Public Library Board November 24

Boone County Public Library Board (the Board) November meeting held at the Library’s Scheben branch in Union.

Presentation

A presentation was provided from a member of the City of Florence’s staff in the form of a proposed facilities master plan developed by the City of Florence regarding various options for the Florence branch. One option is a new building at property purchased along the same strip by the City. The City suggested then putting an early learning development center in the existing library building, so the development center, senior center and the new library would all be in one area. Another option is to add on to the existing library branch but inadequate parking would remain. Library patrons would have to share parking space with the senior center, and sometimes that’s full. The City owns a parcel of land valued at about $750,000 that they would sell to the BCPL or the BCPL can utilize a land lease. 

Also discussed was utilizing more of the new or refurbished library as community spaces, study rooms, etc. and making the branch less of a “book warehouse,” because although statistics show the library gets a lot of use, not so much is in circulation. The mayor of the City of Florence also attended the meeting. She expressed concerns about reducing circulation and other aspects of the City’s proposal. She also believes the library should provide Sunday hours as all the other branches do.

Board member Deborah Dutton-Lambert (DDL) asked if there were any other vacant buildings the Florence branch could use instead of undergoing the major expense of a new library branch. Executive Director Carrie Herrmann (CH) indicated she had been looking but most would be too small in terms of the square footage required. MiSalon is vacant and has about 20,000 square feet but CH felt that would not accommodate the Florence branch. She had also considered Florence Mall but has real concerns about that as an option. Other options are much further away from the current location.  The Board indicated they would take time to review the City of Florence’s 2025 Economic Development Report provided by the representative along with the Site Concept Design for 7501 and 7431 US Highway 42. Further discussion and review will need to be done by the Board before any major decisions are made. 

Public Comment

Joe was present again. He still wants Sunday hours, along with the Florence mayor. Expressed thanks to Board member Rich who talked with him regarding the landscape changes, etc., and wanted to provide him with a gift card, which Rich declined for ethical reasons and because it was the BCPL staff who made the actual changes. Joe also had a complaint about a kit the branch handed out for Thanksgiving, stating the assembly instructions were poor. He expressed that since Florence is the largest city in Boone County, it should have the largest library.

Director’s Report

BCPL still has some grants outstanding and to date the grants that have been approved have brought in $63,000 in revenue for BCPL. The BCPL recently received a federal grant from the Arts Endowment Fund. 

In CH’s review of the concerts provided by the BCPL (per the Board’s request), there were 4,779 attendees at the concerts with a charge of $2.00 per person. The BCPL spent about $13,000 on the concerts.

CH referred the Board to the “Our Boone County – Plan 2045,” the Countywide Comprehensive Plan Update DRAFT which is now open for public review and comment. The Board can peruse the section under Hebron that covers options for the Hebron branch’s surrounding acreage. One request the Hebron branch has received is to install a more direct sidewalk from North Bend Road to the building. Determining this sidewalk would not have to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, they are looking to put in such a sidewalk, which would probably require a budget adjustment. 

The BCPL has created an AI user group for the BCPL system. There will be a report on this working group’s progress around January/February. She also confirmed the BCPL will offer AI classes for the community; the Scheben branch manager will head up this programming. 

Accountant’s Report for October

Year-to-date, $935,000 in revenues was received, which is about 55% of the budget. More is expected to come in early November for October. Direct expenses to date total $764,000.

Business

CH recommends retaining an architectural firm to run community engagement meetings for the Florence branch project. She recommended Omni, which conducted these for the Walton branch. This would require a mid-year budget adjustment. She first referenced about $100,000 but confirmed that the Hebron branch land use study cost about $5,500. DDL made a motion to bid out the project to at least three firms rather than automatically awarding it to Omni. The motion passed, so community engagement for the Florence branch will be bid out. It will likely be February before all responses are in.

The Board approved taxpayer refunds exceeding $1,000 as some of the taxed entities determined, after audit, they overpaid. This apparently occurs fairly regularly. 

Board member Rich requested an ongoing item be added to each month’s agenda regarding potential topics for the next month’s agenda so the Board has time to assimilate what may be covered in that month’s meeting. Potential topics for December’s meeting are:

• A presentation on the results of the Hebron branch land use community response;
• A presentation from the independent audit of the BCPL 2025 fiscal year-end; and
• A discussion/review of the trustee application process for the one trustee opening for the fiscal year beginning 7 /1/26. 

Rich also requested an agenda item be added for December’s meeting on library efficiency.  Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.