Sidney Public Library
Board Meeting
Date: 8/11/2025
Meeting Start Time: 4:30 pm
Meeting Finish Time: 5:27pm
Board Members Present:
Nancy Sanders, Marva Ellwanger, Makayla Neuhalfen, Rebecah Propst
Others Present:
Kristen Breining, Heather Rohm, David Scott, Autumn Ramirez, Sara Cottrell
Board Members Absent:
Tanya Lewis
Motion to excuse Tanya from the meeting was made by Marva Ellwanger, seconded by Nancy Sanders., Unanimous approval. Motion carried.
Meeting Called to Order At: 4:30 PM by Marva Ellwanger
Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph
Acknowledgement of Open Meetings Act
Friends Report given by: Nancy Sanders – nothing to report today.
Comments from the public: None
Approval of Minutes from previous board meetings: Nancy Sanders made a motion to approve meeting minutes from June 2025. Seconded by Rebecah Propst, unanimous approval. Motion carried.
Bills & Financial Reports:
Makayla made a motion to approve, Nancy seconded. Unanimous approval, motion carried.
Report From Staff:
Heather Rohm reported an Amazon check was lost. Tanya will need to go to Security First Bank to cancel the check as she is the only authorized signatory on the account. Need to update board member signatures. Tanya has been emailed with the request to cancel the check. There will be a $32 check cancellation fee.
Kristen reported that the Library BOD will need recertification with 20 cumulative continued education hours by 8/18/25. Autumn provided additional information on available courses. Kristen will send the BOD an email with a link for recertification. BOD will divide hours. Needed for the library to stay accredited.
Kristen asks the BOD for a copy of bylaws, Autumn will email Kristen the bylaws.
Kristen provided the BOD with the OverDrive Renewal Agreement. Annual subscription is $951.10 for 9,511 residents. The library has a credit of $496.90 that will be applied to the total due. Total remaining due will be $454.20. Marva signed the renewal agreement.
Kristen provided the BOD documentation for the 2025 Nebraska Library Association annual conference in York, NE.
Total proposed cost for 3 attendees: $1,546.30. Conference fees before 8/31 $375, after 9/1 $450. Travel fees: $195.30 gas/mileage. Lodging: Approx. $515 for 2 nights, 2 rooms. Per diem total: $462.
Conference will include office management training, AI courses, sessions for learning for all age groups, expanding online presence, passive programming, STEM & more.
Nancy asked how many staff will stay in the library while the 3 staff attend the conference. Kristen answered two staff will stay to man the desk/office during normal business hours.. Staff will receive credits towards NA Librarian Certification Program.
Motion to approve: Makayla, Rebecca seconds. Unanimous approval.
Motion approved.
Kristen reported that her computer can only access online accounts. Autumn spoke with Dave Porter, he apologized that he has not been back yet and will contact Autumn to schedule a time to return to contact the previous Library Director to obtain Microsoft Office key.
Comments from the public: None
Unfinished Business:
Carpet cleaning – Autumn thinks it will be easiest to close the library August 29th to clean and that will give over the weekend time for the carpet to dry. A/C will need to stay on the entire time.
Motion to approve library closure on Friday, August 29th by Marva, seconded by Rebecah Propst. Unanimous approval, motion approved.
Bookmobile:
Autumn asked when the vendor can have more drafts of bookmobile exterior artwork
Heather said by August 14th or 15th. Heather will send pictures and prices to Autumn. Autumn will forward to the BOD.
Autumn – Eileen’s retirement party will be August 28th from 2pm-5PM in the Library. She said that anyone can bring a card or gift. Autumn mentioned everyone can also pitch in together to get a gift.
New Business:
Introduction of new Library staff Kristen Breining the Office Manager and Sara Cottrell of Children Services.
Closed Session:
Makayla made a motion at 5:00pm to enter a closed session for personnel discussions. Rebecah seconds, Unanimous approval. Motion approved.
Closed session ended at 5:27pm
Next Regular Meeting: September 8, 2025
There being no further business the meeting as adjourned at: 5:27pm
Sidney Public Library Foundation
Board Meeting
Date: 8/11/2025
Meeting Start Time: 5:31 pm
Meeting Finish Time: 5:34pm
Board Members Present:
Nancy Sanders, Marva Ellwanger, Makayla Neuhalfen, Rebecah Propst
Others Present:
Kristen Breining, David Scott, Autumn Ramirez
Board Members Absent:
Tanya Lewis
Marva motion to excuse Tanya from meeting. Nancy seconded, unanimous approval. Motion approved.
Meeting Called to Order At:
Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph
Acknowledgement of Open Meetings Act
Approval of Minutes from previous boarding meetings
Nancy moves to accept previous minutes. Marva seconds motion, unanimous approval. Motion carried.
Bills & Financial Reports: Rebecah motion to approve, Marva seconded. Unanimous approval. Motion approved.
Report From Staff: None
Comments from the public: None
Unfinished Business: None
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Next Regular Meeting: September 8, 2025
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at: 5:34PM.
