HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING

January 13, 1999

HCL Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto County-Paul Erickson; Hardee County - Gloria Davis, Elinor Batey; Highlands County-Bob Bullard, Perry Newport; Okeechobee County-Marilyn Buxton, Clois J. Harvey, Robbie L. Clarke

Board members absent: DeSoto County-2 members to be appointed; Hardee County-Walter Olliff, Jr.; Highlands County-Jeanne Renton

Other Attendees: Diane Hunt, Merry Cresswell, E.M. Kenney, Ed Kilroy, Mary Myers, Carolyn Hesselink

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by chairman Perry Newport. Public notice of our meeting was read and additions to the agenda were asked for. Paul E. moved that the date on the agenda be change to January 13, seconded by Clois, and carried.

Clois moved that minutes of the October 12 meeting be approved, seconded by Paul, and carried. Paul moved to ratify the motions in the minutes and approve the minutes of the November 24 meeting, seconded by Clois, and carried.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT

Mrs. Myers reported to the board on the personnel issues regarding Marcellus Mason. His appeal has taken some six weeks and both issues he raised have been resolve to Mary's satisfaction and that of several attorneys. Materials will be released with the month. An EOC complaint has been filed. The Bd. of County Commissioners document has been submitted to EOC. Our governing board chairman and the Highlands BCC have decided not to get involved in personnel issues, said Mrs. Myers.

Board members asked for a copy of the BCC document when it is released; one copy each to Paul at DeSoto, Robbie at Okeechobee, and the Hardee county manager, Gary Odin. Board consensus was supportive of Mary. The board members expressed their desire not to re-hire Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Myers informed members that Computerland of Lakeland is now on retainer and has been very helpful. Mary said that the Technology Committee might want to look at the requirements of an MIS Director and our needs at this time. If we don't decide to fill this position, our thoughts about this will be documented. Regarding Leslie Wood, serving as Technology Coordinator, board consensus was that communication about technology problems has improved as a result of his position being created.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Clois moved to approve the report, seconded by Robbie, and carried.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

Two new members were introduced: Hardee County representative Elinor Batey, and Highlands County Commissioner Bob Bullard.

EVALUATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Perry Newport presented the committee's combined evaluation as 9.155, given on a non-weighted basis. All evaluation will be given to Mary, then place in the permanent file.

Speaking also of good reports, Ed Kilroy mentioned the good use of loans between libraries. His new Okeechobee building plans are steadily progressing.

ESTABLISHING QUORUM AND ALTERNATES FOR MEETING

Mary felt that representation from each county is critical, but, if we allow the chairman to declare a quorum, this would help us be able to conduct business. After a discussion of how to be sure an alternate would be knowledgeable enough to vote on issues and the possibility of an alternate serving more often that the appointee, Paul moved we table this discussion until the next meeting, seconded by Robbie, and carried.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT ON THE LINE ITEM ISSUE

Mary told the members that the legislative proposal to move State Aid to a line item put our cooperative and local county library systems in great jeopardy. She strongly recommended we talk to our county people about opposing this. January 27 Highlands County will hold a legislative committee meeting at 9 a.m. Bob Bullard said letters are needed. If the state must make changes, the commission would recommend that the state phase this in a little at a time. Mary asked Perry to write a letter to Rick Minton and Laurent, as should all who write. Irlo Bronson also represents Okeechobee County. Mary had sample letters for people to use. With the projected surpluses, it is a good time to talk to our legislators. All were reminded that the Secretary of State cabinet position will no longer be elected as of 2000. Paul said our letters should be positive, asking for the state to continue the support the library funding as it has been since 1961.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT

Robbie Clarke asked to be placed on this committee to fill the remaining vacancy. Board consensus was to add her as of this date.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

January 25th the Lake Placid Friends of the Library hold their annual meeting.

February 5 Sebring Library will host at 10 a.m. the Geed Me a Story Celebration with celebrity reader.

Charles Evans of DeSoto sent his regrets concerning his resignation from the board.

NEXT MEETING IS SET FOR FEBRUARY 17, 10:00 A.M., LAKE PLACID LIBRARY.

We adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn L. Hesselink

Administrative Secretary