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Board Minutes
HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING
September 22, 1999
HLC Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto – Bob Avant; Hardee – Elinor Batey, Gloria Davis; Highlands – Perry Newport, Jeanne Renton, Bob Bullard; Okeechobee – Robbie Clarke
Board members absent, reasons unknown: Clois Harvey-Okeechobee, Walter Olliff Jr. – Hardee. Out of town or with other commitments: Paul Erickson & Ann Ryals-DeSoto; Marilyn Buxton-Okeechobee.
Others present: DeSoto -Elizabeth Kenney; Hardee – Diane Hunt; Highlands – Mary C. Myers, Carolyn Hesselink; Okeechobee-Ed Kilroy
The meeting was called to order at 10;10 a.m. by Chairman Perry Newport who declared a quorum present. Public notice was read by the secretary. Bob Bullard moved to approve the agenda as is, Gloria Davis seconded, and it was approved by voice vote. The minutes, sent in the member’s packets, were moved for approval by Bob Avant, motion seconded by Jeanne Renton, and approved by voice vote.
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Mrs. Myers informed the board of the 3 day Governor’s Conference at Tallahassee in mid-October. The 13th will be a workshop for library supporters. This year the State Library is paying a per diem for any interested who wish to attend. At least 3 of our librarians will attend this conference. Perry Newport expressed interest in serving as our Heartland Governing Board representative. Bob Bullard expects to be in Tallahassee about this date and will drop in if he can work it into his schedule. Bob Avant moved we send Perry as our representative, Robbie Clarke seconded the motion which passed by voice vote.
LONG RANGE PLAN UPDATE
The Coordinator talked about some changes in our second goal with Centralization of Technical Services pointing out the need for better programs. In 2000 we will apply for an LSTA grant to move to the next generation of platforms to run our system. The 3rd goal of Patron Service includes the Born to Read grant that was awarded for the next year. By November 2 part-time people for Highlands and Okeechobee counties will work with their county’s partners to continue implementing the BTR goals. Although the librarians in DeSoto and Hardee opted not to participate in this grant program directly, we will continue to help their community partners as we can. The amended Long Range Plan was moved for adoption by Bob Avant, 2nd by Gloria Davis, and approved by voice vote.
ANNUAL BUDGET 1999-2000
The Coordinator reported to the board that the budget now shows rollovers from this fiscal year. She sees as paramount for the cooperative having a workable budget that fully includes funding for personnel salaries, our networked system, and our courier service. The E-rate monies to reimburse us are certain for only the next two years. We hope to always have an LSTA grant. The base grant, by state statute, is $250,000. The amount awarded local government is based on their last audited year’s contributions to their library. In this budget Mary recommended we trade in the current van and get a state contract cargo van, such as a Ford Econo van, and add a Tommy lift to help move the heavy book boxes and bags sagely in and out of the vehicle. Robbie Clarke noted that Rob Ross from PRM could make suggestions to help us from an insurance standpoint. Bob Avant moved we proceed with the trade-in and buy an appropriately equipped vehicle, seconded by Jeanne Renton, and passed by voice approval. Bob Bullard asked Mary for a break-down on the Personnel budget. Robbie Clarke moved the adoption of the amended budget, 2nd by Elinor Batey, passed by voice vote.
The board was informed that all libraries have received their checks from the Gates grants and are now wait for them to contact us.
STATE AID TO LIBRARIES GRANT APPLICATION
The FY 1999-2000 grant application was presented to the board members. Each individual county library sends its application to Heartland and we send them in as a group. Bob Avant moved we approve the application. 2nd by Bob Bullard, and passed by voice vote.
MEETING DATES
The board members felt they could schedule every other month for meeting. THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE NOVEMBER 17 AT HARDEE COUNTY LIBRARY, 315 North 6th Avenue, Suite 114, Wauchula, at 10 a.m. We hope to hold the January meeting at Okeechobee’s new library.
Chairman Perry Newport adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn L. Hesselink
Administrative Secretary
