Sidney Public Library

Board Meeting

October 14, 2025

Date: 10/14/2025

Meeting Start Time: 4:31 pm

Meeting Finish Time: 5:00 pm

Board Members Present:

Nancy Sanders, Marva Ellwanger, Rebecah Propst

Others Present: 

Jimie Ridnour, Kristen Breining, Sandra Nelson, Kagan Carwin, Autumn Ramirez

Board Members Absent:

Tanya Lewis and Makayla Neuhalfen

  • Motion to excuse Tanya and Makayla from the meeting was made by Marva Ellwanger, seconded by Nancy Sanders., Unanimous approval. Motion carried.

Meeting Called to Order At: 4:31 PM by Marva Ellwanger

Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph

Acknowledgement of Open Meetings Act

Friends Report given by: Nancy Sanders – nothing to report today.

Comments from the public: None

Approval of Minutes from previous board meetings: Nancy Sanders made a motion to approve meeting minutes from September 8th & 24th 2025. Seconded by Rebecah Propst, unanimous approval. Motion carried.

 Bills & Financial Reports: 

Nancy Sanders made a motion to approve, Rebecah Propst seconded. Unanimous approval, motion carried. 

 Report From the Director:

Jimie Ridnour: 

  1. Commendation for Library staff member: Jimie reported a commendation that was written for Kristen Breining in regards to her involvement in resolving the issues with respect to the library’s 2026 budget.
  2. Thompson Foundation funds update: Jimie reported email correspondence with the Thompson Foundation that gives the library the approval to administer and use the $3,000 Thompson Foundation grant as they deem fit. Jimie recommends using funds for advertisements through BigBoy radio. An agreement has been made for $200/month for 20-30 second radio ads. Rebech Propst makes a motion to approve allocation of funds to advertising. Nancy Sanders seconds. All approve.
  3. Library website update: Jimie has updated the library’s website security certificate and the domains owned by the library. Due to extensive website design costs, the new library website will be built in-house.
  4. Library phone update: New VOIP phones have been implemented at the library. No additional costs were incurred in the switch to RingCentral from NT&T. 
  5. Two New Policies created by Jimie Ridnour and are fully implemented.
    1. Collection Weeding and Acquisitions Policy
    2. Bed Bug Policy
  6. Overdue book information: Statistics and current procedure provided to board as was requested in the previous meeting by Nancy Sanders.
  7. 2025 NE Makerspace Conference: Jimie proposed three library staff members attend the Makerspace Conference from Nov. 3-5, 2025. The proposed amount is $1,350. All three staff members have applied for grants. If awarded, grant funds will go towards conference fees. Nancy Sanders makes a motion to approve, Rebecah Propst seconds, All approve. 
  8. The library will be hosting author Gary Dunker on November 7, 2025 from 1-3pm for a book signing. 
  9. One children’s ELS computer is no longer working. For three ELS computers the approximate cost is between $8,900-$9,000. Jimie is working on grant proposals to receive funds to purchase new computers and will update when possible.

 Report From Staff:

  • None

Unfinished Business:

  • 2026 Library Budget – The library board will attend the City Council meeting later this evening. The library board has requested to be on the council’s agenda to provide a grievance regarding their 2026 budget. The library board believes everything needed to be said will be in Tanya Lewis’ remarks later in the evening.
  • HVAC Update – The HVAC repairs have been successfully accomplished by Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating for a total cost of $6,014. 
  • Policy/Bylaw Amendments – Board members will review current policy/bylaws for the library board and will reconvene next boarding meeting to discuss possible amendments.

New Business: None

Closed Session: None

Next Regular Meeting: November 10, 2025 at 5:00 pm

There being no further business the meeting as adjourned at 5:00pm

Sidney Public Library Foundation

October 14, 2025

Date: 10/14/2025

Meeting Start Time: 5:01 pm

Meeting Finish Time: 5:12pm

Board Members Present: 

Nancy Sanders, Marva Ellwanger, Rebecah Propst

Others Present:

Kristen Breining, Jimie Ridnour, Sandra Nelson

Board Members Absent:

Tanya Lewis & Makayla Neuhalfen

  • Marva motion to excuse Tanya & Makayla from meeting. Nancy seconded, unanimous approval. Motion approved..

Meeting Called to Order At: 5:01 pm

Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph

Acknowledgement of Open Meetings Act

Approval of Minutes from previous boarding meetings

  • Rebecah moves to accept previous minutes. Nancy seconds motion, unanimous approval. Motion carried.

Bills & Financial Reports: Nancy motions to approve, Rebecah seconded. Unanimous approval. Motion approved.

Comments from the public: None

Report From Staff:  None

Unfinished Business:

  • Report from Library Director, Jimie Ridnour regarding bookmobile wrap contest: The 2nd wrap option won the contest. The total cost will be $6,057.00 with Whiting Signs & Graphics. Nancy motions to approve cost for the bookmobile wrap, Rebecah seconds. All approved. 

 New Business:

  • The Annual Library Foundation Board election will be postponed until the November 5th meeting.

Next Regular Meeting: November 5, 2025 immediately following the Library Board meeting.There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at: 5:12PM.