Allegan District Library

Minutes-Board of Trustees

February 16 , 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Susan Jerkatis. Present were: Trustees Hellmann, Bortz, Jerkatis, Wott, Antkoviak, Garofalo, and Director Perrigo.

The minutes of the Jan. 19, 2009, meeting were approved. The monthly statistics and financial reports were reviewed. Director Perrigo noted that the library continues to be very busy. She also announced that just today we began receiving requests for lending our books through the statewide district library loan program. Director Perrigo pointed out that she included copies of the State Aid Report and Application in the trustee packets, for the board’s information. A motion was made by Trustee Antkoviak and seconded by Trustee Bortz that we pay January bills totaling $6,541.59. Motion passed unanimously.

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT:

Applications for Administrative Assistant Position: Director Perrigo indicated a huge response from MI Works and the library posting. It is her intention to eliminate applications down to 5-7 for interviews after the submission deadline of Feb. 28.

Tornado Program: On Sunday, March 22, at 4:00 p.m. Ernie Ostumo of Grand Rapids will present a program in the Carnegie Room on the tornado that hit Allegan (and other areas of SW MI) in April of 1956. This program will be sponsored by the Friends.

Baker & Taylor and Booklist Online: Director Perrigo explained that Books In Print has raised their yearly subscription rate to $2,400 this year. She has cancelled BIP and signed up with Baker & Taylor Online and Booklist Online, for a savings of $600. She also received a $200 discount to Booklist by signing up at the ALA meeting in Denver.

Book Club: Last month’s Book Club pick, Geography of Love, prompted a lively discussion, although the book was not a favorite of the attendees. A couple of new members attended.

AARP Workers: Director Perrigo reported that one of the temporary AARP workers has left employment at the library. There are two left at present. The library is always looking for seniors to participate in this program.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Friends Committee: Trustee Bortz indicated that member Shirley McElwee compiled an accounting of Book Sale profits over the years and that it was around $60,000. Mrs. McElwee has recently been nominated for the Kalamazoo Gazette Star Award for being a “stellar volunteer.”

Finance: Trustee Wott gave a copy of a proposed contract for accounting and payroll services to Trustee Antkoviak for review and correction.

Personnel: Trustee Jerkatis is still working on policy. There are two insurance plans from the City that need to be looked at. Director Perrigo spoke with Ryan Wieber of the Otsego library. Their employees are somehow grouped with, but not under, the city. She has sent an inquiry to the City of Allegan to see if this type of grouping could be feasible for us.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pam Smuda: Director Perrigo explained that somehow the City determined that Pam’s street (Summit) was outside the City limits, thus delaying her appointment to the Interim Board. It’s assumed this will be straightened out so that she will be able to attend the March meeting. She won’t be running for office as her family is probably moving out of the area.

May Election: There has been some confusion between the newspapers and the Clerk’s office as to who has officially filed their nominating petitions for District Library Board of Trustees. As far as we know, Trustee Wott will not be running as he intends to run for City Council. Trustees Jerkatis, Garofalo,Hellmann, and Bortz have filed; Jason Watts has also filed. Trustee Antkoviak has filed an affidavit to be a write-in candidate; it is expected that Michael Kiella will do so also.

Township Letters: Director Perrigo still hasn’t heard from Mr. Browne of Valley Township, or from Cheshire Township. Also undecided is which district Heath and Trowbridge will choose to join.

Verizon Voice Mail: Director Perrigo spoke with Verizon about their voice mail service. The cost of one mailbox would be $21/mo. The person she spoke with didn’t know how much the cost of more than one mailbox would be and hasn’t called back. Trustee Bortz suggested we try to get more than one box at a reasonable rate. Director Perrigo felt that, besides her, Barb Osborn and Linda Koch should also have voice mail. She’ll check further.

NEW BUSINESS:

Trustee Hellmann passed along a request from a friend: “More books on CD, please.”

Public Comment: Director Perrigo read a letter of complaint from a patron with regard to warning signs placed on the sidewalk in the winter which force people to walk on the driveway. She read a letter she composed to the woman, addressing her concerns, pointing out the dangers of the icicles on the building, and ending with a positive suggestion that she support the upcoming millage. Trustee Garofalo mentioned that drivers should slow down on the driveway, and Director Perrigo said perhaps a “Slow Down” sign should be added. Trustee Bortz stressed the need to keep the snow and ice shoveled and salted, especially at the bottom of the hill where people have fallen. Director Perrigo will check into both suggestions. She said that her hope would be to someday expand the building at the foot of the hill to include an entrance.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The next meeting will be held March 16, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carol B. Garofalo, Secretary