Library board tackles budget woes, clarifies meeting room policy

HARTSVILLE - The Darlington County Library Board of Trustees reviewed financial statements, received each library’s report and codified changes to the meeting room policy during Wednesday’s library board meeting at the Hartsville Memorial Library. Five board members were present.

“We’ll have to live with this budget for awhile,” said Sue Rainey, library director.

Money is not coming into state or county coffers with the economic situation and the state’s 12.1 percent unemployment rate. The state Board of Economic Advisors did not enforce a threatened 5 percent budget cut, but Rainey feels that may mean a bigger cut in the future.

The travel and training budget for FY 2009-10 is $2,700. This pays for employees to travel with their personal vehicles to meetings and to visit daycare centers.

Rainey noted that the library system has many dedicated employees who are always going the extra mile: looking for ways to save energy, turning off lights, raising the thermostat and paying for their own travel at times.

Another hurdle is the aging computers at the libraries. The state library board is calling for the library’s technology plan to be completed by October, and there is a lot of work to be done to update the county’s technology system. There are 75 to 80 staff and public access computers, but many are four years old or older.

“When they’re used to the extent ours are used, they wear out,” said Rainey. “They’re used continuously.”

The public demand is high and people have gotten used to having the access. The repair and replacement account has $2,000 for the entire fiscal year.

“We have no money to buy new computers,” said Rainey. “We’re in dire straits.”
The Friends of the Hartville Library pitched in on a different front, but one that’s just as important: security. The Friends purchased a new security system for the library. The $4,000 system includes cameras stationed throughout the library to protect staff and materials.

Other concerns at the Hartsville Library include building issues, new and recurring leaks and aging window sills that need replacement. The library also plans to hold a membership and book drive in October.

At Society Hill Library, paperwork is holding up the closing on the new library location. The 2-year process has been long, but Ken Hughes, chairman of the board, says, “We’re getting there.” The Society Hill Library is experiencing some growing pains, but the board feels it’s good to have more users.

Faye Griffin will appear at the Sept. 16 meeting to give an update on the Lamar Library expansion. The board hopes to get some money from the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation to expand that library by 2,000 to 2,500 square feet, adding a small conference room, storage and increased meeting rooms. The board has not approved the architect firm for such construction.

In other business, the board clarified the meeting room policy for after hours use. The rooms can be used when the library is not open if the meetings conclude by 10 p.m. The group reserving the room is also responsible for turning off lights, taking out trash and securing the door. The concern raised was that on long weekends, such as Labor Day weekend, food or garbage could be left out, lights could be left on or the door could be left open for three days without a staff member to check on the situation.

After much discussion, the board agreed unanimously to add to the policy language stating the meeting rooms cannot be used on holiday weekends or holidays. Vice Chairman Jenelle Davis also requested a checklist be drawn up to remind groups of their responsibilities to return the room to the condition they found it.

The next library board meeting will be held 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at Lamar Library. The board meets the third Wednesday of the month and rotates location throughout the library system.