Unicoi County Public Library board approves policies, elects officers and awards $200 staff holiday bonus

Cathy Griffith, president of the Unicoi County Public Library Board of Trustees, called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. Nov. 23 in Erwin and led trustees through routine business including approvals of minutes and the financial report.

Director Morgan Olson reported that the East Tennessee Foundation awarded the library $10,000 to help replace income lost when the Apple Festival was canceled and to cover fee waivers for flood victims. Olson said Unicoi County also received a Broadband Ready Communities Grant that will enable the library to purchase five laptops, 10 tablets and four Kindle devices for public circulation; staff will draft a circulation policy and consult other libraries about whether lending should be free or fee-based. The library has applied for the Storybook Trail Plot Twist grant from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation to repair and possibly update the trail, Olson added. Recent and upcoming programs include a homeschool "egg drop" conducted with Erwin Fiber, a monthlong "Dinovember" series, a Shop Small Market selling donated crafts, and a Gingerbread Building Competition on Dec. 7 with Santa visiting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jennifer Breuer, director of the Holston River Regional Library, told trustees about regional holiday closures, customizable local training for libraries and a digitization pilot for special collections that will provide digital copies to the state and to item owners through qualifying organizations.

In personnel and staffing updates, Olson said several staff attended book-repair training and that Allison Fredericks has been offered the Adult Coordinator position to oversee the adult room, collection and programming.

On governance and finances, the board unanimously approved the minutes of the Oct. 24 meeting and the October 2024 financial report after Director Olson noted the budget is on target overall though slightly over in children’s room repairs, books and materials.

During new business, trustees completed annual policy reviews and approved both the Collection Development Policy and the Internet Policy as submitted. The board also elected officers for the coming year: Cathy Griffith as president, Gail Snodgrass as vice president, Jan Bowden as treasurer and Andy Frazier as secretary; the slate was approved unanimously.

The board discussed a holiday bonus for staff. Olson initially proposed a $100 bonus per staff member; after discussion trustees approved a $200 bonus for all staff, including Olson. The motion passed unanimously.

Grants and foundation business were also reported. Griffith said the Toney Foundation appointed Jack Bishop to its board; Bishop, an operations manager at Keller Williams, is facilitating an initial $35,000 donation with smaller recurring contributions planned. The Toney Board also heard from Austin Finch of the Economic Development Board about a possible easement affecting library property; Griffith said the matter will require further review with the Town of Erwin.

Trustees noted a donation of cleaning supplies and other items from the regional Disaster Assistance location at Bristol Motor Speedway, reviewed the annual report and briefly discussed a letter campaign. Meeting minutes were signed by Andy Frazier, secretary; the meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Unicoi County Public Library.

Votes at a glance: Approve Oct. 24 minutes — motion by Jan Bowden, second Stana Donnelly; approved unanimously (5-0). Approve Oct. 2024 financial report — motion by Stana Donnelly, second Andy Frazier; approved unanimously (5-0). Approve Collection Development Policy — motion by Andy Frazier, second Stana Donnelly; approved unanimously (5-0). Approve Internet Policy — motion by Gail Snodgrass, second Stana Donnelly; approved unanimously (5-0). Elect slate of officers — motion by Stana Donnelly, second Cathy Griffith; approved unanimously (5-0). Approve $200 holiday bonus — motion by Stana Donnelly, second Gail Snodgrass; approved unanimously (5-0).