The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Park Library.
Minutes from the February 22, 2024 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
February 22, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Carnegie Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on February 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Library. Board members in attendance were Bobbie Cronk, Harriet Gordon, David Jordan, Kyla Ward, and Tona Williams. Joshua Bachman, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Jonht Slayden, and LaTonya Williams were absent. Audrey Sheets, Jessica Poet, and Mary Beth Revels were present from the staff.
Vice-President Kyla Ward called the meeting to order, and the roll call was taken.
Under approval of the minutes, David Jordan moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2024 meeting of the Board of Trustees, as presented. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
David Jordan presented the financial reports. Tona Williams moved and Bobbie Cronk seconded to approve checks #34651 through #34724, January electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
David Jordan presented the January monthly financial reports. He and Mary Beth Revels met with accountant Tim Gawatz to go over the reports. Next month the reports will note account code 1011 as “money center” to better reflect that it is an investment account. The Software budget line is overbudget, but some of that is the way OrangeBoy services were classified this year. Tona Williams moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to approve the monthly financial reports prepared by library staff and office of Liechti & Gawatz, LLC. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
David reported that he and Mary Beth discussed with Tim Gawatz the US Bank Money Market account that holds the capital reserves. They were seeking a way to add the funds to the investment account but track them separately. The funds could be moved to the investment account, but invested in treasury bills so the funds would be separated on the statement. Tona Williams moved and Bobbie Cronk seconded to transfer the capital reserve funds to the money center account and invest the funds in treasury bills. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Mary Beth Revels reported that she recently added $800,000 more into the money center account. This account continues to accrue interest at a rate of 3.5%.
There were no other financial reports.
There were no reports from committees.
Under old business, Mary Beth Revels reported that talks are continuing with Northwest Health Services. The next step in the process is for architects to visit the Downtown building.
Mary Beth also updated the Board on how the long-range plan is progressing. SJPL has started to send a satisfaction survey to 10% of the patrons who’ve used the library in the last 14 days every Wednesday. From this survey a Net Promoter Score (NPS) is generated. SJPL currently has an NPS of 86%. There is also progress being made on updating the Collection Development Procedures for staff and staff is working on ways to maintain connections with teachers in the community.
There was no other old business.
Under new business, Audrey Sheets, branch manager of Carnegie Library, made an announcement that after 46 years at SJPL, she is retiring. Audrey shared that she truly believes working at the library is the best job. Her favorite part has been getting to interact with people from all walks of life. She spoke about how the role the library plays in the community has changed; she recalled the changes due to the Mental Health Acts of the 1980s, when VHS became available, and the rise of computers. She thinks two of the very important things the library does are provide a warm place for people in the winter and offering free access to computers. She encourages future librarians to continue partnering with other community organizations and always ask “Is there more we can do?” for our community. She found invaluable the Ryan Dowd webinars provided to staff and encourages people to read the book When We Walk By.
There was no other new business.
Mary Beth Revels gave the Director’s report. SJPL has ordered new library cards and the design offers a glimpse into a new library logo. Missouri House Bill 2498 passed out of committee. This legislation would require every library board to have at least 5 board members and all board members would be elected. They would be elected to 4 years terms and required to declare themselves Democrat, Republican, or Independent on the ballot. The cost of the elections would be the responsibility of the county. Mary Beth was able to visit with legislators at Library Advocacy Day/Great Northwest Days in Jefferson City. Due to the overwhelming response to the Adult Winter Reading program and low number of adults participating in the Summer Reading Program the last several years, the 2024 Summer Reading Program will be for children and teens only. The Summer Reading theme this year is Adventure Begins at the Library. SJPL is looking for sponsors for snow cones at the kickoff party.
Under Board Discussion, trustees reviewed the last section of the Missouri Public Library Standards: Communication and Advocacy. Overall, the library scored at the Enhanced Level on the standards.
There was no public comment.
The next meeting will be on March 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the East Hills Library.
There being no further business, Tona Williams moved and David Jordan seconded to adjourn the meeting. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Tona Williams
Secretary