Lit Fest plugged at board meeting

Closing the Carson City Library to the public June 7 for writers’ workshops during that weekend’s Great Carson City Lit Fest was approved by the library’s board Thursday.

The Board of Trustees voted without dissent to authorize the closing that first Saturday in June, which is during the June 6-8 literary festival planned at Mills Park.

Ellen Hopkins, the driving force behind the festival and director of Ventana Sierra, a nonprofit for at-risk youth and a best-selling author of children’s books, described the festival and sought the closing so workshops could be held in the Roop Street library building.

She said some 50 authors will be on hand that weekend. Among the events will be an unplugged battle of the bands, as well as crafts, the workshops and literary pursuits such as a poetry slam.

It is the inaugural festival, Hopkins said, adding that it will put Carson City in a unique position.

“There’s nothing like this in Northern Nevada,” she said. “It’s going to be a real family event.”

“That’s just too awesome for words,” said Sandy Foley, board chairwoman, after Hopkins made her pitch and urged people to check out more at carsoncitylitfest.org.

The board also heard a report on the New Year’s Eve fundraiser put on by the Friends of the Library and the library’s foundation that raised $5,449, and another on progress toward moving the library book store across the street into a building at 711 E. Washington St. The new Browser’s Corner digs will have a grand opening April 14.

The library’s auditorium and outgoing Browser’s Corner space is being converted into a digitorium for library technical services.

The board voted unanimously to authorize a five-year agreement for services via the Cooperative Libraries Automated Network for an amount not to exceed $68,000 annually. Formerly, the fiscal year 2013-14 budgeted amount had been about $55,000. The change establishes the figure going forward.

Library Director Sena Loyd also provided her first report in her new capacity, including word that the building’s elevator has been out two months and that she is uncertain when a city contract for repairs will kick in and be completed. She also said this year’s city portion of the budget is 57 percent expended with the year 67 percent over. Additionally, she said work on next fiscal year’s budget request is under way.