OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members Present:
Mr. Ted Hess, Mr. Tom Stephan, Dr. Charles Julian, Sr. Mary Jude Jochum
Members Absent:
None
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Director; Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, Tom Jewell, Wheeling Intelligencer reporter.
Call to order:
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Hess at 7:00 PM
Minutes
Dr. Julian moved that the minutes of the November meeting be approved. Sr. Mary Jude seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
Financial Report:
The financial report was presented.
INVOICES AND WARRANTS
Dr. Julian moved to approve the financial report and approve payment of invoices and warrants; Sr. Mary Jude seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hess delivered a report on the Endowment Trust Fund at Wesbanco and the Morrow Fund at BankOne.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas presented a written director's report (attached).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Thomas announced that the library was successful in all LSTA Grant Applications. The library has been awarded $5,000 for Adult/Senior services; $20,000 for Library Technology, in partnership with Mary H. Weir Public Library, Brooke County Public Library and Miracle Valley Regional Library System; and $10,000 for a Children's Services in cooperation with City-County Public Library, Moundsville.
OLD BUSINESS
Employment of Collection Agency to Retrieve Overdue Books
Mr. Stephan moved that the Library Director enter into a 90-day trial contract with Unique Management Systems to collect overdue material from patrons with materials and/or fines in excess of $50.00, using the company's $9.95 per account flat fee. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
Signs for the Main Library and Warwood
Ms. Thomas reported that the West Virginia Library Commission had just announced a program in cooperation with the Department of Highways to install library directional signs statewide.
Ms. Thomas said that Aladdin Signs would be developing a proposal for an outdoor sign for the main library. The Board suggested that she approach Mansuetto Advertising and Gwynn Advertising about a sign over the door at Warwood.
Dr. Julian said that the main library entrance areas and the parking lots were very dark, and that Ms. Thomas should consider improved lighting.
Rest Room Cleaning
Ms. Thomas reported that the maintenance staff had scrubbed the rest rooms and removed wax build-up from the floors and wax that had splattered on the walls. She said that they were working on improving the appearance of the grout in the men's rest room.
Ms. Thomas said that replacement stall doors were not available any more; the entire stalls would have to be replaced. Mr. Stephan said that she should investigate the cost.
NEW BUSINESS
Safe Deposit Box
Ms. Thomas said that she wished to rent a safe deposit box for off-site storage of computer data. The cost would be $15.00/year. Mr. Hess said that it could be left to the director's discretion.
Anthony Werner Donation
Ms. Thomas said that she had discussed how the $5,000 gift would be spent with Mr. Werner. The Board asked her to bring a proposal to the next meeting.
Personnel Policy Changes
Ms. Thomas presented suggested changes in personnel policy. The first eliminated a provision in the final two sentences of "Section 1 -- Vacations" that accrued unused vacation pay would be withheld if a person quit without proper notice or if a person was dismissed for cause. The second changed the first two paragraphs of "Section 3 -- Separations, Resignations and Dismissals" in an attempt to clearly define proper notice.
Dr. Julian moved that the first proposal be adopted. Sr. Mary Jude seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | yes |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
Christmas Pay Period
Mr. Hess agreed with Ms. Thomas's suggestion that the normal library pay day of Dec. 24 be changed to Dec. 23 since most banks were closing early on the 24th and the Library would be open on Christmas Eve until 1 p.m., thus prohibiting employees working on that day from being able to cash their checks.
Christmas Observance
Ms. Thomas suggested that the Board purchase Kroger gift certificates for staff as a Christmas bonus. She suggested $25.00 for full-time staff and $15.00 for part-time staff. Mr. Stephan said that he opposed direct gifts. He suggested that the Board pay for a Christmas Party with mandatory attendance. Ms. Thomas commented that many employees have not attended prior Christmas dinners (where employees paid their own way) or annual picnics (where the Library provided part of their food). She stated she felt there would be little interest in a Christmas party.
Dr. Julian moved that the Board pay the bonus that Ms. Thomas suggested. Sr. Mary Jude seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Mr. Stephan | no |
| Dr. Julian | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
Executive Session to Discuss Vacancy on the Board
The board went into Executive Session at 8:25 p.m., and emerged at 8:50 p.m.
Dr. Julian moved to adjourn. Sr. Mary-Jude seconded the motion.