Big Horn County Wyoming
Library System
Big Horn County Library
Board Members
Nikole Greene - Board Chair
2nd Term - (3 Year Term)
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027
Cari Waterworth
1st Term (3 Year Term)
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
Lea Sorenson - Secretary
2nd Term - (3 Year Term)
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
John Bernt
1st Term - (3 Year Term)
June 30, 2024 - June 30, 2027
Bryan Baird - Vice Chair
1st Term - (3 Year Term)
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
Library Board Meetings ~ 2025
Meetings are held 2nd Wednesday of every Month
Unless otherwise specified
Date Location Time
December 11, 2024 -Lovell Library 1:00 pm
January 8 - Cancelled -
February 12 - Basin Library 1:00 pm March 6 - Greybull Library 10:00 am
April 9 - Cancelled - 1:00 pm May 14 - Greybull Library 1:00 pm
June 11 - Basin Library 1:00 pm July 9 - Lovell Library 1:00 pm
July 23 - Greybull Library 5:00 pm
August 12 - Lovell Library 1:00 pm
September 10 - Basin Library 1:00 pm
October 8 - Greybull Library 1:00 pm
November 12 - Lovell Library 1:00 pm
December 10 -Lovell Library 1:00 pm
BHCLS SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Greybull, WY Library
I. Call to order-5:00 Nikole Greene called meeting to order
a. Attendees-Determination of Quorum- Yes- Nikole Greene, Lea Sorenson, Cari Waterworth, Bryan Baird
b. Recognition of guest-Sally Wambeke, Melvyn Wambeke
c. Open Public comment period for non-agenda items moved to end of meeting
II. No minutes to approve as this is special meeting
III. Troy's Budget report- Accepted
a. Short comings of funds and how to make cost cuts across the board
b. County Commissioners cut budget by $70,000
IV. Director's Report-non given because of Special Meeting
a. Statistic Report/NA
b. Manager's Report/NA
V. Old Business NA
VI. New Business
a. Voting on Budget proposal to take to County Commissioners
i. September 1st closing of libraries in Frannie and Deaver Cari made motion/Lea 2nd 3 ayes
ii. Lovell Library down from 72 hrs. per week to 62 hours per week-staff agree to taking over some janitorial duties.
iii. Greybull closing Wednesday evening going from 73.5 hours per week to 61.75. Staff agreed to take over some janitorial duties
iv. Basin down from 82 hours per week to 70, with Saturdays closed. Close 2 hours early on Tuesdays, and staff agreeing to pick up janitorial duties.
v. All hours and duties at above libraries to begin August 1st. Motion to accept made by Lea/2nd Cari 3 ayes
vi. Director will no longer be reimbursed for mileage. Wyoming retirement will no longer be offered, and 3 paid personal days no longer available for any staff. Cari made motion to accept Lea 2nd 3 ayes
vii. Ask Commissioners to please take over Janitorial duties and maintenance in both Basin and Lovell libraries as they are both owned by the county and we have no lease agreement
viii Troy Butler has agreed to cut 20% off of his fees for accounting services. Motion to accept proposed budget cuts for director, and accountant made by Cari/2nd Lea 3 aye
VII. Guest to speak- Melvyn Wambeke asked that we look at other options, and in discussion liked the idea that was mentioned of giving the libraries back to communities- Tina will look into this further. Sally Wambeke asked that perhaps the other libraries could make more cuts to allow Frannie and Deaver libraries to stay open.
