July 2008 Board Minutes

Thorntown Public Library

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

Vice-president Deanna Brueggert called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present, in addition to Deanna, were Fern Miner, Stephanie Jones, and Patty Ramsey. Eric Ragsdale, Ron Guinn, and Teresa Carter were absent. Also present were library director Karen K. Niemeyer and treasurer Barbara A. Darnell. A get-well gift (wood garden fence wall decoration) was signed for Teresa Carter.

The minutes of the June 9, 2008, meeting were reviewed. Barbara provided a list of $3779.06 in additional claims through June 30, bringing the total June claims to $37,072.73. Patty Ramsey moved and Stephanie Jones seconded that the minutes be approved; motion carried.

Barbara Darnell provided the treasurer’s monthly financial report. Receipts into the operating fund for June 2008 total $26,650.83. Operating fund disbursements total $54,397.55. The June ending cash balance of all funds is $458,712.62 plus investments of $60,000.00 and interest of $6917.14. Total of all funds is $525,629.76. The appropriation report for the second quarter shows that 53.71% of all funds has been expended as of June 30. The MBIA report shows an interest rate of 2.37% while the Home National Bank savings account is receiving 2.01% in interest. The HNB rate is expected to decrease soon. It was agreed that investments will be reviewed at the August meeting and a decision made as to where to invest funds. After discussion, Stephanie moved and Patty seconded that the register of claims, a total of $37,072.73, be approved for payment; motion carried

The Secret Garden fund has to date raised $13,823.24 in gala proceeds, donations, book sale and paver sales. The bricks and mortar have arrived, the excavation has begun, and footings have been poured. Electrician Jim Smith is ordering two low voltage lamps for examination and, once approved, the number needed will be determined and an order placed..

The fountain cracks have been repaired but Smart Manufacturing missed a substantial crack in the basin on their first trip. Their first invoice for $500 has been forwarded to Robinson Iron for payment and today Luke Robinson agreed to pay the second trip charge of $300.00. Gary Deakins is acquiring the proper base paints to quickly repaint the repairs and fountain basin. Robinson provided the verdigris paint that Gary will use.

We are awaiting the Moisture Management written report. Although Karen will work with Hinshaw Roofing regarding her concerns with the Firestone vinyl roof, the rain leaks onto the second floor carpet (east and west side) are due to improper or deteriorating weather stripping and caulking of the windows. Karen will talk with Spohn, the installer.

Regarding personnel, Karen noted that Molly is out and expecting her baby any day. Emily will be returning to high school in mid-August. Linda White fell Sunday and broke her right arm and is awaiting surgery.

It was noted that full-time employee Molly Donovan will be out until at least September 1. Linda White is out because of her broken arm. Shirley Hodgen is still managing two parents at home in the 90’s. Emily McKenzie will be returning to high school on August 13. The board by consensus approved the hiring of Helen Weisflog for 20 hours per week, starting August 3, 2008, at the rate of $8.00 per hour. Helen has been a volunteer at the Sugar Creek Art Center and the Thorntown Heritage Museum and she has been for two years and Experience Works employee at the museum.

Under the new business portion of the meeting, Karen recommended the board adopt a service contract with NetLink for labor for the telephone system for $650.00. In 2008 the board has already spent $1414.00 in phone system labor. The phones have been under warranty, but the labor has not. Additional service is needed at this time. Fern moved and Patty seconded that the service contract for labor be purchased; motion carried. Karen noted that NetLink had told her there is a market for the old system. She is negotiating for sale of the old system for $650 to $1000.00.

Karen requested permission to explore the possibility and advantages of the library board’s collaborating with the Sugar Creek Historical Society, Inc., to manage the Thorntown Heritage Museum. She noted that in 2000 the specifications for the expanded library had included possible space for the museum, should it ever not be funded and should it require a location for the collection. In order to minimize the tax impact on area residents, square footage was not increased enough to handle the museum’s collection. Board members agreed by consensus that such exploration could take place, a report be brought to the next meeting, and that a museum board member might be invited to fill a vacancy on the library board.

Under the director’s report Karen noted that she and Barbara would on July 29 attend a budget workshop with the Dept. of Local Government Finance and that the library would have a booth at the Boone County Senior Services expo on October 4. The library staff have been invited to be parade grand marshalls at the September 27 Festival of the Turning Leaves parade, and she invited the board to participate. The parade theme will be “So Many Books, So Little Time.” She expressed concern about a consortium being formed of Indiana librarians against public library consolidation and the board agreed with her decision to monitor the group but not join it. Our interlibrary loan participation is annually ten times as active as it was five years ago. Approximately 100 items per month are loaned or borrowed. Shirley Hodgen, Pat Gillogly, and Christine Sterle are investigating the possibility of an e-mail pal program with the schools. She noted that one young adult has been working around the library’s filters to get to MySpace.com and that Christine is checking on his method that used superfriggin’.com.

Karen reported on board members’ concerns expressed at the June meeting that some residents have been unable to use or denied transportation provided by Boone County Senior Services. Her queries resulted in hearing that anyone who is over 60, and wants to be taken outside the county, must have a form of Medicaid that will reimburse BCSSI; there will be a $2.00 copay. Disabled persons and senior citizens are transported within the county, but no disability hearings are allowed. Someone with a disability may request service, but transportation is scheduled a month in advance and cannot always be accommodated at the last minute. One person mentioned in June by the board has been transported six times in three months but also has a problem with scheduling the BCSSI van on a wrong day. The BCSSI is not reimbursed by Medicaid for a run that is a “dry” run.

There being no further business, Fern moved and Stephanie seconded the meeting be adjourned; motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.