Seneca East Public Library Board of Trustees
November 13th, 2024
The November 13th, 2024 meeting of the Seneca East Board of Trustees was called to order by President Janet Ruffing at 7:32 P.M. Trustees in attendance were: Janet Ruffing, Tina Shook, 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 October 9th, 2024 meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion by Ellen Lynch, a 2nd by Michele Willman, and approval of all remaining board members by voting “aye”.
Fiscal Officer’s Report: The board reviewed the October 2024 bills as well as reviewing and initialing the October 2024 Bank Reconciliation and Management Reports as presented by the Fiscal Officer.
Resolution #606 - To supplement appropriations according to the directions of Director Shannon Featheringill, for the unencumbered donations received from the period of 10/6/2024-11/8/2024. The total amount of donations to be appropriated is $966.12.
Itemization is as follows:
- $84.00 Other-Supplies (Programming)
- $492.76 Books and Pamphlets (Adult)
- $200.00 Books and Pamphlets (Children)
- $189.36 General Administrative Supplies
A motion to approve Resolution #606 was made by Ellen Lynch, with a 2nd by Michele Willman, and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye”. The Resolution Accepting the Amounts & Rates of the Tax Levy – Has been approved by the Board of Education and Certified by the County Auditor. A copy is filed with the 2025 Budget. Continuing Education Exemption Certificate – In process and will be filed. Fraud Training – Have watched the video as required and a certificate is on file as proof for the State Auditors.
Resolution #607 - To review and approve 2025 Temporary Appropriations. A motion to approve Resolution #606 was made by Ellen Lynch with a 2nd by Michele Willman, and the motion passed with approval by all remaining board members voting “aye.”
Compliance Items Pending:
- Monthly UAN Back-up has been completed and stored in the library's vault.
Director’s Report:
- Director Featheringill reported a total Patron Count for October of 3677 with 26 days open.
- The statistical report was reviewed.
Old Business:
- Nothing to report.
New Business:
- An updated contact list for the Board of Trustees was provided.
- We received a very nice thank you from a lady who traveled from Perrysburg to borrow items from our Library of Things for a fundraiser she was working on for Isaiah 117, a non-profit organization that builds homes for children to stay in while they wait to be placed in emergency foster care. With her permission, the thank you was forwarded to Michelle Francis at OLC to be shared, at her discretion, with our policy makers at the statehouse. The thank you was also shared with the Board of Trustees.
- Two envelopes of cash winnings from the reverse raffle that were left in the care of the library to be distributed were misplaced. It is unclear if they were given to the wrong patron or misappropriated or when the error was made. Foundation officers held a meeting to discuss but Director Featheringil has not met with them yet. Director Featheringill will recommend the Foundation to write and mail checks to winners so library staff will not have to handle their monies.
- Additionally, the library does not currently have a policy on what to do if the library itself experiences cash drawer overage/shortages. Director Featheringill will gather samples from other libraries to present at our next meeting.
- Library is hosting the Giving Tree.
- AEP came and worked on the pole outside the library. As a result some issues were experienced with the elevator. Davis and Newcomer were called and fixed the issue.
Legislative/PLF:
- Nothing to report.
Grants/Money Requests:
- Nothing to report.
Building Update:
- Security light has been replaced.
- Roof: Still no Jason Branham after several calls and email reminders. Other options for contractors are being considered, but no one has been contacted yet.
- Building Next Door: No update at this time.
Staff:
- Director Featheringill presented her “Arm Floaties for Small Libraries” at the OLC Management & Leadership Conference on October 25th. It went very well with great feedback.
- Shannon’s days away are November 19th and December 18th to attend meetings.
- Ariel’s doctor has requested she discontinue exercise at the moment, so all exercise classes are canceled until she gets the ok from the doctor.
Historical Society:
- Nothing to report.
Foundation News:
- The next Foundation meeting will be held Monday, January 13th, 2025.
Children’s Room Report:
Programming:
- The fall session of storytime will wrap up November 20th and be on break for December.
- On November 2nd, Mini Makers made Christmas gnomes. We will not have a session in December and will have our annual gingerbread night instead.
School Outreach:
- Our first middle school program at the school went well. We have scheduled another one for December.
- There were 6 high school students who came to the volunteer session we had at the school library. We will meet again in November and they will help prepare the cardboard for Gingerbread Family Night.
- We also have another 5th grade program at the school scheduled for December.
Events:
- The Halloween Party went really well. Attendance was good and feedback regarding Ohio Nature Education was very positive.
- Our T-Rex Tea Party was held on November 2nd. Kids and adults alike seemed to really enjoy themselves.
- We will have gingerbread ornaments for the kids to decorate during the Attica Hometown Christmas event.
Adult Services Report:
Past Events:
- October Programming included 3 activities and 38 attendees.
- Halloween Wooden Spoon Craft
- DIY Fall Wreath
- Book Club discussion of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Upcoming Events:
- November 4th: Fondue Party
- November 14th: Book Club discussion of What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
- November 18th: Mason Jar Lid ornaments
- Exercise has been canceled until further notice.
Book Displays:
- The book displays are fall and election themed.
Board Old Business: Nothing to report.
Board New Business: Nothing to report.
The next meeting of the Seneca East Library Board will be December 11th at 7:30 PM.
There being no further business to conduct, Tina Shook made a motion to adjourn at 8:46 P.M.
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Janet Ruffing, President Tina Shook, Secretary