Faulkner and Van Buren Regional Library Board Minutes

The Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library Board met at 5:30 PM at the Van Buren County Library. In attendance were Regional Board members Kristy Eastridge, Roger Hooper, Kelly Tester and Suzann Waggoner; Andrea Singleton, administrator of Van Buren County libraries; and John McGraw, regional director.

Kristy called the meeting to order. There was a call for nominations to serve as board chair for 2020. Suzann nominated Jeff Whittingham to be board chair. Roger seconded the motion. Kelly nominated Kristy to serve as vice-chair. Rhoger seconded the motion. Roger moved that nominations cease, and Kristy seconded the motion. The slate was approved unanimously. 

The Minutes of the November meeting were read. Andrea noted that the location had been Faulkner county, not Van Buren county. Kristy noted her name was misspelled. Suzann moved that the minutes be approved as amended. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved.

Bookkeeper reports from November and December were reviewed. John noted that the November decision to end online access to the New York Times had come too late to cancel the contract for 2020. The contract will not be renewed in 2021 unless usage increases to merit renewal.

State aid expenditures were reviewed. Roger asked why outflows exceeded income for the period. John noted that the expenses slated for approval include $30000 for Sirsi-Dynix for the year. Roger moved to accept the expenditures. Suzann seconded the motion, which was approved.

Statistics were reviewed. 

New Business:

John presented a resolution giving the current board, plus Andrea and John, the authority to sign Regional checks. Roger moved to accept the resolution. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved.

Linked or Group accounts were discussed. John discussed issues with patrons abusing the policy as it currently stands, but also questioned whether they are legal under Arkansas laws governing the privacy of library records. A broad discusssion of the existing state law followed. John proposed that we discontinue the feature with Sirsi-Dynix. Suzann moved to end Linked/Family/Group accounts when we move to the Symphony ILS in March. Roger seconded the motion, which was approved.

Andrea discussed replacement charges for cards. John noted that Faulkner county does not do a consistent job with the policy as it currently stands. Suzann moved to make every replacement card $1. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved.

John discussed another aspect of card policy: the requirement that the card be physically present. While we currently disallow photos or photocopies or scans of cards, the mobile app we will introduce in March generates patrons' barcodes for scanning. Also, as Faulkner county introduces self-check machines, we will be in no position to police that policy. Roger moved to allow patrons to use copies and other representations of their card to access their account. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved.

John asked that the Region assume the cost to send three staff to the COSUGI conference hosted by Sirsi Dynix for its customers. One staff member was getting conference and lodging fees waived, and John wanted to bill the Regional account for two conference registrations and air fare for three. John explained that this would give the system needed training on circulation, cataloging, and the technical backbone to everything. Kelly moved to create a budget line of $2600 for Conferences in the Regional budget for these three staff members. Roger seconded the motion, which was approved.

There being no other new business from the floor, Roger moved to adjourn. Suzann seconded the motion.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.