Trustees of the Newton Public Library District met February 23, 2026, at 5:00 P.m. Present were Travis Farley, Emily Carroll, Jennifer Hinterscher, Ilene Woods, Amanda Lessley, Pete Pasero, Jeanette Hickox and Director Jacque Cowger.
President Farley called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the December meeting were reviewed and will stand as presented. The January board meeting was cancelled due to weather.
The December & January financial report was reviewed. Bills were presented. Trustee Woods made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Trustee Carroll, motion passed.
Director’s Report
Circulation for December was 2,634. Money collected from fines, faxes, copiers, book sales, cards, and miscellaneous items was $705.74. Three new cards were issued. The patron door count for the month of December was 1,166.
Circulation for January was 2,832. Money collected from fines, faxes, copiers, book sales, cards, and miscellaneous items was $647.00. Five new cards were issued. the patron door count for the month of January was 1,213.
Old Business
Trustee Hinterscher gave an update on the museum.
Director Cowger submitted the Per Capita Grant in January.
Director Cowger met with the State Archivist in February to review records retention requirements and establish a compliant timeline for the destruction of outdated records.
New Business
President Farley made a motion to purchase a $244,615.87 eleven-month CD at 3.65 APY from Peoples State Bank with funds from the Special Reserve account, seconded by Trustee Woods, motion passed.
The board discussed a quote from Whit Marketing Group for social media advertising for the library. No action taken.
To meet requirements for the annual submission of the Per Capita Grant, the board discussed creating a strategic plan for the library and having it in place prior to next year’s grant submission. No action taken.
Due to FOIA requirements, it was discussed to create new e-mail addresses for each trustee specific to the library. Trustee Lessley has agreed to complete training to become a FOIA officer, Director Cowger and sAra Zumbahlen are currently FOIA officers and have completed training.
Director Cowger made the board aware of HB0042 that allows the non-resident card fee to be paid quarterly or biannually. No action taken.
Director Cowger responded to a FOIA request from Judiciocracy, LLC and engaged the library’s attorney for help in the matter.
The next board meeting is March 16, 2026, at 5:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned.
Emily Carroll
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Newton Public Library District
