Library Gets Less Money From State

Archbold Community Library will receive $6,000 less from the State of Ohio this year. The reduction is due to fewer students enrolled in the Archbold School District.

In Ohio, tax money distributed to public libraries is calculated according to the number of students in a school district.

Joyce Klingelsmith, library director, told library board members about the reduction during the Monday, Jan. 28 meeting. She said the library year-end carryover for 2007 was $39,685.64, compared to $82,959 in 2006. During 2007 the library recorded large expenditures that included new carpet and floor covering for the building.

Klingelsmith said Richard Palmer, who resides in Florida, plans to add money to a fund honoring his mother, the late Carolyn Palmer. Donations to the memorial fund are used to purchase books for children.

Following an executive session "closed-door" meeting, board members returned and approved a temporary custodian wage. Tim Myers is being employed for February as an independent contractor. He will receive $12.50 per hour, temporarily replacing GloraBelle Yoder.

Library Usage

Klingelsmith said during 2007 the library community room was used 35 times in addition to library programs. Twelve donations were accepted to Carolyn Palmer Fund; 1,929 children attended 160 story hour/story time sessions, 265 attended after school and All Join In programs; 150 attended the summer reading kick-off; and the total attendance for the summer program was 825 children.

Personal computers were used by 890 people, almost double the number in 2006. The Ellison machine and dies were used by 413 people.

Wireless Internet service was added to the library for patrons with laptops, and three circulation computers were replaced in 2007.

The next board meeting is Monday, March 17, 7 p.m. in the history room.- Sharon Taylor