May 2023 Board Minutes

Seneca East Public Library Board of Trustees

May 10th, 2023

The May 10th, 2023 meeting of the Seneca East Library Board of Trustees was called to order by President Janet Ruffing at 7:27 P.M. Trustees in attendance were: Janet Ruffing, Kim Ohl, Tina Shook, Jeff Beaston and Michelle Zeiter. Library staff attending included Fiscal Officer Pamala Dunson and Library Director Shannon Featheringill. The Library Director Shannon Featheringill swore in Michelle Zeiter as a new member to the Board of Trustees with a term that will end December 31st, 2029.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April 19th, 2023 meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion by Kim Ohl, a 2nd by Michelle Zeiter, and approval of all remaining board members by voting “aye”.

Fiscal Officer’s Report: The board reviewed the April 2023 bills as well as reviewing and initialing the April 2023 Bank Reconciliation and Management Reports as presented by the Fiscal Officer.

Resolution #588- To increase appropriations according to the directions of Director Shannon Featheringill, for unencumbered donations received from the period of 4/11/23-5/5/23. The total amount of donations to be appropriated is $2064.20. Itemization is as follows: Publicity $731.00, Adult Books $717.05, Adult AV $10.00, Supplies $206.15, and Dues/Membership $400.00. A motion to approve Resolution #588 was made by Jeff Beaston, a 2nd by Kim Ohl and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”.

Resolution #589-To approve the 2024 Tax Budget after review. Once approved, it will be sent to the Seneca East School Board of Education for approval and then be submitted to the Seneca County Auditor’s Office. A motion to approve Resolution #589 was made by Tina Shook, a 2nd by Michelle Zeiter and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”.

Chart of Account Change Updates-Work will begin on this once the 2024 Tax Budget has been approved.

Director’s Report: Director Featheringill reported a total Patron Counts for April of 3123 with 25 days open.

Old Business: The new tables are here. The chairs were cleaned by MG Carpet Care on May 9. Summer Reading plans are nearly finalized. PLF approval letter was sent to Tiffin-Seneca PL and the Seneca County Auditor. Camera traps are installed. A donation was received from the National Machinery Foundation to pay for the supplies for the installation and for the Frog and Toad tie-in program.

Legislative: The ODT posted the May PLF distribution of $47,854,786 which is 15.36% below the July estimate and 3.05% below the December estimate. OBM reports April tax receipts came in 6% below estimates and attributes this mostly to the Personal Income Tax underperforming because of a timing issue but anticipates the shortfall being corrected in May. Overall state revenues are still exceeding estimates by $626.6 million (+2.7%). House Bill 33 has passed the House by a vote of 77-19. It now moves to the Senate for budget hearings. Their amendments are due May 17th. OLC encourages directors, fiscal officers and trustees to contact our senator using the talking points provided.

Grants/Money Requests: The Magazine Drive is finished. The calls for donations for Summer Reading have begun. The National Machinery Foundation donated $600.00 and the Attica Lions donated $700.00 to pay for our Library Journal and School Library Journal subscriptions as well as our NORWELD Large Print Circuit subscription.

Building: Jason Branham of Branham Builders LLC looked at the annex roof and provided a quote to seal coat the roof. A motion to approve the sealing of the roof by Branham Builders LLC was made by Kim Ohl, with a 2nd by Jeff Beaston and approval of all remaining members by voting “aye”. Jeff Beamer of J&F Construction was notified that the Board approved the Phase One proposal for basement back room renovations. Insurance paperwork has been received from him. S.A. Communale will make necessary repairs as discussed at the last meeting. Director Featheringill will be contacted once S.A. Communale coordinates the water shut off with the Village of Attica.

Staff: Director Featheringill has NORWELD meetings on May 12 and June 21. She will be off June 23rd, 27th and 30th.

Historical Society: Community garage sales will be held May 18th-20th. The registration deadline was extended until May 15th.

Foundation News: The Foundation will host a Book Sale during community garage sales.

Children’s Librarian Report:

Programming: Storytime and Music and Movement will run through the week of May 15th. After the break, Storytime will start back up on June 20th. A new Stay and Play program will replace Music and Movement for the summer. This will begin June 23rd. The May Teen Board meeting will be held May 11th. The teens will continue to help with preparing Take and Make crafts and work on the Summer Reading bulletin board. Following the meeting, duct tape bracelets will be made. April’s Brick Builders Club had 11 attendees. The last Brick Builders Club will be May 18th and then resume in the fall. On May 4th, the Mini Makers group had a Star Wars Science program. There were 9 in attendance. There is a new bee themed scavenger hunt in the children’s room. This will be in place until decorations for summer reading are put up.

School/Outreach: All three 5th grade classes took part in a Lego challenge at the end of April. Information on the Summer Reading program was also shared. Visits for all classes in grades K-4 are scheduled over the next couple of weeks. The last visit of the school year for the Seneca East preschool is May 10th and for In His Care on May 17th. Seneca East preschool has already invited us back for next year and would like to resume visits in October.

Adult Services Librarian Report:

Past Events: On May 3rd a No-Sew Tote Bag class was held with 10 in attendance. There was also a passive contest and a book tote bag was given away to the winner.

Current Events: There are two displays up for this month: Moms and May the 4th. All activities for Summer Reading are planned. Prize planning is in progress.

Upcoming Events: A trivia night will be hosted on May 17th. A Peace Wreath craft will be made on June 5th. All Adult Services are planned out until August 28th.

Board Old Business: No old business items.

Board New Business: No new business items.

Next FDN Meeting: Monday, June 12th

The next meeting of the Seneca East Library Board of Trustees will be June 14th, 2023 at 7:30 P.M.

There being no further business to conduct, Tina Shook made a motion to adjourn at 8:07 P.M.

_______________________                              _____________________

Janet Ruffing, President                                          Tina Shook, Secretary