Blount Library Board Meeting Minutes
Friday February 19, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.

Roll call of members:

Present: MaryAnna Buchanan, Jessie Jordan, Kim Palmatier, Diane Soulvie, Linda Tanner, Melissa Willey, Karen Zale, Janice Snyder guest and Jessie Frank (Director).

Absent: Pate Schwartz and Nancy Weigel.

Meeting was called to order at 3:34 p.m. on February 19, 2021 by President Diane Soulvie.

Secretary report-Disposition of the minutes of previous regular meeting: Linda Tanner moved to accept the minutes for our December 18, 2020 meeting. Seconded by Jessie Jordan. Motion carried.

Treasurers Report: Janice Snyder reported the electric bill was larger than in the past. Reports for December and January are attached.

MaryAnna Buchanan moved to accept the report and Karen Zale seconded. Motion carried.

Director’s report: Business has been slow in January- 66 Patrons and 4 visits in the building. (Some people are in the hospital or have traveled out of the area.) This is about half the numbers from last January. Digital book loans are up three fold since last January. Jessie has done inventory. We will recycle or repurpose 2 iPads that no longer work. Faxing revenue has increased as well. No one has asked to use the computers. Unfortunately the basement has water in it again. Jessie will look for someone to have it repaired. The water heater was broken and Brett Grossman came and repaired it. There is a lot of buildup which is causing issues with it. We may look into a water softener in the future. The next grant may be used to insulate the new building. New carpet was installed and looks great. The remaining carpets may get cleaned this summer. Janice Snyder has completed and balanced the budget. Jessie will have her portion finished soon.

Committee reports: None to report

Communications: None to report

Old Business: None to report

New Business: Jessie Jordan was nominated for Vice President by Diane Soulvie. Linda Tanner seconded. Motion carried. Nancy Weigel has resigned from the board for personal reasons. Melissa Willey nominated Kirstin Brown. Linda Tanner moved and Karen Zale seconded. Motion carried.

The sick leave/safe leave policy was reviewed. Full time employees receive four paid and twelve unpaid sick leave days annually. This will be reviewed again next meeting and was approved today so we are compliant with the law. Karen Zale moved and Kim Palmatier seconded. Motion carried. “Conflict of interest” policy was adopted and signed by all board members. NYS mandate states the board minutes and board member names and titles must be posted on our website.

Diane Soulvie has purchased thumb drives with all the documentation and research she has done since becoming President to hand out to any members who would like to have it. A confidential discussion of the library director’s evaluation and pay raise produced an increase of a 2% retroactive raise. Linda Tanner moved and Karen seconded. Motion carried. The evaluation will be discussed at March’s meeting in more depth.

Discussion: MaryAnna Buchanan remarked that Blount library is the only library in the area that has not opened fully to the public. The March meeting will have this on the agenda to discuss how the pandemic is going and look into reopening fully again.

Jessie Jordan moved and Karen Zale seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 4:29. The motion carried.

Blount budget 2021

Next meeting Friday March 19, 2021 3:30 p.m.

February 2021 Board of Trustee Minutes