Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Public Library, Library Commission met Aug. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order

Call to order at 1:00 p.m. by Mary Jane Linton

Roll Call

Chris Kopeika

Laura Reimer

Becky Wayne

Ken Kirchner

Mary Jane Linton

Lisa Peck

Absent

Mary Jo Rowley

Also Present

Melanie Weigel, Library Director

Minutes

Motion made by Chris Kopeika to accept the meeting minutes for the July 9, 2025 meeting. Seconded by Ken Kirchner. Motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Public Comment

None

Old Business

• Long Term Strategic Plan was discussed. Melanie talked about Goals #1 and #4. Goal #1: FPL will join with community partners to expand our reach and better serve our community. Goal #4: FPL will provide a safe and welcoming physical space, utilizing our building and grounds to its full potential.

• Lisa Peck made a motion to approve the Long-Range Strategic Plan 2026-2030. Chris Kopeika seconded. Motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

New Business

• Library Commission meeting schedule was discussed. Commission will decide at a later date to meet monthly or bi-monthly.

Librarian’s Report

• Summer Reading Program had 550 participants. 9000 community members visited the library in June and July.

• The library’s Level Up events had 9 teen volunteers who helped tremendously.

• Vanessa Robnett is our new Youth Services Librarian. Evening Story Time is one of the new activities she has added.

• FPL is continuing to look for ways to partner with area teachers and provide outreach to their classrooms. Open House events will give all Maroa-Forsyth families the opportunity to sign up for a library card.

• The Community Garden is very popular with local residents.

• Ice Cream for Breakfast was a big hit for everyone.

• FPL hosted an Alzheimer and Dementia Workshop for Caregivers. It was very interesting and informative.

• New school year activities are planned for August.

• Patron Card registration as of July 31 includes 1,331 adults and 144 juveniles. The July 2025 patron count is 4,404 which is 312 more than July 2024. Circulation for July 2025 is 5,174 which is 78 more than July 2024. Materials checked out by Non-Forsyth Patrons is 1,975. Materials checked out by Forsyth Patrons at other libraries is 161 .

Adjournment

The next library commission meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2025. Laura Reimer moved to adjourn. Ken Kirchner seconded. The motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/6019763/September_10__2025_Library_Commission_Meeting_Packet.pdf