OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members Absent:
Dr. Patricia Burkhart
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Director; Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, Brenda Miller, Ohio County Circuit Clerk, Dr. Leslie Jones, Honey Louistau, Jane McLean
Call to order:
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Hess at 7:25 PM
Presentation by Ms. Brenda Miller
Circuit Clerk Brenda Miller announced her appointment to the Board of Dr. Charles Julian to fill the term beginning July 1, 1999. The term is currently vacant because of the resignation of Mr. Scott Reed. Mr. Hess thanked Ms. Miller, and noted her thorough procedure in recruiting the new board member.
Minutes
Mr. Stephan moved that the minutes of the May meeting be approved. Dr. DiLorenzo seconded. Mr. Hess asked that the minutes of the Announcements be corrected to reflect that he had not talked with Ms. Withum at Bank One concerning the Morrow Room and that the information concerning the Morrow Trust had come to him from other sources. The change was approved and the motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously.
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 for February and March. Dr. DiLorenzo seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas distributed copies of a written director's report (see attachment).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Hess presented a letter of resignation from Dr. Patricia Burkhart (attached). She was resigning because she was leaving the area. She also said she would not be able to attend the May or June meetings. Mr. Hess noted that the Board had the responsibility of replacing Dr. Burkhart whose term expires June 30, 2000; and that her replacement would have to be a woman. Ms. Miller said that with the imminent departure of Dr. Burkhart she had been reviewing the resumes she had received from women. She gave copies of these to Mr. Hess for the Board's consideration. Mr. Hess directed Ms. Thomas to make copies of the resumes and asked that she distribute them to all the board members for their review. Mr. Stephan suggested a letter of thanks from Mr. Hess to Dr. Burkhart.
OLD BUSINESS
Maintenance Contract for Library Heating and Cooling System
Ms. Thomas said that she had collected the names of companies judged to be capable of handling maintenance on the library's system and talked to the people at other libraries in the area. She said that Neidardt Heating and Air Conditioning and Johnson Boiler were the other local firms she would approach for an estimate. She said that Susan Reilly, director of the library in Moundsville had a contract with Neidhardt which called for quarterly rather than monthly inspections, which had made the contract much less expensive. Mr. Stephan said that Moundsville's facility was much smaller and the equipment possibly simpler, and that it might be that a quarterly inspections might not be often enough for the library. Mr. Stephan suggested asking the firms for the names of similar facilities that they service.
Gates Library Foundation and Carpet Replacement
Ms. Thomas said that this had been discussed in her director's report.
Microfilm Reader/Printer Carrier Panel
Ms. Thomas reported that the estimate of $875 for the part for the Minolta reader/printer (approved for purchase at the last meeting) had proved to be for a manual microfilm carrier rather than an electric one like those on the library's other machines. The electric one would cost $1995.00. After discussion Dr. DiLorenzo moved that the library continue with the manual version rather than purchase the electric drive. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Chamber of Commerce Membership
Ms. Thomas said that most area libraries belonged to the Chamber of Commerce in their community. Mr. Hess asked her to check on the cost. Mr. Stephan asked her to find out if the Chamber offered an associate membership. Mr. Hess said that it would be considered at the next meeting.
Annual Budget
Ms. Thomas said that in response to a suggestion from the Board to upgrade paraprofessional reference assistants and the bookkeeper position, she had revised the personnel portion of the budget. She said that upgrading the salaries of these positions should make retaining staff easier, and help recruit the best possible paraprofessional staff when needed. Ms. Thomas said that she recommended a lower cost of living increase for professionals because the dollar amount would still greater for a given percentage increase. She also noted that the increase in the CPI for 1998 was approximately 1.6%, and therefore a 2% increase would cover the actual increase in the cost of living. She said this would free money for a larger percentage increase for lower-paid staff. Dr. DiLorenzo suggested proceeding with a 2% cost of living increase for professionals, a 5% increase for non-professional staff and a raise to $17,500 for the reference assistants and bookkeeper. Mr. Hess agreed with this.
Dr. DiLorenzo moved to approve the budget with the 2%/5% split in raises plus $17,500 for the mid-range employees. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Burkhart | absent |
| Dr. DiLorenzo | yes |
Mr. Stephan asked Ms. Thomas to provide the Board with an analysis of the 1998-1999 budget showing how her budget projections would have fared had there not been unanticipated changes in the staff.
NEW BUSINESS
Appointment of Acting Secretary-Treasurer
Mr. Hess said that because of Dr. Burkhart's resignation the Board needed to appoint an acting secretary/treasurer until formal election of board officers could be held.
Dr. DiLorenzo moved that Mr. Stephan be appointed acting secretary/treasurer. Mr. Stephan seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Burkhart | absent |
| Dr. DiLorenzo | yes |
Ms. Thomas distributed copies of the Children's Department Report (attached). She also distributed the results of the survey of Warwood residents concerning the Hildebrand Memorial Branch (attached).
Executive Session
Mr. Stephan moved that the Board go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Dr. DiLorenzo seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Burkhart | absent |
| Dr. DiLorenzo | yes |
At 8:35 PM the Board went into executive session and remained in executive session until 9:00 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.