Several changes discussed during library board meeting

The Putnam County Library Board met Wednesday night to discuss several new additions to the library that will be coming within the next few weeks.

The meeting began with library director Alice Greenburg giving a recommendation to the board for the hiring of Barbra Timm. Timm is a local artist and teacher of the Putnam County community. The board agreed with Greenburg's recommendation to proceed with the hiring of Timm.

Greenburg also announced the updating of the audiobook system. The OneClickdigital system, which launched Thursday, will replace the previous system, Net Library.

"People can do it from home and no longer have to come into the library," said Greenburg. "This is really exciting."

Users can locate a link through the library website to download the new interface. One will need to set up an account however using their library card number. The new system will have a wide selection of audiobooks, which can be checked out for two weeks.

The addition of e--books to the library is now under way. The library staff is in the process of ordering their first initial order and will begin training at the end of November. It is the goal to have e-books available by Dec. 1.

"It's really pretty easy," explained Greenburg. "Most people shouldn't have any problems."

In the first few weeks of the launch, library staff will be available certain times throughout the week to answer any questions people may have.

Finally, the board discussed a recommendation from the salary committee, which proposed a 2 percent increase of all employee wages along with a 3 percent increase for the director.

"The salary committee approved a 2 percent increase of all employee wages and a 3 percent increase for the director," explained Greenburg. "This is all contingent upon the approval of the budget."

The 2 percent increase will equal to an extra $1,133 and the 3 percent increase is an extra $1,700. Although, the board approved the submittal of the recommendation nothing will be approved until next month's board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.