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Juneau Public Library trustees approve 2025 report, allocate surplus for maintenance and OK summer whale program
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting the Juneau Public Library Board approved submitting the 2025 Annual Report to the Department of Public Instruction, designated a 2025 budget surplus for specified building maintenance, and approved a $2,000 Forest Whales educational program for July 9, 2026.
The Juneau Public Library Board of Trustees on Feb. 11, 2026 approved several routine and program decisions, including submission of the library’s 2025 Annual Report to the Department of Public Instruction, designation of an unspent 2025 budget surplus for building maintenance needs, and funding approval for a summer Forest Whales educational program.
Vice President Rosemary Smanz called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. Trustees present included Brittany Binder, Jean Haan, Jenifer Hirschfeld and Wendy Jo Smedema; Christina Rollins attended as the Dodgeland School representative. Library Director Connie Schuett and Council liaison James Ronge also attended. Trustee Eileen Gratton was excused.
In routine business, Trustee Jenifer Hirschfeld moved to approve the meeting agenda; Trustee Jean Haan seconded and the motion carried. Trustee Brittany Binder moved to approve the Jan. 14, 2026 minutes; Trustee Haan seconded and that motion carried.
Director’s updates highlighted the library’s 2025 statistical infographic and the Feb.–March programming calendar; Schuett noted Friends of the Library Appreciation Day is set for March 24. She also reported that snow-removal costs have pushed grounds maintenance over budget, a factor that prompted the board to consider designating unspent 2025 funds for building repairs. Schuett said multi-factor authentication is now in place for all staff per Monarch IT requirements and summarized staff participation in the “Wild Wisconsin Webinars” on Jan. 21–22.
After discussion of a memo requesting carryover of unspent 2025 funds to City Finance, Trustee Jean Haan moved to designate the surplus for building maintenance needs — specifically, meeting-room blinds, weatherstripping and repair of lobby entry doors, and toilet paper dispensers. Trustee Wendy Jo Smedema seconded and the motion carried. Schuett plans to attend the March Finance meeting to answer questions about the carryover request.
The board reviewed the 2025 Annual Report and approved it for submission to the Department of Public Instruction; Trustee Haan moved the approval and Trustee Brittany Binder seconded.
Trustees also discussed bids for meeting-room shades (no formal award was recorded in the minutes) and approved a Forest Whales educational program scheduled for July 9, 2026. Trustee Wendy Jo Smedema moved to approve the program at a cost of $2,000; Trustee Haan seconded and the motion carried. The Forest Whales presentation will include a 56-foot inflatable whale and whale bones/replicas; Director Schuett will pursue sponsorships to help defray the cost.
The board set its next meeting for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 5 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
Votes at a glance: agenda approved (moved by Jenifer Hirschfeld; seconded by Jean Haan; carried); minutes approved (moved by Brittany Binder; seconded by Jean Haan; carried); surplus carryover/designation for building maintenance approved (moved by Jean Haan; seconded by Wendy Jo Smedema; carried); 2025 Annual Report approved for submission to DPI (moved by Jean Haan; seconded by Brittany Binder; carried); Forest Whales program approved at $2,000 (moved by Wendy Jo Smedema; seconded by Jean Haan; carried); adjournment approved (moved by Jean Haan; seconded by Jenifer Hirschfeld; carried).
