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Board hears progress report on boilers, HVAC controls, RFID tag issues and digital‑content costs
Summary
Library staff reported progress on the building’s boiler and control upgrades, dispatched parts to address RFID checkout problems and said staff will bring Hoopla/streaming alternatives to the August meeting for budget consideration.
Library staff updated trustees on a set of facilities and technology items that affect operations and patron service.
Jennifer Loffel reported that contractors have been working on the building boilers and that an air chiller and remaining chiller work are scheduled for installation this fall; Johnson Controls (JCI) control upgrades are largely complete but staff training and final control configuration will follow once the boilers and chiller are installed. Staff warned that without local staff trained on the new controls, response to environmental problems can be delayed until JCI or other vendor personnel are available.
On RFID, staff said many of the tags in Franklin’s collection are 15–19 years old. The vendor dispatched stronger pads/antenna and planned an on‑site installation; a technician from an out‑of‑state office will be brought in to address long‑standing checkout/tag‑read failures. For the self‑checkout pads, staff said upgraded antennas are required to reliably read older tags.
On digital content, staff said the hoopla subscription cost is under review and the library will present alternatives at the August meeting, including expanding Libby Advantage and Lucky Day collections and reallocating existing funds. The board discussed the tradeoffs of continuing Hoopla at current rates versus augmenting other e‑content offerings.
Trustees also reviewed the LED lighting quote and a capital request for matching carpeting; staff said they would return with cost estimates and recommendations for which items would be city expenses and which would be library expenses.
