SEKLS Hosted Annual Meeting

Over 100 people from across Southeast Kansas gathered at the SEK Impact Conference Center in Chanute on Aug. 28 for the Southeast Kansas Library System’s (SEKLS) Annual Meeting. The day began with an engaging keynote workshop by Dr. Susan Harrison, titled “The Confident Communicator.” Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to view poster sessions from Angela Forquer (Director of Chetopa City Library) and Christine Inman (Director of Madison Public Library), and learn about Friends of Kansas Libraries (FOKL) from FOKL board representatives Dalton Torneden and Cheryl Sylvester. Following lunch, the full System Board, made up of member library representatives and County Appointees, held its business meeting and required hearings to pass the 2027 budget. During the meeting, System Director Sharon Moreland recognized Brittany Simpson (Director of Mound City Public Library) and Morgan Parks (Director of Kincaid Community Library and Colony City Library) for completing the Applied Public Library Education (APPLE) program, and honored Pittsburg Public Library Director Bev Clarkson ahead of her retirement and for her support as Treasurer on the System’s Executive Committee. Attendees also celebrated the 60th Anniversary of SEKLS’ establishment with cupcakes and gifts engraved using equipment from the Mobile Makerspace grant project. The day concluded with breakout sessions on early childhood, data-driven library programming, and strategic planning: Holly Frye of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment presented “Books, Balls, and Blocks,” Jeana Lawrence and Chanelle Gontarz of Chanute Public Library presented “Booked and Busy,” and Amanda Clasen and Tara Solomon-Smith of K-State Southwind District presented “Strategic Opportunity Process.” According to Shelley Corley, Director of Arma City Library, “The Annual Meeting was really great! All looked tired at the end--but all of you had big smiles for us and it showed your talents...we appreciate you for all the thought and effort you all put into all the details big and small... it did not go unnoticed nor unappreciated!”