East Central Reporter

Robinson Public Library District Board of Trustees met Nov. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board members present in-person:  Todd Liston, Michael Garrard, Guy Rumler, and Debbie Walls

Board members present via remote: None

Board members absent:  Craig Beals, Rhonda Moade and Debbie Scott

Total board members present: 4

Library staff present: Doug Roberts, Director; Janice Shick, Bookkeeper; Mindi Williamson, Children’s Librarian

Library staff absent:  None

Guests present: None

Public Present: None

Meeting called to order at 5:09 p.m.

Action Items:

Approved the October 18, 2022 board meeting minutes as written, with no changes. Roll call of four approved.

Approved the November 9, 2022 Building & Grounds Committee meeting minutes as written, with no changes. Roll call of four approved.

Approved the October Check Register results as presented by bookkeeper, Janice Shick. Roll call of four approved. Board was also provided with the month/year-to-date balance sheet results and the aged payables

Approved the four-year Marathon Settlement Agreement that will be in place for the tax years of 2023 through 2026. Roll call of four approved.

Approved payout of annual staff bonuses for those staff members that worked hours during the 2022 calendar year, in the same amounts that were issued for the 2021 payout. The payments will be included on the November 25, 2022 paycheck. Roll call of four approved.

Discussion Items:

President’s report highlighted the following:

Discussed the menu options for this year’s board-sponsored staff Christmas party, which will be held on Tuesday, December 13 at 6 p.m. in the Newlin room. The event will be for staff, Trustees and Endowment Committee members along with a “plus 1” for each person.  The board on decided on Chicken Tetrazzini and Swiss Steak for the entrees; mashed potatoes and green beans for the sides; broccoli cauliflower salad; homemade yeast rolls; and apple, cherry, chocolate and coconut cream pies.

A discussion concerning closing at 4:30 p.m. each night during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, with the exception of Friday, December 30 when we already close at 4:30 p.m. It will be left up to each branch manager about closing early each open day that week.

Board heard Director's report which highlighted the following:

Kemper CPA completed their FY2022 audit on Friday, November 4. We are anticipating hearing the presentation of results at the December 20, 2022 board meeting.

New LED lights were installed at the Oblong branch on Wednesday, November 2.

Approached by a representative from Family Search International about the possibility of Robinson Public Library District becoming an Affiliate Library that offers a larger-scale FamilySearch option to patrons (much in the same way that we offer Ancestry and Heritage Quest). The affiliation is free of charge to the library.  Discussed with Marilyn Manning and she is all in favor of the initiative.

Dates to return/file notarized board trustee candidate packets at library December 12 – 19, 2022 between hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Board heard the Children’s Librarian report:

We had 10 kids for family game night on Thursday, October 13. They played a variety of games and had a snack.

We had Animal Tales for our Halloween program on Tuesday, October 18. They brought a spider, a snake, an owl plus other animals.

We participated in Lincoln Trail’s Trick or Treat at the Trail on Thursday, October 27. We handed out candy to 636 children.

University of Illinois Extension conducted a nutritional program called the Five-Ingredient Fix on Tuesday, October 4.

We had a booth at the Heath Harvest Festival again this year on Saturday, October 1,

We had a stuffed animal workshop on Tuesday, November 1. There were 29 children that participated.

The Robinson Fire Department brought over a firetruck for one of our story hours in October.

We also had a pumpkin decorating contest.

Debbie Walls made a motion for adjournment.  All were in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

https://www.robinson.lib.il.us/board-of-trustees/meeting-minutes/board-of-trustee-meeting-minutes-of-november-15-2022