NORTH CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 16, 2006
The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public
Library held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at the library.
Mr. Shoup called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with the following
members present: Mr. Dansizen, Mr. Lawton, Mrs. Rankin, Mrs. Ziarko, Mrs.
Zollinger. Absent: Mr. Smetana. Others: Karen Sonderman, Farilyn Buchman.
Guests: Phil Stahler, Gail Ebey.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Rankin seconding, to accept
the minutes of the July 19, 2006 meeting as corrected. Ayes: Dansizen,
Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
The Clerk-Treasurer’s report for July 2006 was
accepted and filed for audit.
Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Ziarko seconding, to accept the
following gifts for the Memorial and Gift Fund;
Friends of the Library donated $1,500 for
children’s program supplies and $800 for young adult program supplies
Better Investing NE Ohio Chapter gave a gift of
$50.00
William and Elaine Lyren gave $30.00 for the
purchase of a book in memory of Helen Arturo
The Sunshine Fund of the Library gave $25.00 for
the purchase of a book in memory of William J. Albrecht
Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko,
Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to
accept the gift of $29,552.47 from the North Canton Library Association, for
the Permanent Improvement Fund. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup,
Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
The Director presented the statistical and usage
reports for July 2006. With another month of over 100,000 items circulated,
July recorded a 13% increase over last year, which brings our year-to-date
circulation up by 16%. The Sun Digitization project has received a grant of
$15,000.00 from the Herbert Hoover Foundation. An additional $20,000.00 is
needed in order to receive the matching funds pledged by the North Canton
Library Association. In an effort to preserve the original images, the
entire collection is to be microfilmed until a time when the digitization
funding is available. The issues from the 1940s have been returned and will
soon be available for use by the public. The city has begun the process of
installing a cross walk for patrons who use the parking lot across Ream
Street. Lines have been painted and curbs are to be cut for ADA
requirements. A proposal for a staff in-service training day was discussed.
It is hoped to coordinate the installation of a new telephone system for
that day. Closing the library would be necessary. A letter from some out of
state visitors to the gallery was shared. They were concerned because they
had been told that the gallery was to be closed. The staff and board are
reminded that their comments should not involve conjecture and
misinformation that could undermine any planning process. Although the
Future Planning Committee has been meeting with staff, and many ideas and
thoughts have been mentioned, these should not be passed on as decisions or
facts.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to
authorize the Director to close the library for an in-service day sometime
in September at her discretion. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup,
Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
On September 10, 2006 the Art of Astronomical
Photography, featuring the amazing night sky images of North Canton’s Tom
Conner, will open in the Little Art Gallery. This show will be on display
until October 15.
Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Ziarko seconding, to accept,
with thanks, the letter of retirement from Farilyn Buchman, Clerk-Treasurer,
effective December 29, 2006. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko,
Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
Mr. Dansizen, Future Planning Committee Chair reviewed
some of the suggestions made by management and support staff members. A
proposed patron survey was reviewed and several changes were recommended.
The survey will be distributed with the mailed copies of the newsletter and
with the Email version. It will also be available in the library from August
25th through September 15th.
Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Rankin seconding, approval to
conduct a patron survey at the library and online, from August 25ht through
September 15th, with the goal of collecting information for the Future
Planning Committee. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger.
Absent: Smetana.
Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to cancel
the regularly scheduled September 20, 2006 meeting, and to schedule a
special meeting to conduct regular business on Thursday, September 28, 2006.
Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
A proposal to replace the current automated telephone
system was presented. The current system is outdated and equipment failures
as well as difficulty in updating and operating the system have lead to this
proposal. Several area companies were contacted for prices. After a close
review of the options and equipment suggested, the prices were very close.
It was recommended that the project be completed by ACY Communications.
Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Ziarko seconding, to hire ACY
Communications to replace and upgrade the automated telephone system and
equipment at a cost not to exceed $12,200.00 with funds from the Permanent
Improvement Fund. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger.
Absent: Smetana.
Phil Stahler, Friends of the Library representative,
reported that the book sale will begin on Thursday, August 17.
Gail Ebey was welcomed as the newest member of the
library staff. Gail is working in the Children’s Department.
The next meeting of the North Canton Public Library
Board of Trustees will be a special meeting for regular business on
Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 8:00 a.m.
Mrs. Ziarko moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to
adjourn the meeting at 9:05 a.m. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup,
Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.
Thomas Shoup, President
Roberta Zollinger, Secretary
