Seneca East Public Library Board of Trustees
October 12th, 2022
The October 12th, 2022 meeting of the Seneca East Board of Trustees was called to order by President Janet Ruffing at 7:30 P.M. Trustees in attendance were: Janet Ruffing, Kim Ohl, Heather Stockmaster, Tina Shook, Vicki Eckenrod, and Jeff Beaston. Library staff attending included Fiscal Officer Pamala Dunson and Library Director Shannon Featheringill.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the September 14th, 2022 meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion by Vicki Eckenrod, a 2nd by Kim Ohl, and approval of all remaining board members by voting “aye”.
Fiscal Officer’s Report: The board reviewed the September 2022 bills as well as reviewing and initialing the September 2022 Bank Reconciliation and Management Reports as presented by the Fiscal Officer.
Resolution # 578 – To increase appropriations according to the directions of Director Shannon Featheringill, for the unencumbered donations received from the period of 9/12/22 –10/10/22 and transferring monies from Miscellaneous Donations #419-4192 to 411-4100 Adult Books $3367.10 and 411-4101 Children’s Books $1600.00 and transfer $10,000 from Contingencies 1000-930-330 to Property Maintenance Account 1000-100-330. The total amount of donations to be appropriated is $422.15. Itemization for donations is as follows: Adult Books $150.00, Children’s Books $30.00 and Supplies $242.15. A motion to approve Resolution #578 was made by Heather Stockmaser with a 2nd by Jeff Beaston, and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”.
An update was received regarding Mary Jane Brakeall’s Estate stating the results of the property sale and a disclosure of additional assets. A partial distribution will be made sometime in December with final distribution made in 2023 after 2022 tax returns. The 2022 Annual Notice of Exemption for Continuing Education Certification has been accepted and is on file as required. Currently starting to work on the 2023 Temporary Appropriations. Hopefully it will be presented at the November meeting. Chart of Account Changes are coming for the Fiscal Year 2024.
Director’s Report: Director Featheringill reported a total Patron Count for September of 3053 with 25 days open.
Old Business: The new copier should be in soon following a part backorder. Three computers are in from Buckeye IT. They are installing hardware, etc. and they should be coming soon to install them in the library. OLC Small Libraries Division Forum hosted 18 small library directors on September 15th. OLC Director, Michelle Francis, was here to provide an update on state funding, grant opportunities, voter registration, COVID tests, fiscal reporting requirements, and book challenges and first amendment “audits”. Attendees then held open discussion followed by a tour of the building and history museum.
New Business: We were asked to participate in Republic's Halloween activities on Sunday, October 30th from 2-4 P.M. A kid’s craft and activities will be held in the Republic Town Hall.
Legislative: The ODT posted the October 2022 PLF distribution of $40,549,733, which is 11.13% above the July 2021 estimate. PLF CAlendar Year 2022 year-to-date total is $419,303,909.
Building Update: Bob Herbert finished the heat tape project and we have received the bill. He will be back to show Director Featheringill how the panel in the furnace room works and look at our auto light switches in the restrooms. A message has been left with Dave Stallings about the roof seam. Patty from Perry’s Plantation is sending a new quote for yearly maintenance based on the concerns from our last meeting.
Staff: Joanne Bernard began her part time clerk position on September 26th and is picking everything up quickly. OLC Convention & Expo in September was attended. Director Featheringill and Ariel Fry are signed up for a notary class from NORWELD on October 12th.
Children’s Room Report: The fall session of Music and Movement has averaged 6 per week. Storytime attendance has been very good, averaging 19 per week for the month of September. There were 12 in attendance for September’s Brick Builders Club. The first Mini Makers program was October 6th with a theme of Spooky Science. There were 22 who attended. November’s theme is “Fall Food Fun.” We had our first child complete the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. October’s passive programming has included a Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt in the children’s room and fall Take and Make crafts. Visits with the elementary school and In His Care have begun. Monthly visits with the Seneca East Preschool began October 12th. Our first middle school Maker session at the school library went very well. There were 28 kids who signed up to participate. We will be returning at the end of this month for the 5th grade classes. Chris and Hannah set up a booth at the Tiffin Storybook Festival on October 1st. There were more than 200 people in attendance. A craft and STEM activity was provided for the kids. As requested, we also donated 50 books which were passed out to children when they registered. The Halloween party will be held Saturday, October 22nd at 12 P.M. We have been invited to participate in Republic’s Halloween festivities on Sunday, October 30th. Chris attended Norweld’s Youth Services Round Table in Findlay in September. The meeting was at the Mazza Museum and included a tour of its STEAM Education Center and a discussion on STEAM programming.
Adult Services Report: The Book of Lost Names by Kirsten Harmel was discussed at book club on September 13th with 5 in attendance. We did pass out 10 books for the book club. A Trivia Night for adults was hosted on September 27th with 6 attendees. A $25 gift certificate to Smitty’s Pizza was given to the winner. Toilet Paper Pumpkin crafts were made on October 3rd with 8 in attendance. The Maid by Nita Prose was discussed at the October 11th book club. There were 4 in attendance and 9 books were passed out for the book club. An Adult BINGO will be hosted on October 17th. Yarn Gnomes will be made on November 7th. House Rules by Jodi Picoult will be discussed at the November 8th book club. We have a passive contest at the front desk “This or That” featuring apple cider or pumpkin spice. A winner will be drawn at the Halloween party.
Foundation News: The Foundation made over $13,700 at the Reverse Raffle. There are 4 Foundation members with terms expiring this year. The next meeting for the Foundation will be Tuesday, November 14th.
At 8:20 PM, a motion was made by Janet Ruffing to enter Executive Session in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G 1), to consider appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee. A second was received from Tina Shook and the motion passed with all trustees voting “aye”. The Board thereupon entered Executive Session until 8:50 PM at which time regular session was resumed.
Board Old Business: Discussion on a new Board member was had as Heather Stockmaster will be vacating her seat at the end of her term in December 2022.
Board New Business: No new business items.
The next meeting of the Seneca East Library Board will be November 9th, 2022 at 7:30 PM.
There being no further business to conduct, Tina Shook made a motion to adjourn at 8:51 PM.
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Janet Ruffing, President Tina Shook, Secretary