Benton Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
September 9, 2024
Members Present: Brian Crisp, Paula Fuller, Theresa Bates, Kathy Storey, Sue Wells, Larry Journey
Absent: Debbie Clark
Library Director: Susan Stickel
Also Present: Kimberly Livesay
Meeting called to Order: 5:01 PM by Sue Wells
Approval of August Board Meeting Minutes
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Brian Crisp
Payment of Bills:
1st by Kathy Storey 2nd by Theresa Bates
Financial Report:
Motion made to delay the approval of the financial statement until October
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Sue Wells
Librarian’s Report
MAINTENANCE:
The carpet and tile were cleaned throughout the building on Labor Day.
Our lawn service filled in the hole by the back employee entrance. That same area needs reseeded too so that grass will grow there. They replaced the log walk steps with ash wood. The lawn service person said that this wood is strong and should last much longer. He also hammered down the metal spikes on a lot of the concrete parking stops.
There was an issue with the women’s restroom door and it was fixed by Henry.
PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Susan was invited to speak at the Franklin County Extension Office. They wanted her to talk about the library, the Reading Garden and the Pirate Ship.
READING GARDEN:
Schroeder Landscape was contacted to maintain the flower beds in the Reading Garden. Plantscape no longer provides maintenance service and Max recommended them. The beds in the Reading Garden look much better.
MEMORIALS:
Susan delivered the donations ($100.00) to the local animal shelter in Pat’s memory.
OTHER:
Susan is in the process of updating the library brochures. She will be adding Paula Fuller’s name and making some minor changes.
Another child has earned a handmade bookcase for completing the Reading Club 1,000 challenge.
Old Business:
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
Personnel:
We have an employee who will be retiring in November. We talked about maybe doing something special for her due to her retirement. We will discuss it again in October.
We received two quotes on lightening rods for the library. They are aluminum rods and not copper. One bid was for $5,900.00 and the other was for $7,784.00. We are going to ask FW Electric their advice on this and wee what they have to say.
We received the technology grant for $27,500. It is to be used for new technology and infrastructure. Susan mentioned getting new genealogy microfilm machines, a new scanner for the computer, and a new camera for her computer for Zoom meetings.
Susan mentioned that our library website needs to be ADA compliant. She is working with others to make this happen. She has completed step one of the process and is working on step two.
We made a motion to make the website ADA compliant.
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Brian Crisp
New Business
Paula Fuller was sworn in by Sue Wells to fill in the vacant board trustee position.
There was a motion to make Susan Stickel the Election Official.
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Larry Journey
Susan mentioned that the 2025 Consolidated Election packets were now available for people to get. We have two positions that will be for 6-year terms.
Other
Kimberly mentioned that janitorial supplies were being paid out of Maintenance Funds and it should be coming out of Corporate. We made a motion to switch in funding to occur.
1st by Brian Crisp 2nd by Kathy Storey
Kimberly also brought up that the Halloween event was planned for Friday, October 25th from 4:00-6:30.
Public Comment:
NONE
Adjournment: 5:42 pm by Sue Wells
1st by Paula Fuller 2nd by Kathy Storey