OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
January Board Meeting
January 8, 2002
Members Present:
Mr. Ted Hess, Mr. Tom Stephan, Sr. Mary Jude Jochum, Dr. Charles Julian, Miss Sally Carroll.
Members Absent: None
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Director; Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, Shelley Garrison, Intelligencer reporter.
Call to order:
Mr. Hess called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.
Minutes
Dr. Julian moved that the minutes of the December meeting be approved as distributed. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
Financial Report:
The financial report was presented.
INVOICES AND WARRANTS
Sr. Mary Jude moved to approve the financial report and approve payment of invoices and warrants; Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas’ written Directors Report was included in the Board packet mailed to members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Thomas noted that the West Virginia Senate Finance Committee hearing on the WVLC budget would be Jan. 31, at 3 PM, and the House Finance Committee was scheduled to meet Feb. 5, at 9:30 AM. Dr. Julian noted that the WVLC meeting would also be held on February 5 at the Cultural Center after the budget hearing.
Ms. Thomas noted that Dr. Julian said that a Budget Improvement Package or increase in funding would be required for the West Virginia Digital Library project.
Ms. Thomas said that at the next Board meeting there would be discussion of changes to the Internet policy as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Dr. Julian reported that the next WVLC meeting would be January 11, 2002 at the Cultural Center in Charleston.
OLD BUSINESS
Flooring for Circulation Desk Area
The Board discussed options such as replacing the slate with other flooring materials. The concern was voiced that the suggested replacements for the existing slate floor were of an inferior aesthetic quality. It was suggest that an architect may be able to suggest alternatives to removingthe slate floor, perhaps by laying some type of sloped edging around the existing raised edges of the slate tile.The Board directed Ms. Thomas to consult an architect, suggesting Shaeffer & Madama. The Board said that Ms. Thomas should first find out what the fee for the consultation would be.
Auditorium Furniture Upgrade
Dr. Julian moved that the existing table tops be relaminated, with a finish to be selected. The cost is $147.00 per table for the round tables and $159.00 per table for the longer rectangular tables.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
Concerning the chairs, the Board agreed that none of the chairs examined so far were acceptable, and that $75.00 per chair should be the maximum cost. The Board asked Ms. Thomas to contact Bob Och for quotes on upholstered stacking chairs, costing less than $75.00 each.
NEW BUSINESS
Morrow Trust Account
Robert Klug from BankOne was not able to attend the meeting because of a scheduling conflict, so the discussion was postponed until the next meeting.
Mr.Hess said that he had a copy of the Morrow Estate will which established the trust, and would make a copy available to Board members. Ms. Thomas said that the library had a copy on file, and she would be willing to make copies and send them to members before the next meeting, along with a copy of this year’s letter showing how the cost of support for the Morrow Room was calculated. Mr. Hess asked that a copy of the Quarterly Report for the Morrow Trust also be mailed to each trustee. >WVLC Legislative Hearings, and WVLA’s Lobby Agenda
Ms. Thomas noted that she had already announced the dates of the meetings.
Dr. Julian said that the WVLC Commissioners had approved a prioritized list of budget improvement packages, although the outlook for a funding increase was dim. Ms. Thomas said that she had received information that the Federal LSTA funding for the next year had been approved at $168 million nationally, a $40 million cut, which would mean some reduction to West Virginia current annual grant of approximately $1.1 million.
Mr. Hess asked for a list of legislators with addresses.
Dr. Julian also suggested that in writing to legislators that Board members should also ask them to protect our special funding law against challenges, in addition to asking for support for increased per-capita grants and the Digital Library. Ms. Thomas noted that the West Virgnia Library Association had identified 3 funding priorities. A flyer explaining the 3 priorities was enclosed in the recently received WVLA membership renewal mailing. Ms. Thomas suggested that trustees write the legislators in support of these priorities.
Legislative Digest Request
Ms. Thomas suggested that the Board ask for new end caps for the adult collection’s fiction and nonfiction book shelves. The approximate cost for this capital improvement is $10,500, though price varies considerable depending on the quality and style. She also suggested requesting mission-style tables and chairs for storytime or preschool-age children to replace the current plastic furniture. These mission-styke tables would match the elementary-age size tables that were purchased for the Children’s Department a few years ago.
Sr. Mary Jude moved that Ms. Thomas and Dr. Julian prepare a proposal for the legislators for the endcaps and the children’s furniture. Dr. Julian seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Dr. Julian moved that the Board go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
The Board entered executive session at 8:20 and returned from executive session at 8:35.
Dr. Julian moved to adjourn. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.