Postville Public Library Board Minutes – August 26, 2026
The Postville Public Library Board met on August 26, 2026 at noon in the library. Clara Lensing called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm.
Roll Call
Members present were Gwen Foels, Cici Mueller, Sandie Helgerson, Sara Turner-White, Julie Heitland, Clara Lensing and Crystal Duffy.
Minutes
Cici Mueller made a motion to approve the July 2026 minutes. Sara Turner-White seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
There was very little spending for the July budget report as it’s the first month in the fiscal year but spending was right on track at 8%.
Julie Heitland made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Gwen Foels seconded. Motion carried.
Bills
The previous month’s bills were shared with the board, and signed by two members. Current bills were also signed by two members. Sara Turner-White made a motion to pay the bills. Clara Lensing seconded. Motion carried. A bill for the city attorney for the amount of $2300 was presented, but as the board had not approved this spending it will be added to the agenda next month for discussion.
Librarians’ Report
Summer Reading was very successful despite the final day being after the fire. Average of 35-40 kids per week. The FOLP volunteers and board volunteers that attended were very helpful. The new meeting room furniture has been ordered and should arrive by the end of September. The FOLP used the same company as the school had for the fine arts lobby. The new meeting room has been used a lot since it was finished and the first week after the fire there were so many people in the library staff had to set up folding tables all over the library to accomodate folks. The rock display will be getting picked up soon and going to Postville HS. Crystal asked if the board liked the idea of signing up for city council meetings ahead of time. The board liked the idea and directed Crystal to create a sign–up sheet through Decembe 2026. Discussion about policies for Zooms/in-services/conferences now that the library has a time card machine and has not received direction from the city in regards to this. Crystal will draft an addition to the Personnel Policy to address this and provide to the board at the next meeting for editing/approval.
Old Business
None
New Business
Julie Heitland made a motion to nominate Sara Turner-White for president of the library board. Cici Mueller seconded. Motion carried.
Sara Turner-White made a motion to nominate Cici Muller for vice president of the library board. Julie Heitland seconded. Motion carried.
Cici Mueller made a motion to nominate Julie Heitland for secretary of the library board. Sara Turner-White seconded. Motion carried.
*Not Sandie Helgerson expressed opposition to the vote but didn’t verbally express a “nay”.*
Julie Heitland made a motion to approve Crystal’s attendance at the ILA conference, payment for the conference, 2 nights at the hotel, and reimbursement for gas. Sara Turner-White seconded. Motion carried.
Sara Turner-White made a motion to accept the bid from Home Invasion pest control for monthly pest maintenance. Sandie Helgerson seconded. Motion carried.
Postville Library Handbook Information
Crystal expressed her frustration at not being involved in the creation of a library handbook or even told it was being created, despite it being very clearly state in the State Library Board of Trustees Handbook that policies and other similar documents are to be drafted by the library director and approved by the board. Sara Turner-White also expressed frustration at the board being left out of this process. Crystal would like to do a staff handbook and a seperate handbook for the public. She asked for direction from the city on what they would like included in both documents, and will have them drafted by December. Once the library board is satisfied with the documents they will be given to the city for city attorney to review.
Sara Turner-White made a motion to adjourn. Julie Heitland seconded. Motion carried. Adjourned 1:34 PM
Crystal Duffy, Secretary