Gail Borden Public Library District

Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes

 

November 10, 2009

7:00 P.M.

 

Board Trustees Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Bednar, Ms. Moylan, Ms. Knight, Ms. Armenta and Ms. Thompson and Mr. Hopp were present.  Executive Director Medal and Rep. Keith Farnham, Brandon Hoeg, and various members of the staff and public were present.

 

President McCarthy introduced Boy Scout Brandon Hoeg who is attending our board meeting and Representative Keith Farnham, of the State of Illinois House of Representatives.  Rep. Farnham presented House Resolution No. 722 congratulating the staff of the Gail Borden Public Library on winning the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

 

It is also noted Mr. Hopp again did not sign monthly bills, giving them to Ms. Knight, the Treasurer for signature.

 

President McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

 

Mr. Gross registered to make comments, addressing the success of the library and a need for additional parking for patrons, especially during large events.  Alternatives for additional parking were discussed.  It was agreed we need to follow through to determine options such as valet parking and working with the City of Elgin for temporary parking to the north once well testing is completed.

 

Ms. Moylan made a motion to approve bills to be paid between November 10^th and December 8, 2009 board meetings; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  Following discussion, roll call resulted in 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 0 absent.  Ms. Knight made a motion to approve bills to be paid at the November 10, 2009 board meeting in the amount of $331,611.51, including those bills over $10,000 each; seconded by Ms. Armenta.  Following discussion, roll call resulted in 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 0 absent.

 

Mr. Hopp made a motion to make modifications to the minutes of the October 13, 2009 board meeting.  Lacking a second, the motion failed.  Ms. Knight made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2009 regular board meeting as presented; seconded by Ms. Moylan.  Mr. Hopp voiced the opinion that at the beginning of the previous meeting, which according to Mr. Hopp was not on the agenda, President McCarthy made an issue of Mr. Hopp not signing checks. Mr. Hopp felt this was an abuse of authority and asked that this be struck from the minutes.  With no further discussion, roll call resulted in 4 ayes, 1 nay, and 2 abstentions.  The minutes were approved as submitted.  In a corrected motion, Ms. Knight made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2009 Truth in Taxation Hearing; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  Roll call resulted in 5 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions.

Many notes were received expressing congratulations on the Gail Borden Public Library winning the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  These included Cherry Valley Public Library, ILA, Brodart, First Community Bank, Lundstrom Insurance, Mechanical Inc., Volunteer Carol Daken, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Torres Supertindent of U-46 Public Schools, Sue Rakow President of the U-46 Educational Foundation, Pritzker Military Acadamy, and The Dilenschneider Group.

 

Ms. Bednar updated the library board on Foundation activities including the possibility of making the tile mural at the Rakow branch smaller so it could be put up sooner, the election of officers at their next meeting, a discussion regarding the Teen Center, the nomination of Mr. Alft as an Illinois Library Luminary to the Illinois Library Association, and Libby Hoeft receiving the “Winning Woman” award from Melissa Bean’s congressional district.

 

Ms. Medal, ILA President attended a kick off summit on the future of state wide cooperation. This was by invitation only for those professionals throughout the state who were determined to be able to help in this area.  It is funded by an LSTA grand in partnership with the Illinois State Library and Illinois Library Association.  Under discussion is the structure of how cooperation takes place in the state.  This involves how systems operate, current and future funding, and to developing a strategic plan to determine how services will be delivered to the people of Illinois.   Universal library service, which would provide everyone in the state paying tax for library service, was one of the areas discussed.  Executive Director Medal has asked Denise Raleigh to co-chair the Marketing Committee for ILA and Miriam Lytle to serve on the Membership Committee for ILA.  Ms. Armenta has been very instrumental on the Cultural and Racial Diversity Committee and the initiation of the Library Luminary Awards.

 

Executive Director Medal reported yet another circulation record this month.  Including E-books, our circulation figures for October, 2009 are pushing 175,000.  Of our self-checkable items, 93% are being checked out by self-check.  The three bin sorter has been installed at the branch.  In three weeks, there have been 3900 check-ins through that sorter.  Many tours have been taking place at the branch, including those for staff from area libraries.  On December 3^rd, staff from the Chicago Public Library will be touring the branch.  We currently have our Food for Fines program going on until November 14^th.  Phase II of the library 2^nd floor construction has been done.  Phase III, the Teen Center, is being delayed due to new ideas and the need for more technology.  Teen Focus groups have been conducted to provide input from that age group.  We may have more information on the Teen Center in December.

 

Following a short explanation and history of longevity awards by Executive Director Medal and Deputy Director Maki, Ms. Moylan made a motion to approve the Longevity Awards change in language as presented; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  Roll call resulted in 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 0 absent.  Following further discussion, Ms. Armenta made a motion to approve the Longevity Awards dollar amounts as submitted; seconded by Ms. Knight.  Roll call resulted in 5 ayes, 2 nays, and 0 absent.

 

Executive Director Medal recommended a one year Holiday Bonus in the amounts suggested in recognition of staff regarding the recent 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  Following further discussion, Ms. Moylan made a motion to approve the Holiday Bonus as presented by staff for the 2009 year; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  Following discussion, roll call resulted in 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 0 absent.  Ms. Armenta asked that staff receive a letter informing them this is in recognition of this extra service that resulted in this bonus.

 

Ms. Armenta made a motion to approve the Security Report as presented; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  Following discussion, roll call resulted in 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 0 absent.

 

Under Other, Ms. Knight asked for status on the LaTazza contract.  Executive Medal provided information updating the board on the current 5-year contract.  Posting of the board agenda on the web was brought by Mr. Hopp.  It was noted we currently meet the law in this regard.  President McCarthy asked for any motion regarding agenda posting.  There was no motion.  Executive Director Medal offered to show the board the new programming room.

 

Ms. Armenta made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Ms. Bednar.  The motion was approved by expression of ayes.  There were no nays.  The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.