Marsha Hatley

The board reviewed financial and departmental reports and received updates regarding new business development and ongoing water leak detection efforts. Additional topics included facility improvements for the library, a vote regarding the retention of fluoride in the water supply, and a status update on the employee policy review. The board also held a first reading on an ordinance to change future meeting times and made announcements concerning a budget workshop, the next scheduled board meeting, and an upcoming community celebration.

The board discussed library operations, including social media management, facility reorganization, and updates to genre markers. The director reported on ongoing coordination with the Regional Library for orientation and compliance documentation. Old business included website administration access, the onboarding of new trustees, staffing updates for substitute coverage, and an audit of the children's department collection. New business focused on staffing arrangements for upcoming training, proposed facility improvements including rugs and comfortable seating for the children's area, and the potential formation of a Friends of the Library group to manage Summer Reading Program donations.

The board reviewed the treasurer and library director reports, including updates on book cataloging, library conference attendance, and compliance with grant requirements for digital literacy classes. Old business addressed website administrative access and the purchase of furniture for the children's section. New business included the approval to discontinue late fees on books, the addition of shelving for the kitchen, and the implementation of a trial schedule to open the library on Saturdays.

The Gleason Memorial Library's 2023-2027 long-range plan focuses on empowering the community through information and technology. Key goals include expanding the facility to accommodate growth, developing diverse programs for all ages, and increasing/updating technology resources. Objectives involve increasing patron numbers, creating children's, young adult, and adult programs, addressing technology constraints, and developing outdoor charging stations. The plan emphasizes community engagement, awareness, and data-driven decision-making to meet educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs.

The board discussed the treasurer's report and decided to invite Marsha Hatley to the next meeting for a detailed explanation of the financial statements. An update was given on the reconstruction, and the board decided to reassess reopening at the May meeting. An amendment was made to the Disaster Plan Policy, changing the emergency location to Gleason City Hall. A consent form was added to the social media policy for library events involving photos of children. The board allocated a budget for a children's table and tabled the discussion on a rug. The library director will submit a TOP grant for technology-related items. An alternative summer program, including a one-day or one-night literature event, was agreed upon, with plans to give away old books and donate leftovers to the Tiptonville library.