NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:  February 20, 2006
Contact:  Sam Gnuse, Altamont Public Library Board President
Subject: February 2006 Altamont Public Library Board of Directors meeting

The Altamont Public Library Board met on February 6, 2006. On the agenda was the status of the library circulation desk remodeling, report on the library’s website, building maintenance and repair, and the computer usage and fine policies review.

The treasurer’s report was presented for January.  The list of bills to be paid for February was presented.  These bills included charges for the upcoming summer reading program for materials needed, and a charge for putting local newspaper copies onto microfilm.  The third installment of property taxes has been received from the City of Altamont. 

The library’s circulation continues to increase with 16 new resident and 3 new non-resident cards being distributed in January.  The Library received almost $200 in fines during January.  The library’s fine policy has been posted at the circulation desk and is being reviewed with patrons as they check out books.  Material is to be returned by close of library on the day due or a fine is imposed.   Fines are ten cents per day per item. 

Beth Speers, Librarian, gave a brief overview of the January’s circulation figures, which included our new service of interlibrary loans.  In January there was a total of 137 books and items borrowed, and 362 loaned, an increase of over 100 items, through the Shawnee Library System interlibrary loan program.   These numbers continue to increase monthly.  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. 

Mrs. Speers reported the subcommittee has reviewed the computer usage/internet policy to address inappropriate behavior.  No change to the current policy was made.  It is the discretion of the librarian as to allowable content on the internet and computer usage.  Patrons will loose their computer privilege if policy is disregarded.

A Secretary of State’s Library Sustainability Project workshop will be attended by the librarian.

Website statistics for January were presented with 467 sessions for the month.  An average of 14 pages were viewed for a total of 6,732 pages viewed, an increase of over 1,000 pages.  These statistics continue to increase from previous months.  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’s circulation desk remodeling is continuing.  Finishing work is all that remains.   

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.  

A budget subcommittee was formed to develop the 2006-07 Budget.  The proposed budget will be presented for approval at the March meeting.  Other topics to be presented at the March meeting will be new board member nominations and summer reading program topics.