VIII Meeting adjourned at 5:49 pm Lea made motion Cari 2nd 3 aye
BHCLS Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 @ 1:00 pm
I. Call to order 1:01 PM
a. Attendees Determination of Quorum-Nikole Greene, Lea Sorenson, Bryan Baird, Cari Waterworth
b. Welcome New Board members-Bryan Baird, Cari Waterworth
c. Recognitions of guests- No guests present
d. Open Public Comment- None
II. Approval of Minutes from June meeting-Lea made motion, Cari 2nd
III. Accepted Troy Butler's financial report- financial report accepted
IV. Director's Report
a. Statistic report- Adult fiction down/Digital use up
b. Manager's Report
i. Greybull- Summer program success
ii. Basin- Summer program success
iii. Lovell- Summer program success
iv. Frannie/Deaver-Everything fine
V. Old Business
a. Nikole will get with Erik Kvale about Radon detectors
VI. New Business
a. Election of Officers
i. Nikole Green President- 3 aye
ii. Bryan Baird Vice President- 3 aye
iii. Lea Sorenson Secretary- 3 aye
b. State Park donated backpacks with passes to check out at the libraries
VII. Adjournment
a. Meeting adjourned at 1:40 pm - Cari made motion Bryan 2nd
b. Next Library Meeting will be Tuesday, August 11, 2025 @ 1:00 pm in Lovell
BHCLS Regular Board Minutes
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
I. Call to Order: 1:01 PM, Nikole Greene, Board Chair
a. Attendees: Lea Sorenson, Ted Menke, Nikole Greene, Barb Fielder, John Bernt
b. Recognition of guests: Judy Jordan, Jim Whipps, Jennifer Lindgren, Cindy Hinckley, Deb Rosser, Lynette Murray, Marvin Hunt, Cheryl Hunt
c. Open Public Comment Period for Non-Agenda items: Employee was contacted about political party affiliation by a board member. Board members were reminded that they cannot contact employees unless they are in a Quorum
II. Approval of minutes for the May 14th meeting: Approved 4-aye
III. Troy's Financial Report: The budget needs to balance at 92% for this time of year, we are at 93.3% but will balance by the end of the fiscal year. Must consider cutting budget by 10%, but we will know more when commissioners get back to us
IV. Director's Report
a. Static Report: Circulation numbers remain consistent with adult fiction showing a decrease
b. Manager's Report
1. Greybull- Things are going well and summer programs have started
2. Basin - Summer programs in full swing
3. Lovell - Summer programs have begun
4. Deaver/Frannie: Libby usage way up
5. Home delivery is up
6. Staff hours are down, but will increase with summer program
7. Staff issues were addressed. Board members reminded not to contact employees outside of meetings
V. Old Business
a. Final approval for Radon Detector donation. Barb made motion to accept, Ted 2nd,
4-ayes
b. Vote to approve Policy Manual. Ted moves to accept revisions and make changes retroactive to January 1st, 2025, Barb 2nd, 3 aye- 1 abstained
VI. New Business
a. Meetings scheduled for July Lovell, August in Frannie, or Deaver
VII. Executive session
a. Ted moved to go into executive session at 2:34 pm, Lea 2nd, 3 ayes- 1 Nay
b. Out of executive session @ 2:40 pm
VIII.Adjournment
a. Meeting adjourned at 2:41 pm
b. Next library board meeting Wednesday, July 9, 2025 in Lovell, WY
Big Horn County Library Board Minutes
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1:00 PM
Greybull, WY
I. Call to Order: 1:00 PM, Nikole Greene, Board Chair
a. Attendees: John Bernt, Troy Butler, Tina Ely, Barb Fiedler, Nikole Greene, Ted Menke, Lea Sorenson
b. Recognition of Guests: Viki Davis, Earl Miller, Jim Whipps, Cindy Schlattmann, John Koller, Nathan Oster, Larry Jordan, Judy Jordan, Haley Sorenson, Ben Close, Linda Close, Marvin Hunt, Cheryl Hunt, Alex Jolley, Lynette Murray, Bette Ray Jones, Kyle Ellison, Bonnie Kowalczyk, Deb Rosser, Tom Harrington
c. Open Public Comment Period for Non-Agenda items: Moved to the end of the meeting.
II. Approval of March 6 Board Meeting minutes: Approved 3-aye, 1-nay
III. Troy Butler's Financial Report: Troy Butler reported he has made a new budget for the next fiscal year, and it was sent to the Big Horn County Commissioners. The financial report was approved by the Board Chair.
IV. Director's Report
a. Static Report:
1. Circulation of children's books it up;
2. Children attendance is up;
3. Circulation of Spanish books up;
4. STEAM has replaced STEM and kids are loving it
b. Manager's Report
1. Greybull: Operations are going smoothly and Staff is gearing up for the summer reading program.
2. Basin: Gearing up for the summer reading program.
3. Lovell: Gearing up for the summer reading program.
4. Deaver/Frannie: Circulation is up.
V. Old Business
a. Final approval for logo contest: Approved 3-aye; John Bernt abstained.
