Nottawa Township Library Board Minutes
March 24, 2025
Nottawa Township Library Board Minutes
March 24, 2025
Date: Monday, March 24th @ 6:00 pm
Call to order: 6:01
Present: Connie, Ruth, Carmita, Michelle, Timi, Cara
Absent: Bob
Approval of the Agenda: Carmita motioned to approve. Michelle seconded.
Minutes of previous meeting: Carmita motioned to approve. Cara seconded.
Financial reports: Michelle motioned to approve. Cara seconded
Discussion about hiring a new Library Aide as Leelu is leaving in May. Two people have already come in to apply. Cara took flier and applications.
Old business:
• FDIC Bank Limits - options - Timi talked to Elena at Sturgis Bank and Trust about the insurance limits and the EIN number for the township and how she got the EIN number for the library. She has talked to Bret and Dave about removing the Township’s EIN from the library’s and is waiting on hearing back from them. If the library can do that, there are two options - a SWEEP Account or a special account with 4% interest.
New business:
• Library webpage ADA accessibility - at the end of 2026, our website needs to be ADA accessible. Timi has attended a webinar on what that looks like and plans on attending another. They did a test of our website and we are only 10% accessible. Timi has two options - she can learn how to do it herself or we can hire someone. She’s going to find out more information and report back. No idea how much it would cost yet.
• IMLS Funding/Melcat - Timi explained how the executive order reads and what the MLA’s response is - she’s going to forward the information to the board. As long as the board and those who work at the library are providing the information about the executive order and possible cuts (the biggest impact for us will be MelCat and interlibrary loans) and encouraging people they share it with to understand how the executive order will impact libraries, they can share this information with the public. It also impacts travel stipends for Niche Academy. IMLS will be funding through September of 2025.
• Creation of Financial Committee - Timi requested that the board create a Financial Committee to assist her with contacting and finding a local accountant and possibly auditors and be available to support her with other financial responsibilities. Michelle suggested that Ruth would be good at that and possibly Bob. Ruth agreed to be on the committee. The rest of the board said they would be willing to help with whatever is needed.
• Director’s schedule/remote hour request - Timi requested that she has more flexibility with her schedule to help out with family obligations. She requested to able to work remotely for about 6 hours a week, specifically on the financials. She currently is at the library about 30 hours and she’s requesting to be able to work remotely for 6 hours per week. But if she is needed more than that, she’ll be available and flexible. Board agreed to grant this request and offered support if needed.
• Other new business:
Director’s Report:
Typical winter numbers. Talked about the counters for the children’s room and the tutor room running out of batteries. Talked about the amazing turnout for this month’s story time (triple the number of kids). The good turn-out was the after Carmita’s class came.
Committee Report(s): None
Communications: None
Public Comment: None
Next meeting date: May 19, 2025 @ 4:00 pm, I will send a doodle poll to obtain quorum
Adjournment - 6:43 Cara motioned to adjourn, Carmita seconded