Sidney Public Library Board of Trustees
Annual Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Sidney Public Library

1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM by Tanya Lewis, Board President.
The Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph was acknowledged and the Open Meetings Act was read and acknowledged.

Roll Call
Board Members Present: Tanya Lewis, President, Marva Ellwanger, Nancy Sanders

Board Members Absent: Makayla Neuhalfen

Also Present: Jimie Ridnour, Library Director; Kristen Breining, Office Manager; Ashley Hopkins, Edward Jones; Kathy, Oregon Trail Community Foundation; Richard Landreth, Western Library System; Ethan Nelson, Western Library System

2. Presentations
Oregon Trail Community Foundation
Kathy from the Oregon Trail Community Foundation (OTCF) provided an overview of managed fund options available to the library and foundation.
Richard Landreth shared positive experiences from Scottsbluff Public Library’s use of OTCF, emphasizing flexibility and ease of donor management.
The board agreed to review the information and reconvene before making a decision.
Edward Jones
Ashley Hopkins presented investment strategies including CD laddering and a bucket strategy approach.

3. Comments from the Public
No public comments were presented.

4. Report from the Friends of the Sidney Public Library
Nancy provided the report stating that FOSPL would start planning programming for the year next week.

5. Approval of Minutes from the Previous Board Meeting from 12/8/2025
Motion to approve the minutes made by Nancy. Seconded by Marva. All approved.

6. Financial Report & Approval of Payment of Bills for December 2025

Motion was made to approve payment of the December 2025 bills by Marva and was seconded by Nancy. All approved.

8. Communications to and from the Library Board

None

9. Report from the Library Director
Library Director Jimie Ridnour provided the following updates:

  • Inventory completion with 35 missing books identified; a police report has been filed regarding missing DVDs.
  • Children’s programming engagement has increased to over 2,000/month.
  • Updates on technology acquisitions and Makerspace usage.
  • Request for early closure of the library on 1/16/26 to allow staff to attend the City Awards Banquet.

Motion was made to approve early closure on 1/16/26 by Nancy. Seconded by Marva. All approved.

10. Report from the Staff
Makerspace Usage Fee Assessment
Staff proposed adjusting Makerspace fees from a flat $5/day fee to material usage fees only.
Motion was made to adopt a material-based fee structure for Makerspace usage by Marva. Seconded by Nancy. All approved.

Baker & Taylor Collections Notice

Staff presented a collections notice from Baker & Taylor books from January 2024. The total due is $779.65. There is no documentation explaining why the invoices were not paid to date. Payment will be made in full and will be deducted from the library’s book budget.

11. Unfinished Business
Interlocal Agreement Progress
Jimie provided an update on the interlocal agreement with the City. Discussion focused on:

  • The need for clear documentation of the library board’s governing authority
  • The City’s acknowledgment that ordinances may need revision

12. New Business
February Report
Jimie will present the February report to the City Council in February on behalf of the board.
Annual Officer Elections
Officer elections will be postponed until a new board member has been appointed.

13. Closed Session: Personnel
At 5:28 PM, Motion was made to enter a closed session for discussion of personnel matters.
The board reconvened in open session at 5:37 PM.

14. Adjournment and Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 PM by Board President Tanya Lewis.
The next regular meeting of the Sidney Public Library Board will be held on:
Monday, February 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM

Sidney Public Library Foundation Board of Directors

Regular Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2026 | 5:37 PM
Sidney Public Library

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM by Tanya Lewis, Board President.
The Affidavit of Publication in the Sidney Sun Telegraph was acknowledged and the Open Meetings Act was read and acknowledged.

    Roll Call

Present: Tanya Lewis, Marva Ellwanger, Nancy Sanders
Absent: Makayla Neuhalfen
Staff Present: Jimie Ridnour-Library Director, Kristen Breining-Office Manager

2. Comments from the Public

No public comments were presented.

3. Approval of Minutes from the Previous Board Meeting on 12/8/25
Motion to approve made by Nancy Sanders. Seconded by Marva Ellwanger. All approved.

4. Financial Reports & Bills

A motion was made to approve Foundation reports and bills by Marva Ellwanger, seconded by Nancy Sanders. All approved.

5. Unfinished Business

Foundation CD Accounts Update

Discussion was held regarding existing CD accounts and potential restructuring. Presentations made by Edward Jones and Oregon Trail Community Foundation (from previous meeting)

Policy/Bylaw Review

The board discussed the need to review and possibly update the foundation bylaws. Postponed until the next meeting.

Board Member Resignation Confirmation

It was acknowledged that Board Member Rebecah Probst’s written resignation from the Sidney Public Library Board shall also serve as sufficient notice of resignation from the Sidney Public Library Foundation Board, in accordance with the Foundation Board’s bylaws.

Board Member Search

Discussion was held regarding identifying and recruiting new board members.

6. New Business

Annual Officer Elections

Officer elections were postponed to allow for additional clarification and preparation.

Foundation 2025 Financial Report

Tanya Lewis will provide the 2025 financial audit and report at the February meeting.

8. Adjournment and Next Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 PM by Tanya Lewis.

The next regular meeting of the Sidney Public Library Foundation Board will be held on:
Monday, February 9, 2026