CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman James Pavik at noon on 1/12/2021.
ATTENDING: James Pavik, Steve Wilson, Nancy Fisher, Jackie Ingram, Sue Jennette, Carolyn Taylor and Dana Brown. Also present were Bette Dillehay, Director, and Joanna Ball, FOL President.
MINUTES: The minutes of the November 10, 2020 board meeting were approved as presented.
RECOGNITION: Jim Pavik presented Steve Wilson with a letter of recognition for his exemplary service to the Board. Steve’s term will expire in March 2021 after serving from January 2017 through December 2020. A motion in support of the recognition was offered by Nancy Fisher, with a second by Sue Jennette.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR: (See attached, including Financial Report)
REPORT FROM THE FRIENDS: Joanna Ball reported that new officers were approved at the Fall Meeting and include: President – Joi Ball; Vice-President – Viki Armentrout; Treasurer- Paul Dubois; Secretary – Jan Towne. The officers remain the same as last year with the exception of Viki replacing Molly Broderson, as her term expired. Joanna advised they are in good financial position. Since reopening, sales are good. Expenses are obviously down based on being closed for an extended period.
OLD BUSINESS: The Mathews Memorial Library budget for FY 21/22, as prepared by Bette Dillehay, Director and staff, was approved by the board. The budget request is for $446,329 and represents a 12.246% increase over last year. The increase reflects salaries and benefits approved by the Board of Supervisors. All other line items remain at FY 20/21 levels.
NEW BUSINESS: There is hope that by July, Youth Summer Programs and the Music/Concert series may be able to resume. In the interim, Bette is investigating a plan to use “Mathews Reads” as an instrument for selecting a book(s) to recommend to patrons, with discussion to follow, in an attempt to reach the community and hopefully lower stress and tension as it relates to current events.
Rachael Musick was seriously injured in a recent accident and the library is looking into the possibility of setting up a “Go Fund Me” page to help offset medical expenses. Co-workers at the Library generously offered to cover her weekend shifts.
Extensive cleaning of the Library has been done on two occasions, with the first cleaning paid for by Friends of the Library. The County will cover the most recent cleaning.
Hotspot Rental Program Presentation by Greg Lewis
This project strives to bring Wireless broadband connectivity to Mathews County residents by using a hotspot rental program at the Mathews Memorial Library. The library recently added 25 Verizon Jetpack MiFi880L hotspots. Citizens will be able to rent the hotspot/router combo for free for 21 days with an option to renew, if needed. This proposed project is designed to provide on-line access to students, families and individuals in areas of our county where coverage is unavailable or less than desirable. Greg Lewis of our Library staff was instrumental in securing CARES Act Funding to make this possible. The award was in the amount of $15,696.75 and “WiFI To Go” is now ready for launch, including kits and lending agreements. Staff will provide an overview with additional instruction included in the kit. Jackie Ingram was recognized for her support at the County Board of Supervisors level. Our community is very fortunate to be selected and Greg and Jackie deserve our appreciation.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Submitted by Nancy Fisher, Secretary