voted unanimously; Bulger adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: motion by Jessica Crist, seconded by Sam DeForest — passed unanimously (Anne Bulger, Jessica Crist, Sam DeForest, Noelle Johnson, Whitney Olson voted yes). - Minutes (February): motion by Sam DeForest, seconded by Noelle Johnson — passed unanimously. - Financial reports: motion by Sam DeForest, seconded by Jessica Crist — passed unanimously. - Adjournment: motion by Sam DeForest, seconded by Jessica Crist — passed unanimously.
Next steps: the board will record in the minutes that the March 30 meeting was a rescheduled session, trustees will provide availability for strategic-plan scheduling, and the board may consider a motion at the next meeting to reschedule the director evaluation to June.
