PCPL board looks toward the future

The Putnam County Public Library Board held its monthly meeting Wednesday evening, in which it discussed several routine maintenance issues.

One major item on the list is the renovations to the Children's Room. Board members Nancy Zennie and Lisa McCoy came before the board with two proposals for the project, one from Odle McGuire Shook and one from Ratio.

"We want to repurpose as much as we can," said Zennie. "We don't have unlimited funds."

The board is still waiting on another proposal from a third construction firm, Kim Bolan and Associates.

Moving forward with the project will depend on if the library is awarded a grant from the Community Foundation in the coming months, which will help pay for the costs of the construction.

If awarded the grant, the board is looking at updating the children's area with new wall finishes, flooring, interactive areas and more.

Among the routine issues was health insurance renewal for two employees.

The library is a part of the City of Greencastle insurance plan. This year there will be a 4.5 percent increase for a total of $6,555. The plan will remain the same.

The board also discussed the non-resident fee for library patrons, which is dealt with yearly. The board agreed to keep the fee the same as previous years, $25.

Finally, the board discussed the issue of landscaping for the building, which has previously been done by ShrubWorks. Due to a recent price increase, the board agreed to get more estimates from other companies.

"With taxpayer money it is out responsibility to do that," said board member Lynn Ramey.

Library Director Alice Greenburg was authorized to go with the best bid. Greenburg will present the board with her results at the next board meeting.

Greenburg will also be discussing with the staff the idea of having Sunday hours.

After researching several libraries for a renovated children's area, Zennie noticed most libraries had Sunday hours.

"It will have a positive effect on the library and the community," Zennie said.

Greenburg plans on meeting with the library staff in the coming weeks to determine their stance on it as well as how scheduling would work out.

The next library board meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m.