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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-04-13 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
April 13, 1987, 4:00 p.m.
Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol Phillips,
Margaret Salassi; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Rigional
Library Director Karen Duree.
Secretary Bobbye Hay called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Newly -appointed member Dorothy Bowen was welcomed to the Board. The minutes of
the regular March 9, 1987, meeting were approved as mailed.
Election of officers was held. The following were elected unanimously: Bobbye
Hay, President; Foster Park, Vice President and Secretary; Carol Phillips,
Treasurer.
Director Harrison presented and discussed the Statistical Report and the
Financial Report for March. She noted that three sizable contributions had
been made to memorials. Expenses for the month included 390 pilferage, traced
to a night custodian employed by the contract custodial service. Insurance will
reimburse the Library for that loss. The custodial employee has been terminated.
Treasurer Phillips reported a balance in the checking account of 32525.25, as
of April 13; 3900.13 in the Memorial Fund; $37,465.24 in certificates of deposit.
Director Harrison noted that inflation has raised considerably the price of the
check-out desk approved for the Children's Department at the March meeting, but
that a local cabinet maker can make the sane type of desk for $2415. Carol
Phillips moved that we add 3180 to last month's authorized expenditure to have
the desk made locally, with a second by Margaret Salassi. The motion passed
unanimously.
Director Harrison also noted that, contrary to what the Library was told during
late 1986 budget preparation for 1987, Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance
premiums for employees will increase by 13.9%, effective April 15. Discussion
followed as to how this increase could be accommodated within our present 1987
budget. Publication lines in the budget appear to allow the only real flexi-
bility. Another alternative would be to require employees to pay more of the
cost. Board members noted the possibility that additional fine income this year
(with daily fines now raised from two to five cents) may cover the increase,
and it was agreed to take another look at the situation after July 1, in light
of income and expenses then.
Ms. Harrison further noted the need this year to establish a formal inventory,
capitalizing fixed assets, as our CPA has advised previously. The problem of
determining values in such an inventory was discussed. President Hay volunteered
to help. Regional Director Duree offered some information from her previous
experience at Springdale Library several years ago. The possibility of doing
such an inventory with the staff during the September workshop was suggested;
possibly it could be combined with the prospective move in the fall for the
asbestos removal.
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Copies of the 1986 audit report from CPA John B. Ervin were distributed.
Questions and discussion may followat another meeting after Board members
have a chance to read the report.
Discussion followed about the need for a fireproof barrier around the book
drops from outside the building, to prevent loss of building contents from
possible acts of vandalism and the like. Director Harrison noted that free-
standing outside book drops were available for approximately *1000 each. There
is no deadline for such a change, and it was generally agreed to make proposals
for such additions in the 1988 budget. Carol Phillips noted that the Library
has no smoke alarms. Director Harrison indicated that such alarms have not
been urged by fire inspectors in the past. Carol Phillips agreed to investi-
gate whether or not the city might furnish such warning devices. Possibly they
could be added during the asbestos removal.
The Board then addressed the problem of the asbestos removal, stimulated
partly by the March 11 article in The Grapevine that raised questions about
possible health hazards. Director Harrison noted that city proposals for the
removal have not yet been prepared, despite indications last year that
proposals would be ready in December. No real plans can be made until we have
some firmer indication about the removal timing and procedures. A motion by
Dorothy Bowen for the Library (the Director and the Board together) to work
out a letter of inquiry to the City of Fayetteville, to be delivered to City
Manager Grimes, was seconded by Carol Phillips, and passed unanimously.
There has been no further information about the discrimination complaint to
which the Library has formally responded.
Because of the asbestos problem, there will be chest X-rays for Library
employees desiring them on Tuesday, April 14. Dr. Miller has offered to
interpret them for any employee who wishes.
Director Harrison announced that, as usual and as budgeted, the Children's
Department will hire one full-time extra assistant during the summer. It was
agreed that the position should be advertised.
Regional Director Karen Duree led a discussion about the status of various
libraries in our regional system in regard to the state one -mill tax support
requirement. There will be a need for elections to replace the one -mill support
county -wide, not just in Fayettegille,, and efforts will be needed to encourage
public approval. Actual plans by the Fayetteville Library Board for promoting
approval can probably wait to see what action the Regional Board wishes to take.
For the present, there will be no special Board meetings to revise the by-laws
and to estabiih a comprehensive personnel policy.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Foster Park, Secretary