Library Board to Discuss Becoming Separate Entity from City

Effingham Public Library board members continued their discussion of creating a library district at this month's meeting, including becoming a separate entity from the City.

Currently, the library has its own board of directors and its own levy, but operates as an arm of city government. Library Director Amanda McKay said as part of the process of creating a library district, the process could be facilitated by creating an independent library, then pursue the process of seeking to annex property into a library district. That way, those who live in the potential district wouldn't have to feel they are under the control of the city.

McKay said she will be talking with the Effingham City Council about the issue for their input. If the Library Board decides to proceed, they could pass a resolution, then the Council would have 60 days to respond.

The library board also approved its slate of officers for the coming fiscal year: Jared Chesnut and Matt Greider as co-presidents, Charlene Topel as secretary, and Shelby Dasenbrock as treasurer. Also agreed to was taking the budgeted salary for a managerial position that is unfilled and dividing that pay to increase the pay for library employees without raising the library budget.

The board finalized their Cards for Kids program. The program was initiated by the General Assembly last August to provide a library card to any child who qualifies for free or reduced school lunches, at no cost to the student. McKay said the library is working with local schools to identify eligible children. The families of those children would receive a letter. The recipients could take the letter to the library and obtain a card for that child. Also approved were finalized guidelines for the library's outreach policy, a program that was administered for many years by Mary Jane Day, who operated as a volunteer for the program.

The library's Johnna Schultz discussed plans for the Summer Read Program. This year's theme is "Reading Colors Your World". Registration will begin May 15, and the program will begin June 1.