Public Library Board March 20
There was a presentation by the Archive & History Center. Sounds like their biggest focus/projects are on the African-American slavery history in Boone County. They’re sponsoring a bus tour for Boone County leadership and will be exploring Boone County history and how “we” want it expressed going forward.
The Board finally received an appraisal on the 3 acres the library owns in Hebron which I alluded to previously. It’s $77,500. It’s still zoned public facility but all around it is zoned residential so although someone can try and change the zone to something other than that, the Board felt it wasn’t likely to be approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. There is no curb cut-in along 237 and also no water or sewage lines were ever put in. The Board indicates there’s only one individual interested although I thought last time the County wanted to put a water tank there. The Board will decide on the property probably next week.
The Hebron branch is requesting $10,000 in funds which will be a line item allocation within the budget (not new funds) to replace the trees which died. Apparently, the trees were put in before any irrigation system was put in place and also there was little soil preparation (mainly clay). The Board will approach the Extension office to ensure the trees will actually grow before the funds are approved.
The Board discussed a sensory room policy.
The library received $50,000 in earnest funds for the Walton Verona library building. The library is currently $2.8 million in revenue over expenses; however, there is no anticipation of future revenue so over the next 5 months of the fiscal year it is expected to be heaver on expenditures.
The Executive Director has been watching some of the bills. SB35 didn’t make it out of committee (this was to require the companies who sell media materials such as DVDs, to not overcharge the library). Senator Schickel will bring it back next year and a house member also indicated she will propose on it. The bill died in committee.
BCPL has been approved as a GED testing site
A church requested to do a storytime with BCPL but the library will only allow their own staff to do these storytimes as they are highly trained in early childhood development. Next meeting 4/17/23 at the main library.