OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

April 11, 2000

Mr. Ted Hess, Mr. Tom Stephan, Dr. Charles Julian, Miss Sally Carroll, Sr. Mary Jude Jochum

None

Also Present:

Dottie Thomas, Director; Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, William Pittman, Amy Kastigar, Meredith Lewis, Christina George.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Hess at 7:00 PM

Dr. Julian moved that the minutes of the March meeting be approved. Mr. Stephan said that in the discussion of the bookkeeping computer, the record should be changed to indicate that he had said that the administrator of the library at that time did not give Board members proper information. He had assured the Board that the new computer would eliminate the obsolescence experienced in the previous computer purchased for bookkeeping.

Dr. Julian moved that the minutes be approved with the corrections, and Sr. Mary Jude seconded.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

Financial Report:

The financial report was presented.

Dr. Julian moved to approve the financial report and approve payment of invoices and warrants; Mr. Stephan seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Thomas reported that the National Library Week Used Book Sale had generated $3,456.60 in its first days.

She said that the War Public Library had been destroyed by fire and was looking for donations of books and cash, which would be coordinated by the West Virginia Library Commission.

Ms. Thomas said that State Grants-in-Aid would remain the same in the coming year.

She reported that Chris White had offered to donate new lighting fixtures for the circulation desk.

She said that there would be a workshop for all library staff offered by Rebecca Van De Meer at Jackson's Mill on May 30, 31 and June 1.

William Pittman, of Montgomery, Alabama, a visitor to the area brought before the board complaints about the way use of public-access Internet Computers is regulated by the procedures which implement the library's Internet Policy. He felt that members of the public should have their choice of computers among the Internet computers, and not have to use 'slower' ones instead of the current procedure requiring patrons to use the next available computer. He also said that if he only used part of an hour on a computer he thought he should be able to come back later in the day to use the balance of his time. He said staff members were hostile and abusive to him.

Ms. Thomas said that the rules and procedures were designed to maximize public access to the Internet, and that as an example of this, the library did not require a patrons to have a library card to use the computers, which would have meant that Mr. Pittman and other visitors would have had to pay for a non-resident library card to use the computers at all. She said that the goal of the current procedures and rules was to maximize public access.

Ms. Kastigar said that the reason for the one-hour rule was that certain people had monopolized the computers in the past. She felt that it would be an extra burden on reference staff to keep track of fractions of an hour of computer use.

Ms. Lewis said that there had not been any other complaints about the time limits or other aspects of the policy.

Mr. Stephan said that the Board would review the policy, particularly examining how other libraries were handling similar situations.

Ms. Lewis said that Mr. Pittman had not encountered hostility at the reference desk. She said that he had merely been told firmly and politely about the rules. On the other hand, she said, Mr. Pittman's behavior toward the staff had been verbally abusive and threatening. She said he even commented that she "should be in prison."

Ms. George noted that other patrons did not complain about the one-hour rule, but they did frequently complain about the 'slow' computers.

Ms. Thomas presented an examination of the existing computer and replacement options provided by Jane Kraina of Mary H. Weir Public Library. Ms. Kraina was available as a technical adviser under the terms of the LSTA Grant which pays her salary.

Dr. Julian moved that a new computer be purchased, up to a maximum cost of $1,100. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

Unique Management Services (Collection Agency)

Mr. Horacek noted that the 90-day trial period would expire in the next month. He recommended continuing to use the service, and evaluate its effectiveness in getting back overdue items in 9 months.

Dr. Julian moved to continue with the contract and reevaluate it in January 2001. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

Purchases from the Eleanor Bruhn and Anthony Werner donations

Ms. Thomas suggested that the remainder of the donations from Bruhn and Warner be used to purchase three more tables and the accompanying chairs. Sr. Mary Jude moved that the library purchase the tables and chairs for approximately $2,800. Miss Carroll seconded the motion.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

Heating and Cooling Maintenance Contract

Ms. Thomas said that a decision on the heating and cooling plant maintenance agreement must be reached at the May meeting. The contract with H. E. Neumann requires that the company be notified 30 days prior to the July 1st annual renewal date if the customer wishes to cancel the contract. She said that otherwise the contract will continue at the same price as the current year.

