Bryan-Bennett Library

Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2021

 Call to order

President Gaston called the regular monthly library board meeting to order at 6:33 pm with the following trustees present: Jane Gaston, Gary Hahn, Jack McGuire, Joyce Raver, Gayla Wilkerson, and Ann Wilzbach. Trustee Ed Dolbeare arrived at 7:23 pm. Trustees Tom Champion and Lynn Larimer were absent. Also in attendance was Library Director Kim Keller and Assistant Library Director Kim Baldridge. There was one visitor, Salem City Acting Mayor and recently elected Mayor Nic Farley.

Public Comment

Mayor Farley addressed the board to thank them for their service to the community and stated he will maintain an open door policy.

Secretary’s Report

The minutes of the March 16, 2021 meeting were approved as presented on a motion by Trustee Raver with a second by Trustee McGuire. All present approved.

Treasurer’s Report

The bills for April 2021 totaling $16, 313.38 were examined and approved on a motion by Trustee Hahn with a second by Trustee Wilkerson. All present voted “yes” on roll call.

The treasurer’s report for April was presented. A motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented was made by Trustee Wilkerson with a second by Trustee Wilzbach. All present voted “yes” on roll call.

Committee Reports

No reports at this time.

New Business

1. Library Property Tax Request for taxes payable in 2021-Director Keller presented the request letter for taxes payable in 2021 which when compared to the latest estimates available for the total equalized assessed valuation for the City of Salem is equal to 0.15% for Library operations and is equal to 0.02% for the Library building and a levy of$11, 000.00 for IMRF and $9,000.00 for Social Security. It also requested $50,000.00 of sales tax revenue and $11,180.00 of Personal Property Replacement Tax revenue. A motion to accept the tax request letter as presented was made by Trustee McGuire with a second by Trustee Hahn. All present voted “yes” on roll call.

Unfinished Business

2022. Proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-Director Keller present the board with a revised and balanced proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022. President Gaston tabled the issue with a request that a close session to discuss personnel be included on next month’s board agenda.

Director’s Report

Director Keller informed the board that the library system has stopped quarantine procedures and recommended that BBL do so too. She also recommended a change in BBL’s COVID procedure of taking daily staff temperatures. They would only be taken if a staff member appeared ill. She then recommended  the  reinstatement of WiFi use inside the -building but with the restrictions of social distancing and mask wearing as well as a limit to the amount of time a patron could be inside using the WiFi. The board had no objections to Director Keller’s request to change some of the Board’s COVID procedures.

Director Keller reminded the board that they may want to change hours of operation at some point during the pandemic. The board took no action on this matter at this time but will consider it at a later date.

Director Keller updated the board on the progress of the Construction Grant and the Voice and Votes display coming in August.

Donald Rogers has been hired as an independent contractor for the maintenance position. He has been on the job for 3 weeks and is doing a good job. Director Keller introduced him to the board and they extended their welcome.

Director Keller updated the board on Program Director Shanafelt’s plans for the Summer Reading Program.

Director Keller reminded the board that they wanted to name the remodeled gym. Suggestions were made. No decision was made at this time.

Board Members’ Reports

President Gaston had a complaint from a patron about the sometimes long wait list for an e-book/e-audiobook.  Assistant Director Baldridge will contact Cloud Library personnel with questions that were raised about the process.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Trustee Wilkerson with a second by Trustee Wilzbach. All present agreed. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Wilzbach                                                                                                                                                             BBL Board Secretary