OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members Present:
Mr. Tom Stephan, Dr. Charles Julian, Miss Sally Carroll
Members Absent:
Mr. Ted Hess, Sr. Mary Jude Jochum
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Director; Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, Michelle Blum, Intelligencer reporter, Linda Reising.
The members of the Board agreed that in the absence of Mr. Hess, Dr. Julian would chair the meeting.
Call to order:
Dr. Julian called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Mr. Stephan moved to go into the public hearing. Miss Carroll seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Internet Access Policy
Two members of the public attended the public hearing.
Ms. Linda Reising, the only person who signed up to speak, spoke in favor of the proposed Internet Access Policy. She approved of its protection for minors using the Internet. She said she appreciated the fact that the protections could be minimized for research purposes, but wondered if a sixteen-year-old would be allowed to ask to have the filters turned off, or if the child's parents would have to be consulted. She said she would like to see that procedure addressed
Dr. Julian asked if there were any other comments on the proposed policy. There being none, Dr. Julian asked for a motion to closed the public hearing.
Mr. Stephan moved to close the public hearing. Miss Carroll seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | absent |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
Dr. Julian then asked if there were any general comments or questions from the Trustees and/or the public. Ms. Reising asked if the implementation of the policy was dependent upon the pending court decisions. Dr. Julian stated that the library's Internet policy as well as all policies could and should be updated, revised and changed as necessary. He said that the library board would review the Internet policy after the CIPA law was finally ruled upon by the courts. Ms. Thomas agreed with Dr. Julian's assessment, and also said that she believed the Internet policy should be addressed again after the CIPA's status is finally determined by the courts. Ms. Reising stated again the belief that the children should be protected from inappropriate Internet sites and children's access to the Internet should be filtered.
There being no other questions or further comments, Dr. Julian, Mr. Stepahn and Miss Carroll thanked Ms. Riesing and the other individual for attending and assured them of the library board's continuing interest in the views and concerns of the public and their desire to meet the needs of the citizens of Ohio County.
Minutes Miss Carroll moved that the minutes of the April meeting be approved as distributed. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | absent |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
Financial Report:
The financial report was presented.
INVOICES AND WARRANTS
Mr. Stephan moved to approve the financial report and approve payment of invoices and warrants; Miss Carroll seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | absent |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas presented a written Directors Report. (Attachment #1)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Thomas noted that the new chairs for the auditorium had been delivered, and were awaiting Scotch-Guard treatment. She said that the next Lunch with Books would be May 21. The program entitled "Give 'Em Hell, Harry," is a portrayal of President Harry Truman by Gerald Riley of the Wheatfield Theatre Company of Ellicott City, MD. Ms. Thomas also announced that Carl Clark, the library's maintenance man, is currently in the hospital. He will be on sick leave for some time. George Nicolson, the library's security guard and fill-in maintenance man, has had agreed to fill in for Mr. Clark.
OLD BUSINESS
REPORT FROM DENNIS MADEAMA
Dennis Madama of Schaeffer and Madama Architects presented his final plans for work around the circulation desk and the column bases as well as his estimates for the cost. He proposed several alternative materials to replace the tile on the columns and at the base of the circulation desk, and the base of the desk in the children's area: granite, cultured granite, and cultured marble. He also offered four proposals for carpeting around the circulation desk, ranging from a border around the tile in front of the desk, to carpeting the entire area bounded by the four columns around the desk.
The construction cost estimates were based upon the work being done at night after the library closed, calculating that demolition around two columns could be done each night.
Mr. Madama said that he would provide an estimate of his fee for preparing the drawings, selecting the contractors, and supervising the construction for approval at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Replacement of Fire Alarm System and Fire Inspection Report
Ms. Thomas presented a proposal from Advanced Lock & Security to replace the library's fire alarm system, which had failed in the previous month because wires had fused together. The alarm was set off probably due to defective wiring and the Wheeling Fire Department was called. Mr. Clark, library maintenance staff person, had come into the library Saturday night, May 4, to turn the alarm off. He was unable to reset it. Ms. Thomas directed him to call ALS to identify the problem and propose a solution. Their report is attached (Attachment #2). The total cost for a new fire alarm is $8,400.
Mr. Stephan moved to proceed with the work. Miss Carroll seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | absent |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
Dr. Julian asked Ms. Thomas to ask ALS to also prepare a proposal addressing the issues raised in the Wheeling Fire Department's inspection.
Director's Credit Card Limit
Ms. Thomas reported that the $1,000 limit on her Library VISA credit card was a problem because car rental firms charged $500 to the card (representing the deductible on a person's insurance policy) to the card when renting a car. This charge is not removed until the car is returned, and then the actual rental cost is charged. The $500 charge leaves very little credit for lodging, meals and travel expenses, especially if other library employees' travel expenses must also be charged on Ms. Thomas' card, as was the case this year at WVLA's spring fling. Mr. Horacek said that he also experience the same problem with his VISA card because his credit limit is only $500. There if he rents a car, he then has no credit left on his card.
Mr. Stephan moved that the limit on the Director's credit card be raised to $2,500, and on the Assistant Director's, $1,500. Miss Carroll seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | absent |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
2002-2003 Budget
Ms. Thomas present a proposed budget for 2002-2003. She noted that revenues were up slightly. She said that the budget documents presented at the month's meeting were a beginning working proposal. The 3% across-the-board salaries and benefits worksheet was presented as an average increase to allow the trustees to see approximately how much might be available for personnel expenditures. She also noted that the Consumer Price Index showed a 3% cost of living increase in the previous year. She said that upon the advice of the Library's insurance agent, Mr. John Glasscock, health insurance was estimated to increase 15%. The actual increase may be lower.
Mr. Stephan asked if state Grants in Aid had been estimated too high, considering the state's financial problems. Ms. Thomas said she would check with The West Virginia Library Commission's Interim Secretary, J. D. Waggoner, on the possibility of Grants-in-Aid being reduced during 2002-2003. Ms. Thomas asked the trustees to communicate with her any comments, concerns, questions, or suggestions for developing a final annual budget.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.