March 2007 Board Minutes

Thorntown Public Library

124 N. Market St.,
Thorntown, IN 46071
Phone: 765-436-7348 Fax 765-436-7011

President Ron Guinn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Teresa Carter, Stephanie Jones, Patty Ramsey, Ron Guinn, and Deanna Brueggert. Absent were John Merson and Eric Ragsdale. Also present were library director Karen K. Niemeyer and treasurer Barbara A. Darnell.

The minutes of the February 12, 2007, meeting were reviewed. . Barbara provided a list of additional claims to be added to the February claims register; the additions bring the total amount of warrants for February to $29,680.64. Patty moved approval of the minutes as amended and Stephanie seconded; motion carried

Barbara Darnell provided the treasurer’s monthly financial report. She indicated that the NOW account is now high enough (over $100,000.00) to receive 3% interest. She provided the MBIA report detailing investment activity. Patty asked what charges were included on the VISA bill, and these include computers, books, software and licenses, and cleaning supplies. Receipts for February 2007 total $84,085.59 and disbursements total $50,039.15. The ending cash balance is $141,273.02. With the addition of CD’s that total $393,000.00 and interest of $6789.09, the total of available funds is $541,062.11. Deanna moved and Patty seconded approval of the financial report and that the register of claims (total $34,163.85) be approved for payment; motion carried.

Ron’s library board membership was approved by the Western Boone Community Schools Board of Trustees. The Clinton Twp. Trustee has indicated that he and his advisory board will approved the contract for service by our library. The Tri-Area Library has replied that its board is not interested in networking at this time but requests that the possibility for future discussion be left open.

The county does not have assessed valuation figures, and the Dept. of Local Government Finance has told Karen to estimate a number for the CPF proposal to be presented at a public hearing in April.

NetLink has completed the server upgrade and saved us at least $680 on hourly charges. They have advised Karen and Linda White that computers may now be estimated to last three years, servers five years, and wireless networks three to five years. Karen suggests that the library budget to replace approximately eight computers per year but purchase only when necessary because CPF funds may be retained for use in subsequent years.

Family Flooring completed today installation of carpet and of VCT on two Carnegie stairways. Their work has a three-year warranty. Karen talked with them about binding leftover carpet pieces as floor runners and has concluded that walkoff mats from Don Aslett’s cleaning service will be a better investment.

Karen reported that Lovell Excavating has a $1245 balance remaining for the finishing of the drainage project. To complete the project the west sump pump needs to be installed, grading of the east lot must be finished, the grass torn up on all four sides of the building must be cleaned up and seeded, and the backup power supply must be made functional In the $50,000 maximum allowed for the project, $4978 remains: $1245 for Lovell’s contract and $3733 for any miscellaneous needs. Karen requested that the board employ Lovell to seed the east lot after grading; the request was approved by consensus. The original plan had been that the library board purchase the seed and use prisoner labor to spread it.

In the future a sidewalk and steps installed from the west parking lot to the south public door would be helpful, it was agreed, but no plans are in the works at present. Use of the east lot for staff parking was discussed, as well as stepping stones leading up from the lot and down into the existing east parking lot.

Moisture Management put weeps under the window of the head librarian’s office, re-seated the concrete caps on the east overhang, and replaces/repaired some bricks and mortar. At this time, there are no leaks into the second floor office. Karen noted that the caulking bead on the rubber moisture-proofing sheeting around the foundation needs attention.

The west side exterior lighting had been out. Smith Electric was able to affect some repairs and called in a commercial lighting assistant in order to complete the repair. They also identified a mislabeled circuit breaker and the staff will relabel properly. Two lights have been added over the videos at the second floor exit from the elevator.

Karen reported several plumbing concerns, and after discussion, Patty moved and Deanna seconded that Keith Smith (K2 Plumbing) be employed for $1734 to install a water softener, replace the site water heater in the staff restroom, install 3.5-gallon flush capability in two restrooms, and resolve sink strainers/spraying issues; motion carried. The staff is working on eliminating some of the scale in the dishwasher.

Home National Bank has invited the library board members to a March 22 breakfast for introduction of new products. Karen, Teresa, Patty, and, possibly, Deanna, will attend and bring back information for the library board.

Karen reported that fencing will be needed around the sump pump controller east of the east parking lot. She has asked Craig White to provide for the April 9 meeting a proposal to fence the sump pump controller and the electrical and back-up power supply units just east of the library building.

Karen presented a professional development request for her to attend the ILF Small and Medium Size Libraries conference in April. She will focus on Internet and child safety laws. Deanna moved and Stephanie seconded approval of the request; motion carried.

During the Director’s Report Karen asked whether or not any board member would like to apply wallpaper border to the staff restroom; there were no volunteers.

Karen and Mary Schmucker attended the Advance town meeting about improvements for Advance. A volunteer library is being sought by area residents and consultants. She made several contacts, including the consulting team from Purdue University. She obtained for our collection a DVD of the history of Advance.

ECS is no longer supporting our Alerton HVAC controls. United Building Technologies (Indianapolis) has assumed that role and is working with Karen and KB Systems.

The library is now offering downloadable videos. Karen shared photographs of the building when still under construction in 2004. The Williamsport library is having a book sale of 100,000 excess volumes donated subsequent to the fire that destroyed their new library. Karen reported that Feb. 28 there was an exciting day at the library. She explained that she and lunch manager Becki Brown had delivered a 6:30 a.m. speech to the Thorntown Kiwanis, that Becki then experienced severe chest pain and was later transported by ambulance to Witham Hospital (after a dozen emergency responders converged on the library), that during this time the library’s cat Buffit was reported dead on IN47 and Karen picked him up to be buried during her supper hour, and that the day progressed in this downward spiral until the 8 p.m. closing time. Fortunately, that kind of day is the exception, not the rule.

There being no.further business, Stephanie moved and Deanna seconded that the meeting be adjourned; motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.