Library Board Gets Summer Read Report

Effingham Public Library board members got good news Wednesday about this year's Summer Read Program.

Library Director Amanda McKay said the decision was to return to a "big" kickoff event. That proved to be a good decision, as almost 500 people attended. Over 1,300 kids signed up for the program, with over 60% participation resulting. The Book Bike traveled throughout town to promote the effort, along with other outreach tools.

The Board discussed the vacancy created by the departure of Tyler Witges for work in the St. Louis area. The Board agreed to recommend the City Council approve the appointment of Jared Chesnut to fill the vacancy. The Council should act on the appointment at their meeting next week.

The Board discussed doing accounting services in-house, and will resume discussing the possibility next month. It was also decided to apply for a matching grant to replace the roof on the library building, with patch work to be done until the complete replacement can get underway.

Board members also discussed a per capita grant to fund a video about serving patrons with dementia, and discussed the launch of the after-school program known as RISE. The program officially begins next Tuesday.

The Board also approved the holiday schedule for 2019, approved the library board meeting schedule for next year, and formally ended a $3 charge to replace a lost library card.

Board members also finalized a six-week trial of opening the library one hour earlier, at 8am, beginning Tuesday, September 4. McKay told the Board at last month's meeting that patrons asked for the 8am opening, in part so they could drop off older children at school and then bring their younger children to spend time at the library.