September 8, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Library Board

The Library Board approved a rewrite of its bylaws, changing how the board is structured and how trustees can be removed. It also reviewed an early 2027 budget before it goes to the city’s finance committee.

Key Decisions

The board unanimously approved amended bylaws that shift the board from designated city, school and county seats to nine city-appointed community members, with a school administrator or designee included and a City Council member optional. The change also makes trustee removal a request to the city manager and council rather than a direct board action.

Library Director Terry Ehle presented the initial 2027 library budget and answered board questions before taking it to the city’s Personnel and Finance Committee. No budget vote was recorded, so the proposal remains an early step in the city budget process.

The board went into closed session for personnel compensation and personnel matters, citing the state’s employee-records exception. The minutes do not report any action after the board returned to open session.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

BOARD MEMBER COMMENT

Bonnie Shimulunas said recruiting people for board roles may be difficult as the bylaw changes take effect. She also shared information from a webinar on artificial intelligence in libraries and said the library needs to consider how it will address and use AI.

Minutes, page 1

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Passed

Director Terry Ehle updated the board on her six-month priorities. The board then approved amended bylaws. The revised rules change the board’s membership structure, set a three-term limit for city-appointed trustees, and require the board to ask the city manager and City Council to remove a trustee for cause rather than removing that trustee itself.

Minutes, page 1 Minutes, page 2 Proposal/background: Packet, page 54 Proposal/background: Packet, page 55

NEW BUSINESS

Ehle presented the initial 2027 library budget and answered questions before its planned presentation to the Personnel and Finance Committee. The board did not take a recorded vote on the budget, so the figures and priorities remain subject to the city’s budget process.

Minutes, page 2

BOARD EDUCATION

Ehle gave trustees two Wisconsin Library Association articles about how library materials are selected and how book challenges are handled. The board suggested reviewing the library’s collection management policy at future meetings, especially because several trustees are new.

Minutes, page 2 Proposal/background: Packet, page 68

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION

Passed

The board unanimously entered closed session at 6:56 p.m. to discuss personnel compensation and personnel matters under Wisconsin’s employee-records exception. It returned to open session at 7:08 p.m.; the minutes do not record any subsequent action on those matters.

Minutes, page 1 Minutes, page 2

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