Pause on Third on the Square, Progress Elsewhere: A February Board Recap

This was an operational meeting: infrastructure, staffing structure, facilities, grants, and compliance work. The notable procedural shift was the removal of the Third on the Square RFP from the agenda before action.

No public comment.

IT: Two People, A Lot of Systems

IT Manager Jay Gerlach outlined the scope of the library’s tech operations. The department consists of two staff supporting:

• 91 public desktops
• 31 public laptops
• 13 self-check machines
• 7 pay stations
• System-wide printers and coordination for roughly 91 staff devices

2025 usage included:

• 500,000+ homepage views
• 215,000+ public pages printed
• ~56,000 computer reservations

Roughly 10% of households lack home internet, and another 10% rely primarily on phones. A smartphone is not a substitute for a workstation when applying for jobs or completing coursework.

Other updates:

• Self-check replacements coming at Central
• Internal automation projects are underway
• Ongoing ADA website compliance work
• Exploration of digital shelving displays

Rural Services & Outreach

• Pulaski: approvals pending
• Denmark: construction progressing
• Bookmobile: with Jenn’s retirement, the outreach model and job description are being reworked

Leadership described a goal of more intentional outreach into underserved areas. Execution will determine impact.

Third on the Square

Director Sarah Sugden reported that draft structural documents for the Central/ADRC/Job Center collaboration are expected in May.

The RFP for architectural and engineering services was removed from the agenda and tabled. No further explanation was provided.

Organizational Restructure

The board approved a revised Table of Organization.

Changes include:

• New Business Manager position
• New administrative support roles
• Elimination of the Technical Services Manager
• Reinstatement of a Cataloging Librarian
• Consolidation of cataloging, safety, and technology under operations

John Van Dyke requested a review of the Safety Officer role.

The Deputy Director currently oversees roughly 10 direct reports– acknowledged as heavy. The structure may continue to evolve.

Grants & Annual Report

Approved:

• Capital project change orders
• Cash handling updates
• 2026 Library Services Grant
• 2026 Youth Services Support Grant

The board also accepted the 2025 Annual Report for submission to DPI. A deeper discussion will follow next month.

Director Sugden noted that COVID continues to distort long-term comparisons. Some usage categories remain below a decade ago, reflecting national trends. The larger question is how strategy adjusts.

Facilities

Updates were given on Ashwaubenon and Denmark. Both projects continue progressing through construction phases.

Safety & Saturday Operations

Deputy Director Alaina Morales reported that the 10:00 AM Saturday opening appears to be working, and the addition of Saturday security has reduced volatility and improved staff comfort.

A board member described calmer conditions during visits.

At the same time, visible security presence can be perceived negatively by vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health crises. Stability for staff and equitable access for patrons remain parallel considerations.

Compliance & Community Engagement

Updates included donation tracking and ongoing ADA website accessibility work, including alt text revisions and document remediation. Compliance deadlines are approaching, and the work is significant.