The Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System’s recent board meeting covered, among other items, the approval of its amended budget for the current fiscal year, grants that were given for hiring digital literacy personnel and services, the announcement that there is a free program focused on mind and movement at all branches, funds that are available to update Story Trail, FEMA’s role in helping rebuild Riverside Park and the new personnel committee members.
Amber Westall Briggs, director of the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System reported and the board approved the amended budget of $911,038 in revenues and $911,038 in disbursements.
“When I have told everyone that we’re in the best financial position we could possibly be in as a regional system, it is true. We are receiving the most state aid we’ve received in over 12 plus years,” Briggs said.
To save on costs and since Yancey County has additional funding for materials, the regional office was able to adjust funds for library materials from $70,000 to $54,000, Briggs said.
Briggs said she has lowered costs in tech support but needed to increase general tech software support. She also increased internet service expenses slightly to $3,000 due to potentially rising costs.
They have also amended marketing as a line item with advertising which is included in the budget of $8,000. Retirement benefits increased slightly, but outreach van operation was lowered.
When asked, Briggs said that Spruce Pine has applied to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to assist in rebuilding Riverside Park.
“We are hoping to have that (Riverside Park) replaced with FEMA funds. The library system is also paying attention to that and seeing if we can be able to assist with that too,” said Briggs.
Part of the budget included grants from the Watauga County - High Country Council of Governments and the Dogwood Health Trust that enables the regional library system to be a digital hub.
“Jennifer Sword is the digital literacy librarian, and she will be visiting each of our libraries within the regional system, but she will also be visiting and collaborating with people from other counties in a larger hub, as well as creating community networks,” Briggs said.
The regional office has also hired Finn Havercamp as a part-time assistant to Jennifer Sword. He was hired with grant money received from Dogwood Health Trust, which is part of the digital inclusion grant, to help Sword distribute services, and teach classes, Briggs said.
A free “Reconnect, Heal and Thrive with Community Healing Basics” program is being offered through July at all four regional libraries.
The program offers breath work, yoga, emotional processing, and mindful practices. For dates, locations and to sign up contact your local branch. The program is organized by Lori Harrison and Nicole Rogers.
The regional office received and is setting aside $2,708 for a butterfly garden at Story Trail once Riverside Park is rebuilt.
Since Yancey County board members have not been attending meetings, Briggs said that the office needed to create a new personnel committee. The committee is responsible for giving employee reviews and it is time for them to review Briggs’ job performance. The new personnel committee includes Josh Smith who is from Avery County, Harley Masters from Mitchell County and Luther Stroup, from Spruce Pine.
The regional office will be interviewing for a young-adult librarian position. The position, Briggs said, which the regional office has always wanted to provide, will help with meeting the needs of kids who are 8 to 12 years old and young adults aged 13 to 18.
“We really want to provide programming at all of the libraries for that specific age group,” Briggs said.