Library Board Meeting Update (05/01/23)

Submitted by Lindsey Allison

Last night the Board met at the Cumming Library. Highlighted agenda items include:

Library Board’s Fiscal Year 2024 Schedule of Meetings: 

The Board voted to approve the new schedule of meetings, with the next meeting being July 17, 2023. The full schedule will be distributed soon. 

Signature authority of Library Director on behalf of the Library:

The Board voted to give Anna Lyle signature authority for all contracts and other documents. 

Discussion of Denmark Library project and general contractor bid: 

The Board discussed the next steps for the Denmark Library project, given the funding barriers still in place. They moved to use an additional $75,000 in fund balance for the project and to submit a new funding scenario to the Board of Commissioners. This new scenario details the additional $75,000 in fund balance and the $287,600 in contingency funds reserved for the Library in the 2023 County budget, bringing the funding sources total to $15,171,565. 

Calendar Year 2024 Funding Request to Forsyth County Government:

Earlier in the day, Anna Lyle and Kristin Morrissey attended a meeting with County staff about the Library’s 2024 request for funding. At this meeting it was suggested that the Library use City impact fees (a new revenue source effective later this year) to pay for the extension of the AMH at the Cumming Library to accommodate sorting for the Denmark Library. Anna asked the Board if they wished to change the funding request. No action was taken as it is unknown when the City impact fees will go into effect. The Board members discussed waiting until the July or September meeting to take action on this matter.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget adjustments: 

The Board voted to decrease Materials donations and increase Budgetary Fund Balance by $5,000 to reflect an adjusting entry from the FY2022 audit.

The Board voted to increase State revenue and Operations expenses by $3,000 to reflect the SSG Supplement received from GPLS for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. This grant will be used to relaunch the program in the fall. We just learned about this grant on the morning of the Board meeting. Kim Ottesen will be working with Youth Services Supervisors to determine the best way to use these funds.