Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes for January 2026
Regular Meeting of the Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees
6:00 PM January 12, 2026
Present: Kathy Denning, Becky Bahnfleth, Mary Beatty, Amy Pattee, Gary Schultz, librarian Sebrina Lewis, absent Denise Suedkamp, Amy Parker.
Call to Order Kathy Denning
Public Comments: none
Secretary report: The minutes of the November 10, 2025, meeting were read, corrected (no December meeting), and approved.
Financial Report:
Savings MSB $ interest CD SCSB no report $15,394.88 7/26/25 LPL Tony Hoegh $97,248.03. CFWI fund no report $182,765.12 PCCF Library Fund no report $500,808.42 Memorial Fund $ 43,669.07
Librarian’s Report:
1. November 21, 2025, 18 attended Know-it-all edition 3 trivia night
2. 12 attended the tree decorating event 5 new ornaments added pictures of the ornaments were taken and means of identifying the ornaments were undertaken.
3. Holidays on Main was canceled due to bad weather the theme will remain for next year
4. Adult craft class held Dec 3 book page Christmas ornaments was attended by 12 the next class will be Feb 11 book page roses
5. City of Avoca focus group for rebranding was attended by Sabrina Lewis.
6. Author visit will be Lesley Krummel.
7. AHSTW Literacy night will focus on library card sign up and introduction to Apollo
8. Pottawattamie County funds and open access funds to city general fund
9. ILOC January 29th will be attended virtually the key note presentation can be watched individually or as a group at the library if so desired from 6-7 PM.
Scheduled events at the Library: Movie Monday January 26th 10:00 AM Story time every Wednesday at 10:30 AM & Daycare outreach. Friday Club at 1:00 Book clubs 2x League of Human Dignity 2nd Monday 1-3:00 Author visit -Lesley Krummel January 26th 5:30-6:30 AHSTW Literacy Night January 23rd 5-6 PM Sensory Friendly Field trip January 26th D&D Events January 28th 6-8 PM and January 31st 9:30-11:30 Marne Elkhorn Internet safety February 11th 1:00 RSVP 7 participants so far. Adult Craft Class February 11th 6:30-7:30.
Old Business:
1. Strategic Planning Apollo change over 1/13/2026
2. Trustee handbook can be viewed at https://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/c-d/continuing-ed/conted-ials/archives-webinar
3. FY27 City Budget meeting attended by Sabrina Lewis and city administration amendments were reviewed final approval later.
4. Library landscaping with landscaping company or landscaping architect still being investigated will be discussed at a future meeting.
5. Apollo (Biblionix) will change over 1/13/2026. Paid for through memorial funds then switch to city funds.
6. Library roof still leaks attempts to alert city maintenance of the ongoing problem have not been addressed yet. The subject will be brought to the city administrator’s attention.
New business:
1. The bills and hours were approved and signed by Mary and Kathy.
2. Reported $750.00 gift from Marne Elkhorn, $50 memorial Jackie Jensen, and $100 memorial Dolores Harder. Approved $22.16 ornament purchase Brenda Dollen. Jr Federated Grandchildren books billed $48.08 to be returned to fund
3. Announcement new city administrator Shawnna Silvius
4. A request for use of the library for fund raising was discussed and tabled.
5. Summer performer guidelines (musician) spending allowance of $500-$750
6. No City liaison no updates.
Trustee Comments Amy Pattee alert the board to legislation that may be reintroduced concerning control over reading material. Gary inquiry to Advert for Library trainee position.
Next meeting: Mon February 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Adjourned