Westchester Public Library director Phil Baugher told Library Board members Thursday he wants to take the heat off computers there.

Literally.

Baugher said with 34 computers in Thomas Library’s adult public computer area --- an interior room with limited ventilation --- as the temperatures heat up outside, so does the computer room.

The same thing occurs in the computer server room as well, said the director.

To protect the computer equipment and ensure the comfort of the people who use it, Baugher recommended hiring a consultant later this year to design a way to do that, possibly locating a dedicated air-conditioning unit on the roof.

Among other projects laid out in WPL’s proposed 2011-2013 capital projects fund are installing a new telephone system for the library, making sidewalk repairs, sealcoating and striping parking areas, and installation of updated security systems with security cameras and recording devices.

The library is asking to raise $150,000 annually in each of the three years as a separate CPF levy based on a proposed tax rate of $0.01. An approved CPF plan and rate are in place for 2010.

Baugher said some libraries are rolling their CPF collection capacity into their general fund, but he sees merit to keeping the funds separate at this time.

The Library Board preliminarily approved the extended CPF plan, which now advances to the Westchester Township Advisory Board for review. Baugher said the CPF process keeps the Advisory Board informed of WPL’s plans and activities.

Baugher said he recommends being conservative for now until the fall-out from the state circuit-breaker property tax caps settles this year. While WPL’s impact appears to be minimal if at all, other library sytems are anticipating 50 percent losses or more, it was stated.

Baugher was sympathetic. He recalled how in 2001-2002 WPL was forced to slash service hours, employees and programs to the bone after the former Bethlehem Steel declared bankruptcy and didn’t pay property taxes.

In other business Thursday:

•Members welcomed Nick Tilden to the WPL board, who was recently appointed by the Duneland School Board.

•In WPL board reorganization, John Corso was elected president, Sharon Robbins vice-president, and Drew Rhed secretary. Claire Jolie was retained as treasurer.

•Baugher reported WPL finances are strong. Thomas Library in Chesterton saw a 3 percent drop in circulation last month over February, 2009 while circulation at Hageman Library in Porter increased more than 69 percent.

•Baugher said a nautical theme has been chosen for the popular children’s summer reading program. The Thomas Children’s Department will have two college interns working there this summer and possibly a third at Hageman.

•A memorial fund is being established there for the late Dorothy Hageman, whose family requested that her memorials be made in the library’s name.

•A wireless hot spot has been installed at the WPL-operated Westchester Township History Museum at 700 W. Porter Ave. in Chesterton. Now through May 16 the exhibit “Threads of Time: Historic Textiles” is open to the public including local coverlets, quilts, rugs/tapestries, embroidery/lace, and clothing.

•Baugher said WPL is monitoring the different formats available for the increasingly popular e-books but it isn’t clear yet which version will survive and which will go the way of Beta tapes. “I think we’ll wait and see before we get too crazy about e-books.”

•Efforts are being made to get the Thomas Library dumpsters relocated to a more suitable spot to free up parking spaces and facilitate snowplowing of the lot.

Posted 3/12/2010