Call to Order: President Betty Martin called the meeting to order at 9:01. There were 62 in attendance. The minutes of the June, 2003 meeting were presented for approval. Annie Busch made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Carrie Cline seconded. The motion passed, all aye, no nays, no abstentions.
Treasurer's Report: Paul White presented the treasurer's report. The current balance is $11,016.35 before conference expenses have been paid.
President's Report: Betty Martin asked for volunteers for the nominating committee. Jackie Thomas and Eva Dunn agreed to serve as the nominating committee. Betty Martin requested that the group approve the nomination of Annie Busch and Margaret Conroy to the MOREnet Council. Carolyn Trout so moved. Dolores Turner seconded, and the motion passed, all ayes, no nays, no abstentions.
Upcoming Meetings: The next meeting will be June 3rd , and 4th, 2004 at the Ramada Inn in Joplin. The rate will be $54.00 and anyone using a tax exempt letter will need to present it at check-in. The December 2nd and 3rd, 2004, meeting will be at the Inn of the Grand Glaize in Osage Beach.
Old Business: None
New Business: Annie Busch informed the group that Springfield-Greene is working on a customer satisfaction survey that could possibly be used as a statewide standard. She requested that interested libraries contact her. More information regarding the process will be posted to the MPLD website. Sallie Hancox introduced a discussion regarding the assessment of business personal property which has the potential of affecting revenues of fire districts, schools, and public libraries statewide. Legislation was introduced during the last legislative session to address the problems of business personal property assessment. Examples of business personal property, include equipment, furniture, computers and inventory. Business personal property should be valued at the price for which it will sell as a unit to a purchaser who would continue the business. Due to pilferage, obsolescence, damage or other issues, the market value of inventory may be less than its book value. The assessed value of the business personal property may differ from the price for which it could be sold. There appears to be some manufacturing firms whose business personal property is grossly under-assessed. This has a negative impact on tax supported entities, and on smaller firms who may have higher assessments. Sallie Hancox asked the group to consider the following position statement on the issue.
"The Missouri Public Library Directors support legislative efforts to find a means to assess business personal property that will be equitable to all businesses."
Margaret Conroy moved and Carolyn Trout seconded the motion that the statement be accepted. Betty Martin asked for discussion. After some discussion, the following amendment to the statement was made.
"The Missouri Public Library Directors support legislative efforts to find a means to assess business personal property that will be equitable to all businesses, and not be detrimental to tax supported entities."
Margaret Conroy accepted the amendment to her motion. Melissa Carr moved and Rebecca Wilcox seconded that the position statement be accepted as presented with the amendment. The motion passed, all ayes, no nays, no abstentions. Annie Busch informed the group that there may be a possibility for an underground storage site in Springfield that would be available for "the last copy in the state" storage for other libraries if there were any interest.
Announcements: Margaret Conroy congratulated Karen Haydn on her completion of her MLS, and Jan Johnson on the Daviess County Library being awarded the Beta Phi MU Award at MLA. The group was also reminded to remember that nominations for MLA awards are due July 1st. Betty Martin asked members to send any requests or ideas for upcoming programs to Judy Beatty. Paul White reminded the members of the book truck, and also that there were new book talk titles available for loan from Mid-Continent. Betty Martin thanked Paul and Mid-Continent for the book truck.
Adjournment: Betty Martin asked if there was any more business to be brought before the group. Hearing none, she requested a motion for adjournment. Ray Hall made the motion to adjourn, Rebecca Wilcox seconded the motion, and the motion passed, all ayes, no nays, and no abstentions. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted in the absence of the secretary Susan McBeth, by
Judy Beatty, Vice-President