November 2007 Board Minutes

Thorntown Public Library

124 N. Market St.,
Thorntown, IN 46071
Phone: 765-436-7348 Fax 765-436-7011

The regular session was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by board president Ron Guinn. Present were Teresa Carter, Deanna Brueggert, Ron, Eric Ragsdale, Patty Ramsey and Stephanie Jones. Absent was John Merson. Also present were treasurer Barbara Darnell and director Karen Niemeyer.

The report on the new hip vac (vacuum cleaner) was postponed because custodian Becki Brown was ill. Karen displayed the unit.

The minutes of the October 8, 2007, meeting were reviewed and approved on a motion by Deanna and a second by Patty. Barbara had presented for inclusion with the minutes additional October claims of $3970, which bring the October claims total to $24,558.09.

The treasurer’s report was reviewed. Receipts total $27,102.85, disbursements $40,567.44 and the ending cash balance is $24,985.44. Certificates of deposit total $286,000.00 and with interest bring the total funds on hand to $325,329.32. Gifts are still being received for the fountain fund and the board was photographed with the giant replica of the $5000 check provided by the Boone REMC Community Fund. It was noted that the second listing on the claims of Smith Trash Service (claim no. 5496) should be labeled Thorntown Utilities. MBIA provides an interest of 5.10% on investments. Eric moved and Stephanie seconded that the treasurer’s report by accepted; the motion carried and the claims list was signed.

Under old business Karen noted that the 2008 budgets have been advertised four times with no remonstrance.

Karen will check with Young and Sons Asphalt Paving as to when they can seal the parking lot, then the contract will be signed for 2008 work, per approval at the October 8 board meeting.

Ordering of the optical disc repair system on a 90-days same-as-cash basis was approved by consensus.

After discussion of the current telephone system, it was agreed to investigate further and make a decision at the December board meeting. Karen will provide additional rationale and details. There is legitimate concern that very little 2007 income from property taxes has been received.

The Internet filtering software contract has expired and the public access computers are freezing. After discussion Patty moved and Deanna seconded that NetLink’s proposal for $4500 be accepted. The motion included transferring $5500 from the “Transfer to LIRF” line of the 2007 budget in order to handle spam, viruses, filtering, and a Dell server for that software. The motion carried.

By consensus it was agreed that NetLink be hired for a one-time expense of $625.00 to place the library board’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy on the computers. This will require that customers must check their agreement each time before they can access the Internet. The current Internet policy was reviewed and changes made on a motion by Deanna that was seconded by Eric. The policy will be retyped and redistributed.

There was a bomb threat against Michigantown and Frankfort libraries by a Michigantown resident. Since the Thorntown Library was also mentioned by the resident, local police are checking and will report to Frankfort police and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Dept.

Artist Lynn Dugan offered to sell her “Helen at the Well” painting to the library for $137.50. She specified that a matching $137.50 should be donated by the library to the library’s fountain fund. Both were approved by consensus.

She reported that a handyman is occasionally needed. Assistant Custodian Gary Deakins agreed to complete such repair work at a rate of $15.00 per hour. This was approved by consensus.

The Indiana State Library has requested board e-mail addresses for mailings and updates. The board requested that Karen instead provide ISL with her e-mail and print for the board necessary communications.

The board has received an invitation to attend a Thursday, Nov. 15, 3:30 p.m., Indiana Library Federation meeting at the Convention Center in Indianapolis. ILF president Jane Myers wishes to recognize the Thorntown board for its service. Karen will plan to represent the board.

Under the director’s report Karen noted that management at Perdue Farms had offered to contribute some service hours to the library and that five persons spent three hours labeling materials and cleaning up flower beds. Their work is most appreciated.

The Xerox copy machines are not proving to be satisfactory and other models are being tested. Karen’s goal is better service at a lesser cost.

Youth are painting on damaged ceiling tiles that will be installed in the young adult room. Local artist Lynn Dugan is supervising the project.

On the previous Saturday Karen addressed a group of retired teachers who met in the library, then assisted youth in the ceiling tile project, then served and cleaned up the afternoon high tea and provided a program on gourds. She noted that approximately 150 people are expected to attend the December 3 Christmas Family Night at the library.

Certification laws for Indiana library personnel are being changed, but our library is covered because we have two MLS staff members and one who will complete her degree in December.

A major project for 2008 will be development of The Secret Garden on the north side of the building. Karen displayed preliminary drawings made in 2004. The garden will include concrete animals, ivy, a trellis, perennial flowers, two gates of iron or wood, and a brick wall with a limestone cap. The April gala will help fund the Garden, as will donations. It was agreed that, once they are no longer needed, the ugly concrete bollards protecting the fountain might be recycled into the garden as benches.

Eric moved and Stephanie seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.