MINUTES OF THE JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING August 11, 2014 The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Directors was held August 11, 2014 in the library s conference room. Present were Ted Roth, Forrest Keaton, Craig Albers, Betsy Kennedy, Kevin Eckhoff, President Mary Fergurson, Director Chris Ashmore, and Circulation Supervisor Kim Irvin. Absent were Noel Beard, Robert Underbrink, and Katie Weeks. Mary Fergurson called the meeting to order at 4:31 PM. It was moved by Eckhoff and seconded by Kennedy that the minutes of the July meeting be accepted as submitted. Motion carried. It was moved by Albers and seconded by Roth that all the financial reports be approved and all of the properly approved bills for August in the amount of $49,699.67 be paid out of general funds as funds are available. Motion carried. Director s Report July was another productive and exciting month at the Jacksonville Public Library. Chris took time off for vacation the week of July 21-25 (except for Wednesday July 23) and found the time away from the library to be a great opportunity to recharge the batteries, so to speak. Sometimes one does not realize the need for a vacation until they actually take the time away. From Wednesday July 9 through Sunday July 13, the library staff manned a table in the Merchants Building at the Morgan County Fair. The table had various handouts for people to take, some fun giveaways, an I Spy game for children, and a running Power Point presentation showing the many things the library has to offer. Thankfully, it was not as hot as it has been in years past. On Wednesday July 16, the library hosted Vince Churchill, who gave a workshop to prospective writers of horror and science fiction. Though not a huge crowd attended, the niche audience that came really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with a published author. On Saturday July 19, the library hosted another author, D.L. Dennis. Mr. Dennis talked about his book The Witwer Files and signed copies for those in attendance.
The most popular program of July was the second Travelogue program of the summer. Kristin Johnstone, daughter of Our Town Books owners Jim and Sally Nurss, gave a program on Scotland. Kristin had the unique perspective of growing up in the United States and living the last 21 years of her adult life in Scotland. After a wonderful Power Point presentation, she fielded many questions ranging in topic from food to weather to the upcoming vote on Scottish independence. Chris continued to work with new Adult Services Librarian Hillary Peppers. She is doing wonderful in her new job and learns very quickly. On Monday July 14, the library had its annual Elevator Inspection. The laws have changed since last year and the library is now required to have the ability for the Elevator to automatically shut off if the fire sprinklers were to go off. This enhancement has been scheduled with Simplex Grinnell, the library s fire alarm company. On July 31, members of the Jacksonville Public Library/Our Town Books Book Club met to discuss book selections for the upcoming season, running from September through May. Everyone had a great time and did a good job of selecting a wide variety of interesting books. Poetry group met twice during the month on July 3 rd and July 16 th and continues to be well received. On July 3 rd, Chris met with Dr. Christopher Strangeman of MacMurray College and Dr. Bernd Estabrook of Illinois College to begin planning for this year s Humanities Film Series. The series has been expanded to include Illinois College, along with MacMurray College and the Jacksonville Public Library. The plan is to show six films at the library between September and April with the theme of moral courage. Professors from the two colleges will introduce each film and lead a post-viewing discussion. Other duties keeping Chris busy in July included collection development, web site and Facebook maintenance, arranging for building maintenance and repairs, planning and publicizing library programs, putting together the library s Shelf Life newspaper column and maintaining the day-to-day operations of the library. Adult Services In July, Hillary arranged for two upcoming programs, a onetime Fall Gardening program and a monthly Scrabble Club to begin in September. She produced the August newsletter and distributed it to several different media and social service outlets in the area. Hillary participated in the monthly Poetry Group gathering, helped maintain the library s website with frequent updates, and advised patrons on specific Internet and word processing tasks on the library s public computers. In addition to questions about downloadable ebooks and audiobooks, she helped several patrons with the library s
newest resource, Freegal. She also answered several general reference questions as well as research questions about Jacksonville history and genealogy. Hillary contributed the reading recommendations of the adult book collection for the weekly Shelf Life newspaper column. Interlibrary Loan/Holds In July, 627 items were borrowed from other libraries; 504 items were lent to other libraries; and there were 418 reciprocal circulations. Circulation Services July was very busy with it being summer and with the Adult Summer Reading Program finishing up at the end of the month. The adults loved to pick out their prize from the huge prize basket and many people said that they never win anything or that it has been many years since they have won anything. The library awards three winners, their names drawn from the top fifteen readers, who receive a $25 gift card to Our Town Books. Several staff members enjoyed some time off for vacation. Kim I held a meeting for all of the pages to remind them of certain procedures and upcoming changes. Kim I also started training new library page, Alina Badgerow, who has recently moved to Jacksonville from Morton, Illinois. Extension Services In July, homebound patrons enjoyed sampling cookies along with their book deliveries (left over from Morgan County Fair baking!) and kept busy turning in entries for the Adult Summer Reading Program. 24 homebound participants read a total of 415 books -- the top reader was Joyce Kreger who read 75 books. The Book Club at the Jacksonville Area Senior Center did not meet in July since Diane was vacationing in Colorado. Diane attended the open house for Lavender Ridge, the new facility on W. Walnut designed for assisted living with special services for memory loss/alzheimer's residents. Nearly half of the 28 rooms are already filled. Diane will be working with director Erich Marks to develop some type of library services for the residents. Youth Services July was a busy, busy month once again in Youth Services! The month kicked off with Cowboy Randy Erwin and a climbing wall, both of which were lots of fun! The library also hosted Kay Price, a great storyteller; Mr. Steve, a musician; Troy Roark who did a water magic show; and Babaloo, another musician. Everyone, except for Babaloo, was a new act and they all did a really good job!
July also had two Grossology sessions, one about animals with multiple stomachs and one by a butcher. The butcher topic was very interesting, especially finding out how the people from different cultures who are moving into the area are changing what kind of meat they want from his shop. Story Time and Garden Club continue to be popular. In crafts, the kids made an eagle handprint t-shirt, a sun catcher, sand art, monster faces, and a walrus balancing a ball on its nose. Lap Sit has had a smaller crowd over the summer, but those who came welcomed the chance to get out to see other little ones. Lego club had a big crowd again, while the fingernail art and teen movie drew less kids. Cindy also had a cowboy party that was popular with both boys and girls! As is typical of past summers, attendance goes down in July as people go on vacation, but Cindy received many compliments for all of the events and entertainers. There are two days left of summer reading in August and this year's summer reading program will be in the bag! Technical Services Things continued to operate smoothly in Technical Services. Diane Darnell efficiently kept up with cataloging. Heidi and Kim Pohlman processed materials. Volunteer Linda Little continued to work on special projects and assist where needed. COMMITTEE REPORTS Automation/Technology Building and Grounds Ashmore reported on various maintenance projects that were in process, as well as those completed. Finance Fergurson reported on the Endowment Fund. Personnel Public Relations
Ashmore discussed several of the upcoming events the library will be sponsoring, such as Music under the Dome, the Book Club, the Humanities Film Series, a Scrabble Club, and a Publishing Workshop. Ashmore also updated the Board on the progress being made in designing a library logo. Steve Varble is working on some initial designs and will meet with the Public Relations Committee when they are completed. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY Ashmore reported on a generous bequest to the Friends of the Library from the estate of Omer Boes. RAILS/RSA OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Ashmore reviewed Chapter 7 of Serving Our Public 3.0 with the Board. Ashmore also reminded the board of several upcoming deadlines, including Trustee terms expiring on October 1, the election of Board Officers at the October Meeting, and the passage of a library budget and levy request at the October Meeting. Albers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:16 PM, seconded by Roth. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by Kim Irvin