MINUTES ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HICKORY COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

 

The combined January and February meetings of the Hickory County Library Board was held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 10 am in the Hickory County Library Local History Room, at the Hickory County Library, 18376 New Hermitage Drive, Hermitage, Missouri, 65668.

President, Shelly Aubuchon called the meeting to order at 10 am

Attendance was taken via the expense voucher with the following present: President, Shelly Aubuchon, Vice-President, Ernest Jenkins; Secretary. Eleanora Smith; Library Administrator, Stacy Coulsell; Treasurer, Brenda Charles and Trustee Kevin Bolling.

The minutes of the last board meeting and today’s agenda were read. Ernest Jenkins made a motion to accept the agenda as is Kevin Boling seconded and the motion carried unanimously. ,

Library Administrator Stacy Coulsell presented her monthly Administrator’s Report.  While informing the Board that “Libby” has replaced “Overdrive” She handed out little cards that assist patrons to easily walk the installation of the “Libby” to browse, borrow and starting reading books online. The library website has been updated to accommodate and include “Mango”. This is a program offering free language learning through Mango Languages with your library card, expanding access to new cultures and to learn over thirty different languages including sign language.

The library is once again accepting book donations. The preschool story hour continues. A job fair was held at the library in December. The library hosted a Kids Winter Read Challenge “Ten Snowflakes” punch card with a book giveaway with prizes. Stacy is working on scheduling another Crochet class. A second puzzle swap was held with a number of left over puzzles remaining. got an extended amount of time. Mahjong is coming to a library near you. The library hopes to display another local artist’s work in the near future. Bingo, board games, and more punch cards are some of the options Stacy continues to make plans for Please check with and follow the Hickory County Library Facebook page for upcoming events. There are still free books for kids to be given away.

New library cards were reported at 15 new cards for December with a total of 191 for the 2025 year. A 2025-year-end total for library services hit 35,969. New library cards for January was reported at 21 new cards with a total of 2,940 library services used.

The balance for January 2026 was $ 194,139.16

Ernest Jenkins moved to accept the December Financial Reports as presented, Kevin Bolling seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Eleanora Smith moved to accept the January Financial Reports as presented. Ernest Jenkins seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

 

President’s Report was submitted by Shelly Aubuchon. She wished to thank the Friends of the Library for representing the library at the “Light Up The Lake” ceremonies. The art exhibit by local artist, Catherine Reeves, was awesome to see some of our local talent on display.

Under Library Association: The Annual USDA report is due by February 28th.

Under Friends of the Library – The Friend of the Library held their monthly meeting Monday, February 9th with a guest speaker

Under Old Business: The library was closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day December 24th and 25th as well as Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. The library was also closed January 24th, 26th and 27th due to extremely dangerous weather and hazardous traveling conditions. The quarterly balance report was distributed and reviewed. Kevin Boling made a motion to accept the Quarterly Balance Report. Eleanora Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Funds were approved and moved from the contingency fund to cover insurance costs. The 2026 Fiscal Year Budget was approved by the Board. A cost -of -living raise was approved by the Board for library employees as well as for the Library Administrator.

The library is still searching for one more new home somewhere at a location in Hickory County, for a “Lil Library.” The “Lil Library” and the books are provided by the Hickory County Library. This is a book swap type of library. You take a book; you bring a book to swap.

Under New Business – The Equalization and Athlete & Entertainers report is due February 15th. Monies from the Equalization account are being earmarked for new computers and “Kanopy” which is a free movie streaming ap that will be available through your public library.

The library will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of President’s Day.

The next meeting is to be on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 10:00am

Having no further business and hearing no public comment, Brenda Charles moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 am, Ernest Jenkins seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Eleanora L Smith, Secretary