Library Reviews Upgrades

New flooring has been installed in the circulation and audiovisual area of the library, the Warsaw Community Public Library board of directors heard Monday.

Director Ann Zydek said moving equipment back to the area was completed Saturday. The flooring replaced carpeting and is designed to be comfortable for employees who stand for hours serving patrons. The "island," which had shelving for books on hold and a countertop for equipment, has not been replaced.

Vice president Tony Etienne revealed a plaque meant for president Larry Chamberlain thanking him for his service to the board. Chamberlain was absent because of a family matter.

"We appreciate his work," Etienne said. "He's going to be missed in the community, the school and library board." Chamberlain was a library board member prior to his election to the school board. He remained on the board as the Warsaw Community Schools' representative. Last month Chamberlain tendered his resignation from both boards; his term ends March 31.

The board also:

• Approved three changes to the employee policy handbook.

The first advises employees that staff members may be called upon to change their hours of employment and their place of employment within the library. Excepting an emergency, the employee will be given two weeks notice before any such change.

The second change is to the employee benefits sick leave policy, indicating sick leave is to be used for reasons of personal sickness or for the illness of a parent, spouse, child or family member when the employee is the only other practical care provider. Sick leave also may be used for health care appointments.

Employees may accumulate up to 96 eight-hour days of sick leave.

The third change is to the employee benefits holiday leave policy, adding Veterans Day and birthdays to the other eight holidays observed by the library. Early closings also were added as 5 p.m. for the days before Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Also, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the library will be closed the following Monday.

• Reviewed a patron's six-page letter with 22 areas where the library could improve. Board members commented that the suggestions were very good and they wished the letter had been signed to discuss some points with the writer.

• Heard volunteers will be honored April 18 during National Library Week.

• Discussed electing new officers. Etienne said he would be willing to serve as president.