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.

There was a call for any old 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.