Library's Interim Director offered two-year contract

DAYTON–The Columbia County Rural Library Board stated Ellen Brigham was offered the Library Director position; heard the director and financial reports; completed the collection development and internet policies; and heard public comment during the February 26 meeting.

Ellen Brigham, who has been in the position of interim library director following the vacancy left by Todd Vandenbark last July, was offered a two-year contract late last month. The board held executive session to address the contract for Brigham. Before adjourning, they announced a special meeting would be held March 3 entirely in executive session to continue discussion on the matter. Library Board Trustee interviews by the Board of County Commissioners are expected this month for Karin Spann's position whose term is ending March 31.

Interim Director Brigham stated the February Family Storytime had a positive attendance of 18 patrons with continued support of books from Friends of the Library and dinner from the hospital catering service. The Seed Library started up for the year with donations of over 800 seed packets from Nancy's Dream Garden in Waitsburg. The library invited author Jeff Burnside to present his biography on Cashup Davis who was one of the original settlers on the Palouse on March 1. a Digital Literacy Program on detecting misinformation with be presented by Taylor Rose who is a writer and journalist from rural Washington, on March 12,

The January financials reflected a beginning balance of $91,746 of which $30,475 was a balance forward from 2023 and $61,270 was from the operating fund. Expenses totaled $21,872 - of that $10,000 was varied library expenses and the rest was for payroll and benefits which left a balance of just under $70,000. One notable library expense of $2,367 was for repairs to the elevator. The remaining expenses were under $1000 each and many were around or under $100. Trustee Karin Spann suggested they investigate whether a maintenance plan is offered for the elevator.

Last meeting, Spann requested an update on safety compliance. Since the departure of Vandenbark the role of safety officer has been left empty. Librarian Charlie Oribio since has stepped up and provided a brief written report to state they are checking and stocking the first aid kits.

Minor amendments were made and accepted for the Collection Policy for a small remaining portion of chapter four and all of five, as well as for the policy for interlibrary loans. Significant additions were made to the Internet Use Policy mainly to address internet safety for children to comply with the Child Internet Protect Act (CIPA). One portion stated that internet filters are only on the computers in the lower level that children have access to.

During public comment this part of the internet policy was questioned citing that both the CIPA and the American Library Association states that all computers should have filters even those used only by staff for the purpose of protecting children from having access to images that are obscene, child pornographic or harmful to minors. Brigham clarified that she thought they filtered the computers upstairs as well but would investigate it.