Altamont Public Library
121 West Washington
Altamont, IL 62411
618-483-5457
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 24,
2006
Contact: Sam Gnuse, Altamont Public Library Board President
Subject: July 2006 Altamont Public Library Board of Directors meeting
The Altamont Public Library Board met on July 10, 2006. On the agenda was the status of the building maintenance and repair and Summer Reading Program.
The list of bills to be paid for July was presented. These bills included charges for books, utilities, and library supplies. One donation was received in June to purchase a requested book. The Library received over $150 in fines during June.
Beth Speers, Librarian, gave a brief overview of the June’s circulation figures, which included our service of interlibrary loans. In June, there was a total of 136 books and items borrowed, and 190 loaned through the Shawnee Library System interlibrary loan program. Through June, there was a total of 809 library cards being used. Thirteen new resident cards were processed and 6 non-resident cards were renewed. Over 2,000 people used the library during June, which is a library usage record. Over 2,000 items were checked out in June, which also exceeded all previous records. Mrs. Speers gave an overview of the Summer Reading Program. Over 80 children finished the program, and 78 individuals attended the June special event. This special event was sponsored by the Altamont Junior Women’s Club who donated a part of their Cuddly Bunny fundraiser proceeds. Attendance gifts were distributed to program participants who attended this special event. At the end of the Reading Program, each participant was given a prize bag with items donated by local individuals and businesses and organizations.
The library building’s front brickwork is in disrepair and ways and means to fund the repairs are being explored. Funds are not budgeted, and fundraisers and other options are being considered. The Board continues 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 Library Board has voted to apply for a mini-grant to the State to cover this repair work. The grant determination will not be determined until October.
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.