Meeting 72

HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
January, 21 2009

HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto - Paul Erickson, Ann Ryals, Judy Schaefer; Glades - Julie Perry; Hardee- Terry Atchley, Gloria Davis; Highlands - Jeff Carlson, June Fisher, Perry Newport; Okeechobee-Marion Davis. Absent: Robbie Chartier, Margaret Garrard Helton, Donna Storter Long, Jan McKibben, Jeanette Peeples. Others Present: Cooperative Coordinator Mary Myers, Highlands Library Advisory Debra Worley, Librarians Mary Booher, Fred Lohrer, Elizabeth Kenney, Kresta King, Michael Pate.

Chairman Paul Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m., asking Commissioner Judy Schaefer to open with prayer and lead in the pledge to the flag. The notice of public meeting was read. There were no additions to the agenda, which was approved as written, with a motion by Perry Newport, a second by Marion Davis, and unanimous approval. The minutes of the previous meeting were moved for approval, with a motion by Ann Ryals, seconded by Judy Schaefer, and passed unanimously.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT
Coordinator Mary Myers suggested the members to introduce themselves for the sake of the new commissioners, and she shortly brought them up to date on the Cooperative's Interlocal agreement, and how it benefits its members through technical support, courier services, and material availability, among other services.
Regarding State Funding Budget cuts, and in answer to Paul Erickson's question, Mrs. Myers informed the members that the current cuts suffered by the Cooperative equal
12.48 % (4 million out of the State Aid Grant). She reminded the Board that the more they spend in their local libraries, the more funding the Cooperative gets as an incentive.
The additional $50,000 for bringing in Glades Library was reduced to $30,000. State Aid funding covers 99% of the Coop. funding. Heartland Cooperative is currently the biggest Cooperative in the State of Florida. In answer to Perry Newport's question, Mrs. Myers said that, although we could be almost certain there are probably going to be more cuts in the future, we couldn't anticipate the percentages. It is always helpful to have contact with our local representatives, but it may be wise to keep a conservative approach. Our libraries are as busy as ever, serving the community in these difficult times by providing them with computers to do job searches and submit resumes, allowing them to improve their skills through current bibliography, etc. We certainly want our representatives to know this.
Chairman Paul Erickson moved approval of coordinator's reports, with a motion by Gloria Davis, seconded by June Fisher, and approved unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Election of officers: Paul Erickson was nominated for Chairman and was re-elected with a motion by June Fisher, seconded by Ann Ryals, and approved unanimously. June Fisher was nominated for Vice Chair, with a motion by Jeff Carlson, seconded by Ann Ryals, and approved unanimously. Robbie Chartier was nominated for Treasurer and was re-elected and approved unanimously.

Unique Management Services: Mary Myers informed the members that 304 accounts were submitted to UMS during the trial period, at $8.95 = $2,720.80. The amount to be invoiced will be less than this because the Cooperative is eligible for a 15% trial discount and a Budget Neutral Guarantee which promises that UMS will not invoice the Cooperative more than it has recovered in cash plus waived amounts. The trial period is ending and the Cooperative now needs to decide if they are going to continue with their services or not. Are they recovering enough materials to justify the outgoing expense? Even though the counties have agreed that for every account recovered, they will reimbursed the Cooperative the $8.95 paid to the collection agency, the Coop. will end up paying more. For the counties themselves, is a win-win situation, they get the materials back and the money. Commissioner Terry Hatchley wanted to know if the Cooperative has a contract, or if it has to have one, and also if the Budget Neutral Guarantee will remain. Mary Myers believes it is on a month-to-month basis, but she will double check on that and on the guarantee. It was decided that UMS is effective, but that it needs to be monitored. Paul Erickson moved approval to continuing with UMS on a month-to-month basis, with the Budget Neutral Guarantee, with a motion by Jeff Carlson, seconded by Gloria Davis, and approved unanimously.  

Members Comments
The Friends of the Library of Hardee County will be sponsoring a speaker, Jeff Klinkenberg Monday, February 9, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., at Hardee Co. Public Library.
Glades Library will be pleased to host "The Highway Men" art show, Saturday, February 21, 2009.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2009 at the Lake Placid Memorial Library, at 10:00 a.m.
The board adjourned at 10:55 a.m.



Estela Patrick
Library Assistant

Adobe Acrobat Format