Seneca East Public Library Board of Trustees
October 9th, 2024
The October 9th, 2024 meeting of the Seneca East Board of Trustees was called to order by President Janet Ruffing at 7:25 P.M. Trustees in attendance were: Janet Ruffing, Jeff Beaston, Tina Shook, Michelle Zeiter, Michele Willman and Ellen Lynch. Library staff attending included Library Director Shannon Featheringill and Fiscal Officer Pamala Dunson.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the September 11th, 2024 meeting were reviewed and approved as amended with a motion by Jeff Beaston, a 2nd by Michele Willman, and approval of all remaining board members by voting “aye”.
Fiscal Officer’s Report: The board reviewed the September 2024 bills as well as reviewing and initialing the September 2024 Bank Reconciliation and Management Reports as presented by the Fiscal Officer.
Resolution #605 – To supplement appropriations according to the directions of Director Shannon Featheringill, for the unencumbered donations received from the period of 9/8/24-10/5/24. The total amount of donations to be appropriated is $1029.80.
Itemization is as follows:
- $525.50 Books & Pamphlets (Adult)
- $504.30 General Administrative Supplies
A motion to approve Resolution #605 was made by Ellen Lynch, with a 2nd by Michelle Zeiter, and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”.
The Resolution Accepting the Amounts & Rates of the Tax Levy is in the hands of the Seneca East Board of Education at this time. The approved resolution will be forwarded to the Seneca County Auditor and Fiscal Officer Dunson.
Temporary Appropriations for 2025: Work has begun on the worksheet. It will be available for review and approval next month.
The Building Next Door: Preliminary discussion on acquiring the property next door was had. Discussion will be had with the Foundation at their next meeting to gain their perspective.
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:
- Director Featheringill reported a total Patron Count for September of 3103 with 24 days open.
- The statistical report was reviewed.
Old Business:
- Hollinger Room Dedication: Invitations are sent and supplies are ordered. The rest of the equipment will be moved into the Hollinger Room. A straightening up of the storage area needs completed yet.
- ALA & PLA Memberships: Both memberships have been signed up for as discussed at the September meeting.
- Chamber of Commerce: The Seneca Co. Chamber met with Director Featheringill and they made their case for membership including group rate buying, member to member benefits, networking, leadership and continued education opportunities, promotional support and more. Membership fee is $195/year for our size organization. It was agreed upon to purchase a membership.
Building Update:
- Roof: We have not seen Jason Branham yet. He gave a 2-3 week estimate on August 18th.
- Building Next Door: As discussed above under the Fiscal Officer’s Report.
- Security Light: The security light on the back of the building was flashing so North Central Electric came with the bucket truck and removed the bulb. A replacement light has arrived and North Central Electric will come to install it.
Staff:
- Shannon’s days away are 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:
- Dean Wiliams met with Director Featheringill. He has been working with the Seneca County Museum to get sample collection policies. He has been in contact with several interested parties and now thinks he has enough people to form a group. He is working on setting up a meeting. We discussed several fund-raising ideas for once we have an established group. He is in the process of renewing their 501(c)3 that has lapsed.
Foundation News:
- The Foundation made $12,044.82 at the Reverse Raffle.
- The next Foundation meeting will be held Monday, October 21st at 7PM.
Children’s Room Report:
Programming:
- Mini makers met October 3rd and made squishy bat circuits. Christmas gnomes will be made in November.
- Storytime and Brick Builders returned in September. Both programs have had good attendance with several new families attending.
School Outreach:
- Preschool and elementary school class visits have begun.
- Our first middle school program will be held October 18th at the school library. Diamond art will be created.
- Following the middle school program, there will be a volunteer period for high schoolers.
- Fifth grade programming begins October 29th.
Events:
- Autumn Village Day was a great time! Positive feedback was received about the planned activities. There were wooden ornament crafts and a book character guessing game.
- The annual Halloween party is scheduled for October 19th. Ohio Nature Education will begin the event with a program called “Bats and Their Predators”.
- We will be attending the annual Storybook Festival in Tiffin to be held the first weekend of March.
Adult Services Report:
Past Events:
- September programming included 3 programs with 29 attendees.
- September 12th: Book Club discussed The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
- September 16th: BINGO
- September 30th: Yarn Pumpkins
- There were no exercise classes in September.
Upcoming Programming:
- October 2nd: Exercise
- October 7th: Wooden Spoon Craft
- October 16th: Exercise
- October 17th: Book Club will discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- October 28th: Fall Wreaths
- October 30th: Exercise
Book Displays:
- The book displays are spooky themed for Halloween.
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 November 14th at 7:30 PM.
There being no further business to conduct, Tina Shook made a motion to adjourn at 8:18 PM.
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Janet Ruffing, President Tina Shook, Secretary