Board Capsules
January 16, 2001

The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of Trustees was held in the second floor conference on Tuesday, January 16, 2001. President Eldon Burk called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Cornelia Grunst, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications for PlainsBank of Illinois, presented a check for $4,120 to Library Administrator, Sandra Norlin and Board President Eldon Burk. The check will be placed in the library’s Century Fund for Books.

FINANCE COMMITTEE – Susan Burrows

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by John Ciborowski, to authorize the Chair of the Finance Committee or the President of the Library Board to approve the payment of all library invoices prior to submission for payment to the City Finance Director and that this statement be added to the Financial Policy of the Library Board of Trustees. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by John Ciborowski, to approve the proposal from Sikich Gardner & Co. LLP to perform the audit of the LSTA Construction Grant in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Susan Burrows asked the Board to approve Ingram to provide processing and ordering for an annual fee of $495.00 and a per volume fee of $1.10. Sandra Norlin reported that Baker & Taylor cost per volume is $1.50. Sandra Norlin recommends Ingram because of low cost ordering fees and their ability to provide spine labels to our specifications.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by John Ciborowski, to approve the contract with Ingram to provide processing and ordering for an annual fee of $495.00 and a per volume fee of $1.10. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by John Ciborowski, to approve expenditures for Fund 202 in 1999 in the amount of $52,562.95 and in 2000 in the amount of $349,836.93 and to approve expenditures for Fund 415 in 1999 in the amount of $53,091.00 and in 2000 in the amount of $1,746,909.00 and to revise the 1999 and 2000 Finance reports. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Susan Burrows reported that the library has a donor for the Poetry Corner in the amount of $30,000 to be donated over a three-year period. The Board was asked to vote on service request #10 for design services from Lohan Associates. President Burk stated that the Poetry Corner would be designed and built in the near future and funds for this improvement may need to be borrowed from a local bank and be paid back when the donated funds are received.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by John Ciborowski, to approve additional service request #10 from Lohan Associates for design services for the poetry area in an amount not to exceed $6,500.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Sandra Norlin asked for Board approval on payment to Corporate Concepts for Change Order F1-11 in the amount of $23,125.00.

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Susan Burrows, to authorize Library Administrator, Sandra Norlin, to approve Corporate Concepts Change Order F1-11 in the amount of $23,125.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE – Betty Ritter, Chairman.

Eldon Burk reported that he has received a letter of resignation from Betty Ritter. Betty Ritter will attend the February Board meeting.

Sandra Norlin reported that Gary Valente, Head of Building and Security Services, has received training in building automation controls and Lutran Lighting control. Sandra Norlin also reported that security systems have been installed at all public service counters.

John Burke met with Rosemary Mulligan to discuss the installation of a handicap accessible side door accessible from inside the enclosed walkway to the parking garage. Representative Mulligan believes that state funding may be available for this project. Gary Valente was asked to procure quotes for the single automatic door and received a quote from Stanley Door Company

President Burk suggested that the door be converted into a double sliding door Inara Brubaker suggested the Lohan Associates be contacted to determine the cost of this project.

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by John Burke, to proceed with the installation of the automatic swing motion on the West side door in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Read. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

The Board authorized Sandra Norlin to contact Representative Mulligan in regards to state funding for the double sliding replacement door.

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Inara Brubaker, to authorize Library Administrator, Sandra Norlin, to contact State Representative Rosemary Mulligan to solicit state funding for the installation of a handicap accessible automatic double door replacement for the West side door of the Des Plaines Public Library. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Susan Burrows asked that living plants be placed in the lobby of the library. Sandra Norlin responded that Gary Valente is investigating plant services.

Eldon Burk reported that he and John Burke toured the 841 Graceland building and that many items remain. President Burk suggested a one-day sale of the remaining items and any remaining items be donated to not for profit groups. Permission from the City of Des Plaines will have to be obtained to open the building and dispose of the items.

PLANNING COMMITTEE - John Burke.

John Burke reported that goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan are being reviewed at Committee meetings. Executive Service Corps interviewed John Burke, Sandra Norlin and Eldon Burk. A questionnaire prepared by ESC for the planning of a retreat on April 21, 2001 was mailed to Board members.

SYSTEM MEMBERSHIP – John Ciborowski.

John Ciborowski reported that the North Suburban Library System Legislative Breakfast will be held on February 15, 2001. John Ciborowski also reported that the NSLS Board is offering three scholarships to help persons attend ALA Legislative Day who have never attended before. There is a vacancy on the NSLS board that will begin January, 2001 and end June, 2002. The Des Plaines Public Library was mentioned in the NSLS news as receiving a $28,000 grant.

Sandra Norlin reported that the NSLS Annual Awards Banquet will be held on March 9, 2001 and the Board is encouraged to attend.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY – Inara Brubaker.

Inara Brubaker reported that the next Roundtable meeting will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2001.

Sandra Norlin and Charlotte Storer, President of the Friends, have discussed an ongoing book sale and placement of shelving for the sale.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Hector Marino and Sandra Norlin conducted interviews with two current staff members for the new position of Librarian II, Technical Services Manager. Suzanne Pirie was selected for the position and has accepted our offer. Suzanne Pirie will remain on the Adult Services staff for two weeks, then serve in both departments for two weeks, and then join the Technical Services Department full time.

Two staff members are attending ALA’s Midwinter Conference in Washington, D.C. Holly Richards Sorensen is completing her term on a president's committee for membership, and Hector Marino will be attending meetings of REFORMA and technology-related discussions. They both will attend a meeting to determine our interest in joining a grant project for evaluation of library programs and services.

Sandra Norlin has been invited to participate in the Illinois State Library "Summit" on grant funding, "Lighting the Fire," on January 31 through February 2 at Pere Marquette.

The year-end figures are interesting, considering our lengthy down-time in July and August. Although circulation figures have not risen dramatically since we have opened the new facility, they have risen. The area that has risen dramatically is building use. Our attendance has increased over last December by 32%. Attendance may be a better indicator of the public use of the facility, because it includes meeting room and computer use. Sandra Norlin is pleased with the continued increase in use of the self-check machine. Use has increased to 16% of our checkouts.

NEW BUSINESS

John Ciborowski has agreed to represent the library on the Des Plaines Arts Council and Susan Burrow will substitute when John Ciborowski is not able to attend.

Eldon Burk reported that he has completed the placement of names on the plaque for the lobby of the library and will mail to Board members. The Board will vote on the plaque when a final decision has been reached.

Eldon Burk also reported that the United Way plaque has been vandalized and is being repaired. Representatives from United Way have requested that the picture of Mayor Paul Jung be moved, so the United Way plaque can be hung next to the picture of Paul Jung. The consensus of the Board was that the picture of Mayor Jung will not be moved. President Burk will speak with United Way representatives about another location for their plaque.

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