VI. New Business
a. Radon detectors: Barb Fiedler will continue to research the option to provide a radon detector for the public to check out.
b. Staff hours: Motion made by Ted Menke to increase hours in the Basin Branch Library for one staff person to work
up to 30 hours; seconded by Barb Fiedler. Motion passed 4 voting with; John Bernt abstained.
c. Vote on new Bylaws: Tabled until the June meeting
d. Public comment period: Members of the public supported the Board and asked the members to work as a team.
VII. Adjournment
a. Meeting to adjourned made by Ted Menke; seconded by Barb Fiedler. Motion passed with 4 voting for; John Bernt
abstained. Meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM.
b. Next Library Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Basin Branch Library at 1:00 PM.
Big Horn County Library Board Minutes
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Call to order: Nikole Greene, Board Chair
a. Attendees: John Bernt, Lea Sorenson, Ted, Menke, Barbara Fielder, Nikole Greene, and Tina Ely
b. Recognition of guests: None present
c. Amendments to agenda: November and December minutes to be approved in March
Financial Report from Troy Butler accepted
Director's report:
a. Wyoming Grant Writing: Tina will attend
b. All libraries are gearing up for summer reading
c. All evaluations of employees to be done by Managers and Director
d. State working to replace, VDX, which should streamline programs
Manager Report:
a. Each manager reports that all is good in libraries
Old Business:
a. Work session set for Greybull on March 6th @ 10:00 am
b. Letter heading for BHCLS if we trademark will cost between $250-300
New Business:
a. Have classrooms create logo for BHCLS and board to judge with winning classroom getting $150 in free books
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned Ted made motion to adjourn, Barb 2nd, all in favor
Meeting adjourned 2:01 pm
Big Horn County Library Board Minutes
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Call to Order: Nikole Greene, Board Chair
Attending: Tina Ely, Barb Fiedler, Nikole Greene, Ted Menke
Absent: John Bernt was unable to attend due to a last-minute change of venue; Lea Sorenson
Guests: None
Open Period for Public Comment: None
Approval of Minutes: Postponed; November minutes will be approved February 2025
Financial Report: Troy Butler explained the budget accounts including Administration, Maintenance, Payroll/benefits. Motion to accept the Financial Report made by Barb Fiedler
Director's Report:
-
Tina Ely provided the statistics report noting the stats are a bit down and the digital circulation is up
-
Molly is working with patrons to correct their physical address records to reflect their Frannie and Deaver residences vs Lovell residence in order to update circulation statistics
-
All locations have held their holiday celebrations
-
Hayley Jackson is in the process of becoming a notary for the Greybull Library
-
Library Managers Evelyn and Cathy are ordering children's furniture (Greybull) and computer chairs (Lovell, Deaver and Frannie) for their respective library from Rocky Mountain grant funds
-
The Library director is in the process of staff self-evaluations in advance of manager evaluations. Tina will then do staff evaluations. Tina noted that the self-evaluations are positive.
-
Bonuses were dispensed to employees who showed exemplary work during transition to a new Library Director.
Old Business Discussion:
-
Road and Bridge will be contacted for new sign for the Greybull Library
-
Director Ely reported WYDOT placed the library and museum sign in Lovell. The Lovell Museum paid half of the cost of the signage for two signs. The Lovell Library paid the other half of the cost.
