February 2025 Minutes
Switzerland County Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
February 11th, 2025
The regular monthly meeting of the Switzerland County Public Library Board of Trustees was held Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 at 3:30 pm in the meeting room of the library. Attending were Mary Jane Rogers, Diane Sigmon, Michelle Hicks, Norman Miller, Don Tolliver, Sharon Deck, Diana Barry, Heather Peelman, and Emily Fox.
Deck made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous board meeting, seconded by Sigmon and passed unanimously. Reports of library activity and technology activity were shared. There was no school outreach in January due to snow.
Bills and claims were presented. Deck had a question about snow removal by Parham Excavating. Fox said it was mostly paid by a donation from the funeral home but she would talk to them about getting a bid in the fall. Hicks made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Tolliver and passed unanimously.
Time for Public Comments
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Fox gave an overview of the annual report. She is still finalizing both the State Library annual report and the State Board of Accounts annual report. Overall, the number of programs increased approximately 10% but the number of attendees increased by over 1000, accounting for a 37% increase. Library visits also increased by over 1000. Approximately 500 more people used the library’s wifi and there was also an increase in the number of people using public computers. Circulation went down overall, but e-circulation had an increase.
The nonresident fee was reviewed. Since it still falls within standards, it was unchanged.
The Genealogy and Information Services policy was reviewed. No changes were made.
The Strategic Plan was reviewed. Fox shared updates on all goals. Most goals have been met, partially met, or changed. The outdoor space was renovated, outreach efforts have been successful overall, and children’s toys have been replaced. Fox said some of the shortcomings have been formalizing an outreach service for homebound patrons, replacing furniture due to cost and space, and not adding hotspots to circulation due to cost-effectiveness. The 2026-2030 strategic plan will be drafted before the end of the year. Fox will begin accepting input from staff, board, and public in the late spring or early summer.
Barry asked about renovating bathrooms, as it had previously been talked about. Fox said that had been the plan after completing the outdoor learning lab and was outlined in the building assessment done by K2M Design. She said that it would be included in the next strategic plan. Fox also said she planned to bring quotes for new flooring in the meeting room as she hoped to paint and replace the floor before summer reading. The board was very much in favor of it.
Barry had a question about snow-related weather closures and wanted to know if it was possible to have a delay like the schools do. Fox said that they have done that in the past but do it less often since the library moved opening to 10 a.m. and half of the library staff live within walking distance, a change from previous years.
Miller asked if anyone checked the gutters and Fox said Errol Wayne Judy does in the spring and fall. He also asked about the handicap parking spaces being unmarked and she said that she asked the funeral home about coordinating sealing and striping the parking lot over the summer. They ended up not doing it, likely due to building repairs needed from the hailstorm in the spring. She said she would put it on the agenda for this year and hopefully get it completed this summer.
The library will be closed on Monday, February 17th for President’s Day. Fox will be leading the Rosie Committee’s annual spring selection meeting on March 1st in Indianapolis before rotating out of her role as committee chair. She will also be presenting for the Rosie Committee at the ILF Youth Services Conference at IU Bloomington on March 10th.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Minutes recorded by Emily Fox.