Lindemuth Ends Library Board Tenure
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees said goodbye to two-term member Irv Lindemuth Monday, as the former Coast Guardsman resigned his eight-year assignment.
A county commissioner appointee, Lindemuth termed his service "a great privilege and a pleasure." The retired engineer was presented a plaque for his work, which was especially appreciated during the library's recent reconstruction.
The regular meeting convened following an executive session to discuss the performances of individual employees.
The subject of filtering objectionable Internet sites on public-use computers, and the software to impose such restrictions, was again discussed.
Currently, visual monitoring is conducted in the computer lab and those who misbehave are denied use of the units. To meet with federal CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act) policy, which threatens to withhold funding if guidelines are not met, the board will issue a statement of compliance regarding minors indicating software will be in place by 2002.
Board president Mark Morrison noted filtering software identifies about 80 percent of objectionable Web sites, be it pornographic or violent in nature.
Board member John Yingling will research an appropriate program.
Morrison commented it will be nice to have employees working in the computer labs return to being librarians.
Business manager Renee Sweeney said the library is in receipt of $330,138 from a special distribution of COIT funds, deposited in the LIRF account.
Library director Ann Zydek said there are several ways to use the money. She initially suggested that funding a capital improvement project to upgrade computers, recently approved by the county commissioners, be resubmitted. It will add 4 cents to property taxes.
"It is easy to say we don't need extra money," Morrison said. "We are under certain constraints and we will be paying off bonds for years. We've got a great facility and doing things we couldn't do before. Those things are costing more."
Other suggestions for spending included instituting Sunday hours or extending Friday hours, upgrading the reference collection and other collections, buying equipment for various departments, adding a lawn sprinkler and improving the security in the building and in the parking lot.
In a written report, Rick Ellsworth, facilities manager, said he has had the water tested for analysis.
Zydek said test results are showing high concentrations of lime in the system. Sweeney said the water is rusty, too.
Zydek said several new bits of state legislation will benefit the library including the establishment of a rainy day fund; that board members are not to be held liable for the actions of others; and library employees can join in the same health insurance policy now offered to state, city and town employees.
In other business the board:
• Noted 781 people were registered for the summer reading program.
• Heard total circulation was 35,111 items in May, up from 31,854 last year, and 22,001 in 1991.
• The summer program is in full swing with library-sponsored events scheduled at least four times a week throughout the summer.
The library board meets on the second Monday of each month at 4 p.m.
Members present were John Yingling, Larry Chamberlain, Joel Curry, Irv Lindemuth, Ruth Jones and Mark Morrison. Caroline Nye was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees said goodbye to two-term member Irv Lindemuth Monday, as the former Coast Guardsman resigned his eight-year assignment.
A county commissioner appointee, Lindemuth termed his service "a great privilege and a pleasure." The retired engineer was presented a plaque for his work, which was especially appreciated during the library's recent reconstruction.
The regular meeting convened following an executive session to discuss the performances of individual employees.
The subject of filtering objectionable Internet sites on public-use computers, and the software to impose such restrictions, was again discussed.
Currently, visual monitoring is conducted in the computer lab and those who misbehave are denied use of the units. To meet with federal CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act) policy, which threatens to withhold funding if guidelines are not met, the board will issue a statement of compliance regarding minors indicating software will be in place by 2002.
Board president Mark Morrison noted filtering software identifies about 80 percent of objectionable Web sites, be it pornographic or violent in nature.
Board member John Yingling will research an appropriate program.
Morrison commented it will be nice to have employees working in the computer labs return to being librarians.
Business manager Renee Sweeney said the library is in receipt of $330,138 from a special distribution of COIT funds, deposited in the LIRF account.
Library director Ann Zydek said there are several ways to use the money. She initially suggested that funding a capital improvement project to upgrade computers, recently approved by the county commissioners, be resubmitted. It will add 4 cents to property taxes.
"It is easy to say we don't need extra money," Morrison said. "We are under certain constraints and we will be paying off bonds for years. We've got a great facility and doing things we couldn't do before. Those things are costing more."
Other suggestions for spending included instituting Sunday hours or extending Friday hours, upgrading the reference collection and other collections, buying equipment for various departments, adding a lawn sprinkler and improving the security in the building and in the parking lot.
In a written report, Rick Ellsworth, facilities manager, said he has had the water tested for analysis.
Zydek said test results are showing high concentrations of lime in the system. Sweeney said the water is rusty, too.
Zydek said several new bits of state legislation will benefit the library including the establishment of a rainy day fund; that board members are not to be held liable for the actions of others; and library employees can join in the same health insurance policy now offered to state, city and town employees.
In other business the board:
• Noted 781 people were registered for the summer reading program.
• Heard total circulation was 35,111 items in May, up from 31,854 last year, and 22,001 in 1991.
• The summer program is in full swing with library-sponsored events scheduled at least four times a week throughout the summer.
The library board meets on the second Monday of each month at 4 p.m.
Members present were John Yingling, Larry Chamberlain, Joel Curry, Irv Lindemuth, Ruth Jones and Mark Morrison. Caroline Nye was absent. [[In-content Ad]]