Faulkner County Library Board Minutes - 2026

Minutes for January 12, 2026

Jeff Whitingham called the monthly meeting of the Faulkner County Library board to order on January 12, 2026, at 5:31 PM.- Present were board members Kellie Cardin, Cindy Stage, and Jeff Whittingham. Also attending were Director John McGraw, Assistance Director DeAnna Dillon, Youth Services Manager Mary Spears Polk, and Peggy Arrigo from the League of Woman Voters.

The first order of business was to elect a new Board Chair for 2026. Cindy made a motion for Jeff Whittingham to chair for another year. Kellie seconded. Motion passed.

Cindy Stage made a motion to suspend normal business to start the Board Orientation. Kellie Cardin seconded. Motion passed.

Jenn Wann from the Arkansas State Library presented the Public Library Board of Trustee Basics training. Jenn covered Parliamentary Procedures along with public meeting requirements.

Minutes of the December 15, 2025, meeting were reviewed. Kellie Cardin made a motion to accept the December minutes. Cindy Stage seconded. Motion passed

Summary Statements of Operations were reviewed. The Director noted that 2025 millage collection was at 102%.

Statistical Report and Programming were reviewed. The Director noted that adult programs attendance was up for the year along with Circulation and eBooks check outs.

Purchase Orders were reviewed. Cindy Stage moved to approve the purchase orders. Kellie Cardin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Fines and Donations spending was reviewed. Kellie Cardin moved to approve the expenditures. Cindy Stage seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Regional transactions were reviewed. Next meeting is January 28, 2026. The Director stated that part of the Regional Boards duties this year would be reviewing RFP for a new circulation software.

Old Business

Buildings: The Director presented a court order 25-204 from County Judge Allen Dodson stating that all Custodial bids were rejected. John then presented the board with a one month contract for

Anthony Tabone to clean the library. Cindy Stage made a motion to accept the one month contract. Kellie Cardin seconded. Motion passed.

The Director reported that a recent inspection recommended adding smoke alarms and additional extinguishers to branch locations. These have been purchased for Greenbrier, Mayflower, and Vilonia, and recommended to the cities of Guy, Mount Vernon, and Twin Groves for their buildings. Additionally, quotes from Kordsmeier for more fluorescent light replacement are being pursued.

The Director reported that he is pursuing several options for the Mt. Vernon location. An affordable proposal for a large residential structure has arrived, but will wait until other proposals come in.

Personnel: The Director reported that a Youth Librarian has given notice. Job duties would be reviewed and then submitted to the county to open up applications to fill the vacancy.

New Business

The Director presented the board with the Scholarship Assistance through the Arkansas State Library for Mary Spears Polk. Kellie Cardin made a motion to approve the scholarship assistance. Cindy Stage seconded the motion. Motion passed.

The Director presented the contract for Datamax for our printer leasing and repair services. Kellie Cardin made a motion to approve the contract. Cindy Stage seconded the motion. Motion passed.

The Director addressed the complaints filed about the custodial contracts and the author talks.

The next meeting will be on Febuary 16th.

Cindy Stage moved to adjourn at 6:42PM. Kellie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.

Minutes for February 16, 2026

Cindy Stage called the monthly meeting of the Faulkner County Library board to order on January 12, 2026, at 5:31 PM. Present were board members Kellie Cardin, Cindy Stage, and John Grey. Also attending were Director John McGraw, Assistance Director DeAnna Dillon, and Network Admin Christopher Bowen

Minutes of the January 12, 2026, meeting were reviewed. Kellie Cardin made a motion to accept the January minutes. John Grey seconded. Motion passed

Summary Statements of Operations were reviewed. The Director noted that January 2026 was the largest collections amount to date.

Statistical Report and Programming were reviewed.

Purchase Orders were reviewed. Kellie Cardin moved to approve the purchase orders. John Gray seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Fines and Donations spending was reviewed. John Gray moved to approve the expenditure. Kellie Cardin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Regional transactions were reviewed. The January meeting will need to be rescheduled in March 2026 once the state library makes decisions on funding. John stated that he is asking that we pause Overdrive purchases until further notice.

Old Business

Buildings

The Director reported that he spoke with Morton Building, United Buildt and Todd Cardin about buildings at Mt. Vernon.

Personnel The Director reported that a Youth Librarian applications have been reviewed and they will be interviewing 17 applicants starting the week of Feb 23.

New Business

Christopher presented 3 quotes for a new firewaill and switch. The Firewall will reach end of life in March 2026. John Gray made a motion to accept the 3-year warranty quote. Kellie Cardin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

The Director explained that the State Library board is working with the department of Education to set Rules of Funding for Regional Fund.

The Director also stated that he is working on data to present to the regional board about going fine free on all materials.

The next meeting will be on March 16th in Greenbrier.

John Gray moved to adjourn at 6:12PM. Kellie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.