Pioneer Memorial Library approves technology upgrade, 2027 budget

The Pioneer Memorial Library Board of Trustees approved a new digital services platform and its proposed 2027 budget during a brief meeting Tuesday, July 21.

Trustees began the meeting by approving the consent agenda, which included minutes from the June meeting, July financial reports and payroll expenses.

Much of the meeting’s discussion centered on Springshare, a cloud-based platform designed to consolidate several services currently managed through separate applications. Library staff members initially presented the platform in June before returning with a detailed cost comparison.

Director Melany Wilks explained that the library currently spends approximately $8,000 annually on its existing programs and anticipated upgrades. Springshare will cost about $9,500 per year, making the additional expense approximately $1,500 annually.

The platform will combine the library’s website, event calendar, staff scheduling, forms, surveys, program registration and email communication tools. Staff members said the current system often requires information to be entered manually into multiple programs, while Springshare will allow recurring events to be scheduled together and automated emails to be sent to patrons.

Trustees said the additional cost could be justified through reduced staff time, fewer errors and improved communication with library patrons. The library also negotiated a three-year price lock, allowing staff time to transition to the platform and determine how best to use its features.

The changeover will be completed in stages as the library’s existing software agreements expire, reducing the amount of time the library pays for overlapping services. Trustees unanimously approved moving forward with Springshare.

The board also reviewed plans for acoustical panels in the library basement. The approximately $1,800 project will include three 3-foot-by-6-foot panels and six 3-foot-by-3-foot panels mounted beneath the existing ceiling structure.

The panels are intended to reduce echoes and sound reflection in the basement, particularly around the children’s and youth activity area. Board members noted that the improvement should also benefit employees working near the often-busy programming space.

The panels will be positioned around lights, sprinklers and other ceiling fixtures. Board members and library staff expect to handle much of the installation themselves after the materials arrive.

Concrete work outside the library is also expected to move forward after the annual book sale. Weigel Concrete previously indicated the project would be completed before school begins in August.

Under new business, trustees unanimously approved the library’s proposed 2027 budget, which lists total income and expenditures of $707,744.02. That represents an increase of $5,528 from the 2026 budget.

The library’s regular operating budget is projected at $620,744.02. Additional funding is reserved for projects including fountain refurbishment, landscaping, employee insurance needs and potential interior or exterior improvements.

The proposed city tax-supported appropriation is $367,731, an increase of approximately $6,742. Salaries and employee benefits are projected at $468,412.20, an increase of $31,000. The budget includes varying wage increases based on the library’s salary scale and a 15% allowance for potential health insurance increases.

Wilks said the insurance estimate was intentionally conservative because the library will not know its final costs until later in the year. Money included in the budget does not have to be spent, but additional expenses beyond the published amount could require the library and city to republish the budget.

The board also approved banking resolutions for Outdoor Bank and Adams Bank. The resolutions will remove former trustee Patrick Toth from the library’s signature cards and add new trustee Courtney Ress. Farmers & Merchants Bank is making the same update as part of the library’s recently renewed CDARS accounts.

In her director’s report, Wilks said summer learning activities were nearing completion, with children having until July 31 to finish their remaining challenges. Spanish classes will continue through Aug. 6, and staff members are preparing fall programming for children and adults.

Upcoming events include a presentation by historian, author and filmmaker Deb Goodrich on Aug. 5 about Charles Curtis, the first Native American to serve as U.S. vice president. Fall story-time programs will begin Sept. 8, while English as a Second Language classes are scheduled to resume Aug. 27.

Wilks also reported that water entered the children’s room through the west door and window area during a recent severe storm. Colby Glass replaced the emergency exit door’s threshold and sweep and resealed the west windows. Additional mortar sealing around the marble exterior may still be needed.

The library’s annual book sale will be held Monday, July 27, through Saturday, Aug. 1, in the basement. The sale will include books, CDs and other donated materials.