Board officially names reading room for Wilson

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

Members of the Morris Area Public Library Board Wednesday voted to name the adult reading room after long-time director Pam Wilson. The board also agreed to proceed with redecorating the area too bring it up to date and make it more inviting. "The furniture dates from the early 1970s and it was been re-covered once,” Board member Judy Watters said. Watters said a designer has volunteered to look at the reading room. Another volunteer has agreed to sew the valance. Watters said plans call for purchasing a couch, chairs, tables and lamps and installing blinds on the windows. She added that money was budgeted for the furniture.

Elevator Jim Mies of Otis Elevator explained the new state requirements for elevator. He explained a test, witnessed by an independent third party inspector, and an inspection of the elevator are required annually. Now the test documentation must be submitted to the Illinois Fire Marshal's office, which will then issue a certificate of operation. For the first year, Mies said, the cost is $100 for the certificate and $75 each year after that. Mies said independent inspectors charge $175, plus travel time. Otis, he said, can arrange to have the inspector do four or five elevators in the Morris area in one day, spreading out the travel costs. “This is a lot for one floor,” Alice Klusak said. “Maybe if we had a six-story building.” The board agreed to have the Building Committee review the proposal from Otis to take care of the new requirements. Library Director Kyla Waltermire said the library will have to pay for the test and inspection, when the invoice arrives. The annual tax levy of $671,150 for 2008 taxes, payable in the summer of 2009, was approved. The levy is the amount of tax money the library will need when the taxes are collected next summer. The levy and the district's assessed valuation are used to determine the tax rate that will appear on next summer's bills. The levy is less than a 5-percent increase over last year's extension, so a public hearing was not required. The General Fund levy includes $359,600 for salaries and benefits; $91,500 for utilities and repairs; $108,750 for books, periodicals, audiobooks, videos and music CDs; $9,300 for routine expenses and fees; and $31,300 for improvements and equipment. It also includes $42,000 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, $1,000 for the audit, $2,200 for the liability insurance, $24,000 for Social Security, and $1,500 for Worker's Compensation. The board agreed to lease a new Savin copy machine from McGrath's at a cost of $92 per month, including toner and supplies. Gordon Flesch had the next lowest bid at $110 per month. Waltermire reported Johansen and Anderson's monthly fee for the heating and air conditioning system will go from $222 to $240. The Building Committee will review pest control bids from Orkin of Wilmington, Jim's Pest Control, Quik-Kill and Chuck's Pest Control, all of Morris. The N-Trak Model trains will be in the basement of the library Nov. 19 through Nov. 22. Maggie Smith will teach a wreath-making class Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. The class is limited to 15 people and there is a $10 fee for materials. There are about eight spaces available and registration is required. The library will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. On Saturday, Nov. 29, the library will host Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The board's Personnel Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 to interview applicants for the position of library director. Petitions are available for anyone interested in running for the library board in next April's election. Waltermire reported four seats will be filled. The six-year terms of Klusak and Judy Watters expire. Four-year terms held by appointed members Tom Talarico and Sam Wilcock will also be filled. Theresa Panzica was absent from Wednesday's meeting.learns about state's new testing, inspection requirements for elevators