Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes for May 2026

Regular Meeting of the Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees

6:00 PM May 11, 2026

Present: Kathy Denning, Becky Bahnfleth, Amy Pattee, Gary Schultz, librarian Sabrina Lewis, Jeremy Hall, city admin Shawnna Silvius. Absent Denise Suedkamp, Mary Beatty, Amy Parker.

Call to Order: Kathy Denning Public Comments: none

Secretary Report: The minutes of the April 2026 meeting were read and approved.

Financial Report: Account balances MSB $ 89,099.86 MSB $4,077.23, LPL Tony Hoegh $67,863.35 CFWI funds to be reported later, Memorial Fund $ 32,040.45

Librarian’s Report:
1. The Exchange: conference on arts community economic development will be attended on May 15 $60.00 paid for by Avoca Main Street.
2. Library use contract with the cities of Neola, Hancock, and Shelby will be submitted for approval to the state library and the state auditor.
3. The Pottawattamie county board of supervisors meeting was attended to promote National Library Week.
4. National Library Week April 19-25 saw 282 children use the library, the city council meeting was held at the library.
5. Director’s round table was attended in Elk Horn.
6. “Coffee Talk” presentation with Lauren Robbins was well received.
7. Partnership with Jr. Federated for Summer reading program.

Scheduled Events at the Library:
1. Movie Monday May 18th 10:00 AM.
2. Story time every Wednesday at 10:30 AM & Daycare outreach.
3. Friday Club at 1:00.
4. Book clubs 2x.
5. League of Human Dignity 1st Friday 1-3:00.
6. Summer Reading Presentation at the AHSTW school May 12th.
7. Library closed for Memorial Day May 25th.
8. D&D program for adults May 27th 6-8:00, all ages May 30th 9:30-11:30.

Old Business:
1. Strategic Plan
2. Trustee training link
3. 2021 Trustee Handbook.
4. Library landscaping has been completed with $8200 to be paid from memorial fund.
5. ADA Website compliance deadline changed to April 2028 compliance will be maintained by implementing ADA recommendation as they become available (ex. font and color)

New Business:
1. The bills and hours were approved and signed by Gary Schultz and Amy Pattee.
2. Reported gifts and memorials: $1000.00 by Roger Dollen for Brenda Dollen, $250 from Carol Busch, and $100 from Rose Gregory. Moved by Amy Pattee 2nd by Becky Bahnfleth and passed to continue to purchase Ingram ”Best Seller” books with donation from Dollens’.
4. Holiday hours: Moved by Amy Pattee, 2nd by Becky Bahnfleth and passed to not have the library open on July 3rd and 4th.
5. CFWI 5% distribution: Moved by Gary Schultz, 2nd by Becky Bahnfleth and passed to retain the 5% distributions in the CFWI accounts $26,563.92 Avoca Library Agency Fund and $10,172.64 Avoca Library Endowment Trust Fund.
6. Library water leak discussion: Bob McCarthy proposed flashing over vinyl siding and joint recaulking with work done by city employees will be looked into.
7. Tobacco and Nicotine policy review: Move by Amy Pattee 2nd by Gary Schultz and passed to update Library Behavior policy to include wording as set out by State of Iowa Department of Health and Human services Tobacco-Free/Nicotine-Free Policy
8. Jeremy Hall outlined the Summer Reading Program themed “Plant a Seed, Read”. Events include Lori Lynn sing-a-long story time, author presentations by Austin Frerick and Ron Rosmann, teen and tween activities lead by Evy Scott, presentation explaining honey production, raising sheep and chickens and a photo contest for teens.

City Council updates from city administrator Shawnna Silvius
1. Property tax bill education efforts.
2. Review and training on transparency and conflict of interest policy for all departments.
3. CFWI effort to organize a meeting to explain and resolve the issues of where the money is allowed to be invested, used, and controlled.
4. Pool sign up for season pass May 13th 6:00-8:00 pm at city hall

Trustee Comments: None

Next Meeting: Monday June 8, 2026 at 6:00.

Adjourned.