THORNTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 11, 2003

President Eric Ragsdale called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Members in attendance were: Deanna Brueggert, Teresa Carter, Ron Guinn, Patty Ramsey, and Linda Yoder. Also present were Library Director Karen Niemeyer, Treasurer Barb Darnell, Clerk of the Works Craig White, Architect Sean Bright, and Flaugher Construction Operations Manager Chad Hobson.

There being no members of the public present to comment on the 2004 budgets, Deanna moved to adjourn the public hearing. Ron seconded the motion and the hearing was adjourned

The Board approved the minutes of the July meeting after a motion by Patty and a second by Ron.

Treasurer Barb Darnell reported July receipts of $318,680.65, disbursements of $60,514.40, and an ending cash balance of $344,602.15. The receipts include the $300,000 paid as the result of the agreement between the building corporation and the library board. There have been no changes in our investments in the past month although there will be a CD maturing in September which will need to be handled at the next meeting. Barb led a discussion of the Claims Register, noting the following additions for July: $6.99 to CCH, $529.99 to purchase an HP Deskjet 1220, $35 to Tricia Seef, $17.85 to Vectren, $42.45 to Cingular Wireless, and $39.58 to the Tippecanoe County Clerk. After a discussion of the current month’s Claims Register, Ron moved to accept the Register. Deanna seconded, and the motion was approved.

The meeting was halted temporarily in order to allow the board members to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new building. Short speeches were given by Eric Ragsdale, Marcia Rapp, representing the Library Planning Committee, Floyd Fairchild, representing the Town Council, and Karen Niemeyer. Pictures were taken to commemorate the event.

Returning to the meeting, Karen recommended several fund transfers to reimburse operating funds that were temporarily used to pay architects’ fees and other building project costs. There is no longer a requirement that the auditor be notified of fund transfers. Linda moved that the Board approve the transfer of $87,363.21 from the Construction Fund to: LIRF $23,784.21, Prof. Services-Other $19,000, Communications/Phone $9,890, Insurance-Other Ins. $3,376.62, Books $15,000, Periodicals $2,900, Non-print $7,100, and Software, $6,313 and a transfer of $500 from S&H to Professional Development/Travel. Ron seconded the motion, which was approved by the Board.

Craig White introduced Chad Hobson from Flaugher Construction. Chad told us that the trailers and equipment should be in place by the end of the week, and the excavating equipment on site on Monday, August 18th. We do have a signed contract in place. The Board also thanks Flaugher Construction for providing a person to prepare the site with a weed eater prior to the groundbreaking pictures being taken. Once construction begins, the work schedule will be from 7 am to 3:30 or 4 pm.

Under old business, Karen reported that Linda White is researching the Internet filtering options. The library is currently using the BESS filter, set on the most restrictive setting in the Youth Department. Staff is testing Bess, set on the weakest setting, in the adult department; it has been quite adequate. Unfortunately, BESS does not make individual filters any longer, so we will have to find a new source. The required completion date is September 23, and Webalance software will cost about $900 to do all 22 computers. Since the actual installation can be done almost instantly, we will continue to pursue other alternatives until closer to the deadline. Eric signed the paperwork to start the §457 Savings Plan, which will go into effect October 1. Although the insurance/cafeteria plan is still under consideration, the decision was made to pay Chris Hawkins and Stacie Lewis-Crick in cash this year (one third of the cost of an individual health insurance premium); they have been informed of the potential tax consequences.

Under new business, Karen recommended one more year of CD Rom rental under IVAN. The cost is $500 per year and the library receives 20 CDs every two months. Deanna moved to accept the recommendation, Patty seconded, and the motion passed. We also considered ways to acknowledge the work done by library volunteers. Suggestions included press releases, pictures, a tea or luncheon, individual plaques, and a permanent plaque kept in the library, which could be added to each year.

In the director’s report, Karen reported that Jennifer Abbot has accepted a job with a Greensburg junior high school. Patty moved to accept her resignation, once it is formally offered, and Ron seconded; the motion passed. The Board wishes Jennifer all the best in her new job. Fern Miner has expressed interest in coming to work at our library, and Karen was given authority to negotiate with her. Fern’s extensive experience would be a definite asset to our staff. In the event that Fern is not available, the Board gave approval to advertising for a replacement for Jennifer. Karen also reported on several new programs opening up at the library. We also have over 20 bathroom wall ceramic tiles that were painted by children (both in age and at heart) in the community, and the public is beginning to respond to the purchase of engraved bricks. Both of these programs will be advertised more between now and the December 19 deadline. The Friends have agreed to be part of the ink cartridge recycling program and will get $2 for each cartridge turned in. In preparation for the possibility of power outages connected to our building, we now have voice mail; power outages this past week showed the need for people to be able to leave messages even when the electricity is out.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 pm on a motion from Ron and a second by Linda.
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, September 8, 2003 at 6 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Yoder, Secretary
Thorntown Public Library Board of Trustees