Carbondale Reporter

Herrin City Library Board of Trustees met March 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Present: Jones, Frost, Priest, McKeown, Maloney, Watson, Hickman

Also Present: Library Director Susan Mullen

Absent: Guebert, Sarver

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 PM by President Jones.

Visitor(s): None

Correspondence: Non

Secretary’s Report: Frost moved to approve the minutes from February 2025 with corrections. Watson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:

A. Bills to be Paid: McKeown moved to approve the payment of $1,651.66 for expenses incurred from February 11 – February 28, 2025, and $2,451.77 for expenses incurred from March 1 – March 11, 2025. Priest seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B. City Budget Report: Last month’s report shows that 82.9% of the budget has been spent, with 83.3% of the fiscal year completed, leaving a checking account balance of $178, 936.48. Maloney moved to approve the report. Priest seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

C. Financial Balance Statement: Priest moved to approve the Library balance report from the previous month. McKeown seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Librarian’s Report:

February 2025 had an 11% increase in circulation compared to February 2024. A total of 303 unique Borrowers Cards were used. Patrons placed a total of 420 Hold Requests. A total of 405 Hold Requests were filled (borrowed). We loaned 418 titles to other libraries and borrowed 689 titles from the other Heartland SHARE Libraries. We registered a total of 16 new borrowers, bringing us to 5,804 registered borrowers. A total of 119 new titles were added to the collection, making a total of 42,548 volumes in the collection. Traffic on the website was 1,366 visits. The Library Director attended the IHLS Director’s Chat on February 6 & 27. HCL hosted the Lawyer in the Library program on February 7. On Tuesday, March 4, the library hosted a FAFSA workshop preparing students for college with their parents or guardians. The next Herrin History Room event is Prehistoric and Natural Wonders of Southern Illinois with Mike Chervinko on March 21st at 2 pm. The children’s librarian, Cathay McCann, will host her next STEAM Explorers program on March 27th on the topic of Gardening. The Library will have a visiting Outreach Program Coordinator from the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless visiting once a month on the third Thursday from 1-3 pm to help patrons experiencing homelessness. This is the last month for the Janice Hill-Griffith artist Exhibit. We will conduct our final review and approve the Fiscal Year of the 2025/2026 budget. President Jones will appoint a Nominating Committee of at least 2 members to present a slate of officers at our next meeting. The Herrin Women’s Club donated $2,000 towards the Overdrive (Libby) digital resource. Libby now represents 78% of our digital circulation.

Children’s Librarian’s Report: Two story hours hosted in February: Valentine’s Day Story Hour on February 6 (9 children, 8 adults), and Rhythm Story Hour on February 20 (5 children, 4 parents). In each program we read books and did an activity (Valentine’s Day crowns and maraca shakers). On February 14th, Cathy hosted a Preschool Valentines Story Hour where 44 children and 32 adults attended. On February 27th. STEAM Explorers met for a Paint Extravaganza (A for Art) (12 children, 8 parents). The kids learned how to make 16 colors using just three primary colors.

Committee Reports:

• Friends Liaison (Maloney): The Friends met March 3rd and approved to pay the $431.89 from Susan’s Wishlist. The next book sale is March 29th and 31st. The annual meeting will be April 27th and we will vote on officers. Next meeting is April 5th.
• History Room (Hickman, McKeown): none
• Building and Grounds (Priest, Jones): none
• Community Enrichment (Guebert & Sarver & Watson): none
• Library Development and Technology (Watson): none
• Special Gifts Committee (Frost): none

Old Business:

• Review and re-approve CD approved last meeting
  • Due to clerical error the BOT had to re-approve the CD rate. The BOT discussed 6 months at 4.25% at Bank of Herrin and now renews on same day as other Bank of Herrin CD
  • Frost moved to approve the CD at Bank of Herrin at 4.25% to renew in 6 months. Watson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

New Business:

• Review and approve updated Personnel Policy
  • Reviewed changes: additional information added to “Professional Conduct” and “Limitation” sections
  • McKeown moved to approve the changes. Frost seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
• Appoint nominating committee: new officers
  • President Jones appointed McKeown and Hickman to the nominating committee.
• Final reading and approve FY2025-2026 Budget
  • This version of the budget included some minor changes after the City Budget Director gave additional information
  • Priest moved to approve the FY2025-2026 budget for the Herrin City Library. Watson seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
• A new tree will be planted in April at the library as part of Herrin’s 125th Anniversary celebration. A tree in Herrin’s sister city of Cuggiono in Italy will be planting a tree on the same day.
• Strategic goals: We need to update our Strategic goals. BOT members are to be thinking about this for the next meeting.

Adjournment: Watson moved to adjourn at 7:18 PM.

Next Meeting Date: April 8, 2025, at 6:30pm

https://herrincitylibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/meeting-minutes/march-2025/