The Atlantic Public Library’s Board of Trustees met via Zoom Monday evening. During their session, the Board reviewed and approved the library’s revised “Sex Offender against Minors Policy”. According to State law, a sex offender is not allowed on the property – period. The only change to the local policy, was removing the word “Loiter,” because it is redundant.

The Board also discussed future capital improvements. Library Director Michelle Andersen said she thought of some more items to put on their list, as money allows.

(The meeting room, and window shades to eliminate glare on the computer screens are some of the top 5.)

Andersen said she asked her staff what their Top 5 items they’d like to have done, and prioritize their lists. She told them in advance not to include computer cables, because she has already written a grant for that. The big 3 include redoing the OPAC [Online Public Access Catalog] station, a new circulation desk, paint and flooring. A drinking fountain replacement will eventually be in the operating budget – just not this year. The fountain in question has a bit of “Constant dribble.” It doesn’t run onto the floor, but it does tend to run to the drain.

Andersen is applying for various grants to help with some projects, such as the paint and flooring. She told the Trustees that even with generous donations from local organizations, funding is being reduced for their summer programs. She says they will try and live with just a little slimmer budget. She said also Cass County Libraries are exploring together, is the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends an age appropriate book each month to children, until their 5^th birthday. The program will cost an estimated $1,000 to $2,000 the first year. By the time they been in it for 5 to- 6 years, the cost will likely be around $10,000-$12,000.

The program is not to be ready ready until sometime next year.