BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 17, 2009

The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of Trustees was held in the second floor conference room on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. President Noreen Lake called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

ROLL CALL.

Roll call indicated the following board members were present: Matthew Bogusz, Eldon Burk, Selma D’Souza, Myrtle Klebe, Noreen Lake, George Magerl, Rhys Read, Elaine Tejcek.

Also Present: Sandra Norlin, Carol Kidd, Holly Richards Sorensen, Heather Imhoff, Don Sofolo.

Absent: Jeffery Rozovics.

CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA.

Sandra Norlin asked that agenda item VI. D. 1. Director’s Report be removed from Consent Agenda. Matthew Bogusz asked that the Friends Report be added to the agenda.

MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to accept the agenda, as modified. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

None.

CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE – Alderman Martin Moylan.

Alderman Moylan was not in attendance.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to approve the Consent Agenda, as modified. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

CONSENT AGENDA

Following monthly reports to be reviewed and placed on file for audit:

MOTION by George Magerl , seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to approve, subject to audit, expenditures authorized by the Library Director and Board Representatives for library Warrant Registers as follows:

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to approve, subject to audit, expenditures for salaries made by the Library Director as follows:

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Selma D’Souza, to approve the Director’s Report, as written. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Sandra Norlin reported that Holly Richards Sorensen compiled statistics for self-check usage for the week beginning March 9, 2009 and statistics show that usage is up with the highest use being reported on March 16 as 82.5%. The goal for self-check usage is to be in the 90 percentile range.

Matt Bogusz distributed minutes from the February 24, 2009 Friends of the Library meeting. Matt reported that the Friends will fund the library’s summer reading program for $9,650 and the Wizard of Oz programs for $3,200. The Friends did not support the Video Display System for the Youth Services Department.

MOTION by Elaine Tejcek, seconded by Selma D’Souza, to accept the Friends Report, as written. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Please note: I have received no official requests for confidential patron information since my last report.

PERSONNEL

No new employees or resignations since the last report.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

We held our quarterly all-staff meeting on Thursday, March 5. A representative of Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF) described the work of the foundation, listed ways the library staff can help provide information about the foundation’s work, and encouraged us all to be more aware of the social issues involved with underage alcohol and drug use. We also heard from Veronica Schwartz about the library’s participation in the Relay for Life and Karen McBride showed the library videos starring our staff that are nominated for an award at the NSLS Annual Banquet on March 20. I gave a “State of the Library” address, outlining the library’s goals, its outstanding and award-winning services, and the budget status.

PATRON SERVICES

Overall circulation increased in February, compared to February 2008 by nearly 7%. The greatest gains were in youth services fiction, compact discs, and in adult DVDs. Our year to date comparison is equal to 2008. Use of self-check has increased to 50% of items checked out of our main library. We will be expecting that percentage to increase in the next few months.

Other notable changes are an increase in new resident cards of 9%, year to date; meeting room attendance of 2976 in February; over 100,000 hits on our website; and an increase of 34.27% in use of the computers on the 4th floor and an increase of 5.91% in use of computers on the 2nd floor. Our online reference products were used 11% more in February 2009 than in February 2008.

We were surprised and honored to receive a three star rating from the Library Journal Public Library Ratings of 2009. The ratings were based on information tabulated from the annual reports of 7115 public libraries compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2006 and published in 2008. Only 256 libraries received star ratings, which put the Des Plaines Public Library in the top 4% of public libraries, based on circulation per capita, attendance per capita, program attendance per capita, and use of internet computers per capita. Libraries were compared to other libraries with similar sized operating budgets.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

I attended the Library Production Studio Executive Committee meeting on 2/18. I participated as a panelist at the 2/27 Public Library Administrators Forum at NSLS. Four libraries’ recently revised websites were featured. I participated in the Read Across America “celebrity” reading program at Central School on 3/2. I attended the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee meeting on 3/4, the Chamber After Hours Networking reception at Katie’s Kitchen on 3/10, the Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting on 3/12, and SLURP (Library Administrator’s Group) at Elk Grove Village on 3/13.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Eldon Burk, to take Video Display System from the table. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Heather Imhoff, Head of Public Information, distributed an informational handout listing the components and installation for the proposed Video Display system and prices from three vendors. Heather stated that the costs for the Youth Services project and the Video Display System were combined to reduce costs. Heather recommended Media 2000 Systems and ABT for the televisions and installation.

MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by George Magerl, to approve Media 2000 Systems and ABT for the Video Display System for the Youth Services Art Project in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00, which will be funded through the Des Plaines Public Library Donation Fund and to approve Media 2000 Systems and ABT for the Video Display System in an amount not to exceed $16,000, which is a budgeted expense and in the best interest of the Des Plaines Public Library. The total amount should not exceed $26,000.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS

Eldon Burk reported that the Management Committee met on March 3 and asked Sandra Norlin to explain her recommendation to withdraw from Library Production Studio. Sandra explained that Library Production Studio is currently made up of four libraries (Des Plaines Public Library, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Skokie Public Library and Prospect Heights Public Library District) and that there have been financial difficulties ever since Park Ridge Public Library and Indian Trails Public Library District left the consortium. Library Production Studio has not been able recruit other libraries or contract enough services to balance their budget. Sandra stated that Library Production Studio is not financially viable.

Eldon Burk stated that the Committee discussed purchasing equipment and training staff to tape meetings and programs. Sandra Norlin stated that she contacted Will Soderberg, Media Specialist for the City of Des Plaines, who was very enthusiastic about taking over some of the taping and production.

MOTION by Committee, to withdraw from Library Production Studio in accordance with the contract. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

George Magerl will attend the April 6 City Council meeting; Eldon Burk the April 20 meeting; Rhys Read the May 4 meeting and Selma D’Souza the May 18, 2009 meeting.

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Matthew Bogusz, to change the library closing date for In-Service Day from May 6, 2009 to July 13, 2009. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Don Sofolo, Owner, Outsource Solutions Group, explained why a change in vendor was being recommended for the Microsoft School Agreement Licensing Program. He explained that upon processing the order, OSG was informed that while Educational Resource was capable of providing the licenses, they were unable to roll the library license into the more favorable Level B pricing next year, contrary to what was initially understood. CDW-G is the sole facilitator of the Level B pricing between Microsoft and the Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program. Mr. Sofolo recommends reassigning the award from Educational Resources to CDW-G. The total cost will be $11,970, which is less than the original quote of $12,140.10.

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Myrtle Klebe, to approve a change in vendor for the Microsoft School Agreement Licensing Program to CDW-G in the amount of $11,970.00, with the contract good through June 2010, which is a budgeted expense and in the best interest of the Des Plaines Public Library. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Don Sofolo, Owner, Outsource Solutions Group, explained why an additional payment of $970.00 was being requested to pay CDW-G for Hardware for the Library Wireless Project. Mr. Sofolo explained that upon placing orders for the hardware, CDW-G was informed that the hardware vendor, Nomadix, changed their licensing / pricing policy. As of January 1, 2009, Nomadix bundled the hardware, and the operating license with a Premium Support package, which includes 24/7 support as well as next day replacement of hardware. This change in policy caused an increase in cost.

MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to approve an additional payment of an amount not to exceed $1,000 to CDW-G for Hardware for the Library Wireless Project, which is a budgeted expense and is in the best interest of the Des Plaines Public Library. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: Bogusz. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by George Magerl, seconded by Elaine Tejcek, to declare the following equipment surplus property and to direct Library Director Sandra Norlin to send a memo to City Manager Jason Bajor explaining that the library is required to offer the property to the City of Des Plaines for the first right to purchase such property for public or corporate purposes and to give the City of Des Plaines 30 days to respond to the request. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Elaine Tejcek, seconded by George Magerl, to approve payment to 3M Library Systems for 3M CD8 RFID Tags in the amount of $6,500.00, which is a budgeted expense and in the best interest of the Des Plaines Public Library. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bogusz, Burk, D’Souza, Klebe, Lake, Magerl, Read, Tejcek. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

George Magerl, Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, announced that there would be a Building and Grounds meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Noreen Lake announced that the Board of Trustees did not win the “Chamber of Commerce Food Fight”, but thanked the board, staff and Friends of the Library for their generous donations.

Sandra Norlin announced that the Des Plaines Public Library and Rotary Club of Des Plaines will host their annual fundraiser, Do the Dewey, on Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. Sandra asked the board to participate by selling tickets and soliciting donations for the raffle.

CORRESPONDENCE

Sandra Norlin reported that the Des Plaines Public Library was a Per Capita Grant recipient of $68,892.06.

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by George Magerl, to adjourn the regular meeting.VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:33p.m.

Minutes prepared by Carol Kidd.

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