State Law Change Makes Library Cards Available to More People

For some time, state law restricted the availability of library cards to one per property owner, if the owner lived outside the city limits.

Now, the property owner or the leaseholder of a property within the city limits, and those living in their households can get a library card.

The new law took effect in August.

Also at the library board meeting this week, Library Director Amanda McKay said 15 students are enrolled in the new after-school program as of its third week. McKay said the number enrolled is about right for the activities being offered.

The Board approved a social media policy, addressing what library patrons can and cannot do on the library's social media. There was also discussion of the tentative library levy for the new fiscal year. McKay said the levy will total the same as last year's levy, which totaled $921,600.

McKay reported that the 8am opening at the library has been well-received and said some people who never visited the library have stopped in during the earlier hours. The Board also review accounting service options with a mind to bringing the work in-house with an hourly employee handling the work under contract. 

There was nothing new to report on disposing of the library's former home on Market Avenue; but a revision of the staff development plan is moving ahead. The plan helps with setting pay rates for staffers. The library will also again supply S'mores for the Chili Fest downtown on October 12 and will participate in the Halloween Parade on October 28.