La Crosse Public Library  
800 Main Street  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
La Crosse WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Library Board  
Tuesday, May 9, 2023  
5:00 PM  
La Crosse Main Library  
Auditorium (Lower Level)  
800 Main Street  
Call to Order  
1
PRESENT: Sue Anglehart, Kathy Ivey, Katie Bittner, Ross Seymour, Araysa Simpson,  
Mac Kiel, Aaron Engel, Jess Thill  
ABSENT: Erin Raymus  
The Chair, Ms. Anglehart, called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.  
Introduction of Library Board Member, Erin Raymus  
2
3
Ms. Raymus was unable to attend the meeting. Introductions will be postponed until  
June.  
Approval of Minutes from Regular Board Meeting – April 11th, 2023  
Motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Board Meeting of April 11,  
2023.  
(Kathy Ivey/Ross Seymour) Carried  
Approval of Minutes from Committee of the Whole – No May Meeting  
Approval of Bills & Financial Reports – March & April 2023  
4
5
Motion to approve the bills and financial reports from March and April 2023.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
Reports  
6
6.1 Director’s Report  
6.11 Vacancy Report / New Hire Updates  
Ms. Grant announced that Kahoua Vue will be moving from a part-time  
position in Circulation to fill one of the two retirement vacancies in Collection  
Management. Interviews will be conducted this week to fill the vacant  
position.  
6.12 Operational Updates  
On the ILS migration front: Ms. Grant has mentioned in the past that  
WRLSWEB is investigating options for a new Integrated Library System. The  
field has been narrowed to two products, Sirsi Dynix Symphony and  
Innovative Polaris and a group of six staff from around the system (including  
Lindsay Schmitt from LPL) conducted site visits to see these products in  
action. The Network Advisory Committee meets May 11th to discuss a future  
direction.  
Staff Training and Continuing Education  
The Wisconsin Association of Public Library (WAPL) conference took place at  
the end of April. Three LPL staff members presented: Marcellese Powell  
presented on our Patron Relations model, Kam Hartfield and Emily Mootz  
presented on their work with Project Proven and Jail Outreach.  
It’s Annual Performance Appraisal time! Managers and Supervisors are  
working on staff annual performance evaluations. In part, this determines  
eligibility for step increases provided to eligible city employees in July.  
6.13 Programming Highlights  
The Tool Library went live this month. On June 2nd, Mayor Reynolds held  
open office hours in the library. He plans to make this a more regular  
occurrence. Library staff is getting geared up for the Summer Library  
Program. The youth program kicks off June 3, LPL is excited to be  
collaborating with La Crosse County Library.  
6.14 Strategic Planning Updates  
The Steering Committee continues working on compiling a list of focus group  
candidates. Board and community members are encouraged to reach out with  
recommendations.  
Staff survey was shared last week.  
6.2 Committee of the Whole Report – No May Meeting  
New Business  
7
7.1 Approval of Teen Space Policy  
Ms. Grant reviewed the long-time practice of designating an area in the library  
specifically for teens and stated this policy would formally support the  
designation of our Teen Space.  
Motion to approve the Teen Space Policy striking “main floor” from original  
text.  
(Katie Bittner/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
Old Business  
8
9
Public Comment / Other  
Comment from Board member Katie Bittner—"Incredible, awesome programming at  
North. Great feedback from the community about the youth department—Thanks!”  
Topics for Future Meetings  
10  
11  
10.1 Annual Performance Evaluation of Library Director in June. Information  
shared May 1st, evaluation due to Kathy Ivey by May 31st.  
Adjournment  
Time: 5:22 pm  
Motion to adjourn.  
(Araysa Simpson/Ross Seymour) Carried