The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is coming to the Warsaw Community Public Library in electronic form at the end of the week, according to library director Ann Zydek.

She said the DNR is conducting a survey regarding recreational opportunities in the state, and patrons will be requested to participate in a six-minute survey on the equipment, which should remain at the library for a week and a half.

The library received a Library Services Technology Act grant worth several thousand dollars to enhance Latino services, according to assistant director Joni Brookins. The funds should be available this spring.

Another LSTA grant is in the works, a mini-technology grant, to allow video conferencing. In addition to the library, the equipment would be available for businesses, government, home schooling and public schooling's distance learning or conferences.

Officers selected for 2004 are the same as last year: Larry Chamberlain, president; Tony Etienne, vice president; John Yingling, secretary; Ruth Jones, treasurer; and Mark Morrison, assistant secretary/treasurer.

The library was 9,029 short of last year's record-setting 500,000 items circulated. Library hours were cut from March through September due to budget constraints. About a month's worth of access hours were lost during the cuts. The final circulation figure reflects about a week's worth of normal circulation activity, Zydek said.

In other business, the board:

• Heard a book sale is set for Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Heard a community discussion of "To Kill A Mockingbird" will be Jan 22 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. and from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

• Approved a $15,000 bond for treasurer Ruth Jones.

• Scheduled a "goals" retreat Feb. 9 after the regular board meeting.

• Set the 2004 board of finance slate of officers: Ruth Jones, Mark Morrison and Larry Chamberlain.

The board adjourned its regular meeting to open the annual board of finance meeting.

Election of officers followed the slate: Ruth Jones, president; Mark Morrison, vice president; and Larry Chamberlain, member.

Business manager Renee Sweeney presented the report of investments for 2003 in the form of certificates of deposit with the following financial institutions:

Campbell and Fetter Bank, $2,262,000; First Source Bank, $811,000; Lake City Bank, $803,000; Mutual Federal Savings Bank, $1,836,000; National City Bank, $2,997,900; and Teachers Credit Union, $963,000.

Sweeney said she calls each of the banks the day of the board meeting and selects the one with the highest interest rate.

Library board members are: Larry Chamberlain, Joel Curry, Tony Etienne, Ruth Jones, Mark Morrison, Paulette Sauders and John Yingling. [[In-content Ad]]