HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-08 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting
Fayetteville Public Library
April 8, 1996
Present: Mary Parsons, Steve Singleton, Maury Roberts, Mark Burdette, Michael
Thomas, Linda Harrison, Karen Duree, Mary Jo Godfrey, Lynaire Hartsell, David
Johnson, and June Jefferson
Approval of Minutes: Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The minutes of
the last meeting were accepted as submitted. Mary Parsons and Maury Roberts, the new
board members, were introduced to the staff and board.
Election of Treasurer: Burdett moved that Mary Parsons be nominated for treasurer,
with Singleton seconding the motion. Parsons said she was willing, and she was elected
treasurer in a unanimous vote. Thomas initiated a discussion about the treasurer being
bonded and the costs and stipulations of different policies. Thomas motioned that the
board sign up for a designated signee and designated staff person to be required to sign a
check for $50,000 or over. Burdett seconded that motion. All said AYE. This would cost
$180.
Correspondence: Harrison discussed the letters sent to the new board members and a
letter to the fire department included in the board packets.
Librarian's reports: The'stdtistical and financial reports showed that everything is up
from last year. Singleton asked Harrison whether there was an ongoing need for
volunteers, and she said they are pushing for more volunteers at present, with all the new
projects. On the financial report, Harrison asked for questions and clarified things for the
board.
Jefferson reported on the insurance rates, stating that the library's health insurance
policy was one of the benefits the city allows us to share with the rest of the city
employees. They have been very good about negotiating premiums and benefits, but this
year the premiums are being raised 10%. The total cost for the remainder of the year would
be $2,223.68. The library's recommendation is that the cost of the higher premium be
halved between the employer and employee. The city is absorbing the increase for its
employees. At present, the split is 21% for city employee, 78% for city— and they have
proposed to change it to 19% for employee, 81% for employer. As proposed, the library's
cost per employee for the 50/50 split would be $1,192.50. Burdett moved that they accept
this for review, and Roberts seconded this motion. The boartd's vote was unanimous.
Johnson reported on National Library Week activities. They will have children paint
the horse near the mall. The Night of a Thousand Stars promises to be a blast. It will be in
the Sunday Living section of the NWA Times.
Jefferson handed out copies of the patron survey conducted in December. They
have 986 surveys and 863 respondents, not all answering all questions (47 questions).
Thomas advised the board members to take it home and look at it and for Jefferson to
follow up at next month's meeting.
Harrison explained the service to the home -bound project to Roberts and Parsons.
The Friends will not be sending out information to volunteers until late May. Johnson had
been in touch with people doing similar programs in Tulsa and Rogers and had talked the
Area Agency on Aging and Home Hospice.
Johnson, in his rport on the 1996 Computer Plan, said that he had talked with K.T.
McKann, the neww computer person at Regional. They have decided to set up a little local
area network and to share a 14 disk tower, which will allow multiple searching and internet
access by the end of the summer. He handed out a list of some of the objectives and of the
furniture and hardware needed. McKann and Duree think we might get grant funds to wire
the building. The board brainstormed for a while, and Thomas asked Johnson to put dates
on his plan and to establish priorities and get prices.
Jefferson reported on activities for Poetry month, including a display.
Thomas again suggested that press releases be printed on letterhead.
Hartsell reported on the price increase for patron requests. Two instances had come
up, one in which a patron wanted to put his own stamp on the card and be charged less and
one in which the patron who is in the library 4 days a week and doesn't need a card sent
might possibly have the charge waived. Thomas was firm that the charge should remain
.35, and Singleton, Parsons, and Burdett agreed.
Unfinished Business: Thomas reported on implementation of the new pay matrix. He
is willing to go to Steve Davis to find out how much the city is going to pay toward this.
New Business: The Battle of Fayetteville re-enactment which will be on April 13 will be
headquartered across the street from the library. Harrison had been asked whether they
could use the library lawn for overflow, if the Historical Society lawn is not large enough
for all the participants' tents. They will clean up after themselves. The board members
agreed to allow this.
Other Business: Harrison pointed out other information included in the board packets.
The meeting adjourned at 6.00pin.
Submitted by Karin Wiggins