NORTH CANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 17, 2007

The Board of Trustees of the North Canton Public Library held a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the library.  Mr. Shoup called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. with the following members present:  Mr. Lawton, Mrs. Rankin, Mr. Smetana (arrived after meeting started), Mrs. Zollinger.  Absent:  Mr. Dansizen, Mrs. Ziarko.  Others: Karen Sonderman, Kelly Kroll, Jo Ann Simon.  Guests:  Phil Stahler, Cindy Alpeter.

Mr. Lawton moved, Mrs. Zollinger seconding, to accept the minutes of the December 20, 2006 meeting as presented.  Ayes:  Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Zollinger.  Absent: Dansizen, Smetana, Ziarko.

Mr. Smetana arrived at 8:07 a.m.

Report of the Clerk-Treasurer:

Mrs. Kroll reviewed the financial report for the month and year ending December 31, 2006.  The unencumbered balance in the General Fund was $283,132 after the transfer out to the Permanent Improvement Fund.  Unencumbered balance in all funds was nearly $691,000.  Overall revenues collected for the year were higher than estimated and overall expenses were lower than budgeted.  The Clerk-Treasurer’s report for December 2006 was accepted and filed for audit.

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

Maria Meymarian gave a copy of the book Houser, My Life in the Aftermath of the Armenian Genocide by her mother Euphronia Halebian Meymarian

The North Canton Book Club gave $35.00 for the purchase of a book in memory of Tanalynne Sickafoose

Sally Marchand gave $100.00 for the purchase of materials in memory of David Werner

Janice Powell gave $100.00 for the purchase of materials in honor of her parents James and Naomi Powell

North Canton Public Library Sunshine Fund gave $25.00 for the purchase of materials in memory of Joe Magee

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

 Report of the Director:   

The Director welcomed Kelly Kroll to her first Board meeting as Clerk-Treasurer, and noted that the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer will be present at Board meetings to help take the minutes.  Soon she will be able to take and transcribe the minutes of the Board meetings.  Karen presented the statistical and usage reports for December 2006.  Karen also reviewed year end 2006 totals.  Circulation showed a 4% increase over 2005.  Talking books on tape are slowly being weeded due to the more popular books on CD and MP3.  She reported that electronic media appears on the report for the first time, and we have strong circulation for these items.  The Director also reported that the E-music downloads started in December.  She explained that the YA circulation has had great increases and is doing well.  The teens enjoy hardback books now because it makes them feel adult.  Karen noted that the Internet stations are being used less, and that there was an increase of 13% in reference requests.  Board members asked questions about downloadable music and copyright issues.  Karen reported that she had visited the new electronic classroom at NEOUCOM and was amazed at the technology.  She said that it may be hard for public libraries to keep up with new electronics, but that it is fortunate that we are in the State Library’s consortium that helps reduce costs.  Karen also mentioned that there is a new show in the Art Gallery this month. 

 Committee Reports:

Building - None
Art – None
Budget & Finance – None
Personnel – None
Future Planning – Mr. Smetana and Mr. Lawton reported that the committee is still hard at work.  Quotes were secured for the building use/space study.  He said it was a challenge to try to compare apples to apples with the quotes.  He believes that in March the committee can bring recommendations to the full Board.
Nominating – None
Negotiating – None

Other Reports:

Cindy Alpeter thanked the Board for accepting Maria Meymarian’s book.  She reported that the Christmas candy was well appreciated by the staff.  She also mentioned that the air circulation is much better in her department due to repairs and that staff working in that department are thankful for this. 

Phil Stahler, Friends of the Library representative, reported that the group will hold its first book sale of the year on Sunday for members only.  He reported that there will be a dedication ceremony soon for the stained glass window that was donated in memory of Pat Barklay. 

Mr. Lawton asked questions regarding the back up of records in the library.  The Director reported that a daily backup is done of the acquisitions/circulation system, and the tapes are kept in a fireproof vault.  The Clerk-Treasurer reported that the Business Office has a few different ways to back up data, and that a daily backup is done and stored off-site.  Mr. Shoup reported that in conjunction with backups, the Records Retention Committee will need to meet in the summer to discuss disposing old records. 

The next regular meeting of the North Canton Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. at the library.

Mr. Smetana moved, Mrs. Zolliger seconding, to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 a.m.  Ayes:  Lawton, Rankin, Shoup, Smetana, Zollinger.  Absent: Dansizen, Ziarko.                   

Thomas Shoup, President
Roberta Zollinger, Secretary