Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw Community Public Library director Ann Zydek announced to the board of trustees Monday that the Friends of the Warsaw Community Public Library group is now inactive. The group was active for approximately 10 years and ended because of lack of attendance.
Zydek and facilities manager Jo Ann Byers attended what they hoped would be the revitalization of the now inactive Friends group from May 21 to 31.
"Because of the light turnout and prior conversations with retiring officers of the group who experienced similar results, we are concluding at this time that there is not enough active support to continue the Friends organization," Zydek said. "I have personally enjoyed the enthusiastic support received by the Friends group in its active years. Its passing saddens me."
Board members are now looking at alternatives to the former Friends group.
Zydek said they are "doing away with the old and starting with the new."
Corporate memberships and patron supporters were two possibilities discussed.
"It's new beginnings," Zydek said. "We're going to have to see how the community wants to help."
In other business:
• Larry Chamberlain was appointed to sign checks since John Yingling and Ruth Jones, treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively, were absent.
When asked to fill the position, Chamberlain joked: "I've had worse positions."
• The library now has a Web site with an online catalogue available for viewing: wcpl.lib.in.us
Personal information such as address, number of items checked out and any fines owed can be accessed through the site.
• The library will soon be looking for a part-time graphic artist, a part-time programming assistant and a full-time "circulation person to assist us."
• Zydek wants to expand the young adult books section of the library.
"It's just too tight," Zydek said. "We just can't put any more volumes in there."
Board member Irv Lindemuth said he "was all for growth" but was concerned about fixing the space problem and then having to fix it again soon.
"How long until we have the problem again?" Lindemuth asked.
Zydek said she would limit the growth of the book collection by the percentage of books in each section. She said she doesn't believe they have a strong enough young adult/teens section yet.
Chamberlain said the issue is not that they're running out of space, "it's reallocating the space that we have."
Zydek said the question they're dealing with is how to use the space "even better than it was designed."
Board members are brainstorming on how to switch the section around to allow more room for people and books. The possibility of adding bean bag chairs was discussed.
• Zydek said there are still a few improvement items needed for the library: stackable plastic chairs, a library sign on Detroit Street and new computers.
The sign would cost approximately $5,000.
"We're looking at over $150,000" for the computers Zydek said. "I would say $200,000 we need to plan over the next three years."
She said the current equipment is about five years old. "We're stretching it," Zydek said.
• Facilities manager Rick Ellsworth said the library needs a sprinkler system, and they are waiting for bids on a system. They are now using a hose system that reaches as far as Main Street.
"It's not very effective," Ellsworth said.
• The board will meet again at noon Aug. 7 at the old courthouse to discuss the budget for 2001.
• At 11:30 a.m. June 22, Mrs. Frank O'Bannon will be "coming to plant a reading tree as part of the millennium project." Zydek said the tree will represent knowledge and could be referred to as the "tree of literacy."
The board of trustees includes: library director Ann Zydek, assistant library director Joni Brookins, vice-president Larry Chamberlain, Ruth Jones, Joel Curry, John Yingling, Irv Lindemuth, Caroline Nye, Mark Morrison, business manager Renee Sweeny, public relations assistant Jo Ann Byers, facilities manager Rick Ellsworth and administrative technical assistant Susan Stafford.
