Pioneer Memorial Library board tables financial reports while records are reviewed

Pioneer Memorial Library’s financial reports were tabled at the Board of Trustees’ Oct. 20 meeting after staff found discrepancies while working in QuickBooks. The reports will return to the board after transactions have been reviewed and reconciled.

Six of the seven trustees attended. Courtney Ress was absent. The board approved the minutes from its Sept. 15 meeting and payroll. It held the financial reports for further review after the accounting system failed to reconcile several transactions, requiring staff to check that all activity had been recorded correctly.

The board also considered changes to the library’s certificates of deposit. F&M Bank currently offers the best rate and holds the library’s largest CD. Trustees approved moving one CD from Outdoor Bank to Adams Bank and Trust. Kyle abstained from that vote because of his employment with Outdoor Bank. The board also approved changes to the library’s signature cards.

The library’s fountain remained a topic of discussion as trustees considered a proposal to renovate it. The fountain is a well-loved feature, and the library has received community feedback in support of keeping it. A key challenge is supplying the fountain with softened water, which could require installing a water softener inside the building near the fountain. Trustees discussed possible approaches and how a renovation might restore the feature’s familiar appearance.

Work in the basement is also continuing. The library has installed several acoustic tiles and is seeking quotes for additional panels. The Friends of the Library donated money to help pay for more tiles.

Director Melany Wilks also reported water leaking into the children’s area, with the source still under discussion. She raised concerns about stained sections of carpet in the meeting room. The board heard that the elevator has passed its state inspection and that the library received the state’s approval letter.

Trustees reviewed the library’s 2025 annual report, a 60-page summary of the year’s activities that Melany presented to the board. The report will be provided to the City Council and made available on the library’s website.

The director’s report described a busy schedule of programming and a growing focus on events for adults after work. Melany said the volume of programming will require another employee to help the library manage its activities. The library recently held its first “Booked for Lunch” event of the season, drawing 70 people. Trick-or-treating at the library is planned for Friday, Oct. 30.

Melany also asked trustees to consider closing the library on the Saturday after Christmas. The board indicated it would take up the request at its November meeting.

During communications, trustees noted receiving several thank-you cards and a dozen pastries. The meeting adjourned after the board completed its business.