Following monthly reports to be reviewed and placed on file for audit:
| 1. Over the Counter Receipts | $ |
11,565.91 |
| 2. Petty Cash Expenditures | $ |
18.30 |
| 3. Budget Expenditures for August | $ |
472,445.98 |
| 4. Expenditures Year to Date | $ |
3,986,955.22 |
| 5. Revenue for August | $ |
26,696.12 |
| 6. Revenue Year to Date | $ |
3,216,233.95 |
MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by George Magerl, to approve, subject to audit, expenditures authorized by the Library Director and Board Representatives for library Warrant Registers as follows:
| August 04, 2008 | $ |
89,274.95 |
| August 18, 2008 | $ |
55,285.95 |
| Total | $ |
144,560.26 |
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, Lake, Magerl, Read, Rozovics, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by George Magerl, to approve, subject to audit, expenditures for salaries made by the Library Director as follows:
| August 18, 2008 | | $ 122.826.01 |
| August 27, 2008 | | $ 121,352.23 |
| Total | | $ 244,178.24 |
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, Lake, Magerl, Read, Rozovics, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Please note: I have received no official requests for confidential patron information since my last report.
PERSONNEL
New Employees for August 2008
Jo Bonell, Readers' Services Supervisor, August 20, 2008
Resignations/Separations for August 2008
Michael Chiovari, Technology Page, 08/17/08
Michael Sim, Page, 09/06/08
Christina Brennan, Part-time Mobile Library Circulation Assistant
Rachel Kamin, Preschool Librarian, 09/05/08
Christina Pagan, Page, 09/16/08
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
This month was difficult for our staff, particularly our Circulation Services staff. Barbara Saletnik, Assistant Head of Circulation Services, died on August 31, following an illness that was first diagnosed in July, 2007. Her last few weeks were spent at her home under hospice care, but her family let it be known that they and Barbara would welcome farewell visits from library staff. Several of us did take that opportunity. Her funeral services were held September 3 through 5. Again, staff were encouraged to attend these services to bid farewell to a beloved colleague. On Friday, September 5, immediately following the funeral mass, the funeral procession, with a police escort, drove through Library Plaza. It was a gracious way for Barbara’s family to honor the Library and our staff, many of whom stood outside in reverence, sadness, and pride.
Our RFID tagging project is proceeding apace, with over 120,000 books tagged by September 5.
We are making plans for voter registration from now through October 7.
PATRON SERVICES
We are planning a Family Night for the children and parents of Orchard Place School on Friday, October 17. We will give library tours, present brief programs, and encourage families to register for library cards.
Our Year to Date circulation has increased by 2.68%, although the circulation for August has decreased since last year. The use of our website has reached over 86,000 hits, from 19,580 unique users. 47% of the hits were from users outside of the library. Patrons conducted 10,552 searches of our online reference products.
Our library staff has made 14 visits to schools and other locations outside the library, putting them in touch with 170 this month and 5,500 to date this year.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
On 8/21 I attended the Library Production Studio Executive Committee meeting and the Chamber of Commerce Foundation Fundraiser. On 8/26 I attended the Friends of the Library Roundtable meeting. On 8/27 I attend the Night Owl Board of Directors meeting. On 9/3 I attended the Chamber of Commerce Executive Board meeting. On 9/4 I conducted an interview for the position of Studio Director for the Library Production Studio and the Library Trustee Training session at NSLS. On 9/5 I hosted the meeting of area library directors (SLURP).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Sandra Norlin reported that the cost to videotape the regular monthly board meeting for 2009 would be $4,800.00 ($400.00/mo). Sandra explained this would be only the regularly scheduled board meeting, not special meetings or committee meetings. The board discussed taping the meeting and the consensus was to videotape all regular meetings.
MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Eldon Burk, to videotape all regularly scheduled board meetings beginning in 2009. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Rhys Read reported that the Finance Committee met on August 26, 2008 to discuss the proposed 2009 budget.
Eldon Burk reported that the Management Committee met on September 23, 2008 to discuss the Model Ethics Ordinance, which is a requirement of the Per Capita Grant application and to review Executive Session minutes. Sandra Norlin stated that the library may be under the umbrella of the City of Des Plaines Model Ethics Ordinance and will ask the City Manager if this is correct.
MOTION by Committee, to affirm compliance with the City of Des Plaines Model Ethics Ordinance and to follow the rules and regulations of the ordinance. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Sandra Norlin presented the first draft of the FY2009 budget to the board. Sandra reported that the budget will be submitted to the City Council directly from the library, per a directive from the City Manager. Sandra stated that the budget will not be reviewed by the City Manager or the Acting Finance Director.
Sandra Norlin stated that in 2005 the board voted to build up an operating fund balance to cover two and one-half months of operating expenses by the end of the year 2010. Sandra stated that this would require $1,800,000. Sandra stated the Board could ask for an increase in property taxes or request a tax levy for a working cash fund.
Sandra Norlin asked the Board to consider increasing property tax 1% beyond the extended amount collected in 2008.
Rhys Read stated that he did not want to build up funds at this time considering the economic climate.
Motion Rhys Read, seconded Matthew Bogusz, to approve the FY2009 budget, as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Read, Magerl. NAYS: Burk, Tejcek, Rozovics, Lake. MOTION FAILED.
The Board continued to discuss whether to increase property taxes by 1%.
MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to approve the FY2009 budget with a 1% increase in property tax beyond the extended amount collected in 2008 and to retain this amount as fund balance. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Burk, Magerl, Tejcek, Rozovics, Lake. NAYS: Read, Bogusz. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Matthew Bogusz, to approve the Per Capita Grant, as written. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
George Magerl will attend the October 6 City Council meeting; Eldon Burk the October 20 meeting; Elaine Tejcek the November 3 meeting and Rhys Read the November 17 meeting.
Sandra Norlin asked that Declaration of Surplus Property be postponed.
Noreen Lake reported that the City of Des Plaines has several pieces of artwork that they would like to donate and Noreen asked the Board if they would be interested in requesting that some of the artwork be donated to the library.
MOTION by Matthew Bogusz, seconded by Rhys Read, to authorize library staff and Elaine Tejcek, Chair of the Art Committee, to negotiate for the artwork if interested. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sandra asked the Board to schedule a Special Board meeting to award the lobby and workroom renovation.
The Board will meet on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. to award the bid for the lobby and workroom renovation.
Noreen Lake asked board members to volunteer for temporary committee assignments due to two vacant positions on the board.
Building & Grounds Committee – Elaine Tejcek and Rhys Read will sit on this committee until these positions are filled.
Finance Committee – George Magerl will sit on this committee until this position is filled.
Noreen Lake stated that she made a decision to close the library two hours early on Saturday, September 13 and to remain closed Sunday, September 14 due to flooding in Des Plaines and the surrounding communities .
Jeffery Rozovics reported that he attended a program on library trustee basics at North Suburban Library System and gave a brief report to the board.
Matthew Bogusz reported that he attended the Friends of the Library meeting in September and that the Friends will fund library programs for families with autistic children.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by George Magerl, to enter into an Executive Session at 10:01 p.m. to discuss Review of Executive Session Minutes and Probable or Imminent Litigation. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
The regular session reconvened at 10:15 p.m. and was called to order by President Noreen Lake.
MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to adjourn the regular meeting. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15p.m.
Minutes prepared by Carol Kidd.
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