HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING

January 17, 2001

HLC Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto--Ann Ryals, Paul Erickson, Felton Garner; Hardee -Elinor Batey, Walter Olliff, Jr.; Highlands--Jeanne Renton, Bob Bullard; Okeechobee--Robbie Chartier, Marilyn Buxton.

Voting members excused: Gloria Davis, Clois Harvey, Perry Newport. Librarian Elizabeth Kenney was excused. Also present: Coordinator Mary Myers, Librarians Merry Cresswell, Diane Hunt, and Ed Kilroy, NCT Group representative Mike Carter, Carolyn Hesselink.

The Heartland Library Cooperative Board met at the Lake Placid Library, being called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Chairman Bob Bullard. Public Notice was read. The agenda was presented with an addition called for to add the introduction of new board members. Elinor moved that the agenda be approved as amended, seconded by Walter, and passed by voice vote. New member DeSoto Commissioner Felton Garner, introduced himself. The minutes were approved per a motion from Robbie, seconded by Jeanne, and passed by voice vote.

NCT Group representative, Mike Carter presented the auditor's report to the board. It was his opinion that the audit was "clean" and that we are in a strong financial position. He explain that the Accounts Receivable is the E-Rate reimbursements. Bob moved we accept the report, seconded by Felton, passed by voice vote.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT

Mary talked about the TBLC project, the reciprocal borrowing program, which would allow patrons with cards from participating counties to check out materials at our libraries. Current counties in the TBLC project are: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus. Patron's cards would have a special sticker on them. The patron is responsible to return the item borrowed to the library from which it was checked out. This is a step toward a state-wide library card. Our cooperative already has a reciprocal borrowing agreement. Board consensus was that this is a good idea. The board felt that their commissioners should be updated about this program. Elinor moved to instruct the cooperative staff to proceed to being back the agreement with TBLC to the board, Felton Seconded, and passed by voice vote.

Library Day in Tallahassee will be March 26 and 27. With the Lake Placid construction grant application being made this year, Merry Cresswell and the Lake Placid Friends are going to attend. A fact sheet was passed out about libraries.

Mary recommended the cooperative pay for expenses for one person from each county to attend. Walter moved to pay from one person per county, Felton seconded, passed by voice vote.

The board was informed about the money from State Aid, which is about 11 cents on the dollar, plus equalization, that tells the legislature how much the local government is supporting their library. State Aid is not to be used to run the local programs, but to enhance programs financed locally.

Coordinator Myers asked the board to allow both her and Carolyn to cease preparing special time sheets. She felt extra time sheets were inconsistent and redundant when all other employees don't. Robbie moved that Mary and Carolyn no longer need to fill out extra time sheets, seconded by Marilyn, passed by voice vote.

GRANT APPLICATIONS

For 2001-2002, the librarian thought the cooperative should be applying for year four of Born to Read and year two of Graying the Net grants. Grant agreements are not being sent out ahead of time this year. GTN involved teaching beginning computer classes, with purchased equipment, at senior centers in all four counties. Mary recommended we apply for Max Mindar's position for another year. BTR is in all four counties and needs a coordinator and three assistants, plus materials. Paul moved applications be made for LSTA grants for 2002, seconded by Ann, passed by voice vote.

MEETING DATE SET FOR MARCH 21 at Lake Placid Library, 10 a.m.

Paul Erickson commented that he felt our Heartland web site should show which projects have been completed, dates we meet, and board member's names.

The meeting adjourned at 11:07 a.m. 

Carolyn Hesselink

Administrative Secretary