New Business Discussion: None
Meeting was adjourned. The next Big Horn County Library Board meeting will be held February 12, 2025, at the Basin Library at 1:00 pm
Big Horn County Library Board Minutes
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Call to Order: Nikole Green, Board Chair
a. Attendees: John Bernt, Lea Sorenson, Ted Menke, Barbara Fielder, Nikole Green, and Tina Ely
b. Recognition of guests: None present
c. Amendments to agenda: No amendments
Approval of Minutes from last meeting October 9, 2024, unanimously approved
The Financial report from Troy Butler accepted
Director's report:
a. Statistics report: Continues to be a steady increase
b. Build in program to purge books every 5 years
c. Bonus to the personnel who stepped in when library was without a director: Cathy, Evelyn, Sandra, Amy, Trudy- Barb made motion to accept, John 2nd, all voted yes
Manager's Report:
a. Basin Library: All good
b. Greybull Library: Talk to town about signage
c. Lovell Library: All good
Old Business:
a. There are no items to discuss currently
New Business:
a. Motion made to accept all the Holiday suggested, which would include Juneteenth, and Memorial Day. Lea made motion, Barb 2nd, 2 voted aye, 1 nay vote (John Bernt)
b. Motion made to approve calendar for 2025. Ted made motion, Barb 2nd, 2 aye, 1 nay vote (John Bernt)
-
Work meeting scheduled for March 2025
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 2:54 pm
Next meeting will be Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Basin WY
Regular Meeting Minutes of the Library Board of Trustees
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Greybull Library
Called to order: Chair Nikole Greene @ 1:04 PM
Attendees: John Bernt, Tina Ely, Lea Sorenson, Ted Menke, Barbara Fiedler
Recognition of guests: None present
Amendments to agenda: None
Approval of Minutes from last meeting: All in favor
Financial Report: Discussed Petty Cash and donations, with understanding that each library has own accounting of this
Report was accepted
Director's Report: Continued work on Code of Conduct policy. Moved ahead with Wyoming Workforce, they will get 400 hours of work Monday and Wednesday 1pm-5pm in Greybull through the end of May
Statistics Report: Was accepted
Managers Reports: Reports accepted
Greybull: All is going well
Basin: 2nd Saturday in Basin is doing well
Lovell: Craig Johnson was there for Authors talk, was very well attended
Deaver/Frannie doing well
Each library is doing the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program
Old Business: Put Cellphone on silence sign to be put up in each library motion made, motion was accepted
New Business: Work session for Policy Manual was tabled until after the 1st of the year. Motino was made to Amend Policy Manual to add Treasurer position on a as needed basis. Motion was accepted
Remove Julie Brown and Gail from banks and add Troy Butler. Motion was made and accepted
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned @ 2:17 PM
Next Library Board Meeting Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at Lovell Wyoming
Re
Regular Meeting Minutes of the Library Board of Trustees
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Greybull Library
Called to order: Chair Nikole Greene @ 1:02 PM
Attendees: John Bernt, Tina Ely, Lea Sorenson, Ted Menke, Barbara Fiedler, Nikole Greene
Recognition of guests: None present
Amendments to agenda: None
Approval of Minutes from last meeting: All in favor
Financial Report: Tabled until next meeting
Director's Report: Continued work on Code of Conduct policy, Moving ahead with Wyoming Workforce
Statistics Report: Tabled until next month
Managers' Report: All Libraries running smoothly and gearing up for Fall activities
Old Business: The board voted to give all employees 3 days PDO every year, after their 0-day probationary period- Lea, Barb, Nikole, and Ted all voted yes for this, John voted no
New Business: John made motion to elect a treasurer, Ted seconded it, all voted yes. Ted moved to make John treasurer, Barb seconded it, all voted yes
The board discussed having a work session in the near future, will decide a date at the next meeting
Executive Session: Motion made by John to go into executive session, Barb seconded it, all voted yes. Went into executive session at 2:10 PM - Out at 2:30 PM
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned @ 2:32 PM
Next Library Board Meeting Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Greybull Wyoming
Regular Meeting Minutes of the Library Board of Trustees
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Deaver Library
Called to order: Chair Julie Brown @ 3:28
Attendees: Julie Brown, Nikole Greene, John Bernt, Tina Ely, Troy Butler, Lea Sorenson,
Ted Menke (Via phone), Barb Fiedler (Via phone)
Amendments to agenda: No amendments
Approval of minutes from last meeting: Minutes from July 8th, 2024, were unanimously approved.
Elections: Nikole Greene was nominated as Chair, Lea Sorenson was nominated as secretary. The rest of the elections were tabled due to members needing to leave early.
Troy's Financial Report: unanimously accepted
Director's Report: Working on a Code of Conduct Policy.
Statistics Report: Circulation continues to rise.
Manager's Report:
a. Basin Library: Offered a movie and popcorn on the Saturday they are open.
b. Greybull Library: Lisa Kunkle held a photography exhibit and welcomed a new employee
c. Lovell Library: held it's final Teen Xtreme program and welcomed two new employees.
Old Business:
a. It was decided to go ahead and work with Wyoming Workforce.
New Business:
a. John Bernt made a motion to remove Gail Gillard and Julie Brown from the debit card account at Bank of Lovell and add Troy Butler to said account. Barb Fiedler seconded and the motion carried.
b. John Bernt made a motion to remove Julie Brown from the main account at Security State Bank in Basin. Barb Fiedler seconded and the motion carried.
c. PDO guidelines tabled until all members could be present.
Adjournment: Metting adjourned at 4:23
Next meeting will be held in Greybull, September 4th, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.