David Jeffries called the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library Board to order on February 28th, 2024 at 5:30PM. In attendance via Zoom were Regional Board members David Emmerling, Tracy Hastings, David Jeffries, Cindy Stage, Ben Thompson, and Jeff Whittingham, as well as Youth Services Manager Mary Spears Polk, Assistant Director for Faulkner County Deanna Dillon, Van Buren County Library Director Deb Meyer and Regional Director John McGraw.
David Jeffries asked for nominations for a chair from Faulkner County and a vice-chair from Van Buren County for 2024. Ben volunteered to chair, and David Jeffries volunteered to serve as vice-chair. David Emmerling moved to appoint this slate of officers. Tracy seconded the motion, which passed.
Minutes of the October 25th meeting were reviewed. Jeff moved to accept the minutes as presented. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
Bookkeepers Reports were reviewed. The Region ended 2023 in a good position, taking in more than it spent. Not much has been spent thus far in 2024. They Symphony line will be underspent as the vendor’s mobile app had ceased functioning in November. No replacement is available soon, and it was only in use by some 500 patrons at a cost of more than $5000.
Statistics were reviewed. John reported that downloadable collections circulated more than physical collections for the first time ever. John was asked for a breakdown of formats (43% ebooks, 43% audiobooks, 11% serials, 3% video).
State aid expenditures were reviewed. Accountant fees were higher in January due to the tax documents sent every January to Summer Reading performers. Courier costs increased 13% in 2024. David Emmerling moved to approve the expenditures. Jeff seconded the motion, which passed.
Old Business
There was a call for any old business.
New Business
David Emmerling asked that the board consider amending the bylaws to allow for some sort of proxy voting. An absent Regional representative incapacitated or unavailable for a scheduled meeting would designate another member of their county board to serve as a voting member in their stead.
John pointed to Article 7, section 1, which dictates the voting members of a Regional meeting. John noted that in 2022 the second quarter meeting was rescheduled twice, and that in 2023 the Faulkner County board replaced Suzann Waggoner when she was unable to make Regional meetings. David Emmerling moved to amend that section to include board members specifically designated as proxies. Tracy seconded the motion. The motion passed with Jeff voting no.
Mary presented a proposal to purchase Beanstack software for three years. This would replace the Readsquared software provided for the past few years by the state library. Beanstack would offer the functionality of tracking reading challenges currently enjoyed, but would expand the breadth and quantity of challenges. Most importantly it has scanning features that will speed up the process for patrons. Cindy moved to create a budget line for Beanstack and fund it for the proposed three years. David Jeffries seconded the motion, which passed.
John reported that AAAL had requested renewal of membership at the institutional level. In 2021, AAAL worked to secure ARP funds for Arkansas libraries which had resulted in ebooks, book lockers, and more for the Regional system. Institutional membership would give the Region a vote on issues AAAL is pursuing. Jeff moved to renew membership with AAAL. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
Jeff moved to adjourn at 6:01 PM. David Jeffries seconded the motion and the board adjourned.
Minutes for July 24, 2024
Ben Thompson called the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library Board to order on July 24, 2024 at 5:38PM. In attendance via Zoom were Regional Board members Tracy Hastings, David Jeffries, Cindy Stage, Ben Thompson, and Jeff Whittingham, as well as Van Buren County Library Director Deb Meyer and Regional Director John McGraw.
Minutes of the February 28 meeting were reviewed. David moved to accept the minutes as presented. Tracy seconded the motion, which passed.
Bookkeepers Reports were reviewed. Courier costs increased when the Guy Library was added.
Statistics were reviewed. John reported that Beanstack enrollment was far stronger than expected, particularly among adults for summer reading challenges.
State aid expenditures were reviewed. Jeff moved to approve the expenditures. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
Old Business:
There was a call for any old business.
New Business:
John presented a draft policy on replacements for lost and damaged items. It offers full reimbursement for lost items returned in good condition within 6 months. Replacement of lost items with identical copies in as-new condition is at the discretion of the Collection Manager, and will include a $5 processing fee. Jeff moved to adopt the policy as presented. Cindy seconded the motion, which passed.
Jeff moved to adjourn at 5:42 PM. Tracy seconded the motion and the board adjourned.
Minutes for October 23, 2024
David Jeffries called the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library Board to order on October 23, 2024, at 5:44PM. In attendance via Zoom were Regional Board members David Emmerling, Tracy Hastings, David Jeffries, and Jeff Whittingham, as well as Network Administrator Christopher Bowen, Faulkner County Assistant Director Deanna Dillon, Van Buren County Library Director Deb Meyer and Regional Director John McGraw.
Minutes of the July 24 meeting were reviewed. David Emmerling moved to accept the minutes as presented. Jeff seconded the motion, which passed.
Bookkeepers Reports were reviewed. There was discussion of the movie licenses, and public performance rights for films shown in libraries.
Statistics were reviewed. John reported that a viral Tiktok video had driven the social media numbers up and the reported figure is not an error. There was discussion of the Comics Plus service providing free downloadable comics, as well as Pronunciator, which replaced Mango Languages.
State aid expenditures were reviewed. John noted that a Regional Reimbursement check had just been cut for each county. Jeff moved to approve the expenditures. David Emmerling seconded the motion, which passed.
Old Business
John presented a patron request that the board revise the policy on sleeping. The issue was discussed at length. No action was taken.
New Business
John presented a draft budget for 2025. At present there is a $6,000 surplus. Budget lines for Summer Reading, Regional Reimbursements, Libby, and Hoopla were discussed. David Emmerling moved to approve the budget with the surplus put in the Miscellaneous budget line for now. Jeff seconded the motion, and the budget was approved.
David Emmerling moved to adjourn at 6:15 PM. Jeff seconded the motion and the board adjourned
