Jeff Whittingham called the monthly meeting of the Faulkner County Library board to order on January 27, 2025, at 5:35 PM. Present were board members Kellie Carden, John Gray, Cindy Stage, and Jeff Whittingham; as well as Director John McGraw.
Minutes of the December 16th meeting were reviewed. Kellie moved to approve the minutes. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
John recommended selection of a board chair for 2025. Jeff volunteered to continue. There being no other candidates, the chairmanship was renewed by acclamation.
Summary Statements of Operations were reviewed. John noted that 2024 Revenue ended at 117% of projections. January collections are already double the average for January collections. The projection for 2025 is 23% over the 2024 projection, 5.25% above the 2024 final number. The Quorum Court approved moving funds the 3000s into the 2000s section to close out the 2024 budget year.
Bookkeeper’s Report were reviewed. Interlibrary Loan was discussed.
Statistical Report and Programming were reviewed. 2024 saw growth in overall attendance, as well as attendance in Conway, Greenbrier, Mayflower, and Vilonia specifically. Circulation grew on both the physical collection and the downloadable collection, with Libby adding 40,000 alone. Programming saw gains in both children’s programming and adult programming, though eclipse glasses provided a boost that will be hard to make up for in 2025.
Purchase Orders were reviewed. Cindy moved to approve the purchase orders. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
Fines and Donations spending was reviewed. Kellie moved to approve the expenditures. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
Regional transactions were reviewed.
Old Business
The storage building for Greenbrier is due to be installed January 29.
New Business
Fire alarms: In December the board tabled discussion of fire alarm inspections. Since then John has learned that inspections are provided free in 2025 by the vendor selected to replace the existing system.
John outlined the bidding for custodial contracts. Razorclean’s bid is the lowest, and one meeting in the interim had suggested that they were capable of handling the job. Cindy moved to approve the Razorclean bid for service in 2025. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
Cindy moved to adjourn at 6:03PM. Kellie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.
Jeff Whittingham called the monthly meeting of the Faulkner County Library board to order on April 21, 2025, at 5:32 PM.- Present were board members Kellie Carden, John Gray, Cindy Stage, Stephanie Vanderslice and Jeff Whittingham; as well as Director John McGraw, Assistant Director DeAnna Dillon, Network Administrator Christoper Bowen and JP Joyia Yorgey.
Minutes of the February 17th meeting were reviewed. Stephanie moved to approve the minutes. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
Summary Statements of Operations were reviewed. Millage revenue has slowed over March and April, but all expenditure line items are in line with where they should be at this point in the year.
Statistical Report and Programming were reviewed. Circulation increased over the last month and attendance stay the same
Bookkeeper’s Reports were reviewed.
Purchase Orders were reviewed. Stephanie moved to approve the purchase orders. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
Fines and Donations spending was reviewed. Cindy moved to approve the expenditures. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
Regional transactions were reviewed.
Old Business
HQ Fence: The Director stated that the fence on the west side of the building has been replaced after falling in the storms in March. John Gray moved to approve the invoice from Bill’s Fence for $2,763.00. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
HQ Restrooms: The Director presented one quote to redo the bathrooms at HQ. He stated he would like to do a test run with the company that is chosen starting with the staff restrooms. With summer in a few months, we need to have all bathrooms fully functional so the public restrooms will need to wait until after summer.
Mt. Vernon: Septic tank permits raised questions about capacity during peak months.
Personnel: The Director requested to go to the Quorum Court to increase Part-Time salaries by $20,000 for summer temps, turning the Guy Branch Manager into a Full-Time position and adding a Marketing position. Stephanie moved to approve the request. Kellie seconded the motion, which passed.
New Business
The board took up a proposal to replace 12 iMac for the HQ Staff. The computer that staff are currently using will replace the oldest patron use computers. Cindy questioned if this would be enough for all the staff. Cindy made a motion to approve 16 new iMac. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.
John stated that the legislative audit was back, and he would be compiling his report on their findings.
The May meeting will be May 12th.
Cindy moved to adjourn at 6:31PM. Stephanie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.
