Library to Try Earlier Opening Time

Effingham Public Library board members this week discussed giving an earlier opening time a trial run.

Library Director Amanda McKay said patrons have suggested an 8am opening time would be helpful. The patrons say the earlier time would benefit parents who could drop off older children at school and then head with their younger children to the library.

The plan is to begin the earlier start time Mondays through Fridays on September 4, the day after Labor Day.

The library board also got an update on the After-School Program. McKay said the program is the focus of this year's fund drive, but the fund drive won't begin until later this fall. In the meantime, McKay said the After-School Program can be funded on Tuesdays and Thursdays with existing staff.

The Board discussed ending a $3 fee charged for replacing library cards, in that it costs much less than that to replace them. Also discussed was the success of the Summer Reading Program.

McKay said 400 kids have already completed the basic reading requirement, earning them a pool party. More than 80 kids have reached the Super Reader level. Those kids will be recognized at the library's 135th birthday party set for July 31.

Also, the library board approved fund transfers...appointed Sarah Ruholl Sehy to replace the departed Jim Arndt as library board treasurer...updated policies to replace the wording "director only" with "director or designee" for when McKay goes on maternity leave later this year...heard that McKay is cross training her leadership team for when she is away on what will still be a "working leave"...and discussed paying Centenary United Methodist Church $53/bin on a quarterly basis for providing recycling services utilized by the library.

The Board is also looking for another board member. Tyler Witges' job duties have reassigned him to St. Louis. Anyone interested in filling the seat should contact McKay at the library. You must be a City of Effingham resident.