Attendance:

Nancy Gorden, President

Julie Chapman, Vice-president

Amy Brown, Treasurer

Dani Noland, Trustee

Anne Byard, Trustee

Julie Jones, Librarian

Sharon Reynolds, Trustee

Diana Kupish, Secretary

Alice Reed, Consultant

Monday, April 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., the Blue Mound Memorial Library Board of Trustees met in the Annex of the Library.  The Blue Mound Memorial Library President, Nancy Gorden, called to order the Board of Trustees’ meeting for March, 2024.

The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nancy Gorden, on behalf of the library Board and staff, presented Amy Brown with a Tree to be planted at their farm in memory of her father who recently passed away. 

Secretary’s Report: President, Nancy Gorden verified that each Board member had time to review the Minutes from April 22, 2024.  Anne Byard made a motion to accept the Minutes as presented.    Julie Chapman seconded the motion. The motion carried with all “Aye” votes. 

Treasurer’s Report:  Amy Brown made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Sharon Reynolds seconded the motion. The motion carried with all “Aye’ votes.   

Librarian’s Report: 

• Hite Carpet Cleaning cleaned the carpet for the main area of the Library on Saturday 3/29. It has been 4 years since it was cleaned professionally and it really brightens up the Library.    
• All of the 150 safety eyewear provided by the Adler Planetarium from Chicago to view the (April 8^th) eclipse was distributed prior to the event.
• Aaron Damery said he can still work on the Library’s computers remotely. If hands-on is necessary, his on-site person can physically come to the Library to attend to our needs.  Julie will be meeting with Aaron on Saturday, April 27^th to discuss this further. 
• The Automatic Door is not working. Trimble’s were called and came the next day to inspect the door.  After researching the matter, he discovered the part to fix the door is $6000.  He is looking into alternatives.  The door has leaked oil and been serviced before.  Julie will ask what a ‘new’ mechanism will cost. 
• Copy machine was making a knocking sound every time it is started. Watts Copy Systems was called and replaced a roller which had flattened on one side from lack of use.  The machine was cleaned and is working great.   

Library Activities:

• Adult Book Club met on April 18^th at 6:30 at the Library and discussed The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox. The group was led by Tom Jones & Dorothy Durflinger.  Ten members attended.
• Etched Glass Program was held on Thursday, March 11^th at the Library from 6:00-8:00 in the annex. The cost was $25 for two etched glasses.  Eight people attended.
• Earth Day Celebration! Melody Arnold talked to the children and made an Earth Day craft and passed out a lot of freebies on Saturday, April 20^th from 10:00 – 11:00 with six children attending.

Upcoming Programs:

• Senior Freeze Workshop – will be held here at the Library on Tuesday April 23^rd from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
• Book Club will be meeting on May 16^th at 6:30 to discuss Winter Study by Nevada Barr.  The evening will be hosted by Jeannie Barnes & Dorothy Durflinger.
• Self Defense – Officer Kara Flannery of the Decatur Police Department will be hosting an evening on ways to protect oneself on Thursday, May 23rd.
• Summer Reading – is just around the corner with registration the week after the VBS program. The intent to not to compete with local programs, therefore, Summer Reader will start and end one week later than usual, ending the last day of July.   

Old Business: 

• Library Policies:
  • The Technology Plan was revised with minimal corrections including the number of computers, printer access, changing ‘Library on the Go’ to ‘Libby’ and other changes in verbiage.
  • The BM Memorial Public Library District Policy - changes were discussed at the March 25^th meeting including:
    • page 5 Section XI: Standing Rule, B:  attending workshops (add language: “if deemed beneficial”)  There was hesitancy about changing this in case it is required.  Alice said the change is fine.  It is not a requirement to attend the workshops and conferences.
    • page 2 Section E. - enumerating the holidays.  It was decided to add the Saturday after Good Friday to the list of days the Library will be closed.  Election Day is a state holiday and not mandatory and will be removed from the days the Library will close.  Juneteenth, a federal holiday, was added as a  holiday observed by the Library on June 27th, 2022.  
    • page 2 Section E #4 – Removed posted ‘in the Blue Mound Leader’. Instead it will just be posted.            
    • Section 9 C Personnel Policies – Employees will be reviewed annually (discussed at budget time).
  • Other changes to verbiage discussed were not required by the Library District. The changes will be made and printed awaiting final approval at the May Board meeting.
• Library Hours of Operation: Nancy asked if anyone wanted to propose any change in hours.  There was some discussion but it was decided to leave hours as they are and Julie Jones should delegate tasks to the employees to keep them occupied during slow times. 

New Business:  None

Other:  

Personnel: Julie Jones Vacation time off – Julie will be taking the week of May 6^th through the 13^th during which time the staff will cover the Library hours and take on some of the tasks Julie usually does.  Business hours will remain the same.

Motion to Adjourn:  With no further business to discuss, Anne Byard made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Julie Chapman seconded the motion.  The motion carried with all “Aye” votes.  The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

The Next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.                                       

                                                                                                                                                Diana Kupish - Secretary