DeSoto County Hardee County Highlands County Okeechobee County

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Board Minutes

Heartland Library Cooperative
August 20, 2003 Meeting

HLC Governing Board voting members present: DeSoto-Paul Erickson, Ann Ryals, Hardee-Elinor Batey, Gloria Davis; Highlands-Jeanne Renton, Perry Newport, Okeechobee-Robbie Chartier, Others attending: Librarians Fred Lohrer, Margo Taylor, E. M. Kenney, Diane Hunt, Coordinator Mary Myers and Library Technical Assistant Yvonne Schilling

Commissioner Guy Maxcy, Marilyn Buxton, Clois Harvey, Walter Olliff, Jr., and Felton Garner, were excused.

The board met in the DeSoto County Library meeting room at 10 a.m. with chairman Paul Erickson calling the meeting to order.

Posting of the Notice of the meeting was approved by Robbie Chartier and seconded by Elinor Batey.

Ann Ryals moved to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2003 meeting; Perry Newport seconded.

COOPERATIVE REPORT Jeanne Renton motioned to approve the report and Robbie Chartier seconded, approved by voice vote.

NEW BUSINESS

NCT Group CPA’s Mike Carter was in attendance. He informed the attendees that next year fixed assets would be depreciated. Robbie moved to approve acceptance of the NCT’s 7/17 03 letter of understanding and Elinor seconded. The motion was carried unanimously.

Perry motioned that we accept and approve SFCC library agreement stating that the age of 16 be attained in order to obtain a SFCC library card. Robbie seconded, approved by voice vote.

Ms. Myers proposed that this meeting be a budget workshop and proposed ratification of the budget at the September 17, 2003 meeting. Discussion ensued on ways to trim the budget, changes needed, budget constrictions, upgrading computers & software, central cataloging, and using volunteers to train on computer usage.

A request was made by Fred Lohrer to keep running sum of line items and bolding certain items for easier reading.

Robbie suggested that Okeechobee’s $28, 500 of Cooperative funds be freed up and made available to Hardee. Elizabeth also suggested freeing up $19,596 for cooperative use to fund the contingency fund, necessary positions and maintain computers.

A suggestion was made to display graphs on the web page as to library usage, number of patrons, highlight core services and the value of library services compared to patrons expenditures.

Elizabeth stated they are giving more emphasis in DeSoto for children’s services.

Robbie moved to approve State Aid to Libraries and it was seconded by Ann.

Perry motioned to approve the Born to Read grant and was seconded by Gloria.
It carried unanimously.

Brain Blast was hosted at the Sebring Public Library on August 13. The librarian and 1 staff person attended from each of the libraries.

It was suggested that as a team building exercise the libraries close for one day, per approval of the commissioners, so that the Library staff can prepare and share a meal November 19. It was suggested that the Lake Placid or Sebring Women’s’ Club be the site of this affair if possible, since they have a kitchen. DeSoto & Hardee approved of this idea and it was noted permission from each counties commissioners be obtained. Perry motioned for approval and Elinor seconded. Was approved by all present.

Diane Hunt recommends waiting to obtain a Book Theft Protection System as using top of the line equipment is necessary. Making do with a bare necessity system does not work.