Library Board Meeting Update

Submitted by Stephen Kight

At its regular meeting last evening, held at the Sharon Forks Library, the Library Board discussed and took action on several different topics.

The meeting began with an update from Holly Barfield about the Cumming Library renovation, including plans for lighting features, a new Ask Us desk, and an exciting new focal point for the Easy area.  Holly’s PowerPoint presentation has been uploaded to SharePoint under Facilities > CU Upfit.

The Board approved a contract for the purchase and installation of a standby natural gas generator from S-D Solutions, LLC for the Cumming Library and the Administrative Offices in the amount of $102,963.32.  This purchase is funded by a 50/50 State MRR grant for $100,000 (requiring a $100,000 local match), which was approved at the October 5, 2020 Board meeting.  This project will benefit the entire system during power outages.

After previous discussion at the October 5 meeting, and further discussion last evening, the Board voted to name FCPL’s newest branch, expected to open in 2023, Denmark Library.  This name reflects the area where the new branch will be built, as well as prominent destinations within the area, such as Denmark High School and Denmark Park, which is currently in the planning stages.  Please use the official name going forward.

The Board approved the extension of Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) paid leave from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021, with the option to continue the extension if allowed by subsequent COVID-19 relief legislation.  FFCRA provides up to 10 days of paid sick leave if the employee is subject to Federal, State, or local quarantine/isolation order, has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine, or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.  An employee may also qualify for an additional 10 weeks of partially paid expanded leave if they are caring for an individual subject to quarantine or caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons.

The Board approved the library’s FY22 proposed budget, including revenues of $8,105,154, expenditures of $8,263,931, reserves of $247,900, and $406,677 in budgetary fund balance.  The total Personnel budget is increasing by 1.79%, from $6,000,183 in FY21 to $6,107,611, and the total Operations budget is increasing by 4.15%, from $1,174,281 in FY21 to $1,223,017.  The total Materials budget is remaining the same, at $933,303.

The Board will consider the library’s Calendar Year 2022 funding request to Forsyth County at the March 15 meeting.  The Board voted to cancel the previously scheduled February 8 meeting.

In its packet, mailed in advance of the meeting, Board members were provided with an update on the library’s FY21 implementation plan.  This update has been uploaded to the Strategic Planning site on SharePoint.  There has been some tremendous progress made in several areas.