NORTH CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
November 16, 2006

The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library held a special meeting on to conduct regular business on Thursday, November 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, Cindy Alpeter, Kelly Kroll.

Mr. Dansizen moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to accept the minutes of the October 18, 2006 meeting as presented. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

The Clerk-Treasurer’s report for October 2006 was accepted and filed for audit.

Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Rankin seconding, to accept the following gifts for the Memorial and Gift Fund;

The Stark County DAR gave a copy of the Constitution of the State of Ohio

The North Canton Elementary and Middle School teachers gave $15.00 for the purchase of a book in memory of Opal Hamlin

Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

Mrs. Ziarko moved, Mrs. Rankin seconding, to accept the gift of $361.65 from Rosemary Tope for the Capital Art Fund. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

The Director presented the statistical and usage reports for October 2006. A 2% increase in circulation for the month has brought our year-to-date increase to 5%. Service statistics are increasing along with the start of the school year. We were again ranked number one in the country for our population by the HAPLR report. This was a surprise mainly because we have moved into a new, higher population category. The ranking criteria were reviewed. The possibility of allowing the Chamber of Commerce to locate a community event sign in our yard was discussed. Programs at the library continue to be well attended. The teens recently held an Anime Costume Party, which was attended by 50 young adults. Programs on Ohio’s First People, the First Ladies and Haunted Ohio were all also well attended. The Directors of the Stark County Libraries held a meeting to review the county formula for distribution of the LLGSF. No changes were recommended at the present time. The library will be relaxing the no food and beverage rules. A recent trend in public libraries is to allow patrons more home like comforts. Patrons will now be allowed to bring in covered beverage containers and packaged food. Digitization is now completed for 1940 through 1949 issues of the Sun, which are available at the public computer in the lounge periodicals area. The staff of the library has adopted a family of eight from the Community Christmas project. They will be providing gifts for all the family members as well as a certificate for the purchase of food. We are also making community participation available through a giving tree, which allows patrons to select a tag and purchase a gift for individual children in the area.

Mr. Dansizen, Building Committee Chair, reported that the custom cabinets in both the lower level and the second floor have been installed. There are still some minor adjustments needed. There is a problem with the lower level drinking fountain that is being taken care of.

On December 3rd and continuing through December 31st the Little Art Gallery will be featuring A Tribute, a one man show honoring Alliance artist Mieze Riedel for her contribution to art in the community. On November 25th at the Canton Museum of Art, Northern Exposure will open with a display of art from our library’s permanent collection. Curator Laurie Harbert will be selecting and mounting this show, which will continue through February 25th, 2007.

Mr. Shoup, Personnel Committee Chair, reported that the committee met on October 31st to review several personnel issues and to work on a proposal for the 2007 management staff salary and benefits package. The proposal will be presented at the December meeting.

Mr. Dansizen, Future Planning Committee Chair, stated that the committee would be looking at the possibility of hiring a consultant to assist the group with space planning issues. The support staff and management team were all very helpful with their suggestions. All of the groups had similar suggestions for the use of space and services.

Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Ziarko seconding, to accept the revised job description for the Clerk-Treasurer position as it was presented. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

The Personnel Committee also reviewed the work at home status of Susan Vancavage, which was approved in April 2006. It was agreed that this practice be allowed to continue at present, with continued periodic review.

Mr. Lawton moved, Mr. Dansizen seconding, to close the library on Tuesday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Eve Holiday, which falls on a Sunday this year. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

The board expressed its thanks and congratulations to all the staff for their contributions in helping to achieve the number one ranking in the HAPLR report.

Phil Stahler, representative of the Friends of the Library, reported that several members went to Mineral City, Ohio with donated materials, to help with a local effort to establish a community library.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the library.

Mrs. Zollinger moved, Mrs. Ziarko seconding, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Ayes: Dansizen, Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Ziarko, Zollinger. Absent: Smetana.

Thomas Shoup, President
Roberta Zollinger, Secretary