MEEKER | Last week, the Meeker Public Library Board held its monthly meeting for August. Board Vice President Keri Grieser, Secretary/Treasurer Toby Leavitt, and member Dan Olson attended in person. Board President John Moffitt attended via Zoom. Board member Michael Cobb was absent from the meeting that evening.
The meeting opened with approval of the agenda and the July 30 minutes, which were amended to clarify Colorado Public Library standards.
During the public comment period, Jennifer Key raised concerns about library planning and finances. She questioned, “How can we talk about the building and redo the building without a strategic plan or a five-year plan, and without really guidelines into what’s wrong with the current building?”
Community member Mary Jo Carroll also spoke, praising the library’s summer reading program.
“The summer reading program was fabulous, my grandkids and I were in here quite a few times. You got lots and lots of children and families in here, and I want to commend the library.”
After public comments, the board approved the July financial reports. Members noted that costs for the planned StoryWalk project may exceed the $6,000 budget due to inflation and rising material prices.
School librarian Amber Garcia reported that students are enjoying the new books at the school libraries. She said she would be spending more time at the middle school library this year and highlighted that students have already checked out books during the first week of school.
Library Director Kristina Selby reported that circulation in July totaled 1,036 checkouts, slightly lower than previous months. She provided programming updates, including weekly storytime and crafts for children every Wednesday at 10 a.m., followed by “Stay and Play” sessions. Other events included a “Make a Thank You Poster” activity for firefighters, outreach readings at The Wing, preschool storytime, and “Library at Lunch” for Meeker High School students on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Selby also announced new library hours starting Sept. 1, 2025: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. She explained, “We have had comments from patrons that they cannot get here before our 5:30 p.m. closure on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We see very few people come in the library past 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Having a consistent schedule throughout the week will make it easier for patrons to remember when we are open.” She added, “We have noticed even patrons that come in regularly have a hard time remembering our hours of operation because of the changing times. A fixed schedule will bring more consistency to the community on when the library is available to them.”
The board then discussed building concerns. Leavitt said, “It isn’t the assessment of the roof that I’m worried about, it is the assessment of the building and a growth project together. We have cracks in the basement in the cement floor large enough to trip people.” Members debated whether to address roof and HVAC upgrades immediately or wait for a broader remodel plan.
The board also discussed trustee appointments. Attorney Glory Schmidt reported on her meeting with Rio Blanco County and Town of Meeker officials. She said, “They seemed incredibly amenable to everything I suggested. So the plan is that I will draft an IGA and have it to board by mid-September, in order to get it to the county and the town by end of September. We really want to memorialize this before the end of the year, and what that looks like is identifying what the qualifications are to be a trustee, what the application process looks like, what the interview process looks like, and ensuring that these things are really set in stone.”
Near the end of the meeting, the board reviewed state requirements for meeting notices. Schmidt explained, “Technically at the beginning of every meeting you guys just have to verbally confirm that the meeting was posted, it must be posted 24 hours before and I do always check your library website just to make sure it’s done 24 hours beforehand. So technically, you’re supposed to be confirming that at the beginning of every meeting.” The board discussed the use of “any other matter” items, with Schmidt noting, “It just gives the board an opportunity or Kristina an opportunity, or me an opportunity just to discuss anything that potentially could not have been put on the agenda due to its time-sensitive nature.”
The board adjourned, setting its next workshop for Sept. 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the library’s community room, with the next regular meeting scheduled for Sept. 24 at the same time and location.