Board Meeting Minutes

Trustees of the Newton Public Library District met February 20, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.  Present was Pete Pasero, Emily Carroll, Ilene Woods, Jeanette Hickox, Amanda Lessley, Jennifer Hinterscher and Director Jacque Holsapple.

Vice President Pasero called the meeting to order.

Minutes of the January meeting was reviewed and will stand as presented.

The January financial report was reviewed.  Bills were presented.  Trustee Woods made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Amanda Lessley, motion passed.

Director’s Report

Circulation for January was 2,824.  Money collected from fines, faxes, copier, book sales, cards, and miscellaneous was $96.05.  Eleven new cards were issued.  The patron door count for the month of November was 1,173.

Old Business

An eleven month CD was purchased on January 18 in the amount of $103,000.00  Maturity date is 12/18/2024.

Trustee Lessley and Trustee Carroll conducted research on how to enroll our community in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program.  The program requires partnering with a 501-3c.  Amanda reached out to southeastern IL Community Foundation to see if they would be able to partner with us.  The board raised some more questions about the program and more research will be conducted prior to starting a fundraising and marketing campaign.

The library conducted a mini used book sale and it generated $511.00 in donations.

New Business

The board reviewed the Volunteer & Meeting Room Policy.  A motion was made by Trustee Woods to make no changes to the policy and seconded by Trustee Carroll, motion passed.   

A Digital Literacy Workshop provided by the Rural School Initiative through Eastern Illinois University will be held at the library on February 29, 2024 at 1:00.  Sign-up is required.

The library has qualified for Cat 2 E-rate funding that will aid in updating the security infrastructure of the technology of the library.  A motion was made by Trustee Hickox to accept the E-rate contract, and seconded by Trustee Woods, motion passed.  

Director Holsapple mentioned the library experienced some closures due to bad weather in the month of January and inquired on establishing a cancellation policy.  At this time, the board decided to keep the decision for library closure to the Director.

Meeting adjourned.

Emily Carroll

Secretary, Board of Trustees

Newton Public Library District