Current Item Information

Title

Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 082-083

Description

Howell Carnegie Library board minutes and ledger entries approved by the board.

Ruth Bennett

Howell, Michigan, November 17, 1954

A meeting of the Howell Library Board was called to order at 7:30PM by Theodore Krieger, chairman. Present also were Mrs. H. L. Williams and Leslie B. Merritt, members and Mrs. Karl Hoch of the City Council, ex-officio member without vote by appointment of Mayor Young.

Ina Hight, librarian, met with the board reporting again a request for repairs to the ceiling in the DAR museum room. Comic book subscriptions she said she would let expire on a trial basis and there was no objection. The Jaycee Wives, she reported, as a public service were giving about eight hours a week to library work. The story hour they sponsor has a good attendance 64 children reporting one Saturday. Five Jaycee wives work at this. The voluntary service of Miss Bessie Crofoot were also acknowledged.

Mrs. Hight said outside building trim should be painted next spring. She asked the board consider a policy on sick leave for library personnel.

The librarian asked approval of hiring Mrs. Lannen extra hours to do card catalog work, which could not be managed in regular working time. There was no objection.

Attention of the board was directed to a memorial stone for the late Clarence Reed on the lawn beside a tree planted in his memory. This stone was not placed in accordance with instructions (see pg. 64 of preceding minutes) and the librarian was directed to call this matter to the attention of the Garden club president and request appropriate action. Motion was made by Mrs. Williams, supported by Mr. Merritt and carried.

On the matter of sick leave for library employees, the board asked Mrs. Hoch to inquire what policy the city followed on this matter for its employees and report before this group took action.

The library janitor asked that city owned equipment be made available for shredding leaves on the lawn. Mrs. Hoch was asked to inquire of the city council if a general policy could be adopted on making such equipment as mowing machines etc. more available.

Moved by Mr. Merritt and supported by Mrs. Williams that the librarian be authorized to issue a warrant to pay Joe Grostic not to exceed $940 (the amount of his bid) for redecorating the reading room. Motion carried.

Mrs. Hoch was asked to convey to the city council the request that more young maple trees be made available for planting at the library next spring, particularly along Grand Rive Ave.

Inspection was made of the ceiling in the DAR museum room with the chairman asked to invite a competent carpenter to give recommendations and cost estimates.

Chairman Krieger appointed Leslie Merritt to communicate with the newly-elected city charter commission in regard to library financing and board membership. A five-member board with staggered terms is to be recommended, anad the suggestion given that financing be from the regular city budget instead of the present one-mill tax supplemented by a three-quarter mills from the city's general fund.

Mrs. Hoch asked the reaction of the board to a suggestion a portion of the library lawn be made available for a proposed building for city recreation activities. Consensus of opinion was board members were open to a conviction of such a necessity but did not like the idea. Deeds and previous action regarding policies or buildings and grounds