David Jeffries called to order the monthly meeting of the Van Buren County Library board at 5:16PM. Present were board members David Emmerling, David Jeffries, and Kelly Tester; also attending were Director Deborah Meyer, Administrative Assistant Kim Tyler, and Regional Director John McGraw. Joining by Zoom were board members Katie Eisenhower and Tracey Hastings.
Minutes of the December 17, 2025, meeting were reviewed. Kelly moved to accept the minutes as presented. Tracey seconded the motion, which passed.
Kelly requested the board revisit the December decision on mileage rates for John. Kelly moved that the rate should match the state rate (currently $0.72 per mile). Katie seconded the motion, which passed.
Deb provided a summary of bank accounts. First Service had a net gain of $222.17, with an ending balance of $109,084.45.
First Security had a net gain of $804.50 with UPS activity and library purchases from Amazon. The ending balance was $9,128.21.
The millage took in $129,334.55.
There was discussion of the promotional calendars purchased from MAS Modern Marketing, and the cancellation of two checks to them.
Kelly moved approve the financial transactions. Tracey seconded the motion, which passed.
Old Business
The ceremony for the burning of the note on the building had some 45 attendees.
There was discussion of the 10th Anniversary for the building in March. Program ideas for families were discussed.
David Emmerling moved to put $50,000 from First Service into a CD for a higher rate of interest on the $50,000 as well as the remaining balance in the account. Kelly seconded the motion, which passed. Signatories to the Certificate of Deposit paperwork will include Director Deborah Meyer, and board members Tracey Hastings, David Jeffries, and Kelly Tester.
New Business
The fabric chairs purchased ten years ago are needing repair to the upholstery or replacement.
John reported that the Regional board can meet via Zoom next Wednesday. There will be an overview of the Integrated Library System (ILS) selection process, the options already explored, and expectations for the April and July meetings to finalize the process. This is the software that handles all library transactions, the online catalog, and patron records.
Info
Regional Board meets via Zoom on January 28th
Friends of the Library meet February 3rd
The next board meeting is February 18th.
David Emmerling moved to adjourn. Kelly seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:04PM.
Minutes for February 18, 2026
David Jeffries called to order the monthly meeting of the Van Buren County Library board at 5:04PM. Present were board members Katie Eisenhower, David Jeffries, and Kelly Tester; also attending were Director Deborah Meyer, Administrative Assistant Kim Tyler, and Regional Director John McGraw.
Minutes of the January 21 meeting were reviewed. Kelly moved to accept the minutes as presented. Katie seconded the motion, which passed.
Deb provided a summary of bank accounts. First Security had a net loss of $409.69, with an ending balance of $8,718.52.
First Service had a net gain of $798.80. $50,000 was moved into a six-month CD earning 3.9899% until it matures on June 16th. Niche Academy has been renewed for another year. The ending balance was $56,896.25.
The January millage plus the transfer from County General for the loan payment equaled $223.509.59.
Kelly moved approve the financial transactions. Katie seconded the motion, which passed.
Old Business
Katie Eisenhower’s re-appointment to the board goes to the quorum court for approval February 19th.
Upholstery repair continues to prove a challenge. Some protective plastic sheets are being tried as a stopgap measure.
New Business
There was a discussion about employee retention, the importance of documentation of disciplinary actions and a progressive framework for disciplinary actions.
A comprehensive light-conversion proposal was discussed. There was a discussion of breaking the project into smaller components based on need.
John reported that the state library board had not approved quarterly payments to libraries in February while they await new rules from the Department of Education. As a result John had suspended purchases of downloadable titles in Libby. If the matter is not resolved soon it could jeopardize the search for a new ILS software this year, and possibly other downloadable collections or summer reading performers in the future.
Info
Friends of the Library meet March 3
The next board meeting is March 18
Katie moved to adjourn. Kelly seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:13PM.
