Board Minutes

HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
May 15, 2002

HLC Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto—Felton Garner, Ann Ryals, Paul Erickson; Hardee—Gloria Davis, Elinor Batey; Highlands—Perry Newport, Jeanne Renton; Okeechobee—Robbie Chartier. Also in attendance: Librarians Fred Lohrer, Mary Myers, Diane Hunt, Margo Taylor, Elizabeth Kenney, Michael Pate, Computer Support Specialist Paul Ramponi, secretary Carolyn Hesselink.

The board met at the facilities of Archbold Biological Station. Chairman Paul Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m., with invocation by Felton Garner. Notice of public meeting was read into the record. The printed agenda was moved for approval by Elinor, seconded by Ann, and approved by voice vote. The printed minutes were moved for approval by Robbie, seconded by Jeanne and approved by voice vote.

COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Mary noted that the upgrade to Polaris 2.0 has been (and continues to be) time-consuming, but the benefits of additional reports and other modifications will off-set our investment of time and effort. A financial report was handed out for the board to look over. An update on the status of State Aid was given, with the good news that $400,000 was coming to the cooperative as recurring funds. A debate in the State Legislature over recurring or non-recurring funds was settled in favor of recurring; a great help since it means there will be no need to ask for our funding each year. At this time all construction projects are 100% funded, which is good news for the Lake Placid construction plans.
The Coordinator pointed out that several municipal libraries lobbied the legislature for state aid. They hadn’t joined one of the six cooperatives in the state and so were not eligible for those extra funds. This will be an on-going battle for extra state funding each new budget year.
Speaking of budgets, Mary will have a draft budget sent to each board member.
Looking over the financial report, the board asked that Mary include the encumbrances each time to reflect what is expected to be paid out of the budgeted funds. Perry moved the financial report be accepted, seconded by Robbie, and approved by voice vote.

THE ARCHBOLD AGREEMENT
Librarian Fred Lohrer greeted the board members and gave a short history of the Station. Mary recommended that Fred become a non-voting member of the board, as were all cooperative librarians. Perry moved that a representative from Archbold become an ex-officio member of the Heartland Library Cooperative Board, seconded by Ann, approved by voice vote.
Robbie moved we accept the contract agreement with Archbold as presented, Jeanne seconded, and it was approved by voice vote.

A job description of a technology assistant was handed out to board members for their information, however, Mary recommended that instead of hiring another person, the budget include some specialized software tools to help Paul Ramponi, computer support specialist, with his work. Paul Erickson requested that the board see a staff organizational chart. Mary agreed to give one to board members at our next meeting.

NEXT MEETING SET
The board decided we did not have to meet in July if the draft budget was sent out well in advance of the scheduled September meeting. It was the board’s consensus that we meet in Lake Placid, September 18, at 10 a.m.

We adjourned at 10:40 a.m. and board members took a tour of the Archbold facilities, including the library, with Librarian Lohrer.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Hesselink, Administrative Secretary

Print-Ready Format