Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Public Library, Library Commission met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order 

Call to order at 1:03 p.m. by Mary Jane Linton 

Roll Call 

Mary Jane Linton 

Laura Reimer 

Mary Jo Rowley 

Becky Wayne 

Ken Kirchner 

Lisa Peck 

Pat Parr 

Absent 

Also Present 

Melanie Weigel, Library Director 

Jill Applebee, Village of Forsyth Administrator 

Minutes 

Motion made by Pat Parr to accept the meeting minutes for the November 8, 2023 meeting. Seconded  by Ken Kirchner. Motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea. 

Public Comment 

None  

Old Business 

None 

New Business 

• The Library Director discussed important goals the library needs to address in 2024. 

1. Build a Greater Connection with Local Schools Plus Enhance Youth Offerings. 

2. Update the Library’s Emergency Plan to Reflect Current Needs. The most recent plan is  from 2007. 

3. Begin Studying Library Usage plus Patron Needs in Anticipation of Long Range Update  in FY25. 

• The policy Manual will be reviewed and voted on at the April Meeting. We discussed 2 items. 

1. Library Cards and Users 

2. Appendix C: Library Bill of Rights and Interpretations

Librarian’s Report 

• Melanie participated in Rudolph’s Village Market. 

• FPL hosted a tree decorating party Nov.30 attended by 45 patrons. 

• FPL collected donations for Operation Santa Paws. 

• FPL participated in the Village’s tree lighting ceremony. 

• Children enjoyed Story Time with Miss Jana with a special Christmas theme 

• Melanie was a guest speaker at MF Grade School. She has also met students from Decatur  Christian School. 

• Melanie joined Pam for a monthly visit to HPCV. 

• FPL is hosting a “Meet Libby” program January 17. Libby is an app connected with Overdrive. 

• A new Coffee Talk program will begin in January. Coffee and snacks will be available.

• Story Time with Miss Jana continues every Friday at 10 am.

• FPL is offering a movie for students when they have a half day of school.

• Take n Make crafts for kids will be available starting January 16.

• Chair Yoga will resume in February.

• FPL will be starting a much needed Tech Help Program in February. Patrons can sign up for individualized assistance.

• Patron card registration as of November 30 includes 1,389 adults and 150 juveniles. The November 2023 patron count is 2,400 which is 31 less than November 2022. Circulation for November 2023 is 3,668 which is 517 less than November 2022. Materials checked out by Non Forsyth Patrons is 1,393. Materials checked out by Forsyth patrons at other libraries is 159.

• Patron card registration as of December 31 includes 1395 adults and 151 juveniles. The December 2023 patron count is 2,208 which is 69 less than December 2022. Circulation for December 2023 is 3,556 which is 420 less than December 2022. Materials checked out by Non Forsyth Patrons is 1,189. Materials checked out by Forsyth patrons at other libraries is 151.

Adjournment

The next library commission meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2024. Mary Jo Rowley moved to adjourn. Lisa Peck seconded. The motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/2024.02.14_Library_Commission_Meeting_Packet.pdf