Library Board Meeting Update (3/18/24)

Submitted by Joanie Goforth

On Monday, March 18, 2024, the Library Board met at the Cumming Library. Highlighted agenda items include:

Activities Report: 

Deputy Director Ann Decherd presented Programming and Outreach highlights from January and February. Included were programs from the Pastime Pursuits, Great Decisions, and Celebrating Black Heritage series as well as the Lunar New Year celebrations and engagement programs. Ann shared a partnership success story about the Chattahoochee Elementary weekend bookmobile stop that has seen significant growth since the addition of a simultaneous visit from the Place of Forsyth. The Board learned about our first international interlibrary loan serving the Denmark Royal Library, which Materials could handle electronically.

Youth Services Presentation:

Youth Services Supervisors Amy Billings, Kayla Bolton, Julie Boyd, and Amy Szvetecz presented “A Day in the Life of a Youth Specialist” to give Board members a look into the many activities of the YS staff. Each one shared a different aspect of the Youth Specialist role. Among other things, this thorough and heartfelt presentation included

in-person and engagement program preparation and presentation, reader’s advisory to all ages - especially our youngest patrons, outreach to local schools and daycare centers, VolunTEEN oversight, and all that goes into our annual Summer Reading Program. The Board was most appreciative, noting that they could see in the presenters’ faces how proud they are of FCPL staff and how meaningful these interactions and connections are. The Board expressed surprise at how such a small number of staff can accomplish so much while still managing to help our diverse community feel welcomed.

Denmark Library update:

IT and Facilities Manager Holly Barfield gave an update on the progress of the Denmark Library construction project. Her presentation included the latest images from the addition of the roof decking, pointing out the acoustical tiles that double as the interior ceiling. Crews are precisely lining the roof decking’s channels up since they house the building’s HVAC, electrical, and other utility lines. These tiles will be painted inside to provide a seamless look, and they feature tiny holds that will provide a measure of sound control. Holly shared the latest renderings of the recently named “Learning Garden” outdoor children’s area, which illustrates an interactive bookworm maze as its main feature. For more progress updates and recent site photos, check out the Denmark Library website.

Policy revisions:

Please see Ann’s post to the FCPL Staff Blog for an overview of changes made to the Library Behavior Policy (formerly Patron Behavior Policy) and the Requests to Address the Library Board (formerly Citizens’ Requests to Address the Library Board).

Uncollectable patron debt:

To comply with FCPL policy on patron debts not collected in a rolling three-year cycle despite established collection efforts, the Board voted unanimously to write off $17,740.86 remaining patron debt from 2020. This year’s write-off is significantly lower than in past years because the pandemic impacted the debt from 2020. Fewer fines were accrued because we had reduced activity, lower materials circulation, and extended due dates in 2020.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget adjustments:

The Board voted to decrease State revenue and Operations expenses by $4,549.80 to reflect an adjusting entry made for the FY2023 audit. The Board voted to increase Donations revenue and Operations expenses by $5,000.00 to reflect a grant from the Rotary Club of Forsyth County to be used for summer reading books and prizes.