Library draws from reserves to pay for improvements

Debbie Trimble, Marshall city finance officer, was on hand for the budget report at the Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m.

Treasurer Connie Grisier said the library had spent $16,691.05 over what was budgeted for the year.

Reasons for the overage included the new Integrated Library System (ILS) and the insulated ceiling installed in the genealogy room, both of which the board approved with knowledge they would go over budget.

Percentage wise, the total was a 6.5 percent overage, which Grisier noted was "not a bad percentage."

Ann Aulgur asked where that $16,700 came from in terms of money, and Trimble explained that it was deducted from the library's fund balance, a rollover of budgeted money not spent in previous years.

The money from that rollover could not be accessed for cash, said Trimble, and only really existed on paper for situations when more money is spent than budgeted.

At the conclusion of the budget report, Board President Anita Wright thanked "our wonderful, wonderful upstairs Debbie," before moving on to reports.

Library Director Amy Crump said, "We've gotten ahead on figuring out reports on the new system."

Crump reported on several money-saving techniques the library was implementing. "I'm very pleased about the money we've been saving."

Another upgrade to the library reported is the conversion from paper library cards to plastic.

The old cards required librarians to attach a barcode to the paper card and then laminate it for protection. The plastic cards come with the barcode printed on them and need no lamination.

"We were going through about a laminator every year," Crump told the board.

Because of the switch, the cost of replacing a lost library card will increase from $1 to $2.

Under old business, Wright stated a media-relations policy had been passed on to Don Stouffer for review, but he had not yet replied.

Grisier moved to purge all but the past seven years worth of library records, and Aulgur seconded.

The library had kept all records since its opening in 1990, whereas the city only kept its copy of library records for seven years.

The library's three-year plan was amended to exclude the goal of increasing reference material by 5 percent.

Patrons are using the Internet for reference on a much greater basis and the space was not being utilized to its fullest extent. For the not-so-computer-savvy, library staff is readily available to answer reference questions.

Going into the third and final fiscal year of the plan in 2008-2009, Crump said, "We're going to keep trying to do well."

A new agenda for seniors will be implemented at the library, entitled "Speeders: Over 55."

Crump mentioned several additions to the library for "Speeders," including a donated walker for seniors or disabled available near the front doors of the library. The walker has an attached basket for carrying books.

Additionally, the Homebound Program, managed by Vicki Johnson, is another asset to seniors who cannot make it to the library or need assistance. Johnson is in the process of broadening the Homebound base to include senior care facilities.

Contact Jacob Hatfield at marshallpeople@socket.net