Mr. Stephan said that the library should continue with Neumann because Neuman is a mechanical contractor with major contracts in the area. He said that the others are not contracting for the same services and do not have the same experience.

In answer to a question from Miss Carroll, Dr. Julian said that the contract cost $1,350 per month, or $16,200 per year.

Dr. Julian said that the variations in prices in the proposals submitted to the library were so great that they did not appear to be equivalent proposals.

Ms. Thomas presented a proposal from Erb Electric to put covers over the lights in the entrance canopies.

Mr. Stephan moved to approve the proposal. Dr. Julian seconded the motion.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

Street Signs and Warwood Signage

Ms. Thomas said that she had met with a representative from the Department of Highways, Lloyd Adams, and Tim Burch from the City of Wheeling. The state's plans for locating the signs had not agreed with the Board's and the city's plans as worked out earlier. The state had agreed to change their plan. She said the signs would be installed in the near future.

Ms. Thomas said that she had met with Bill Miller from Aladdin Signs concerning the Warwood Library and developed a plan for a hanging sign over the door, as well as a new sign with library hours on the door. The cost would be $758.81 for the sign and $165.00 for painting the door.

Dr. Julian said that the library should also solicit a proposal for a sign on the north side of the bank building to present to the bank management.

Mr. Hess agreed that Ms. Thomas should develop a proposal.

Dr. Julian said that all the library hours on the sign should be in the same format, such as 5:00 rather than just 5.

Dr. Julian moved to approve the proposal for the signs for Warwood, and to develop a proposal for a sign on the north side of the building. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.

Vote:

Mr. Hess	yes
Mr. Stephan	yes
Dr. Julian	yes
Sr. Mary Jude	yes
Miss Carroll	yes

2000-2001 Budget and Capital Improvements List

Ms. Thomas presented a list of revenue proposed for 2000-2001:

Ms. Thomas said that she did not have a prioritized list of capital improvements at this time.

Ms. Thomas said that the proposal received for refinishing the outside doors was far too high in her opinion to consider. Mr. Stephan suggested asking Chuck Monfradi for a recommendation. Dr. Julian suggested contacting Belmont Technical College to see if their interns would take the doors on as a project. Two individuals, Stan Kanieski and Jack Stanton would also be contacted for quotes.

Ms. Thomas said that Jaminson Carpet & Flooring was working on estimates. She said she was investigating another source for restroom stalls. She said that Jamison planning on providing a quote based on both taking up the old tile, and on putting tile over tile. She reported that she had discussed these two options with Vance Kelley, an architect from the firm of Glenn, Livingood & Penzler, Architects for Lawrence, Kansas. Ms. Thomas worked with Mr. Kelley on the Pittsburg Public Library building renovation and expansion project in Kansas. He advised removing the old tile prior to installing new tile. Mr. Stephan expressed agreement with this opinion, and other Board members also agreed. Ms. Thomas said she would contact Jamison to ask them for a quote for removal of the old tile and installation of new and tell them to omit a quote for installing new tile over the old.

Ms. Thomas said she had talked with Sallie Holloway Campbell and brought in Albert's Tree Service for estimates. Mrs. Campbell will cover the costs of restoring the garden, except for tree removal. Ms. Thomas also said that Andy Barger had looked at the trees. Mr. Albert had recommended removing eight trees, those between the driveway and the Eoff St. lot, one to the side of the Japanese Garden, and one on the corner of the building on 16th Street. Mr. Barger suggested leaving the trees near the building, and removing the tree on the side of the Japanese Garden.

The Board suggested that Ms. Thomas get additional estimates, based on removing the tree on the corner of the building on 16th Street, the one in the Japanese Garden, and also a dead tree in the garden.

Dr. Julian reported on the meeting about the WVLC's Draft Strategic Plan held at the Ohio County Public Library on March 22. Ms. Thomas reported that Chris Riley had resigned from the West Virginia Library Commission.

Ms. Thomas said that the Legislature is convening an Interim Committee to consider library funding and the WVLC Administrative Rules and Regulations concerning libraries. She said that specifics were not yet available.

Mr. Hess presented letters he had sent in support of Dr. Julian being nominated to the West Virginia Library Commission.

Dr. Julian moved to adjourn.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p. m.