HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

January 30, 2008

HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto-Paul Erickson, Felton Garner, Ann Ryals; Hardee-Gloria Davis; Highlands-Perry Newport, Guy Maxcy; Okeechobee-Marion Davis, Elvie Posey. Not present: Gordon Norris, Elinor Batey, Robbie Chartier. Library Directors present: E.M. Kinney, Fred Lohrer, Patti Lang, Kresta King, Mary Myers. Special guest-- Glades County Librarian Mary E. Booher.

Chairman Paul Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m., asking Commissioner Felton Garner to lead the invocation and pledge to the flag. Secretary Carolyn Hesselink gave the reading of the posted notice of the meeting. There were no additions to the agenda, which was approved as written, with a motion by Elvie Posey, a second by Felton Garner, and a unanimous approval.  The motion to approve the minutes was made by Ann Ryals, seconded by Gloria Davis, and approved unanimously.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT

Elvie Posey moved to accept the written report, seconded by Felton Garner, and unanimously approved. Mrs. Myers talked to the board about the new technology plan in their board packet, which is based on E-rate requirement. The only change to that plan was on page 5 of the packet, to show that our 3M PAMS program will be ending in July. Polaris has another plan for patrons to print and add value to their library cards; a program called Envisionware. After evaluating three different plans, it was felt this was the best one and that we could move up the timeline from July to March, with a cost of approximately $13,106. Mrs. Myers noted that the State Library has to certify the plan, which will be submitted when we apply for the next E-rate. Felton Garner moved approval with the amended PAMS change, seconded by Ann Ryals, and approved unanimously.

GLADES COUNTY 

Mrs. Myers introduced Mary Booher, the Glades County Librarian. The Charlotte/Glades Library System is parting ways and they have explored either being a stand-along library or joining the Heartland Cooperative. Finding that their patron services and courier services would be greatly increased, their study committee recommended that they apply to join the Heartland Library Cooperative.  Myers informed the board that we are eligible for a state grant to help the transition, and with a five member cooperative, we are eligible for .20 on the dollar (some $50,000 extra) each year. Their employees would remain Glades County employees. If the State Aid Law revision is passed, our cooperative base grant would be raised. Elvie Posey moved to invite Glades into the Cooperative, Gloria Davis seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Gloria moved to give Mary Myers approval to write an LSTA grant to bring Glades into the cooperative, seconded by Elvie Posey, and passed unanimously. It is Mary's intention to ask our attorney Bert Harris to rewrite the InterLocal Agreement.

MEMBER COMMENTS

Board members asked Mrs. Booher about Glades Library and she gave these statistics: it is on the river in Moore Haven, has some 6,250 square feet, has a meeting room, some 25 computers, and the addition was built three years ago.

It was announced that long-time Highlands County member Jeanne Renton has had to resign due to health problems. The secretary was instructed to write a letter of thanks to her from the board.

NEXT MEETING IS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 10 A.M., AT THE LAKE PLACID MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn L. Hesselink

Administrative Secretary