Library Board Recaps Annual Fund Drive

Effingham Public Library board members reviewed the results of their annual fund drive at this week's meeting.

The fund drive goal was $60,000, and just over $52,000 was raised.

Library Director Amanda McKay said the first priority will be exterior landscaping that will include edible plants. Any balance will be used to help defray the library's mortgage costs.

The Library Board again discussed a dialogue underway with representatives of the Effingham Unit 40 and Teutopolis Unit 50 school districts. The library's goal is to expand the number of oppotunities residents in the school districts have to utilize the library.

Library officials have met with Teutopolis school officials and have reached out to both districts about the idea. McKay said the cost of providing library cards to all of the residents of the two school districts will have to be addressed.

Unit 40 and Unit 50 were approached first since they have territory within the library district, but McKay said library officials are amenable to reaching out to other districts.

The Board reviewed terms of members that expire in April. Those seats on the Board are now held by Rod Wiethop, Emily Gravenhorst and Matt Greider. So far, members contacted would like another term on the Board.

Library board members also approved the budget for the new fiscal year. McKay said this year's budget showed a slight increase in the general fund, but a decrease in Social Security and Medicare leaves the measure pretty similar to last year's budget amount.