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Board Minutes
HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
March 15, 2006
HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto—Felton Garner, Paul Erickson; Hardee—Elinor Batey; Highlands—Perry Newport, Guy Maxcy, Jeanne Renton; Okeechobee—Robbie Chartier, Marion Davis. Members excused: Ann Ryals, Gloria Davis, Gordon Norris, Elvie Posey. Librarians and guests: Mary Myers, Mike Carter of NCT Group, Diane Hunt, Margo Taylor, E.M. Kenney, Fred Lohrer, and Merry Cresswell.
Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. Attendees said the pledge of allegiance, and Commissioner Garner led in the invocation. Notice of public meeting was read. There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of the agenda was moved by Jeanne Renton, seconded by Elinor Batey, and carried. Robbie Chartier moved the approval of last meeting’s minutes, seconded by Marion Davis, and carried.
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
The new magnetic logos on the cooperative vehicles were noted. Commissioner Garner moved the acceptance of the Coordinator’s Report, seconded by Robbie Chartier, and carried.
NCT GROUP, CPA’S AUDIT REPORT
Mike Carter of the NCT Group passed around the written audit report and announced that, once again, the cooperative had a “clean opinion” from the auditors. He noted that the phone rebates have helped the cooperative accrue a reserve of money to carry the budget for about three and one-half months. There was a discussion about the on-going internal audit in Highlands and what, if any, ties there are to Heartland. Commissioner Maxcy stated he was interested in talking with the auditors along with Mrs. Myers. Mr. Carter informed the group that his office would be informed when the internal audit report was submitted.
LSTA GRANT APPLICATIONS APPROVAL
Mary Myers submitted for approval the Okeechobee County schools and library partnership grant application called PRIDE (putting resources into developing excellence), targeting low income and migrant families. The grant would enable the school system and library to offer family reading nights, ESOL training for parents who are non-or-minimal readers, and purchase books to upgrade the school libraries and the public library. This could be a multi-year project, as they are asking for $577,525, with $479,000 for library materials, and $84,000 for school library computers. Perry Newport moved the approval of the grant application, Robbie Chartier seconded the motion, and it carried.
Sebring Library has applied for a Day of the Child/Day of the Book grant, a bilingual program for young children. Funding is asked for in the amount of $500.00 for a storyteller to come for special programs for bilingual children. Jeanne Renton moved approval of the grant, Elinor Batey seconded the motion, and it carried.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SPECIALIST’S REPORT
Paul Ramponi’s written report noted that the cooperative has purchased a mobile computer lab (11 computers) for Okeechobee Library. Lake Placid has a mobile lab, also.
The Polaris system will be upgraded to 3.2 soon after the Easter holiday. Commissioner Garner moved to accept the report, Robbie Chartier seconded the motion, and it carried.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
The Board congratulated Merry Cresswell on her impending retirement as of March 31, and gave their thanks for her hospitality over the years.
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 17, 10 a.m., at the newly renovated Avon Park Library, 100 N. Museum Avenue in Avon Park, just off the Main Street Boulevard.
The board adjourned at 11:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Hesselink
Administrative Secretary
