Fannin County Library Board holds quarterly meeting

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – At the quarterly meeting of the Fannin County Public Library (FCPL) Board Thursday, Jan. 25, Branch Librarian Andrew Vickers reported total circulation is up 6 percent at the library and attendance is up 2 percent overall during the second quarter of the 2017-18 fiscal year, which spanned the months of October through December.

Specifically, Vickers stated audiobook downloads saw a 44 percent increase from last year’s second quarter while eBook downloads were up 11 percent and physical book circulation saw a 10 percent increase. Vickers did note, however, that slight decreases occurred in the categories of juvenile, easy reading, adult non-fiction and audiobook checkouts.

In his financial report, Vickers reported the library received three monetary donations during the quarter. In November, the library received a $200 donation from the Fannin’s Women Democratic Party, and in December, Fannin County resident Linda McDonough donated $500 to the library. The Friends of the Fannin County Public Library also donated $2,018 during the quarter. Vickers also stated the current funding balance for the library stood at just over $9,500 at the end of the second quarter.

Vickers also announced the recent hiring of a new part-time library staff member, Michael Lavery, and spoke highly of his performance during the last month since joining the library staff. Two new county trustees to the local library board, Kathy Tickner and Steven Miracle, were announced and introduced by Vickers during the meeting. Two other trustee seat positions from the city of Morganton remain vacant.

Vickers reported that he, along with library staff member Darcy Arnell, recently met with Sarah Welch, the literacy coach for Fannin County Schools, in an effort to collaborate with the school system on ideas to help promote early childhood literacy throughout the county.

Concerning future library events, Vickers announced the upcoming return of Reuben Haller (aka The Cat in the Hat) will take place Tuesday, March 13, at 11 a.m. in celebration of the 114th birthday of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), which is March 2.

Also during the meeting, Mountain Regional Library System (MRLS) Director Vince Stone reported the Fannin County Board of Commissioners recently approved the library’s budget, which allows for a cost-of-living raise for librarians at FCPL in the total amount of $4,500. Stone also noted the upcoming MRLS quarterly meeting will take place this quarter in Fannin County in the commissioner’s meeting room on the first floor of the courthouse Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m.

 

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