Library board mulls over copy machine dilemma

Friday, July 21, 2006

The Putnam County Public Library board members revisited their discussion from last month's meeting about the copiers on Wednesday night.

The library has a total four copiers in the building. Two of them are fine, while the other two need to be replaced due to old age and cost of maintaining them is increasing.

After doing some research and listening to requests from staff and patrons alike, library director Alice Greenburg informed the board about the leasing option and color copiers in both the lobby and technical room downstairs.

Some advantages Greenburg saw to having color copiers were the library could charge different rates, the staff would not have to use the color scanner for many of their jobs, it would be more efficient than the ink jet printers, and it could offer network printing. Network printing helps with cutting down on wasted paper and ink, especially from printing pages off of the Internet.

After Greenburg recommended going with a leasing option instead of purchasing the copiers, Dorothy Lukenbill said, "To me that sounds like a better idea."

The board approved the leasing of two color copiers.

The board also took a look at the proposed budget for 2007. Greenburg informed the board that she had to adjust the budget to factor in an increase in copier paper price, in insurance, and the need to have enough in the budget to pay for the telephone until state funding can pay them back.

When Lukenbill asked what other professional services cover, Greenburg said it covers cleaning and mowing, accounting, bug and termite spraying, unique management, collection agency, and book binding.

Greenburg is expecting to raise more money than what is in the budget at this point, but she may not get as much as she thinks because she has to wait for more information to make adjustments. The later the board has the public hearing for the budget, the more time Greenburg would have to get information for adjustments.

They also learned about the new circuit breaker law on property taxes. This law states that tax payers do not have to pay more than two percent on their assessed evaluation on property taxes. "Can it get anymore complicated," said Bonnie Nealon.

It is undetermined at this time how this new law will effect the library. The board approved to have the public hearing for the budget on Thursday, Aug 31 at 6 p.m. and the adoption of the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.

In other business, the board:

--Welcomed new board member Wes Wilson.

--Learned that the library activities for the month of June were down a bit, and that the old bookmobile was sold to Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department.

--Learned about the volunteer recognition program that occurred Monday. The board was allowed to select a gift, and could pick a book that would have their name inside on a book plate that would recognize their service to the library.

--Reminded that the Friends of the Library would have their annual meeting on Thursday, Aug. 3 with speaker Mike Redmond.

--Learned that the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society took a field trip to PCPL. The group of experienced genealogists spent the day researching different families.

--Learned the bookmobile will be at the fair in the same spot Saturday through Friday from 5-9 p.m.

--Elected Lukenbill as board president, Becky Barham as board vice-president, Nealon as board secretary, and Ken Heeke as board treasurer.

Present at the meeting were Lukenbill, Nealon, Barham, Wilson, Greenburg, Glen Gill, and Vicki Timm.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is set for Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room of the library.

The meeting is open to the public.

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