North Canton Public Library July 2003 Board Meeting Minutes

The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 20, 2003 at the library. Mr. Shoup called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with the following members present: Mr. Lawton, Mr. Powell, Mrs. Schiltz, Mrs. Zollinger. Absent: Mr. Dansizen, Mrs. Hoover. Others: Karen Sonderman, Farilyn Buchman. Guests: Phil Stahler, Sue Krantz.

Mrs. Zollinger moved, Mr. Powell seconding, to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2003 meeting as presented. Ayes: Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Absent: Dansizen, Hoover.

Mr. Powell moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to accept the following Memorial Gift fund gifts:

Merilyn M. Johnson gave $25.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

William W. Sabol gave $100.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

C. Basil & Dagmar Dearborn gave $50.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

Lester & Lois Miller gave $10.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

Mrs. W. Foley gave $50.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

The Friends of the Library, Pat Barclay and Gerry Chufar gave $170.00 for the purchase of audio books in memory of Doris Anderson

Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Schiltz seconding, to reduce the General Fund appropriation by $113,350.00 from the Land Improvement account number 5200. Ayes: Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Absent: Dansizen, Hoover.

Mrs. Schiltz moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to approve the following modifications to the General Fund:

Amount	To Account		From Account
Modified	Number	Name	Number	Name

$3,000.00	3310	Building and Site Repair	8000	Contingency
900.00	3350	Cleaning and Janitorial	8000	Contingency

The Director presented the statistical report for June 2003. There was a very hardy circulation in June due in part to the bad weather that had driven patrons to find inside activities for their children and themselves. North Canton showed an 11% increase over last June, and the Greentown 48% loss was not enough to offset a system wide 7% increase. The summer reading program currently has over 970 children registered, which is our highest total ever. There has been very little comment from the public on the closing of the Greentown Branch. There were several letters, and a half dozen library cards have been returned in protest. Most of the borrowers that were using the branch are returning their items to North Canton and continue to borrow from us. There has been no reply from the County Prosecutor’s office on the legal procedures required to dispose of the Greentown Branch. After several editorials in the Canton Repository newspaper, touting the benefits in consolidation of the seven county libraries, the Directors and Board Presidents of the libraries have agreed to hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of some cooperative ventures. Consolidation is not a viable option due to legal constraints, tax issues, and the need for approval from the State Library. A few lingering problems with patron use of Polaris are being taken care of one on one. Most issues are being created by antiquated home computers or user error.

The Building Committee is reviewing proposals for a change to our HVAC contracts. New updated landscaping is underway in the front of the building. This project is being funded through gift moneys.

Mr. Powell, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to accept the retirement of Jean Shelly, Greentown Branch Head, effective June 30, 2003, after 39 years of faithful service. Ayes: Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Absent: Dansizen, Hoover.

It was reported that Carrie Hayes has been hired as a 25 hour per week computer technician. She will be dealing with the day-to-day issues of keeping the library’s personal computers operating to their full potential.

It was reported that the active Greentown Clerk has been reassigned to the Circulation Department, and that one of the laid off Greentown Clerks has accepted a recall to a vacant page position.

A draft of the Strategic Plan was distributed to the Board for their review and recommendations. Action to accept this plan will be taken at the September meeting.

Sue Krantz, staff representative, reported that the library has been exceedingly busy with the addition of Greentown and Sunday users visiting the Main library, and the elimination of overtime for staffing. Patrons have been patient with delays.

Phil Stahler, Friends of the Library representative, reported that the Book Sale will run from 12:00 p.m. Friday, August 14 through 12:00 p.m. Monday, August 18^th. The lower level of the library will be open for the sale on Sunday, August 17^th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. during the Main Street Festival.

The next regular meeting of the North Canton Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2003.

Mr. Powell moved, Mrs. Schiltz seconding, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 a.m. Ayes: Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Absent: Dansizen, Hoover.