Library Board Meeting 3.2.23

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

The Mountain Home Public Library Board, with the exception of Vice-chair Sisson, opened their March meeting by approving the consent agenda which included the previous month’s meeting minutes and bills from both January and February.

Next, the board motioned to approve updates to the library policy, mission statement, and values and visions. After unanimous approval, the board continued on to discussing the capital improvement plan for 2024. The board reviewed the proposed plans and evaluated which projects should be prioritized in order to optimize and reduce the amount of time the facility would be burdened by construction. The board ultimately voted unanimously to approve the capital improvement plan with the prioritization changes discussed.

The board next discussed the need for a replacement server battery backup. During an in-house test, it was discovered that the library’s server battery backup had ceased working, and would need replaced due to aging. The cost of a new battery backup was estimated at roughly $1,200 according to Director Hochstrasser; she also noted that she applied for reimbursement for the full cost of the battery backup.

Next, Hochstrasser updated the board on the latest happenings within the Lynx Library Consortium. She explained that the Hailey Public Library made the decision to withdraw from the consortium. Subsequently, the consortium will be increasing its membership dues and is requesting that all members obtain a “open-access” level of membership. The changes could potentially save the Mountain Home Public Library money by cutting shipping costs for books by utilizing the consortium’s courier services in lieu of traditional postage. The Director then explained that any increases in dues will take place Oct. 1, 2023. The board unanimously expressed emphatically their desire to remain in the consortium, but delayed approving the status change because it was unclear what the price increase would be.

In the Director’s report, Hochstrasser was pleased to announce that the telehealth pod awarded to the library is due to arrive and be installed sometime in mid-March. Additionally, she announced that the library may soon be providing passport purchase and renewal services for members of the community. Following the conclusion of the director’s report, the meeting was adjourned.

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