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Whitman County Library Board of Trustees Meeting St. John Library May 20, 2014

Present: Rebecca Dickerson, Bob Bates, Chuck Petras, Rich Chittenden, Clancy Pool, Kristie Kirkpatrick and Peggy Bryan.

Board chair Bob Bates called the meeting to order at 5:05 after a brief tour of the St. John Museum.

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. Becky Dickerson motioned to approve the April minutes, Rich Chittenden seconded and the motion passed.

Peggy presented the financial reports for April 2014. She presented payment voucher resolution #5-14 totaling $70,584.76. Becky Dickerson made a motion to approve the resolution; Chuck Petras seconded and the motion passed.

Kristie reviewed library usage reports for April 2014, which were mixed bag. Traditional circulation was down by 9%, which has been the trend and attendance at kids programs dropped by 500. On the positive side, adult attendance was up by 100 while digital checkouts and volunteer hours increased as well. Visits to Rural Heritage database continue to be the most popular in the state and busiest of WCL’s online resources.

CONTINUING BUSINESS: Kristie announced that the library was awarded a $29,000 grant from .09 county funds for The Center. She reported that the building has been gutted and a skylight revealed. The roof required some minor repairs and brickwork repair on the roof continues. Foam insulation will be blown on the ceilings soon, at which point this grant will be expended. WCL is awaiting word on another grant to renovate the front of the building.

The town of Uniontown received $25,000 in .09 Funds to move the branch library into the old fire department bay in the city hall and add an accessible restroom. Kristie was pleased to report Leslee Miller, former trustee is leading this project and that Nichole Jordan, branch manager has been very helpful as well. WCL will assist in grant writing and fundraising.

Kristie reported the 2014 Annual Meeting was a success, involving more staff than usual. Bob Krikac from WSU led a planning session and was also a favorite of attendees.

NEW BUSINESS: Kristie announced that Shawn Elston and Firstwind are the May Library Supporter of the Month. They donated funds to host 2 programs per month in Oakesdale and added Saturday hours in Rosalia. The certificate was presented last week at Firstwind’s office.

Clancy reported that her success in the St. John Branch and as WLA Paralibrarian of the year can be attributed to her community’s tradition of participation and support. The St. John branch has long been the highest circulating branch and is often used as a training location for new branch managers. Clancy works closely with the school librarian and an assistant Kristin Bammes to provide quality service in her community. Clancy’s works part-time in Colfax and has system wide duties that include coordination and training of all branch managers and services, interlibrary loans, selection and acquisition of all adult library books, writing and administering grant projects.

Rich volunteered his services to teach library classes for teens related to proper financial practices. Clancy inquired if he could teach online security as related to personal banking for adults as well. Kristie responded positively, saying that Clancy and Sheri will contact Rich to explore the idea.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 followed by dinner at the St. John Inn. The next meeting will be June 17 at a branch location to be announced.

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Peggy Bryan, Recording Secretary

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Bob Bates, Board Chair

For more information, contact:

Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366

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