Technology classes prove popular at library

Little Feat
from left: Gabe Ford, Kenny Gradney, Fred Tackett, Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Bill Payne.
Little Feat from left: Gabe Ford, Kenny Gradney, Fred Tackett, Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Bill Payne.

The technology classes are popular at the Moniteau County Library.

A senior and veterans class on laptops finished up this week. And it will be repeated in the spring. A class on using smartphones is planned in the future. And a course will be scheduled in Jamestown.

The library board met Oct. 18 and was pleased with the reception of the technology classes. Board members also were glad to hear 30 new library cards were issued in September and 25 have been issued so far in October.

Director Connie Walker said the application for Summer Reading Program grants through the state library are due Nov. 16. The theme for 2019 is about space. And programs with school partnerships, like Moniteau County Library did in 2018, will have a priority in the grant consideration.

The board learned moisture abatement work in the basement should begin by the first of November.

The board also discussed a preliminary 2019 budget, based only on anticipated tax levy revenues. Grants, donations and Friends of the Library support would not be budgeted but put to use as it comes in.

The budget committee estimated 97 percent of the potential tax revenue would be about $232,000.

Changes to the budget over this year include a line item for staff continuing education and separating digital media from the technology line item and adding it to library materials. They also have included funds to cover some form of Internet "hot spots" in the county areas, when they get to that project.

Library staff currently are reviewing samples of automation systems to replace the current system, which was designed for public school libraries.

The board will next meet at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15.