MEAGHER COUNTY CITY LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013
ATTENDANCE: Library Trustees: Gordon Doig, Leone Michalec, Steve Hicks, Elton Lee,
Gretchen Rader
Library Director: Debbie Benedict
Visitors: Sherry Pritchard, Betsy Hamann, Melinda Vennard, Linda Banks
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Meagher County City Library.
It was moved by Leone, seconded by Steve, and unanimously carried to approve July 9, 2013 meeting minutes as presented.
It was moved by Leone, seconded by Steve, and unanimously carried to approve bills as presented for payment.
Janitor Closet/Office Ventilation
Friends of the Library (Sherry, Betsy, Melinda and Linda) expressed concern over the sewer gas smell evident intermittently in the janitor closet area and other parts of the library.
Linda recently experienced her tongue tingling, lips going numb, nose bleeding and a migraine headache after spending time in the library moving books and spent an entire weekend detoxing. She commented on Debbie’s raspy voice. She mentioned previously recommending air purifiers be placed in various areas throughout the library. She suggested erecting a straw bale house or metal barn on the purchased lot as possibilities to vacant the present building. She asked if HEPA filters were being used and how often air filters are changed. Also, how the building fund is coming along.
Sherry expressed her concern as a volunteer at the library (over 100 hours). She tries to distance herself from large stints of time because after being in the library for a length of time she never feels good – she does not sleep or eat well and is irritable (irritability is a symptom of exposure to toxic gasses). Whatever it costs (and it may cost some money to get an expert – not just the local plumber), she advised the board to act and relayed experience while working at State Farm with lawsuits and the vulnerable position the library is in. Anyone doing an online search on sewer gas could very well open to the same site she did talking about a school in Texas that exploded due to sewer gas/methane. Her concern is that methane can be present - you will not always smell methane until it mixes with other gasses. She researched sewer gas – eye irritation and headaches are primary symptoms and she listed other symptoms which can occur at differing PPM levels. Even at 5 PPM asthma/bronchial symptoms can be present. Sherry compared the situation to her work as a silk screener – your body becomes accustomed and you no longer smell anything, only being bleary-eyed and knowing you don’t feel good. She was present in the library when Steve came in with his meter. Based on the meter’s beeping, something is leaking, what it is, where it is coming from, whether it can be stopped, and what to do when the beeping indicates an unsafe threshold are all questions to be answered. She believes it is a public health and safety issue, not just an employee/volunteer issue. It is a heavy gas and will gravitate to the floor – because of this she advised not doing Books for Babies until it is cleared up. There is also a flammability issue and just answering the phone could create an ignition spark causing anyone inside the library to not make it out.
Melinda expressed the prolonged exposure Debbie and Sandy have in the library spending 4-6 hours or more in the library. This situation needs to be put on the front burner. There is a need to bring in a specialist and the sooner the better. Calling the health department and explaining to them what we want done would not cost money and could provide needed guidance. Providing ventilation via a ceiling fan does not negate the fact there is still a leak which needs to be found.
How an average library smells was discussed. Leone’s visits in one of the remodeled and up-to-date branches in the Washington library district with a top notch filter system triggered a reaction from the smell of the books. Linda expressed library books contain formaldehyde as well as glues, leather, inks. There is also the dust issue anytime you store books. The sewer smell in the library is intermittent. Sometimes you are not going to smell it, but it will have the side effects if present.
Betsy asked if Rooney’s had checked out the situation. The answer was yes and lack of water in the traps could be causing the problem. The biggest problem is identifying where and how the gas is entering and it is not easy to run out and find someone who is an expert. It would be of help to have a gas Geiger counter. Steve used his own $130 instrument which accelerates beeping relative to the strength of the gas it detects. The best he could tell, the gas is in the janitor’s closet but was also detected at the circulation desk and in Debbie’s office. The instrument was zeroed outside but upon entering the library it was at an elevated level, the most significant being at the sink of the janitor closet. Betsy asked if there was an instrument which could be left at the library which would provide a read-out.
The Friends were told one thing they can do to help the library board is not to blow the situation out of proportion, to make sure they have the facts and not to spread information that is not true. Linda responded by saying if people find out this is in the library, they will come to their own conclusions.
