Board Meeting minutes –  02/14/2022
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am.
Member Roll Call: Present were John Shewalter, Dave Ochenreider, Brian Shoemake, Kameron Mitchell, and Shanna Gibbons. Guests present were Leo Blundo, Alysha Wogee, and members of the public. Michelle Nelson from the District Attorney’s office was attending via telephone conference.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments: the chair wished all a Happy Valentines’ Day and thanked everyone for their attendance.
Approval of the Agenda: Item 7 (Emergency Items) was stricken from the agenda. Brian Shoemake moved to approve the agenda for February 14, 2022. Dave Ochenreider seconded the motion. The agenda was approved by a 4-0 vote.
General Public Comment:
Allen Michaels – thanks to the library staff. Concerned about the lack of lighting at the tables on the other side of the room. Recommended purchasing green, banker-type lamps. Would like to see an organization “Friends of the library” instituted.
Bruce Shoenberger – Donated comic books for children published by the American Legion. Also, discussed flag etiquette vis-a-vis wearing flag themed garments.
C.J. Stevens – Stated her complaints concerning the timing of her public comments. Questioned why actions were not taken on suggestions given for finding a director. Clarifications from the DA’s office were given to the Board concerning public comments.
Eileen Fisher – Stated her concerns regarding the need for a director and the negative impact some public comments may have had on finding one.
Bill Carns – Thanked the library for accepting his donation from last week.
Carolene Logue – Read from trustee manual concerning a library board’s responsibilities to the public. Read from a letter to the editor in a publication that she felt was misleading and hoped the views stated were not those of the Board.
Janet Ufheil – Stated she has seen here why it is so difficult to find volunteers and thanks the Board for their service.
Shanna Gibbons – Responding to an earlier comment, she realizes that the tables are dark and the library has been looking into those same lamps. Also, the Friends of the Library disbanded a few years before the pandemic. It was hard to keep it staffed, but she is open to restarting it if there are enough people to staff it.
Kathleen O’Connor – Distressed to see and hear comments made at these meetings.
Leo Blundo – Stated that no matter what side of the issue you are on concerning the Board and the search for a Director, all of the negative comments are found by Googling the Pahrump Library. Looking at those begs the question why would anyone want to come here for a job?
Samuel Jones – In the past, people didn’t have all the degrees. They learned through common sense. We must, as Americans work together to keep the library available.
Diane Marie Holguin-Brooks – Stated she saw the behavior at the last meeting and was not happy with it. All Americans must follow the righteous path. We must respect everyone.
Jim Studer – Thanked the Board for correcting the mistakes from last June’s meeting.
Approval of the Minutes: Brian Shoemake made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 10, 2022 Library Board of Trustees meeting. Kameron Mitchell seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 4 – 0.
Presentation Treasurer’s Report: Shanna Gibbons presented the treasurer’s report on expenditures and revenues for January 2022. She reported that the CPA has been working on the 2021 financial statement and she will post it on the website when she receives it. He is also working on the budget paperwork so she can go over it for next year. She is working with the county treasurer’s office concerning certain revenue reporting.
Approval of Payment Vouchers: Brian Shoemake made a motion to approve the payment vouchers for the period of January 2022 to February 2022. The motion was seconded by Kameron Mitchell. The approval was made by a 4-0 vote and the vouchers were signed.
Presentation Librarian’s Report: Shanna Gibbons reported on the January 2022 library activities, which included patron traffic, books checked out books returned, internet usage, story time, STEAM, website usage, and materials added. See attached report. There was a blood drive and 28 units were collected. A volunteer tax group Nevada Free Taxes Coalition is here for free tax preparation. She reported that there will be an electronics only recycling event in March.
General Public Comment:
Gene Fisher – He said agitators don’t give up. As a public paid official, harassment is part of life. However, now it appears there is a new breed of agitators who are attacking volunteers. He would like to donate a set of DVDs called the Defense of the Constitution produced by the Patriot Academy.
Bruce Schoenberger – Commended the Board. Continue to search for a qualified director.
Diane Marie Holguin-Brooks – Stated the Director must have a Master of Library Science.
C.J. Stevens – Complained that the Board members are the least qualified of those who applied for the position. The Library Board is not a training ground to learn the position and the Board is not up to speed.
Carolene Logue – Commended the library staff on their work. Stated the Board has the responsibility to provide public disclosure of library funds. She wants financial reports at every meeting to include year-to-date figures.
Bill Carns – Thanks for a job well done to the staff. Would like to help with fund raising if needed.
Candace Hunt – It seems library usage is trending upwards. Would like to know what forms of community outreach we do. Would like a survey that could be reported on.
Leo Blundo - Donations, board meeting attendance, and community awareness of what is occurring at the library are all increasing. This is a good trajectory for the library.
Trustee, Director, and Liaison Comments:
Leo Blundo – Suggested to add an agenda item to the Board of County Commissioners meetings to include a report by the Chairman of the Library Board.
John Shewalter – There is a plan for an agenda item for the next meeting concerning the Director position. It is being worked on by the DA’s office.
Meeting adjourned at 11:03 am.

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