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Board Minutes
HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
September 21, 2005
HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto—Ann Ryals, Paul Erickson, Felton Garner; Hardee—Elinor Batey, Gloria Davis; Okeechobee—Marion Davis, Robbie Chartier; Highlands—Perry Newport, Guy Maxcy, Jeanne Renton. Librarians present: E.M. Kenney, Margo Taylor, Merry Cresswell, Diane Hunt, Mary Myers, Fred Lohrer.
Guest—Mike Carter.
Paul Erickson called the board meeting to order at 10 a.m. Commissioner Felton Garner voiced the invocation and led in the pledge. The notice of public meeting was read. Ann Ryals moved the approval of the revised agenda, seconded by Robbie Chartier, and passed by voice vote. Jeanne Renton moved the board approve the minutes, with a correction adding in Gloria Davis in attendance at that meeting, seconded by Perry Newport, and given unanimous approval.
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Mrs. Myers informed members that the statistical report included in their packet did not reflect DeSoto’s Internet session numbers, as they are not yet using the smart cards. Her statistics were handed out at the meeting and will be sent to Mary for inclusion in the report from now on. Mary noted that her report shows the number of active borrowers (library use within the last year), as a more accurate picture compared to the number holding library cards. The statistics also now show how many items were circulated, comparing year by year. Mary told board members that the statistics show about half of smart card library holders used the Internet. It was the consensus of the board that the change in the statistics format was very helpful.
Wireless access is now available in all six Heartland libraries. Members were given a newspaper article and photo showing DeSoto’s participation as a wireless “hot spot”.
The board talked about wireless access in municipalities. Mary noted that this was a topic of debate, a social and economic issue, as to whether cities and counties should offer free Internet service in competition with Internet providers. Express checkout at Sebring is working out very well, along with all reserved items being accessible for the patrons to retrieve and check out themselves.
The board was informed that a person running a red light totaled one of our Heartland vehicles and we will be getting a $7,200 settlement, which will go toward purchasing another vehicle. Jeanne Renton moved that the Coordinator’s Report be accepted, seconded by Robbie Chartier, and passed by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
AUDIT LETTER
Michael Carter, from NCT Group, our auditors, brought to the board an arrangement letter for their approval, authorizing the NCT Group to do our 2005 audit. Included is an increase in the cost of the audit. Robbie Chartier moved its acceptance, seconded by Perry Newport, and approved by voice vote.
BUDGET
The revised budget was gone over line by line. The budget included 2 position upgrades: a PG17 Computer Support Specialist to be upgraded to Network Specialist I, PG23, hourly salary approved at $19.26 per hour. The current incumbent in this position is Paul Ramponi; and the second PG17 Computer Support Specialist to be upgraded to Computer Support Specialist I, PG21, at an hourly salary of $15.93 per hour. The current incumbent in this position is Max Mindar. This puts both positions in line with BCC and Clerk of Courts employees. Mrs. Myers also asked for the board’s approval to give, at her discretion, a 0-2% merit increase and a 3% COLA increase for all Heartland employees.
The new budget reflects increases in Polaris software expenses, due in part to the new SeePoint express check system, increases in operating supplies because all computers are now being purchased out of this account, and the equipment line allowing for the purchase of two Dodge Caravans as needed for our Technical Trainer and the Courier. Mrs. Myers reminded the board that 70-80% of our communications costs would be reimbursed through Erate.
Mary explained that the State Aid from the State Library funds our cooperative, based on what the individual county libraries are given by their county commissioners. She is expecting a significant drop in our funding next year, because both Hardee and Highlands have been given a reduced amount in their budgets. Since the State Aid program now includes municipal libraries and the State Library’s funding for State Aid has not increased in four years, the amount given has dropped to 5-6 cents on the dollar.
It was agreed that supporting our technology should be our prime focus.
After a discussion on paring our budget by looking at self-cataloging or purchasing already cataloged items, Paul Erickson asked that the librarians give the board a plan on the future of the catalogers at the next scheduled meeting. Mrs. Myers mentioned that the librarians might have a workshop on this issue. Ann Ryals moved to approve the revised budget; Felton Garner seconded the motion, which was carried by voice vote.
STATE AID AGREEMENT
Ann Ryals moved to approve the application for State Aid, seconded by Felton Garner, carried by voice vote.
LONG RANGE PLAN, 2005-2010
Ann Ryals moved approval of the Long Range Plan, seconded by Jeanne Renton, carried by voice vote.
ANNUAL PLAN OF SERVICE
Felton Garner moved to approve the Annual Plan of Service, seconded by Elinor Batey, carried by voice vote.
BOARD COMMENTS
Fred Lohrer asked the staff to look into energy efficient vehicles. Mrs. Myers told the board that the Dodge Caravan has the highest fuel economy for that type of vehicle.
NEXT MEETING DATE IS NOVEMBER 16, 10 A.M., LAKE PLACID LIBRARY.
The board adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Hesselink
Administrative Secretary
