Library Board Sets Out of District Fee

The Effingham Public Library Board has set the out-of-district fee for the fiscal year beginning May 1.

The fee, based on a formula established by the State, will be $133 per household, regardless of how many people live in the household.

The fee is about $5 higher than this year's fee, which Library Director Amanda McKay said is about the same as the increase in-district residents should see.

Library Board members discussed a proposal to relocate the Summer lunch program to the new library facility.

The program has been offered at West Side School. Through the years, the numbers in the program have dwindled as the summer continues. Some believe the hot and humid conditions at West Side are a consideration, since the building is not air-conditioned. That led program organizers to ask whether the library could host the program.

Library board members have expressed concerns about committing the library meeting room every weekday during the program. As a compromise, the library board is suggesting that the program open at West Side and then relocate to the library during July as temperatures begin to rise. The ball is now back in the summer lunch program team's court to decide if that's an acceptable option.

The Board discussed the terms of three members that expire at the end of April; those of Jim Arndt, Bill Myers and Tyler Witges. Witges, who was recently appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Suellen Reimers, and Myers said they're willing to serve another term, but a successor may be needed for Arndt.

As to the current library home, Library Director Amanda McKay said they are now within $350,000 of the $2 million goal set to pay for the library renovation and relocation.