Board Capsule
February 15, 2000
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of Trustees was held in the Large #1 meeting room on Tuesday, February 15, 2000. President Eldon Burk called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
Joseph Botte spoke to the Board concerning misinformation he received from library personnel concerning meeting attendance. Mr. Botte advised the Board that he placed a phone call to the library about a meeting he saw printed in the newspaper for February 7, 2000 and was told the meeting was closed to the public. The Board advised Mr. Botte that the meeting scheduled for February 7, 2000 was an Art Committee Meeting and was open to the public. The Board apologized to Mr. Botte for the misunderstanding and welcomed his attendance at any open meetings. Mr. Botte asked that all employees be notified that the public is invited to all open meetings of the Library Board of Trustees.
Sandra Norlin introduced library staff member, Barbara Saletnik, as the Move Coordinator and thanked her for her thoroughness throughout the bid process.
Barbara Saletnik reported that six (6) bids for the move contract were opened on February 9, 2000. Barbara explained the bid process to the Board and reported that the lowest responsible bidder, who submitted a conforming bid, was Federal Companies in the amount of $48,880.00. The lowest bidder was Hallett Movers with a bid of $47,378.00, but was deemed irregular due to the inclusions of special conditions.
MOTION by Betty Ritter, seconded by Susan Burrows, to award the moving contract bid to Federal Companies, as the lowest responsible bidder, who submitted a conforming bid in the amount of $48,880.00, which is in the best interest of the Des Plaines Public Library. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Grice, Ritter, Yearwood
Sandra Norlin asked for Board approval on a proposed contract with Wellspring Associates in an amount not to exceed
$7,000.00. The proposal will include ongoing team-building services for the Department Heads, Management Team and the Technical Services Department.
MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by Inara Brubaker, to approve the contract with Wellspring Associates in an amount not to exceed $7,000.00 for ongoing team-building services for the Department Heads, Management Team and the Technical Services Department. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Grice, Ritter,
Yearwood.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - Ellen Yearwood, Chairman.
Sandra introduced Holly Richards Sorensen, Head of Adult Services, who provided an update on preparations for the move to the new building by the Adult Services staff. Holly reported that the position of Readers Advisory Manager has been offered to and accepted by staff member Robert Johnson.
Betty Ritter reported on the Project Status Report for the period February 2000 prepared by Ken Hutson of Owner Services Group, Inc. The base construction project is currently on schedule with an anticipated completion date on or before May 30, 2000.
Special interior and additional work contracted through Lohan Associates:
- Fish Tank - pricing being reviewed for accuracy. Current total cost approximately $11,100.00 ($2,600.00 over budgeted amount).
- Corridor to Stair #1 - pricing currently being reviewed for accuracy. Cost within budget.
- Hanging sculpture connection currently being designed by Lohan.
- Boat and banners - pending pricing.
- Heritage Room - pending pricing.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY - Inara Brubaker
Inara Brubaker reported that the next Roundtable for the Friends will be held on February 22, 2000. The bookshelf program has earned $285.00 to date. The Friends will discuss booksale funding issues at their next Committee meeting and the donation of give-away items for the grand opening of the new library.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Sarah McGowan began work on January 24, 2000 as Librarian I, Full-time, Adult Services. Michael Federspiel began work on February 10, 2000 as part-time Security Monitor. Mario Sigismondi resigned, effective January 31, 2000 as part-time Security Monitor.
Applications are being received and screened for several positions. Technical Services, Materials Processor, Cataloger, Technology Page, all part-time; Adult Services Department, Full-time Librarian II, Readers’ Services Librarian (one internal candidate, pending approval of Civil Service Commission), part-time and full-time Library Assistant II for Readers’ Services; Public Information, part-time webmaster; Circulation Services, Head of Department and part-time circulation clerks.
A quarterly all-staff meeting will be held on March 9, 2000. Wellspring Associates has submitted a proposal for ongoing team-building services for the Department Heads, Management Team and the Technical Services Department. Staff is encouraged to attend the ALA Annual Conference, which will be held in Chicago July 6-10 this year.
The Community Services Department presented three programs to community groups this past month, including one to the Friends of the Library. The Youth Services Department staff attended a meeting of Plainfield School’s East Indian families and took examples of books from our foreign language collection.
Monthly statistical records indicate increases in all areas of service over last January; however, we must remember that last January’s numbers were unusually low because of the January blizzard, which caused library closings and kept many patrons indoors for a week following the blizzard. The trend of decreases in print circulation and increases in audiovisual circulation and use of computer services continues. The Local Area Network received use 2,028 times in January and 13,778 searches were conducted using our online reference resources.
Our babysitting clinic continues to be successful, as does Bright Start Baby Book Times. The family Sunday program, a magic show, attracted 250 attendees. Other well-attended programs were the preschool open house (200) and the home schooling open house (60).
NEW BUSINESS
Joseph Botte questioned Board Members regarding the cost for special interiors and additional work quoted on the Project Status Report submitted by Owner Services Group, Inc. President Burk responded that the Fish Tank is a budgeted item, the corridor to Stair #1 will require additional funding, the hanging sculpture is partially funded, and the boat and banners and Heritage Room will possibly be funded by donations. President Burk also stated that not every one of these items is expected to be completed by the library’s opening.
Mr. Botte also questioned cable service to the new building and Sandra Norlin responded that both Ameritech and TCI now provide free cable service to the library and will continue to provide this service at the new building.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A letter from Central School was received by Sandra Norlin thanking the Des Plaines Public Library for supplying shelving to the school. Sandra was asked to contact school Districts 62 and 59 to offer shelving at a nominal fee.
back
|
