February 9, 2011

ATTENDANCE: Kay Adkins, Lois Carter, Irene Clark, Karen Cornell, Henry Dillon, Pat Dillon, Julie Dragoo, Dallie Forgey, Hank Forgey, Virginia Gabriel, Glenn Graham, Louise Greenlee, Marilyn Kuhn, Denise Payne, Betty Plymale, Bob Powell, Vickie Powell, Debra Rhodes, Emily Robinson, Debbie Saunders, Darla Saunders, Ellen Schopis, Patsy Schultd, Barb Shelton, Ruth Snyder, Norm Snyder, Sara Spurlock, Gene Spurlock, Walter Stowers, Sharon Vannoy, Cleeland Willis, Wanda Willis and Cindy Wilson.

MEETING: At 12:07 p.m. the meeting was called to order by President Barb Shelton and the Pledge of Allegiance was said by all. Henry Dillon offered prayer for meal and the meeting. First-timer, Denise Payne was welcomed. Cleeland Willis was recognized for his birthday this month.

SPEAKER: Debbie Saunders, who was a Gallia County student and graduated from the University of Rio Grande with a degree in accounting and a Master's Degree in Library Science from Kent State, gave a very informative overview of the Bossard Memorial Library and the services offered.

A library came into being in 1898. It was started by a group of ladies called the Thursday Club. The first library housed almost 1000 books in comparison to the 110,000 books available in our current library. The first library was the Carnegie Library in 1904, which was located at 61 State Street. In the 1940s, it became a County Library and the bookmobile started soon after. In 1978, funds from Dr. Samuel Bossard's estate were given to erect the current building.

The library's main funding source comes from the Public Library Fund. There are smaller funding sources as well as levies and general tax revenue. With the passage of the new levy the library is able to bring the hours and staff that were cut back earlier.

Some of the services available at the library are: Home Bound Services, Reference Services, On-line Data Bases, Public Access Computers, Rare Book Room, Micro-film dated back to 1890s, Periodical Reading room, Youth Services, Wi-Fi, and Community room. Beginning in March e-books will be available. Community events are also held there.

On average 350 people per week will use the Public Access Computers. Circulated items last year - 202,700 and 11,000-12,000 patrons visit the library per month.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Volunteer Hours: Karen Cornell reported on total hours from last year. Winning with the most hours was - Marlene Hoffman with 852 hours. Others were: Janet Wetherholt - 560, Will Church - 260, and Nancy Hood - 200. Volunteer hours report forms were distributed and Karen encouraged everyone to notate hours even if they are small.

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee met on January 6, 2011, at Henry Dillon's and planned the meetings for this upcoming year. The Annual Reports have been completed and mailed to ORTA.

An updated member list shows we have 263 members.

Scholarship: Wanda Willis announced that applications have been distributed to area schools and the deadline for applying in April 1, 2011.

Treasurer's Report: Submitted by Henry Dillon

As of January 31, 2011:

Checking Account........................................... $ 1,825.15
Local Life Membership Savings......................... $ 7,729.45