Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tom Bunger, Rita Lichtenberg, Antonia Mathew, and Janet Patterson.
President John Walsh called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. in Meeting Room 1B.
President John Walsh presented the minutes and consent agenda. David Ferguson asked about the investments fund. Sara Laughlin responded that we are working on closing the investments fund and adding the proceeds to the gift fund.
David Ferguson moved to approve the consent agenda. Penny Austin seconded. The vote was unanimous.
President John Walsh presented information on Sara Laughlin and expressed appreciation for all that she has done as the MCPL Interim Director. He asked for public comment.
Rita Lichtenberg spoke to the Board. "I have been coming to the Trustees meetings for many years. I'd like to say ‘Hooray for Sara’. I support her heartily."
There were no other comments from the public.
Steve Moberly moved to employ Sara Laughlin as director of the library, removing her current title of interim director. Penny Austin seconded the motion.
John asked Sue Sater to take the count. The motion passed unanimously: Janice; yes (delighted to have Sara), Fred; yes, Penny; absolutely, David; yes Steve; yes, and John; yes.
Sara presented the director's report. She invited everyone to the One Book One Bloomington author event on Saturday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Auditorium.
Steve asked Sara if she could comment on the circulation numbers. Sara responded about the check-out numbers, and the holds requests. Fred "I think the circulation service has improved so much".
David asked when the Board would get the quarterly statistics. Sara responded that she will prepare the statistics and present to the Board next month.
Bonnie presented the resolution to procure loans, and stated this is a precautionary procedure to assure that funds are available over the next few months, since property tax receipts are likely to be delayed.
Janice Stockton moved that we authorize the library to procure loans. David Ferguson seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Sara reported that she presented the Capital Projects Fund to the County Council last week. The Council tabled action until it could understand the new tax situation. The County Council must approve our capital projects fund by July 31.
Sara stated that she and Bonnie are going to a budget clinic at the end of the month. We are almost a month ahead of other libraries with our scheduling.
Sara reported that we must get our budget to the County Council by July 28. We will get a draft budget back for our staff to look at, and have it back to the Board by June 11. We will send the first advertisement to the media on June 13.
John informed the public that this schedule is drastically accelerated due to legislative changes.
John asked how we could confirm that our budget calendar was accurate. Bonnie replied that she and Sara are going to a workshop with DLGF officials at the end of May and hope to get an answer at that time.
David Ferguson reminded Board members that they all need to be here on July 2 for the library's public hearing.
Josh Wolf presented a report on Children's Services and showed this year’s summer reading program video. Josh gave packets to the Trustees that included information they take to schools to promote the program for K-6 in Monroe County. Josh stated he also included the annual report from the Children's Reading and Math Team. Participant numbers on have declined slightly since 2003, but with increasing publicity and partnerships in schools, Josh stated the numbers should start growing in the future.
Josh announced we are preparing a new program with CATS, “At Your Library,” starting in June. Josh also announced that the Children's Department will be on WTIU Noon Edition on June 6. We are also adding bedtime stories for preschool children beginning June 9.
John thanked Josh for his presentation and the summer reading program video, and thanked CATS for their part in producing the video. Janice and Penny also expressed their appreciation for the program and the video.
There was no old business.
David Ferguson stated he would like us to try to print Board document double-sided. John thanked him for his suggestion and Sara agreed to make the change.
There was no public comment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3050
Updated:
June 23, 2008
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200805min.html
