The Chelsea District Library (CDL) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 19, and received its 2014 audit conducted by Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC (AHP) of Okemos.
AHP representative Jamie Rabe presented the audit report to the board.
The written report states that “We (AHP) have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities and each major fund of the Chelsea District Library as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Among the highlights of the audit are:
- As of December 31, 2014, the library had $7,625,459 invested in a broad range of capital assets, including land, buildings, equipment, and furniture.
- The library also had $1,468,219 in cash and investments, and $1,992,849 in other assets for a total of $11,086,527 in total assets at the end of 2014.
- The library has a balance of $5,415,000 remaining on its bonded indebtedness as of the end of 2014.
- The general fund’s most significant costs are for personnel and related staffing expenses of approximately $864,000, which accounted for 60 percent of the total operating expenses for 2014.
- CDL ended 2014 $63,330 under budget for total expenditures.
Rabe said that overall, “This was a very positive audit for the library.”
The Friends of Chelsea District Library reported that they are purchasing two Little Free Library kits, and when completed, plan to place to install one in Pierce Park, and one in Timbertown.
According to the Little Free Library website, “In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.”
“Todd H. Bol created the very first Little Free Library – a front-yard book exchange – in 2009 to share books with his neighbors. Little Free Libraries now stand in front yards all across the globe – from Iceland to Pakistan to Tasmania – strengthening neighborhoods, spreading literacy and the love of reading, and bringing people together.”
In other news, CDL Director Bill Harmer wrote in his director’s report that “We were all very saddened about the passing in April of Randy Fox, husband of long-time library board member, friend, and supporter Lynn Fox. Randy and Lynn have given so much love and support to the library and staff over the years. They have been both generous and indispensable in our success, whether serving on the board, advocating for the building bond, or simply giving generously of their time and resources in making this a world-class library. We are going to miss Randy greatly.”
