Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Public Library, Library Commission met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order

Call to order at 1:03 p.m. by Ken Kirchner

Roll Call

Mary Jo Rowley

Becky Wayne

Ken Kirchner

Chris Kopeika

Lisa Peck

Laura Reimer

Absent

Mary Jane Linton

Also Present

Melanie Weigel, Library Director

Minutes

Motion made by Mary Jo Rowley to accept the meeting minutes for the September 24, 2024 meeting. Seconded by Lisa Peck. Motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Public Comment

None

Old Business

None

New Business

Melanie has been working with Jill Applebee on the new FPL website. It contains new databases with lots of information. We discussed the color scheme of the website. Also, the FPL calendar has been merged with the Village of Forsyth calendar. The tentative start date for the new website is November 22, 2024.

Melanie has been working on a FPL Community Survey. She will be emailing Commission members a sample survey next week. It will be discussed at the November meeting.

Librarian’s Report

• Melanie has been working with Jill Applebee and the Apptegy staff on the development of the new website for the Village and the Library.

• The Library Staff barcoded over 30,000 + items in September.

• The third annual Nightmare on Elwood Street will take place October 26 from 10 AM – 12 PM.

• The Saturday Drop In programs have seen great success. The goal is to provide a free family friendly activity or event each Saturday morning.

• November’s focus is dinosaurs for our kids’ programming. A DiNo Party will be held November 23.

• October adult programs include Next of Kiln pottery painting, Tech Club, Medicare Updates Seminar, and Diabetes Meal Planning.

• Melanie shared her experiences from the Association for Small and Rural Libraries she attended in Springfield, MA.

• Patron card registration as of September 30 includes 1,381 adults and 143 juveniles. The September 2024 patron count is 2,953 which is 665 more than September 2023. Circulation for September 2024 is 4,163 which is 20 less than September 2023. Materials checked out by Non Forsyth Patrons is 1,634. Materials checked out by Forsyth Patrons at other libraries is 207.

Adjournment

The next library commission meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2024. Mary Jo Rowley moved to adjourn. Chris Kopeika seconded. The motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/2024.11.13_Library_Commission_Meeting_Packet.pdf