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NORTH CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library held a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at the library. Mr. Shoup called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with the following members present: Mr. Dansizen, Mrs. Hoover, Mr. Lawton, Mr. Powell, Mrs. Schiltz, Mrs. Zollinger. Others: Karen Sonderman, Farilyn Buchman, Linda Bayman. Guests: Phil Stahler, Kathy Babik, Judy Rosenik, Susan Vancavage, Tia Ramsey. Mr. Powell moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to accept the minutes of the May 20, 2003 meeting as presented. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. The Clerk-Treasurer’s report for May 2003 was accepted and filed for audit. Mr. Lawton moved, Mr. Dansizen seconding, approval for the Clerk-Treasurer to make the following General Fund modifications.
Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Mr. Powell moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to increase the Memorial Gift Fund account 3764 Misc. Contract Service Fees by $ 3,200.00. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Mrs. Schiltz moved, Mrs. Hoover seconding, to accept the General Fund gift of $25.00 from the Women’s Association of Northminster Presbyterian Church. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Mr. Dansizen moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to accept the following gifts for the Memorial and Gift Fund.
The Director presented the statistical report for May 2003. The Main Library showed an 8% increase for the month, but the Greentown Branch showed a 48% decline. Year-to-date circulation continues at a steady 2% increase system wide. Service statistics are holding steady with the exception of the Art Gallery, which was up due to May Show attendance. We continue to deal with Polaris conversion issues, and getting Telephony activated to call for over dues and reserves. Interviews are being conducted for the position of computer technologist. The Summer Reading Program has started, and we have been very busy. Mr. Dansizen, Building Committee Chair, reported that several companies have been contacted to present proposals for a new HVAC maintenance contract. Some problems with the air conditioning system are being attended to. Mrs. Hoover, Art Committee Chair, reported that Favorites, featuring portrait works by Diane Betz Granger and Sari Sponhour’s pottery creations, will be on display through July 5th . Mr. Shoup, President, reported that after a year of study, it has been decided that the Greentown Branch facility would need some major capital renovations. We have tried to satisfy the small patron base by maintaining a skeletal operation during this investigation. The income generated by the addition of the Greentown Branch to the county formula adds about $19,600.00 to the systems income, and the operating costs for the branch are $111,000.00, which does not include any capital repairs or upgrades. There would be a need to make significant service reductions at the Main library in order to keep the Greentown Branch open. The protests from members of the public seem to be more related to community identity issues than an actual need for the branch. Mr. Dansizen said that in light of the continued reductions to the system’s income from both economic and legislative events, which include not only budget cuts for the remainder of this year, but reductions to the next several years, the need to close the Greentown Branch is still pertinent. It is no longer possible or prudent to continue offering duplicate services in such a small geographic area. Mr. Lawton noted that the Board members have been investigating several proposals in an attempt to keep the branch open, but have found that the need to close is inevitable. Tia Ramsey, community member, said that she was curious as to whether the branch might be kept open as a convenient location for the return of North Canton items so that patrons would not need to locate parking in North Canton. She then left the meeting. Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to close the Greentown Branch Library and to cease operations effective July 1, 2003.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mr. Powell seconding, to authorize the Director to explore the legal issues and options involved with selling the Greentown Branch building and land, and to report at the next meeting. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger. Kathy Babik stated that the new computer system is working well, but the patrons are somewhat intimidated by the PC concept. The new Telephony program seems to be working well. Mr. Lawton moved, Mr. Powell seconding, to adjourn to executive session to discuss a personnel matter, at 9:02 a.m.
Regular session was reconvened at 9:30 a.m. The next regular meeting of the North Canton Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2003. Mr. Dansizen moved, Mr. Lawton seconding, to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 a.m. Ayes: Dansizen, Hoover, Lawton, Powell, Schiltz, Shoup, Zollinger.
Thomas Shoup, President |
