December 11, 2023
Benton Public Library District
Board of Trustees Meeting
December 11, 2023
Members Present: Brian Crisp, Pat Hollada, Theresa Bates, Kathy Storey, Debbie Clark
Absent: Larry Journey, Sue Wells
Library Director: Susan Stickel
Also Present: Kimberly Livesay
Meeting Called to Order: 5:00 pm by Debbie Clark
Approval of November Board Meeting Minutes
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Kathy Storey
Payment of Bills:
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Pat Hollada
Financial Report:
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Kathy Storey
Librarian’s Report:
MAINTENANCE:
Susan mentioned that she had spoken with James Gorman with MidAmerica and he will meet with her at the end of the week of December 11th (about lightning rods). She has also spoken with Tom Hamilton with Hamilton Lightning Rods (when he is in the area) and he will be giving us an estimate on them.
PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The library has been decorated inside and outside for the Christmas season.
Programming is going well within the library and at the assisted living facility (Heritage Woods). Pat Dietrich contacted the community’s other assisted living facility (Fifth Season) and we will now be providing the same programming to them.
Kimberly said the movie night was a success and they are also hoping for a big turnout for Santa’s arrival.
Old Business:
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
Personnel:
Debbie Clark passed out a spreadsheet with the names of library workers and their current salaries. It also included a projected 2, 3, and 4% raise for the following year. We discussed what we might want to give them (besides the included $1.00 an hour increase). We chose to give employees a 3% raise for the next year.
1st by Kathy Storey 2nd by Theresa Bates
All five present members voted yes.
New Business
Policy Manual Update Article 7
Our current library policy needs to be amended and updated to reflect the current requirements made by the state. This amendment would show that we are in compliance. Susan read the ne statement.
1st by Theresa Bates 2nd by Kathy Storey
Per Capita Requirements
Susan told the board members to read our blue library manuals as a refresher on policies and procedures.
Ordinance 105-23 Trustee Meeting Dates and Times
Susan went over the 2024 Board Meeting dates and the holidays for the library. We had some discussion about President’s Day and Columbus Day about being closed and/or opened. We also brought up the idea of closing the Friday after Thanksgiving and giving them two days off.
We decided on being closed on President’s Day, open on Columbus Day, and being closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We are also making the November board meeting on Wednesday the 13th (due to Veteran’s Day falling on Monday, November 11th).
Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers
Susan mentioned Senate Bill 208 and how it states that all part-time employees who obtain 40 hours of work or more and guaranteed time off. For each 40hours of work in a 12-month period, an employee will get 1 hour of paid leave. They can take this time for any reason. The library will comply with this new law.
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Theresa Bates
Staff Appreciation
Debbie mentioned that we have been purchasing Wal-Mart gift cards for the employees for many years. Last year we increased it from $25 to $30 dollars.. Should we keep with this price?
We agreed to keep it at $30 for now.
1st by Brian Crisp 2nd by Kathy Storey
Review of the Closed Session Minutes
The minutes of any Closed Session are kept on a digital file and we agreed they would remain there.
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Brian Crisp
Other
Susan let us know that she will be gone the second Wednesday of every month. She is now a representative for Franklin County Head Start. She will be going to Centralia for this.
The staff are interested in the polo shirts that were brought up at the last meeting. Debbie Clark will get samples and sizes to bring in. We might have a total of 15+ for the order.
Pat Hollada presented information to the board about a possible piece of playground equipment from K&K Storage. The company is PlayMor that makes the swingset/slide structure. There were two examples in the catalog to look at. The smaller one was priced at $4,197. The larger size w(with a rock climbing wall) was priced at $5,717. K&K Storage has one on display on North Main Street. If we went with that one, we could get 10% off the toral price.
The Class of 1959 would donate $800.00 to use on the project. Pat said we could also use the $200 Sunday School donation on this project. We also have another donation for the Reading Garden that could be used on this. After the donations, the cost might be around $1,800. This would still fit within our Reading Garden budget for the year.
The purpose of this possible purchase is for the overflow of children waiting to get on the Pirate Ship out in the Reading Garden.
There was a motion made to purchase the “Happy Space Saver” W102 structure.
1st by Pat Hollada 2nd by Theresa Bates
Public Comment
NONE
Adjournment: 6:00 pm by Debbie Clark
1st by Brian Crisp 2nd by Debbie Clark
