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.
