Public Library Board August 19
Director Carrie Herrmann (CH) introduced a newly hired archive consultant for the Archive & History Center. In addition, a new business services director has been hired for the BCPL system. CH also introduced Anastasia Perez, the new Walton Library branch manager. While the old library had about 8-10 employees, the new Walton branch employs about 23. Per Ms. Perez, staff is in place and are starting to shelve materials, etc. The internet and wi-fi are up and running. There’s a problem, however, with the library’s solar system, which seems to be a computer programming issue and is being looked into. September 3 has been designated as the closing date for the old Walton library, and the library must be vacated by the end of October for the Walton school system’s occupation.
The Board reviewed meeting protocol items provided by CH. As the Board members had received these protocols earlier in the week for review, there was no discussion.
The FCC allows libraries to purchase wi-fi hotspots and the library has $14,000 in allocated funds to obtain any additional hotspots that are lent out to the public. All wi-fi hotspots are held at the main library and have to be shipped to locations to provide public requested use.
An open records request (ORR) was made for CH’s annual evaluation, which was provided.
Notary/passport services were discussed. They get 4-5 requests daily for a notary so this is a popular service. Consequently, funds for additional staff who are notaries was included in the current fiscal year’s operating budget.
Per the June treasurer’s report (for fiscal year end), current assets are approximately $24 million, with fixed assets totaling approximately $59 million for a total of approximately $83 million. Total revenue was $11,028,000; expenses were $9,029,000.
The Chapin Memorial Library (CML) update provided by CH went through a lot of statistics and graphs on usage. It was determined that usage appears to be seasonal; i.e., higher in the winter. CH is working with the county to compare wi-fi usage between the county and the CML to ensure there’s no overlapping of the two systems that could adversely affect the CML’s wi-fi usage. CH indicated she’d like additional time to monitor usage. New hours have been updated, and beginning in September a youth services staff member from another branch will be on hand for story hour. Board member Deborah Dutton-Lambert (DDL) wanted means other than via emails to provide library updates, as in the Petersburg area there is very little computer usage/access by the residents. She would like a banner posted on the library so patrons can clearly see hours, etc. There was much discussion regarding the pros and cons of a banner (cost, difficulty in putting up, wind damage, etc.) and CH didn’t want to try a banner. She proposes continuing to monitor usage statistics for the period September 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.
There was also discussion about the CML ad hoc committee that was suggested by President Jackson in the July board meeting. CH proposed the committee be comprised of two board members, two BCPL staff and two community residents. She also proposed that the committee should produce a comprehensive report evaluating usage patterns encompassing the CML as a staffed library, an express library and a hybrid, now that the library has had time to gather the appropriate data. DDL wants this committee to include a county representative also, such as a county commissioner or deputy county commissioner. However, the Board instead suggested retaining an independent contractor who would not be biased and would bring more experience to such an evaluation. After some back and forth discussion, President Jackson indicated this was a good first step that needs further discussion at another meeting. DDL indicated that if space reconfiguration is required, the Boone County administration office would need to be involved anyway.
DDL also pushed for newer books at the CML. CH indicated they are looking into it but, when pressed, indicated they will address this more closely in the fall.
The ad hoc committee nominated for the Archive & History Center now needs to replace an exiting Board member. Board member Patti Reisz volunteered and was added to the committee.
In reviewing the library system’s surplus items, one of these was designated as the 2.5 acres belonging to the Hebron branch, which the Boone-Florence Water Commission wants to purchase to install an in-ground water tank. The completed review of the Commission’s appraisal was received by the Board, and in accordance with KRS Section 61.810.1B the board went into a closed session to review and determine their asking price. Upon return from the closed session, the Board made a motion to increase the acreage in question to three acres and to provide the Commission with the asking price the Board agreed on in closed session.
The BCPL’s annual report was submitted to the state library association as required after fiscal year-end. The only comment by the Board was that e-material demand has declined because many patrons are moving to streaming services that don’t release their programming on electronic hardware for the BCPL to purchase.
The last issue was determining the tax rate for the current fiscal year. The Board’s accountant recommended again utilizing the compensating rate (used last year), which is now 4.1%, down from last year’s compensating rate. DDL took issue with this, pushing for a lower rate of 3.5% and trying to push for more fiscal responsibility. Board member Trame stated the BCPL is a good steward and CH indicated they are more stringent than Kenton County’s library system. DDL continued to push for the lower rate but was overruled as the Board elected to use the 4.1% compensating rate. The comment period, now held at the end of meetings, elicited comments from a few Petersburg residents. Their main issue was that the resident had to take her grandchildren to the Hebron branch as there was nothing for them in the CML—no children’s books and no books for her other than the books on the shelves, which they stated are ready for the trash. The other commenter has appeared before the Board previously regarding the lack of conservative periodicals in the library system. She approached the Board again hoping for a better response due to the two new Board members. Unfortunately, she was virtually ignored again. The only member who responded was DDL who asked her for her copy of the Epoch Times as she wasn’t familiar with it. The commenter held up a copy of Time magazine that showed President Trump on the cover portraying him as a Nazi, which she feels is inappropriate as children can view this also.