Debbie read information about a smoke test which is used to locate the source of leaks as a possible solution.
Planned next steps are: 1) operating the roof vent in the janitor closet, 2) installing a window in the office adjacent to the janitor closet, 3) installing a rubber stopper on the gooseneck of the drain in the janitor closet to prevent gas from entering the room, 4) adjusting the louvers on the air handlers to bring in fresh outside air, and 5) calling the State Industrial Hygienist.
Debbie was asked to contact Judy Murphy, Industrial Hygienist.
Gordon volunteered to research rubber stopper traps and Elton to measure pipe size.
Outside Water Faucet Repair
The situation will require a professional plumber. Gordon agreed to contact Rooney’s.
“Old Ringling House” Painting
This painting was given to the library without condition to be used as a fundraiser. By displaying the painting in the county courthouse, many people will see it. Documentation has been affixed to the back side of the painting for verification purposes.
Budget 13/14
Budget hearings are ongoing and city/county values have been set. Leone will be meeting with Dayna who uses the expenditure notes provided her to answer questions asked by county commissioners. Final budget reports for FY12/13 were accurate.
September/October Training/Vacation Schedule/Library Coverage
Debbie reported Jill will be providing library coverage while she attends:
1) 2013 Story Maker’s Gathering sponsored by Hopa Mountain in Bozeman, September 11-13 and
2) Association for Rural and Small Library Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, September 23-27 paid for by a $1500 scholarship awarded by Montana State Library.
Also while on vacation September 30 through October 4.
It was moved by Steve, seconded by Gretchen, and unanimously carried to give Sherry Pritchard a $150.00 VISA gift card from Dutton State Bank in appreciation for her voluntary service at the library during Debbie’s injury.
Library Representation at Montana Shared Catalog Fall Meeting
Elton agreed to attend the MSC business meeting on September 26 in Helena.
Librarian Report
Debbie provided copies of the Librarian Report, which is on file at the library.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at the library.
There being no further business to discuss, it was moved by Leone, seconded by Gretchen, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Benedict
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013
ATTENDANCE: Library Trustees: Gordon Doig, Leone Michalec, Steve Hicks, Elton Lee,
Gretchen Rader
Library Director: Debbie Benedict
Visitors: Sherry Pritchard, Betsy Hamann, Melinda Vennard, Linda Banks
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Meagher County City Library.
It was moved by Leone, seconded by Steve, and unanimously carried to approve July 9, 2013 meeting minutes as presented.
It was moved by Leone, seconded by Steve, and unanimously carried to approve bills as presented for payment.
Janitor Closet/Office Ventilation
Friends of the Library (Sherry, Betsy, Melinda and Linda) expressed concern over the sewer gas smell evident intermittently in the janitor closet area and other parts of the library.
Linda recently experienced her tongue tingling, lips going numb, nose bleeding and a migraine headache after spending time in the library moving books and spent an entire weekend detoxing. She commented on Debbie’s raspy voice. She mentioned previously recommending air purifiers be placed in various areas throughout the library. She suggested erecting a straw bale house or metal barn on the purchased lot as possibilities to vacant the present building. She asked if HEPA filters were being used and how often air filters are changed. Also, how the building fund is coming along.
Sherry expressed her concern as a volunteer at the library (over 100 hours). She tries to distance herself from large stints of time because after being in the library for a length of time she never feels good – she does not sleep or eat well and is irritable (irritability is a symptom of exposure to toxic gasses). Whatever it costs (and it may cost some money to get an expert – not just the local plumber), she advised the board to act and relayed experience while working at State Farm with lawsuits and the vulnerable position the library is in. Anyone doing an online search on sewer gas could very well open to the same site she did talking about a school in Texas that exploded due to sewer gas/methane. Her concern is that methane can be present - you will not always smell methane until it mixes with other gasses. She researched sewer gas – eye irritation and headaches are primary symptoms and she listed other symptoms which can occur at differing PPM levels. Even at 5 PPM asthma/bronchial symptoms can be present. Sherry compared the situation to her work as a silk screener – your body becomes accustomed and you no longer smell anything, only being bleary-eyed and knowing you don’t feel good. She was present in the library when Steve came in with his meter. Based on the meter’s beeping, something is leaking, what it is, where it is coming from, whether it can be stopped, and what to do when the beeping indicates an unsafe threshold are all questions to be answered. She believes it is a public health and safety issue, not just an employee/volunteer issue. It is a heavy gas and will gravitate to the floor – because of this she advised not doing Books for Babies until it is cleared up. There is also a flammability issue and just answering the phone could create an ignition spark causing anyone inside the library to not make it out.
