SCLS All Directors Meeting Agenda

July 17, 2025

Kilbourn Public Library, Wisconsin Dells

In Person and Virtual

 

 

Welcome – S. Schultz welcomed the directors and staff.

 

Introduction of New Directors – S. Schultz introduced Fran Peplinski of AMH, and new SCLS staff member Madeleine Pitsch. Schultz shared that WYO is in the process of hiring a new director and that the village recently made a motion to keep the library open. Jessica Bergin of BAR informed the directors and SCLS staff that there will be a director vacancy at BAR very soon.

 

Review of voting process – S. Schultz reviewed the voting process and identified proxies for excused directors.

 

Delivery – C. Baumann was available to answer questions regarding delivery fees.

            2026 Fees and Votes: All fees were approved. Voting indicated 100% approval.

 

Technology and ILS – V. Teal Lovely clarified that because of the upcoming migration to SirsiDynix Symphony, GetIt was not included in the budget, as that service is associated with the current ILS only. She added that Acquisitions is included with Symphony.

2026 Fees & Votes: All fees were approved.

·         Infrastructure: Voting indicated 100% approval.

·         Network Services: Voting indicated 100% approval.

·         PC Support: Voting indicated 100% approval.

·         ILS Services: Voting indicated 100% approval.

 

WPLC Digital Content – J. Anderson was available to answer questions regarding WPLC digital content.

2026 Fees & Votes: All fees were approved.                                                     

·         Statewide OverDrive Buying Pool: Voting indicated 100% approval.

·         SCLS Advantage - $40,000:   Voting indicated 98.0% approval.

·         Statewide OverDrive Magazines:  Voting indicated 98.0% approval.

 

Discussion

·         J. Anderson informed the group that SCLS has funds available for Continuing Education activities. This is an update to previously shared information, at which time CE funds came from LSTA grants. Directors are encouraged to contact Anderson with questions and CE requests.

·         V. Teal Lovely led a large group discussion on AI and libraries. Directors expressed interest in continuing these conversations and some indicated the desire for critical training and education on the topic (practical and ethical uses, privacy implications, policies, etc.)

·         S. Schultz shared the following updates:

o   Next All Directors Meeting will be held on November 20 at SCLS Headquarters. The agenda will include a presentation of the SCLS strategic plan and a service priorities exercise.

o   Schultz intends to oversee a formal governance structure review, which is in the purview of the AC, in 2026. She will work with the AC on that process, and encouraged all directors to communicate with AC representatives so that the process includes everyone.

o   Gov. Evers signed the 2025-27 State Budget into law. The budget sees general wins for libraries, specifically an increase in aid to public library systems, increased support for periodical and reference information databases and continued support for library service contracts.

o   The Library Services Team at DPI is thankful for all the support they have received for their staff and the services they provide. In addition, the whole of DPI is undergoing a reorganization. State Librarian Ben Miller assured us that this is in response to recent strategic planning, and is not in response to a lack of federal funding on either the school or library side.

·         S. Schultz shared that “negative municipal attitudes towards the library's unique parameters” was a discussion topic suggested by one of the directors, and inquired whether this would be of interest to the group as a workshop at a later time. Overall consensus was positive, and most interested directors expressed that after the November All Directors meeting would be a suitable time.

·         Directors broke into small groups for discussion on the following topics of interest:

o   Managing a growing patron population

o   Staff resistance to change

o   Chapter 43 compliance

o   Networking

 

Beth Tomev of the DPI provided an afternoon workshop on Crisis Communications for Libraries: Navigating Challenges with Confidence.