East Central Reporter

The City of Marshall Library board held a regular meeting Wednesday, April 13.

Board members are chosen by the mayor to serve a three-year term.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the City of Marshall Library board:

MINUTES OF THE MARSHALL LIBRARY BOARD – April 13, 2016

The Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees met in regular session Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Marshall Public Library. President John Tarble called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Board members present were Janet Hasten, Melissa Strait, Mike Cameron, and Kent Hall. Vickie Wallace, Carol Halloran, Shannon Powless, and Dudley Crow were absent. Alyson Thompson, Director, and Jamie Poorman, Head Librarian, were also present. 

There were no public comments.

The minutes from the March 9, 2016 open meeting were reviewed; on a motion from Mike, seconded by Kent, the minutes were approved. The minutes from the March 9, 2016 closed session meeting were reviewed; on a motion from Janet, seconded by Kent, the minutes were approved. Correspondence reviewed included thank you emails from Phyllis Meek for the $50 gift and from Michael Wall for the digital archive, and from Steve Davis a $250 donation through the Friends along with very positive feedback about the growth of the library through the years, especially for the opportunities for children.

There were no Officer's Reports presented.

The April invoice listing was reviewed. On a motion by Mike, seconded by Kent, to approve payment of bills in the amount of $31,202.13 (including Phases 1 and 2 of the upstairs window and door projects) plus add-ons of $305.40 to Great American and up to $1,700.00 for tech upgrades, a roll call vote was taken with the votes recorded as follows: John Tarble-yes, Janet Hasten-yes, Melissa Strait-yes, Kent Hall-yes, and Mike Cameron-yes.

Jamie presented the Librarian's Report for March 2016. City Resident and Area Resident borrower cards numbered 2,193 and 1,667 respectively; computer usage-892; number of materials in the collection, including print and multi-media-35,902; electronic usage-4,545; number of items checked out from the facility-3,020; door count-5,068. Jamie reported the Facebook post about Sonny Walter's braille art display was our most successful post ever, and that with the online event registration the recent Amelia Earhart program received more than 30 registrations online. Alyson presented her written Director's Report, which highlighted the following:

Dwayne Lowe said the City plans to work on the alley when they are working on 5th Street; several patron incidents were handled appropriately by staff; Amber Kuhn received her two-year pay increase; the ADT alarm was triggered twice but with no incident resulting; a part-time Library Clerk position has been posted; the media drop box has been repaired, a projector was replaced in the meeting room, and Brian Hyder repaired the server from a Windows virus; a Main Street Historic Preservation Grant for $1,000.00 was approved for the window project, the E-rate form has been completed, Per Capita grant awards will be $3,017.00 for Marshall and $3,031.00 for the area district; the Russell Dawson & Louise Dawson Garcia scholarship winners are Sheldon Rayhel and Cole Boatright, and the presentation will be May 10; the NASA Solar System Walk will be on display April 11-29, summer reading sign-ups begin May 23, and Dick Bennach will perform his Civil War portrayal May 26; the annual appropriations meeting at City Hall will be Monday, April 25, at 6 p.m., and board members are encouraged to attend.

Alyson reported the Friends of the Library have not met since her last report. Their next meeting will be held May 5, 2016. Alyson reported the Area Board has not met since her last report. Their next meeting will be held April 26, 2016.

The financial report for March was reviewed. It shows a balance of $253,588.82, including $125,538.55 in the building/tech fund and a zero balance in the retirement fund. The Budgeted vs. Actual expenditures report was also reviewed. 89.7% of the budget has been spent to date, with 92% of the fiscal year having elapsed. Under Unfinished Business, on a motion by Janet and seconded by Mike, it was voted for the closed session minutes to remain closed. Upon the recommendation of attorney Dick James, on a motion by Mike and seconded by Melissa, it was voted to approve policy and strategic plan changes.

Under New Business, the annual Building Committee facility inspection was discussed; other than completion of the window project, no major expenses are anticipated for the next fiscal year and only routine maintenance items should be necessary. On a motion by Janet, seconded by Mike, it was voted to propose a fiscal year 2016/2017 Budget of $265,000. Alyson gave her appropriations presentation to the board.

Under Other Business, Alyson reminded trustees of the city appropriations meeting on Monday, April 25.

There being no Other Business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Kent, seconded by Mike.

Melissa Strait, Secretary