Altamont Public Library
121 West Washington
Altamont, IL 62411
618-483-5457

For Immediate Release:  April 28, 2006
Contact:  Sam Gnuse, Altamont Public Library Board President
Subject: April 2006 Altamont Public Library Board of Directors meeting

The Altamont Public Library Board met on April 10, 2006. On the agenda was the status of the building maintenance and repair, report on the library’s website, salary review, and the budget.

The list of bills to be paid for April was presented.  These bills included charges for renewal of the internet computer filter, and new books.  A generous donation was received from Beta Sigma Phi has allowed the Library to purchase several magazine subscriptions.  The Library received over $100 in fines during March. 

Beth Speers, Librarian, gave a brief overview of the March’s circulation figures, which included our service of interlibrary loans.  In March, there was a total of 219 books and items borrowed, and 348 loaned through the Shawnee Library System interlibrary loan program.   The Library is now able to share its material through the program to other area library patrons.    So far, the Library staff has been able to meet the increased requests without additional staffing.  Through March, there is a total of 758 library cards being used. Over 1,700 people used the library during March, almost 100 more people than in February.  Mrs. Speers will be attending a Librarian conference required by the State of Illinois in June.

Website statistics for March were presented with 482 sessions for the month.  An average of 17 pages were viewed for a total of 5,947 pages viewed, an increase of over 500 pages.  The highest usage was for new books listing at the library section. The next two sections of the web were the news releases and web interface sections. 

The library building’s front brickwork is in disrepair and bids continue to be requested.  Funds are not budgeted, and fundraisers and other options are being considered.  The Board is continuing to work with the Library Building Corporation to resume fundraising for the Library.  Members of the Altamont community are invited to volunteer on this board.   The first of the bids have been received, with the possible submission from two other companies.  Bids will be reviewed at the May meeting.

The 2006-07 Budget was proposed to be presented to the City of Altamont for approval.  Also being presented to the City for approval will be new board member nominations.  The Board went into closed session to discuss salary review for the upcoming fiscal year.  Once salaries were set, the board went back into general session. 

Other topics discussed included National Library Week and the Summer Reading Program.  The Summer Reading Program planning is moving forward with the librarians working on all the details.  The Altamont Junior Women’s Club will again sponsor a special event during the month of June.  The Club holds fundraisers throughout the year to help provide this event. 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.  For more information on the Altamont Public Library call 618-483-5457 or go to www.altamontpubliclibrary.com.