Minutes
ALLEGAN DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 19, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President Susan Jerkatis. Present were Trustees: Jerkatis, Watts, Garofalo, Bortz, Antkoviak, Hellmann, Administrative Assistant, Evelyn Lyzenga and Director Ann Perrigo.

The pledge of allegiance was said.

Trustee Watts made a motion to excuse Trustee Kiella. Passed.

Minutes of March board meeting were passed with corrections.

Public Comment – none.

The statistical and financial reports were reviewed and received.

Director’s report:

Nancy Thelen (our current teen librarian) applied for and received a grant of $350.00 which will be used to buy a cart for the audio books in the teen section of the library. One of our pages, Ashleigh Tyria, and Director Perrigo will be attending a April 29th Grant Awards ceremony.

Director Perrigo passed around the new teen newsletter which Nancy completed today (April 19th). Various teens and the teen advisory board submitted articles for the newsletter.

Nancy Thelen’s last day with the library will be April 28th.

The new youth services (children & teens) librarian will start May 3rd. Her name is Jessica Pugh and she is from Ludington where she serves in the library there. Director Perrigo passed around copies of Mrs. Pugh’s website that gave information about herself.

Our current children’s librarian, Barb Osborn, who is retiring will have her last day - April 30th. There will be an open house for her from 1-3 pm that day.

Director Perrigo went to the Career Day at Pine Trails school and spoke with 80 kids about the joys of being a librarian.

When adults use the internet at the library and they first come to the internet opening page, the library’s internet policy is shown and an “accept button” must be pressed for them to use the internet. The director and staff have decided that with this in place the library will no longer require adults to sign a paper copy of this policy as well. The policy for children will remain the same.

Committee reports:

Friends Committee: Trustee Bortz reported that Friends will be hosting an open house in Barb’s honor on April 30th from 1-3 pm. The Friends request that the Board provide a flower arrangement for the open house for Barb. Trustee Watts moved for such an arrangement of no more than $40.00. Motion passed.

Trustee Bortz reported the book sale last Saturday (April 17th) went very well. There were a lot of people and the Friends cleared $455.70. She reported that the Friends did do a staff luncheon on April 13th. It was not well attended and it has been decided by Friends to not do a luncheon next year.

Trustee Garofalo reported that the Author Visit Event (that ADL Friends and Arts Council are jointly having) has been offered on July 9th date by author Rhoda Janzen’s publicist. Because Janzen’s book is being released in paperback, this date would be part of a book tour and therefore there is no speaker’s fee. The event will be held at 7:00 pm at the Griswold. She reported that the publicist will send a press release and poster.

Budget Committee: Trustee Bortz reported that the committee met to start on next year’s budget. She did report that there is a potential $35,000 short fall for next year due primarily to reduced revenue. The committee has cut what they can. Book supplies were cut. President Jerkatis mentioned that health insurance increased 13%. Trustee Bortz stated that the library needs a balanced budget and that the committee is continuing to work to that end. At this point the budget figures are being based on existing revenue – not including “passed millage” figures. Director Perrigo did report that the new youth services librarian’s salary is less than Barb and Nancy’s combined 40 hours a week.

Trustee Watts urged the board members to attend Rep. Genetski’s session at the Griswold this Friday, April 23rd. He will be speaking on reduced revenues.

Personnel Committee: Trustee Antkoviak reported they had not met.

Facilities Committee: The committee is working on the DDA grant.

Finance Committee: Trustee Watts signed off on all the retirement plans today for those eligible employees. The bond that is necessary will be worked out next week with Rob Marciniak. Director Perrigo did report that she spoke with Steve Tibbitts and when our CD comes due, it will be necessary to have a signature from the Treasurer to transfer the McClelland interest.

Millage Committee: Trustee Watts reported that the County will be having a .29 mil for the new jail on the August ballot along with the Senior Service millage and our library millage. As a library board, we can educate people and encourage people to get out to vote but cannot advocate for our millage. A resolution will be coming before the Allegan City Council stating that the Council wants to reassure city voters that the existing 1.5 mil library millage will cease on city residents and the Council is supporting the library millage.

It will be a big election in August due to a full ballot. A copy of the Herrick Library and Heath Township’s agreement for service was passed around. This agreement specifies that it recognizes that a portion of Heath Township is located within the Allegan Public School District which has become part of the Allegan District Library. Trustee Watts urged board members to attend their township meetings.

Bills to be paid were reviewed and motion made to approve $28,204.97 for payroll and $12,824.96 for bills. Motion passed.

Communications-Library donors: Director Perrigo provided a list of library donors. Secretary Garofalo will be sending thank you notes from the library board to these donors.

Unfinished business: Director Perrigo showed the description of our location plus plot map used currently for our lease with the City of Allegan. As stated in the Real Property Lease Agreement with the City, under “Maintenance; Repairs”, the City will “maintain and make repairs to the parking lot, drives, walks and other exterior areas”. This was good news to the board.

New business: Director Perrigo had received a letter from Allegan County Community Foundation for an event happening May 13, 2010 called “ArtsAlive” inviting the library.

Board Member comments: Trustee Watts mentioned to the board that Rep. Genetski is having a session at the Griswold this Friday, April 23rd. He urged everyone to go. Trustee Watts also mentioned the article about the New York Library discovering that President George Washington had overdue books. They just want the two books back!

Motion to adjourn at 8:03 pm passed. The next board meeting is Monday, May 17, 2010.

Evelyn Lyzenga
Administrative Assistant