NEWS RELEASE   

For Immediate Release:  December 13, 2006
Contact:  Sam Gnuse, Altamont Public Library Board President
Subject: December 2006 Altamont Public Library Board of Directors meeting

The Altamont Public Library Board recently met on December 11, 2006. On the agenda was the status of building maintenance and repair, backup library lighting, and tax levy information.

The list of bills to be paid for December was presented.  These bills included charges for books, utilities, pest control, building maintenance, and library supplies.    

Beth Speers, Librarian, gave a brief overview of the November’s circulation figures, which included our service of interlibrary loans.  In November, there was a total of 174 books and items borrowed, and 196 loaned through the Shawnee Library System interlibrary loan program.   Through November, there was a total of 859 library cards being used.  Over 1,000 people used the library during November and almost 1,000 items were checked out.  A generous donation of $1,000 was received for library shelving. 

The grant from the state library for $22,312 for the library building’s front brickwork and interior repair has been approved.  Updated bids were reviewed, with only one acceptable bid received.  The bid from Mason’s Masonry Restoration was approved unanimously and work will begin as weather permits.  Any additional repairs to the library building and interior work will be considered after brick work is completed.  Additionally, repair work on backup lighting in the library has begun.    

Library only parking space signage request to the city was discussed.  The Altamont City Council will decide on signage.

A possible fundraiser of a bus trip is still being investigated.  Ideas from the public are welcome for future fundraising for the Library.  The Library is in the midst of its Second Annual Book Ornament fundraiser.  The library will place a Book Ornament on the Library’s Christmas tree for any donations during December.

Library web statistics for the past quarter were reviewed.  Each of the last three months has seen an increase in both web sessions and pages viewed.  Over 6,600 pages were viewed in November, with almost 60,000 page views for the year.  The most viewed pages continue to be the sections of new books and news releases.

The Library board went into closed session to discuss a staff member’s annual evaluation.