Seneca East Public Library Board of Trustees
September 11th, 2024
The September 11th, 2024 meeting of the Seneca East Board of Trustees was called to order by President Janet Ruffing at 7:29 P.M. Trustees in attendance were: Janet Ruffing, Jeff Beaston, Tina Shook, Vicki Eckenrod, Michelle Zeiter and Michele Willman. Library staff attending included Fiscal Officer Pamala Dunson and Library Director Shannon Featheringill.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the August 14th, 2024 meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion by Michelle Zeiter, a 2nd by Jeff Beaston, and approval of all remaining board members by voting “aye”.
Fiscal Officer’s Report: The board reviewed the August 2024 bills as well as reviewing and initialing the August 2024 Bank Reconciliation and Management Reports as presented by the Fiscal Officer.
Resolution #604 - To supplement appropriations according to the directions of Director Featheringill for the unencumbered donations received from 8/11/24-9/7/2024. The total amount of donations to be appropriated is $360.20.
Itemization is as follows:
- $239.39 Books & Pamphlets (Adult)
- $120.81 General Administrative Supplies
A motion to approve Resolution #604 was made by Jeff Beaston, with a 2nd by Vicki Eckenrod, and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”.
The Amended Certificate with the Seneca County Auditor for $5,000.00 to increase the Donation budget #1000-659 has been approved.
Two Inter-Fund transfers were required this past month.
- $3,000.00 from Contingencies to Operations & Maintenance #210-351 (Rents and Leases).
- $1,000.00 from Contingencies to Tax Collection Fees #230-373.
The 2025 Tax Budget has been accepted by the Seneca County Budget Commission. The Official Certificate of Estimated Resources has been delivered to the Seneca East School Treasurer and will need School Board approval at the next meeting. It will then be forwarded to Fiscal Officer Dunson.
Compliance Items Pending:
- Monthly UAN Back-up has been completed and stored in the library's vault.
- Continuing Education Exemption Certificate needs to be filed
- View Fraud Training Video
Director’s Report:
Statistical Report:
- Director Featheringill reported a total Patron Count for August of 2620 with 27 days open.
- The statistical report was reviewed.
Old Business:
- Hollinger Room Dedication: Anita Hollinger’s sister, Dorothy Boyer was contacted regarding the dedication. The family has chosen October 26th at noon for the dedication. She will be mailing a list of family members to receive a direct invitation. The name will be “Hollinger Room”. Door signs have been ordered and Bair Bros. will be contacted this week to order the plaque. After the invitation list is received supplies and refreshments will be ordered. The plan is to serve cake, punch and coffee. Possible activities during the dedication include serving fresh popcorn, creating DIY souvenir button/magnet and a guessing jar contest.
New Business:
- ALA & PLA Memberships: The value of both ALA & PLA memberships was discussed at our August meeting. Individual memberships for full-time staff and institutional membership pricing is attached. The board agreed to have Director Featheringill get a membership and pass any pertinent information onto her staff.
- Chamber of Commerce: In the search for a giant pair of ribbon-cutting scissors, suggestions were made to ask our local chamber. It was discovered that the Tiffin-Seneca PL is a member of the Seneca County Chamber. A meeting with the ladies from the Seneca County Chamber on September 12th at 9:30am will discuss possible benefits of membership. Any board members who would like to attend are welcome.
Legislative:
- The ODT reports the September 2024 PLF distribution is $44,451,050 which is 2.43% above July 2023 estimates and 2.58% below updated December 2023 estimates. OLC states that even though the September distribution exceeded estimates, the overall PLF year-to-date is still below 2023 numbers.
Building Update:
- Jason Branham from Branham Builders responded regarding the roof and will be here in 2-3 weeks.
- Building Next Door: No updates.
Staff:
- Shannon’s days away are September 20th and 24th, and October 16th, 24th, and 25th to attend meetings and the OLC Leadership Conference where she is presenting. As a reminder, she will be on vacation October 31st – November 8th.
Historical Society:
- No new items.
Foundation Business:
- Reverse Raffle: It will be held Saturday, September 21st at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church. Helpers should arrive by 4:30 P.M. to eat and will then be assigned a job. Additional tickets are still available.
- Foundation reports total funds of $70,559.99.
- The next Foundation meeting is Monday, October 21st.
Children’s Room Report:
Programming:
- Regular programming starts back this month.
- Mini Makers returned September 5th. The kids made pita pizzas. We are creating squishy circuit bats in October.
- A monthly STEAM storytime begins this week and will occur the second Thursday afternoon and second Friday morning of each month. Depending on response, this series may just be for the fall schedule or will continue in winter. Our September theme is “bubbles”.
- Storytime returns September 17th and Brick Builders September 19th.
- There is a Curious George scavenger hunt set up in the Children’s Room which will continue throughout September.
School Outreach:
- Visits with In His Care Preschool begin September 25th and with Seneca East Preschool on October 9th.
- There are 11 elementary classrooms signed up for monthly visits this year. Visits begin September 12th.
- We are collaborating with the school library again this year to offer STEAM programming for the 5th graders. Our first program is scheduled for October 29th, 30th and 31st. We will be using the Spy Academy activities provided from the Camp in the Box program Chris attended earlier this year.
- We are also working with the school library to offer middle school STEAM programs and will be meeting once a month during the high school study hall period to provide volunteer opportunities for the students. This will begin in October.
- As of now, there are 8 teachers who have requested regular monthly book collection rotation.
Adult Services Report:
Past Events:
- August programming included 6 activities with 53 attendees.
- August 5th-Diamond Art Paintings
- August 26th-DIY Beaded Wind Chimes
- August 7th, 14th and 28th-Low-Impact Exercises
- Exercise was canceled on August 21st due to power outage.
- August 8th-Book Club met and discussed Weyward by Emilia Hart
Book Displays:
- Book displays were both changed on September 6th.
At 8:07 PM, a motion was made by Vicki Eckenrod to enter Executive Session, in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G 1), to consider the purchase of property for public purposes, the sale of property at competitive bidding, or the sale of other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit for-use property in accordance with section 505.10 of the Revised Code, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest. A second was received from Jeff Beaston and the motion passed with all trustees voting “aye”. The Board thereupon entered Executive Session until 8:17 PM, at which time regular session was resumed.
Board Old Business:
- No old business items.
Board New Business:
- No new business items.
The next meeting of the Seneca East Library Board will be October 9th, 2024 at 7:30 PM.
There being no further business to conduct, Tina Shook made a motion to adjourn at 8:21 PM.
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Janet Ruffing, President Tina Shook, Secretary