November 2023 Minutes
Switzerland County Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
November 7th, 2023
The regular monthly meeting of the Switzerland County Public Library Board of Trustees was held Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 at 3:30 pm in the meeting room of the library. Attending were Deborah Margison, Mary Jane Rogers, Diane Sigmon, Sharon Deck, Heather Peelman, and Emily Fox. Not attending were Stacy Streett, Michelle Hicks, and Diana Barry.
Deck made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous board meeting, seconded by Rogers and passed unanimously. Reports of library activity and technology activity were shared. Circulation is still low due to transit disruptions. Over 350 people stopped by during trick-or-treat. Other programming, particularly with teens, is going well.
Bills and claims were presented. Deck asked if the water bill was usually that high and Fox said it has been higher since beginning to water the new plants outdoors. Sigmon made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Deck and passed unanimously.
Time for Public Comments
None.
Old Business
Fox shared building updates. Lighting installation was finalized earlier in the day and the bill should be coming soon. Comfort Systems said the parts for the HVAC maintenance are coming in soon and repairs will be scheduled when they are received.
Fox shared that the library received the $2000 grant from the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation for a new server. Fox presented quotes for the server and a new firewall from AVC Technology. There were two quotes for the firewall; Fox shared her opinion that the less expensive one would work fine for what was needed. Fox proposed a resolution to move money within the operating fund from Personal Services to Other Services and Charges. Discussion was held. Margison motioned to accept the quote from AVC and move the money accordingly, seconded by Sigmon and passed unanimously.
The form 990 prepared by Stephanie Furnish was presented. Rogers motioned to submit it, seconded by Deck and passed unanimously.
Staff raises were presented. In accordance with what was discussed at the executive session in October, all staff members will receive a 5% raise and desk clerks and janitors will receive an additional $1.00 per hour on top of the 5%. Sigmon motioned to accept, seconded by Rogers and passed unanimously.
New Business
The Circulation Policy was reviewed. Changes were made to reflect junior profiles, fine-free libraries, and equipment/kits. Deck motioned to accept the changes, seconded by Sigmon and passed unanimously.
Fox asked for permission to register for the Public Library Association National Conference in 2024, since she went in 2022 and the conference is held every two years. It will be in Columbus, OH. Extra money for travel was appropriated in the 2024 budget for this reason. The approximate cost of the conference will be $1300-$1400. No objection was had, so Fox will register soon to get the Early Bird discount.
The library will be closed November 11th for Veteran’s Day and will close at 5 p.m. on November 22nd and will reopen on November 25th for Thanksgiving. The library will not be closing November 17th-18th as originally planned because the Evergreen Indiana upgrade has been postponed until January.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Minutes recorded by Emily Fox.