Melinda expressed the prolonged exposure Debbie and Sandy have in the library spending 4-6 hours or more in the library. This situation needs to be put on the front burner. There is a need to bring in a specialist and the sooner the better. Calling the health department and explaining to them what we want done would not cost money and could provide needed guidance. Providing ventilation via a ceiling fan does not negate the fact there is still a leak which needs to be found.
How an average library smells was discussed. Leone’s visits in one of the remodeled and up-to-date branches in the Washington library district with a top notch filter system triggered a reaction from the smell of the books. Linda expressed library books contain formaldehyde as well as glues, leather, inks. There is also the dust issue anytime you store books. The sewer smell in the library is intermittent. Sometimes you are not going to smell it, but it will have the side effects if present.
Betsy asked if Rooney’s had checked out the situation. The answer was yes and lack of water in the traps could be causing the problem. The biggest problem is identifying where and how the gas is entering and it is not easy to run out and find someone who is an expert. It would be of help to have a gas Geiger counter. Steve used his own $130 instrument which accelerates beeping relative to the strength of the gas it detects. The best he could tell, the gas is in the janitor’s closet but was also detected at the circulation desk and in Debbie’s office. The instrument was zeroed outside but upon entering the library it was at an elevated level, the most significant being at the sink of the janitor closet. Betsy asked if there was an instrument which could be left at the library which would provide a read-out.
The Friends were told one thing they can do to help the library board is not to blow the situation out of proportion, to make sure they have the facts and not to spread information that is not true. Linda responded by saying if people find out this is in the library, they will come to their own conclusions.
Debbie read information about a smoke test which is used to locate the source of leaks as a possible solution.
Planned next steps are: 1) operating the roof vent in the janitor closet, 2) installing a window in the office adjacent to the janitor closet, 3) installing a rubber stopper on the gooseneck of the drain in the janitor closet to prevent gas from entering the room, 4) adjusting the louvers on the air handlers to bring in fresh outside air, and 5) calling the State Industrial Hygienist.
Debbie was asked to contact Judy Murphy, Industrial Hygienist.
Gordon volunteered to research rubber stopper traps and Elton to measure pipe size.
Outside Water Faucet Repair
The situation will require a professional plumber. Gordon agreed to contact Rooney’s.
“Old Ringling House” Painting
This painting was given to the library without condition to be used as a fundraiser. By displaying the painting in the county courthouse, many people will see it. Documentation has been affixed to the back side of the painting for verification purposes.
Budget 13/14
Budget hearings are ongoing and city/county values have been set. Leone will be meeting with Dayna who uses the expenditure notes provided her to answer questions asked by county commissioners. Final budget reports for FY12/13 were accurate.
September/October Training/Vacation Schedule/Library Coverage
Debbie reported Jill will be providing library coverage while she attends:
1) 2013 Story Maker’s Gathering sponsored by Hopa Mountain in Bozeman, September 11-13 and
2) Association for Rural and Small Library Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, September 23-27 paid for by a $1500 scholarship awarded by Montana State Library.
Also while on vacation September 30 through October 4.
It was moved by Steve, seconded by Gretchen, and unanimously carried to give Sherry Pritchard a $150.00 VISA gift card from Dutton State Bank in appreciation for her voluntary service at the library during Debbie’s injury.
Library Representation at Montana Shared Catalog Fall Meeting
Elton agreed to attend the MSC business meeting on September 26 in Helena.
Librarian Report
Debbie provided copies of the Librarian Report, which is on file at the library.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at the library.
There being no further business to discuss, it was moved by Leone, seconded by Gretchen, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Benedict
