Library Board approves strategic planning, sick leave

As the Putnam County Public Library closes out the year, its board of trustees passed two resolutions pertaining to strategic planning and COVID leave last Wednesday.

The first resolution was to approve both a public plan and an internal “to-do” list addressing longer-term goals and needs for the library. These are meant to be accomplished between 2022 and 2026.

The public document was not available as of presstime Monday.

Library Director Matt McClelland provided at the meeting that there was a “general consensus” among library staff as to the goals and expectations set out in the planning.

The planning documents were drafted by a committee that included Asst. Director and Treasurer Jane Hazelton, board members Barbara Boese and Tiffany Shields and two staff members.

The other resolution passed by the board was related to staff members using sick leave for COVID-related issues. The new allowance will add one week for staff, in addition to any time they have not used.

McClelland said the time is used for quarantining, testing or caring for family, and that many staff members have used all or a majority of their leave time allotted from 2020. As such, this new allotment would go on top of any unused.

In other business:

• The board passed two resolutions pertaining to personnel. One was to approve Sloan Laurie as a part-time circulation assistant, while the other was to approve Indigo Boyd as a part-time adult programs assistant.

• The board passed a resolution approving tuition reimbursement for Adult Reference Manager Amber Compton, who has recently completed three courses to be up-to-date with Indiana public librarian certification. McClelland noted that the expense would come out of the Gift Fund.

Board President Kayla Flegal and board member Kristin McClellan were not in attendance. Joining McCelland and Hazelton in person were Board Vice President Alan Zerkel, Board Secretary Shannon Greene, Boese and Shields. Meanwhile, board member Jamie Nees and Marketing and Communications Director Kaitlin Tipsword were virtual.

The next regular meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room at the library.