Rust joins Library Board; Ball retained as chairman

DAYTON-The Columbia County Rural Library District (CCRLD) Board of Trustees welcomed newly appointed board member Kevin Rust during the meeting April 17, followed by the voting of the trustees into positions; heard the director's and financial report from Todd Vandenbark; reviewed the policy for employee substance use and abuse, and a portion of the Strategic Plan. Public comment was heard from a full room of attendees before going into executive session to give Vandenbark his performance review.

Last month the County Commissioners appointed Kevin Rust from among seven applicants for the Board of Trustees position previously held by Michele Smith, who had also reapplied. The first order of business was to elect trustees into positions for the next year. All were voted to remain in their current positions, apart from Chuck Beleny, who assumed Smith's position as secretary. Rust nominated Beleny and Sharon Mendel nominated Jay Ball for the Chair position.

The two nominees presented their ideology and position.

Beleny spoke about wanting to work to bring the community back together. He acknowledged that the library is one of the issues causing division and believes that a middle ground can be reached. He also suggested they review the policy which would allow the public to ask questions and not just make comments to facilitate discussion.

Ball spoke about his lifelong use of a library and the importance the resources provided for the community. He presented his leadership background.

The votes determined that Ball would remain the Board Chair, Karin Spann the Vice-Chair, and Mendel the Treasurer.

Vandenbark reported they are currently advertising for a third part-time library page. Attendance for the various programs remains low but they continue to promote them and offer new events like the Flower Garden Program on April 22 and the Open Mic Poetry Slam on April 24. He had a scheduled monthly program at The Club later that week and makes weekly visits to the Senior Center to deliver library newsletters with a selection of books that can be checked out.

The Seed Library offered draws many participants. They are continually adding to their Library of Things which are items that can be checked out like various tools, cookware, a sleeping bag, and even toys.

He purchases new books weekly and promotes them on the library Facebook page, in the weekly newsletter and by featuring them on the website and on display in the library. He also spoke of the recent success of the Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the Library.

Ball acknowledged their hard work and dedication. Vandenbark reported the financials are where they should be for this time of year, though the communication costs are up, and he plans to review the expenses to determine why.

The Board reviewed the employee substance abuse policy that was started last fall adding portions about requiring drug testing in incidents involving an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage while on the premises, if they are issued a moving traffic violation or if there is reasonable suspicion that they are under the influence while on duty.

Additional language was added to require employees to notify superiors of any criminal drug convictions involving the library workplace which would result in disciplinary action including possible termination and/or referral to a substance abuse program.

Also added was the allowance of use of cannabis for medical purposes but the employee must notify superiors and the use of which cannot impede work.

Beleny suggested they send the final draft to their attorney and the insurance provider for review and to inquire about any added liability with the allowing medical marijuana use. The Board also agreed they should also investigate what other entities do to enforce drug testing.

Ball suggested the Board only review Objective One from the Strategic Plan because the meeting was running long. The objective describes meeting the community needs through various programming and outreach. The various programing was highlighted, some well attended, others not. Ball suggested they offer a selection of the leftover books from the Book Sale to the Senior Center. Also proposed was bringing in WorkSource more than once a month for a resume workshop and other job resource help and to promote it more to increase participation.

A Public Engagement Survey is conducted every other year and Vandenbark thought he would do one towards the end of the Summer Reading Program.

Public comments were heard from those in support of the work the library is doing and in concern over the push of objectionable content in books written for minors. Key comments were made by Former Board of Trustees member Tanya Patton who worked to bring a rural library district to the community when the City of Dayton was limited in supporting the library. She continues to be proud of the library and the service it gives to the County, she applauded the Board for standing firm in their position and support of the Freedom to Read, and she expressed confidence in the community to stand behind the library.

Other key comments were made by Paul and Marcene Hendrickson. He expressed frustration over the need to have an open discussion about the concern of the books but that they limited to only making comment with little to no response from the Board. He suggested holding a public forum for open discussion.

Marcene Hendrickson said she was made aware that Vandenbark and Ball attended the Washington Library Association annual conference last month where they presented in a workshop "Our Library Journey" about the community issues facing the CCRLD.

When reviewing the other workshops, she was surprised to see one entitled, "Learnings from the First Drag Queen Story Hour in Wenatchee" where the presenters shared their experience from hosting it and what they would do differently, as well as encouraged libraries to determine if drag story hour is a good fit for their programming.