Library Board Planning Community Survey

Effingham Public Library board members this week discussed conducting a new community survey, along with a library usage project.

Library Director Amanda McKay said it's been awhile since a community survey was conducted. It's a way to determine community needs and how the library can respond to those needs. The survey will take place in April.

The library usage project is done to determine where library patrons use the building and to determine when those patrons are in the building. McKay said numbers are back up, post-pandemic, so it would be useful to know who is where, and when.

The Board approved the non-resident participation and fiscal year fee structure. McKay said this will be the second year using the tax bill method. She said non-resident participation this past year is up 14%, an indication that the change in methods has worked.

There is a vacancy on the library board due to a move outside the library district by Kathy Pals, so a replacement will be needed. Two other members need reappointed, so those actions will be taken care of for the new fiscal year that begins May 1.

The Board reviewed and decided to leave unchanged their Safe Child policy and the library district's intergovernmental agreement with Unit 40 school district. McKay said the agreement has been a help to Unit 40 teachers in the wake of the computer problems in the school district.

Board members also approved changes to the policy regarding registration requirements and borrowing privileges for temporary residents. Those impacted are those who are living in local motels and hotels. The guidelines are for up to six months, with a maximum of six items at a time.