Unless otherwise noted

Monthly Meetings of the
Barryton Public Library Board
Are held the 3rd Friday of each month
At 1:00pm at Barryton Public Library
198 Northern Ave, Barryton Mi 49305
989-382-5288

Barryton Public Library

PO Box 215

Barryton, Michigan 40305

Library Board Meeting

January 16, 2026

Minutes

Board Members in Attendance:  Ellen Shanafelt, Nancy Mohr, (tele-conference) Chris Decator, Debra Willis-Lynch, Roverta Coon present and Linda Myers (facetime)

Meeting called to order at 1:03 p.m.  Motion to adopt the agenda made by Roverta, seconded by Debra.

All ayes, no nays, motion carried.

Income since our November Meeting: 

Bank interest $669.72 (Nov./Dec.) Donations:  Chippewa Lake Mecosta Lions-$200.00,  Audrey Dubois $200.00, ,  Millage:  Fork Twp. $13,407.64  MET funds $6,500.00

Motion made by Nancy to approve the November 2025 Secretary report, seconded by Ellen.

 All ayes, no nays,  motion carried.

Public in attendance:  Joe Bueche.  Correspondence:  None

Director's Report:  December 6th Santa visited about 80 kids at the library. Everything went very smoothly. Audrey and the Lions Club have given to the library for years and we appreciate it very much. 

It has been a challenging winter.  Extra work was needed to keep the roof free of ice, and a power outage at the library for 3 and 1/2 days.  Thanks to Coley for getting on the roof and getting all the snow off, and getting the ice out of the gutters.

Point Broadband came and installed a new modem.  It works better but is finicky about power outages.  Point Broadband tech support suggested we buy a battery backup/surge protector (cost $82.00).

One computer at the Chippewa Branch quit working. We will not replace it but will take one from Barryton if needed.

The Annual Report has been submitted to the Library of Michigan.

Motion made by Ellen to approve the Director's report, seconded by Nancy.

All ayes, no nays, motion carried.

Action Items:  Motion made by Ellen to pay check # 13233-13306  for (11-19-25-1/16/26) plus EFT's in the amount of $26,358.05 by Debra. 

All ayes, no nays, motion carried.

Other Business:  A discussion was held regarding increasing the duration of DVD rentals.  Patrons can keep them 2 days instead of 1 for the cost of $1.00.   The Board discussed holiday pay.

Next Meeting:  Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m.

Motion to adjourn made by Debra, seconded by Roverta.    All ayes, no nays, motion carried.

Nancy Mohr

Co-Secretary

Barryton Public Library

Board Minutes

November 21, 2025

Members in attendance:  R Coon (via phone), C Decator, N Mohr, L Myers, D Willis-Lynch and E Shanafelt.

• Meeting called to order at 1:01 by Chair E Shanafelt.
• Adoption of Printed Agenda:  Motion by D Lynch, Seconded by R Coon.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Motion to approve Secretary’s Report by N Mohr, Seconded by D Lynch.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Correspondence:  Audit for 2025 has been returned.  Results are the Library’s financial status remains healthy.
• Public Participation:  L Myers reported on the LOVE INC organization currently being formed in Mecosta County.  LOVE INC is a collaboration of the County’s Churches and provides assistance for people in need while encouraging them to become responsible for their needs.
• Director Marcia provided the Board with her report:

The Library has received $7000 in donations since the last meeting.

The CD was renewed for 4% which will bring in $4000 in interest over next year.

Invoice has been sent to County for the flooring we had installed.  Check should be forthcoming.

A bank account for Barryton’s Old Fashion Christmas has been set up outside the Library’s accounts.

Library is hosting Santa and approximately 150 children on December 6 for Old Fashion Christmas.

An amended budget is being presented for directors’ vote for the current fiscal year due to additional income and additional expenses. As you peruse the financial statement you will notice the extra charges that occurred in this last month.

Monthly usage for adult and juvenile books has also increased from last year.

• Motion by C Decator to approve the Director’s Report, Seconded by D Lynch.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Motion by R Coon to pay the bills, noting the increased expenditures included the new flooring, change of insurance carrier and Christmas gifts for the Old Fashion Christmas.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Motion by C Decator to amend the 2025 budget from $180,450 to $189,950.  Seconded by D Lynch.  The Donation line item and the MET funds were increased in Revenues and the Insurance for the buildings, Library programs, Misc expenses, Public Utilities, electric, and MET funds flooring project were increased in expenses.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Motion was made to Adjourn at 1:35 PM by D Lynch and Seconded by C Decator.  6 Ayes, ) Nays.

There will be no December meeting.

• Next meeting will be January 16 at 1PM.

Respectfully submitted:

Linda Myers, Co-Secretary

Barryton Public Library

Minutes for October 17, 2025 Meeting

Members in Attendance:  R Coon, C Decator, L Myers, D Willis-Lynch.  Via Phone:  N Mohr and E Shanafelt.

• Meeting called to Order at 12:57 by Vice Chair C Decator.
• Adoption of printed Agenda:  Motion by D Lynch, Seconded by R Coon.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Motion to approve Secretary’s Report by N Mohr, Seconded by D Lynch.
• Correspondence:  Insurance Bid from Fremont Insurance Company for $3724 which was $91. less than Decker Insurance quote.  However, it did not offer as many benefits as the Decker Insurance.
• Public Comment:  None
• Committee Reports:  None
• Information Items:  Director’s Report:

Flooring project provided by MET funds is complete

Door chime has been installed on Chippewa Library door and plans to put one on Barryton door.  Cost under $15. for each.

Marcia attended a webinar regarding opening an Amazon Business account tailored for Libraries and has opened an account.

Library has an old copier that needs to find a new home.  Checked resale and worth nothing.  If anyone knows who needs one, have them get in touch with Library.  It still works.

We will wait till next month to amend the budget after the new flooring bill is obtained.

The Library will be accepting checks from businesses this year to pay for the village Christmas festivities.  This will only be a one time accepting of checks for something other than Library business.  All check deposits will be clearly marked as Christmas festivity events.  In the past the bank has accepted checks made out to Christmas Festivities, but will no longer do so.

Library total usage is up 4% this month.

• Motion by E Shanafelt to approve Director’s Report, Seconded by N Mohr.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.
• Other Business:  D Willis-Lynch announced Faith United Methodist Church is closing in December after 129 years.  They are gifting the Library with $1000.
• Motion to pay the bills was made by R Coon and Seconded by D Lynch.  6 Ayes and 0 Nays.  They included checks #13145 – 13178 plus EFT’s = $ 13927.05
• Motion to Accept the Decker quote for Library Insurance was made by E Shanafelt and Seconded by C Decator.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays.

The Next Meeting is set for November 21, 2025 at 1PM

• Meeting adjourned at 1:31 PM by Motion from C Decator and Seconded by E Shanafelt.  6 Ayes, 0 Nays. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Myers, Co-Secretary