Rib Lake library director reports on busy summer

The Rib Lake Library gave a report to the board during the monthly village board meeting meeting on August 9. The purpose of speaking in front of the board was to give the board an update on the success of the library and highlight the budget that they have been working with for years.

Tamara Blomberg, the Rib Lake Library Director, spoke about the success of the summer programs the library offered. She said “This year’s summer library programs (during the months of June and July) had seventeen different programs that brought in nine hundred people.” She continued, “We are doing things to bring people into the community.”

Blomberg then highlighted numbers from the Library’s 2022 annual report. The library had eleven thousand four hundred and forty visitors in 2022. Those visitors checked out fifteen thousand four hundred and fifty- six items.

Blomberg then discussed the a few key take aways that she wanted the board to know. The first being that there is a basic formula that the Rib Lake Library uses to request funds from Taylor County. She wanted the board to know that it isn’t a random request for funds and that the county generally funds the Rib Lake Library at least one hundred percent of their request.

The second take away that Blomberg wanted the board to know is that the formula they use only includes physical items that are checked out from the library. (In 2022, this number was fifteen thousand four hundred and fifty six items.) It does not include programs, printing, faxes, computer use, WiFi, or even digital downloads.

Third, the Taylor county requests excludes anyone who uses the library that has an address within the village of Rib Lake. Blomberg made clear, “We are not double dipping.”

Lastly, Blomberg requested (as the board starts budget talks next month) reimbursement from the Village for $43,784. Currently the Rib Lake Library gets $37,000 from the village. Blomberg pointed out “I looked back ten years and we have not had an increase in those ten years.” She added that she would like to increase the pay of their employees. She said, “four of our six employees make less than $12/hour. Ogema has an open position and they are starting at $12/hour President Bill Schreiner requested that Blomberg provide the board with a copy of the budget. Blomberg said she would get the board that information before their next meeting.

Historical Display

There will be a new display coming to the Village Hall in Rib Lake. The Rib Lake Historical Society has been working on a display detailing the railroad history in Rib Lake. Bob Rusch of the Rib Lake Historical Society said, “I think its going to be a marvelous display.” This display will be ready by November 1. While speaking to the board, Rusch asked that the board also consider a ribbon cutting ceremony when the display is finished and put up at the village hall building.

During Rusch’s discussion with the board, he also asked that others with historical items from the Rib Lake area, contact the Rib Lake Historical Society. He asks that residents loan them photos and documents of Rib Lake’s history so that they can scan them and return them.

Band Shell

Trustee Russ Bullis gave an update to the board on the band shell project. Since representatives from the Friends of Rib Lake Group were unable to attend, he said that he had spoken to Laura Deuso, a member of the Friends of Rib Lake Group, earlier in the day. Bullis said, “The Friends of Rib Lake have met with an architect and they should have drawings by mid-September.” He also mentioned that, “The group would hope to finish the project by Ice Age Days 2024.”

In other business:

  Chief Derek Beckstrand gave the board an update on the new security cameras that were installed on the village-owned building on McComb Ave. Chief Beckstrand said they were able to install the cameras and that they are working well.

  Approved the Seet machinery replacement CD renewal. This is an 11 month CD at 4.3%.

  The board approved the applications for the Special Class B Picnic Licenses for Ice Age Days. The licenses were approved for the Rib Lake Lions Club, American Legion and Rib Lake Fish and Game.

  The board approved a picnic license for Good Shepherd Church for their annual Fall Fest Days.

  The board discussed the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding. Trustee Bullis mentioned that he had talked to Travis Grubbs, the District Administrator for the Rib Lake School District, earlier in the week and that the village cannot approve anything until the school board approves the contract. He said that the school board is meeting tomorrow.

  Trustee Bullis discussed the new items the fire department has ordered to help for electric vehicle fires. Fire departments across the country are having a hard time extinguishing electric vehicle fires. Bullis added, “We have not seen any yet, but we know they are coming.”