The outlying communities of Moniteau County should see immediate services from approving the Moniteau County Library in the November election.
The five-member Moniteau County Library Board met for the first time Jan. 18, after becoming an official entity Jan. 1.
Although property tax revenue will not benefit the library until Jan. 1, 2019, the board approved several additions to the library services, which will be paid for immediately with the privately-donated funds, with the rural communities in mind.
Board President Laura Burger emphasized the need to not only follow through on the campaign promises to provide services to the outlying communities but to also build relationships.
As planning begins for the 2019 calendar year, when the library will receive public funding, Burger said it is important to have an open communication with the rural populations, informing them of services which might benefit them or hearing what needs they have.
Sub-committees will be formed in each rural community, led by one of the appointed board members and involving representatives from the community, including school, church, city government and day cares.
Board member Sara Rohrbach, who is from Jamestown, will work with that community. Bill Boies, McGirk, will work with the Clarksburg community. Holly Bieri, who lives west of California, will make contacts in High Point. And Lana Dicus, who is from Latham, will coordinate there.
Burger hopes each of these community sub-committees will have met before the board's March meeting.
Summer Reading Program
The state library awarded a $7,600 grant to re-establish and expand the Summer Reading Program this year. With about $3,000 more than the last grant award, the library has plans to expand the program's services and area reach.
Creative learning kits
Notebooks will be distributed to area schools in February, detailing what services the library offers and suggestions on how take advantage of those during the school day.
Digital magazines
More than 60 magazines will be accessible digitally through the library's website, to those with library cards. The service should begin soon.
Library Director Connie Walker said this will immediately give rural residents access to titles without having to drive to the physical address. She said she is pleased it will also improve the library's website traffic.
The library will continue to provide hard copies of magazines, which are highly popular at local residential care facilities.
Tumble Books
The library currently provides Tumble Books, partially funded by the state library, to patrons. The board approved upgrading the service, through a library-school partnership, so that all Moniteau County school libraries also will have access.
Tumble Books also provides resources for teachers.
The expanded online title access also solves concerns about how to best serve the rural students during the summer reading program.
"It's unlimited, unrestricted; it's unbelievable," Walker said.
Blind date with a book
Adult patrons are invited to participate in the first-time program, Blind Date with a Book. The newest library employee, Heidi Porter, introduced the idea, where selected title have been wrapped. On the outside, Porter has written the opening line and a few comments about the book.
When readers return the book, they will receive a Candy Kiss and their name will be part of a drawing for a gift card. This program replaces the previous adult winter reading program.
Porter is a California High School graduate, who earned a teaching degree and for the last two years had been teaching at a Christian school in Paraguay. Walker said Porter will be helpful, especially with the summer reading and other children's programs, as well as with web page and other technological services.
"She's brought in fresh ideas," Walker said. "How cool is it to come in and immediately have ideas like this?"
In other business, the board:
Completed transferring funds and responsibilities from the Wood Place to the Moniteau County library.
Learned that three of the 18 monetary pledges have come in, helping to create a healthy balance to cover current operational costs.
Learned three of the old computers have been sold at $75 each with about another dozen available, including a monitor, CPU, keyboard and mouse.
Agreed to purchase enough bronze leaves to complete recognition on the Giving Tree for 2017 donors. The board will discuss a new form of supporter recognition for 2018 and beyond.
Conducted a trustee orientation, discussing state statutes, the definition of a good library board, how to run an effective board meeting, the role and responsibilities of the director and board, and the Sunshine Law.
Established committees to update the policies and procedures and to update the by-laws.
Heard that circulation items were down by more than 1,600 in 2017 over 2016, mostly due to the limited hours.
Set the next meeting at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 upstairs at the library.