November 21, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

Logan County Libraries

Knowlton Library
220 North Main Street * Bellefontaine, OH 43311-2228
Phone (937) 599-4189 * Fax (937) 599-5503
www.LoganCountyLibraries.org

Logan County Libraries Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024

The Logan County Libraries Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the Knowlton Library, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.

Members present were President Sharon Halter, Judith Goodrich, Lauren Ater, Robert Barnwell, Stephen Henry, and Steven Fansler along with Director Beverly Arlequeeuw, and Fiscal Officer Stacy Sandy. John Tucci was absent.

There was no public participation this month.

President Halter made motion to convene into executive session to discuss a personnel issue at 4:03 pm, seconded by Mr. Barnwell. Goodrich yes; Ater yes; Barnwell yes; Fansler yes; Henry Yes; Halter. All Trustees present along with the Director and Fiscal Officer went into executive session. At 4:32pm all Trustees and the Director and Fiscal Officer came out of the executive session.

The Secretary read the minutes from the October 17, 2024 meeting. Mr. Barnwell made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mrs. Ater. Motion Carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

The Fiscal Officer gave the monthly financial report ending October 31, 2024:

  • The General Fund showed a cash balance of $514,409.90.
  • The Capital Project Fund showed a cash balance of $621,648.78.
  • The Susie Parker Trust Fund showed a total balance of $64,418.07.
  • The Hazel G Moore Memorial Fund showed a cash balance of $22,653.99.

Mr. Henry made a motion to accept the Financial Report, seconded by Mrs. Goodrich. Motion carried.

The Director reviewed the Public Library Fund revenue.. She noted an overall decrease in funds of $99,625 compared to the same period in 2023. The State revenue has repeatedly come in well below estimates to date.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • Mr. Barnwell made a motion to adopt the Trustees By-Laws as presented, seconded by Mrs. Goodrich. Motion carried.
  • The Director explained the 2% increase in employee health insurance plan along with the additional cost to add dental and vision to the plan with an employee to opt out if not wanting the extra coverage. Mr. Henry made a motion to renew the current plan with the additional dental and vision, seconded by Mr. Fansler. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

No new business this month.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • ▪ STATISTICS REPORT FOR 2024:
    • ▪ Circulation for October 2024 :
      • The system showed an overall increase of 6,476 items compared to October 2023.
      • The Ohio Digital Library circulation was 6,245 items.
  • STAFF NEWS
    • Alex Sulit, Technology Coordinator, resigned on November 6, 2024. A search for his replacement has begun.
    • Melinda Ridgway, Reference Assistant, is retiring on December 20, 2024. She has been employed with the library for 27 years.
  • ▪ OTHER
    • Nancy Kuta, longtime Children’s Librarian, passed away on October 12. The library has received several monetary donations in her memory.
    • The Director highlighted the December Library events including the Mad River Dulcimer Society and the MadCap Puppet Christmas.

The next regular Board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 19 at 4:00 pm at the Knowlton Library in the Barnwell Board Room. There being no other business, upon motion by Mrs. Goodrich, seconded by Mrs. Ater the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 P.M.
___________________________ ________________________________
Sharon Halter, President Judith Goodrich, Secretary