HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
April 20, 2005
HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto–Paul Erickson, Ann Ryals; Hardee–Gloria Davis, Gordon Norris, Elinor Batey; Highlands–Guy Maxcy, Jeanne Renton, Perry Newport; Okeechobee–Robbie Chartier, Marion Davis, Elvie Posey. Librarians present: Fred Lohrer, Elizabeth Kenney, Diane Hunt, Merry Cresswell, and Mary Myers. Guest: Mike Carter, NCT Group CPAs.
Paul Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. with Commissioner Maxcy giving the invocation and leading the pledge of allegiance. We introduced ourselves to help orient our new board members. The notice of public meeting was read and there were no additions to the agenda. Robbie moved, Ann seconded, that we approve the agenda as printed, passed by voice vote. Ann moved, Jeanne seconded, that the board approve the minutes as printed, passed by voice vote.
Coordinator Mary Myers passed out a statistical page showing the Heartland libraries circulations, collections, patrons, and patron visits for Nov. 2004-March 2005, along with her coordinator’s report. Robbie moved and Ann seconded it be approved, passed by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
NCT Group’s Mike Carter was introduced to the board to give our annual audit report. He passed out reports to each member and his summation was that we had another good report. Gordon moved to accept the audit, Jeanne seconded, and it was passed by voice vote.
The dollars available in our unrestricted fund were discussed. Most of the suggestions to increase our publicity and to help the member libraries will be addressed in the long range plan and budget to be discussed next month. Among those suggestions was that of a bookmobile and a tie-in with 2006 being our 10th anniversary as a cooperative.
The board was in agreement that we think about looking for some other source of funds for our libraries other than county budgets, such as an impact fee especially for libraries or a special taxing district.
Mrs. Myers informed the board that we are currently undergoing an internal audit going back to 1996 when the interlocal agreement was signed by all four county commissions. The board agreed it was comfortable with completing this audit.
TECHNOLOGY PLAN UPDATE
Concerning the plan update, the board was informed that the E-rate money reimbursements from the Federal Universal Services fund, is redistributed to libraries and school based on numbers of children getting free or reduced lunches. The institutions must provide a technology plan showing goals and how the money will be spent, and the plan must be given to the State Library. Perry moved to adopt the updated plan, Robbie seconded, and it passed by voice vote.
The next MEETING IS MAY 18, 10 A.M., LAKE PLACID MEMORIAL LIBRARY.
Librarian Diane Hunt told the board about her Prime Time grant funding which enabled her to work with some 28 families in a six-week program. Both children and parents listen to stories, take home books, and have family discussions about the topics in the books.
We talked briefly about having an all day workshop for library employees and board members, which would mean closing all libraries for that day. We’d like to do this before October of this year.
The board was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Hesselink
Administrative Secretary
