News : LaPorte City Public Library May Newsletter

Board Minutes from April 20, 2026

Meeting Commencement: The La Porte City Public Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on April 20, 2026. President Heather Chingren called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM with members Brynna Hemsath, Renee Jesse, Mindy Rottinghaus, Terri Vopelak, and Linda Weidemann present. Library Director Jake Rochford-Volk was present as a representative of library administration. No members of the public were present. Unless otherwise noted, all actions passed by affirmative and unanimous vote of all members present.

Regular Business: Motion by Weidemann, seconded by Vopelak to approve the agenda as presented. Motion by Jesse, seconded by Weidemann to approve the March 16, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion by Rottinghaus, seconded by Weidemann to approve payment for the monthly bills as presented.

Recommendations for Board Approval: Motion by Rottinghaus, seconded by Vopelak to approve the terms of Rochford-Volk’s resignation. Motion by Weidemann, seconded by Vopelak to proceed with hiring the next director as presented in the job ad. Motion by Weidemann, seconded by Jesse to close the sustainability committee.

Motion by Hemsath, seconded by Rottinghaus to approve the updated wages for part-time staff for fiscal year 2027. Motion by Jesse, seconded by Vopelak to purchase a mobile phone plan from Alpine Communications. Motion by Rottinghaus, seconded by Hemsath to adopt the job description for Library Trustee. Motion by Weidemann, seconded by Vopelak to spend up to $7,000 on final renovation expenditures.

Old Business: Motion by Weidemann, seconded by Hemsath to close the programming committee. Motion by Rottinghaus, seconded by Hemsath approve all updated job descriptions as presented.

Meeting Closure: Motion by Vopelak, seconded by Weidemann to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 PM.

We’re Hiring Our Next Library Director

The Board of Trustees is seeking candidates for a full-time library director with a desired start date of Monday, June 8th. Minimally, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and a valid driver’s license from the State of Iowa and be willing to complete professional development within their first year.

Responsibilities include service as the technical advisor to the Board of Trustees; budget oversight; customer service; technology support; programming and outreach; collection management; human resources; records retention; building maintenance; and additional duties required of the position. For a complete job description and compensation package, visit www.lpcpubliclibrary.org/employment-volunteering.

Candidates are required to submit an application, a cover letter, and a resume/CV.

All three documents are required to be considered for the position. Completed applications can be hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed. For questions and to submit applications, email Library Director Jake Rochford-Volk at director@lpcpubliclibrary.org or call 319-342-3025.

Board of Trustees Vacancy

The Board of Trustees is seeking candidates for two positions that begin July 1st.

Candidates must reside within the borders of La Porte City; the rural Black Hawk County seat is filled.

Responsibilities include active advocacy, fiscal management, master planning, personnel evaluation, policy development, and monthly meeting attendance, including at least five hours each fiscal year toward continuing education instruction provided by the library director.

Selected candidates are appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council to serve a six-year term, which may include serving as a board officer and on ad hoc committees.

Drop by the library or city hall to take an advisory commission application.

Candidates are encouraged to submit an optional letter of interest for board review.

Plant a Seed, Read!

This year’s summer program theme is titled “Plant a Seed, Read,” which is rooted in the concept of farm to table. In rural Iowa, we understand that farms grow food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. The idea of this theme looks at the library as a community table where, instead of food, we feast on ideas.

We are living in tumultuous times when people often find themselves at odds with their neighbors, and according to the American Psychiatric Association, one in three Americans are experiencing regular feelings of loneliness. The best way to combat isolation and loneliness is by having communities with strong social infrastructures.

As community hubs and places where people of all backgrounds are welcome, libraries are in a wonderful position to aid in the fight against division and loneliness.

Registration opens Monday, June 1st, and reading logs are due Saturday, July 25th.

During our eight-week program, library staff will host a range of free activities for children, tweens, teens, and adults to encourage and support a love of reading.

Participants can win prizes for reaching reading goals.

Join us this summer in a field of books as we nurture a love of reading!

The Nourished Reader Project

The Nourished Reader Project is the library’s commitment to fueling young minds and bodies all summer long. From June through August, we provide free, nutritious meals to kids ages 0-17. Kids can drop into the library during all regular hours to request a meal or just a snack that can be eaten outside the library or at home.

On Wednesdays at 11:00 AM in June and July, join us for our signature Picnic in the Park series: eight special storytime events in City Park featuring good food, great books, fun activities, and community connection. At the library, we believe that every child deserves a summer full of healthy meals and even better stories.

Community sponsors fully fund the project, and thanks to our 2025 sponsors, the library was able to provide 572 meals. Help us continue feeding bodies and minds by donating today. Cash and checks made payable to the library can be mailed or hand-delivered to library staff.

This Month’s Programs

Saturday, May 2 @ 10 AM | International Harry Potter Day

Tuesday, May 5 @ 4 PM | BINGO For Families

Wednesday, May 6 @ 4 PM | Family StoryTime With BHC Public Health

Friday, May 8 @ 4 PM | Gardening To Give With ISU Extension Service

Saturday, May 9 @ 10 AM | Painting Ceramics: A Craft Workshop

Wednesday, May 13 @ 4 PM | STEM Lab For Tweens & Teens

Wednesday, May 13 @ 6 PM | Tech Class: Makerspace Workshop

Thursday, May 14 @ 10 AM | Tech Class: Makerspace Workshop

Monday, May 18 @ 6 PM | Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 19 @ 6 PM | Color, Craft, & Connect

Thursday, May 21 @ 3:30 PM | Family Film

Monday, May 25 | Closed for Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26 @ 6 PM | Novel Notions Book Club

Wednesday, May 27 @ 6 PM | Flower Pressing: A Craft Workshop