Board Capsules
September 18, 2001

The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of Trustees was held in the second floor conference room on Tuesday, September 18, 2001. President John Ciborowski called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

NEW BUSINESS

Sandra Norlin reported that the first year anniversary of the library will be celebrated on Sunday, September 30, 2001 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Sandra asked Board members to participate in the anniversary and volunteer their services in various capacities.

Sandra Norlin reported that the library qualifies for a partial Gates Grant that would allow the library to purchase four Gates computers at a cost of $2,800 each, which includes the PC, a 17" monitor, software and support for the software. The library would also be eligible to purchase a contents server in the amount of $3,600 and this purchase would also include support from Gates. Sandra explained that applying for the grant did not obligate the library to purchase these computers.

Eldon Burk asked if there would be a savings to the library by purchasing these computers through Gates, and Sandra Norlin responded no, but there is some advantage to the additional software being offered and the support that is included.

MOTION by Eldon Burk, seconded by Inara Brubaker, to apply for the Gates Grant. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

John Ciborowski reported that he is in the process of reappointing Board members to Committees.

John Ciborowski reported on budget meetings held with the City of Des Plaines and Alderman Sayad. Alderman Sayad has requested that the library explore new sources of funding, which might include a fee for meeting room use and the possibility of increasing fines for overdue material.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Hector Marino, Coordinator of Computer & Technical Services introduced John Pflueger from Library Cable Network. Josh explained that taping the Board meetings could be easily accomplished using one or two cameras. Josh introduced Dave Kleeman, a free lance photographer, who would tape the meetings for the library.

Eldon Burk asked who would air the tapings of the meeting and John Ciborowski responded that Channel 17 would broadcast the meetings.

Inara Brubaker asked if a tape of the meeting would be available to library patrons to borrow and Josh Pflueger responded yes.

CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE – Rosemary Argus.

Alderman Argus reported that the library’s request for displaying the Peace Pole on Library Plaza would be coordinated with the City of Des Plaines’ sculpture committee.

FINANCE COMMITTEE – Susan Burrows

Susan Burrows presented the following monthly reports to be reviewed and placed on file for audit:

1. Over the Counter Receipts $ 7,166.82

2. Petty Cash Expenditures $ 128.93

3. Budget Expenditures for August $ 528,175.23

4. Expenditures Year to Date $ 2,776,425.87

5. Revenue for August $ 264,471.76

6. Revenue Year to Date $ 2,314,808.13

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by William Grice, to be approved, subject to audit, expenditures authorized by the Library Administrator and Board Representatives for library Warrant Registers as follows:

August 06, 2001 $ 73,724.13

August 20, 2001 $ 59,238.65

Total $ 132,962.78

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Grice, Lake, Read, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by Rhys Read, to be approved, subject to audit, expenditures for salaries made by the Library Administrator as follows:

August 09, 2001 $ 87,699.98

August 23, 2001 $ 86,295.80

Total $ 173,995.78

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Grice, Lake, Read, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION BY Susan Burrows, seconded by William Grice, to be approved, subject to audit, transfer entries to the Library account in August 2001 by the City of Des Plaines as follows:

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel (August) $ 141.03

Total $ 141.03

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Brubaker, Burk, Burke, Burrows, Ciborowski, Grice, Lake, Read, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Susan Burrows reported that budget meetings were held on September 6, 2001 and September 7, 2001and that the meetings were productive.

Sandra Norlin reported that the final budget presentation to the City of Des Plaines would be held on November 14, 2001 at 6:30 PM.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE – John Ciborowski.

John Ciborowski reported that the City of Des Plaines is addressing the remaining problems with the library building.

Sandra Norlin reported that the study rooms have been painted and trash and ash receptacles have been ordered.

Sandra also reported that Kristina Lucas and Michael Hayden from Thinking Lightly visited the library on September 5, 2001 and made suggestions for lighting the atrium sculpture. The suggestions included one 12-foot track with six fixtures. The fixtures would include barn door baffles and have a dimmer capability. Gary Valente, Head of Building & Security Systems will contact Juno Lighting, Gibson Electric and Marc Pilipuf for pricing estimates.

Sandra Norlin reported that three options for the third floor artwork have been sent for Board approval and asked if the Board would participate in a Special Meeting to choose and approve the artwork.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – Ellen Yearwood.

Ellen Yearwood reported on the Management Committee meeting that was held on August 27, 2001 and asked for Board approval on the following revisions to the Staff Computer and Internet Use Policy:

5c.

Personal use of chat, newsgroup, Usenet, listservs, and free email accounts (e.g., Yahoo, Hotmail, Homenet) Internet/email must be minimized and on employee’s own time (breaks, before and after working hours). Business related use of the computer takes priority over personal use. Staff members should make clear that their opinions and recommendations do not represent the Board or Administration of the Des Plaines Public Library.

4a.

The computers are provided for business use. Personal use must be minimized and on employee’s own time (breaks, before and after working hours). Business related use of the computer takes priority over personal use.

MOTION by Committee to approve the revisions to 5c and 4a of the Staff Computer & Internet Use Policy as revised in the Management Committee meeting held on August 27, 2001. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Ellen Yearwood asked the Board to begin considering internet filtering at the library and advised that this could be discussed at a later date.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – John Burke.

John Burke reported on the Executive Committee meeting that was held on August 30, 2001. John asked Committee Chairs to submit written reports to Carol Kidd two weeks before the Board meetings and asked that Committee reports be placed on a consent agenda. John Burke asked for Board approval to place as many items as possible on the consent agenda so that Board meetings can focus on important issues to the library including vision and mission statement and future of the library. John Burke also asked that New Business be placed on the agenda early in the meeting.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY – Inara Brubaker.

Inara Brubaker reported that the Friends booksale netted approximately $6,000 and was very successful. Inara also reported that the new Friends shelf program netted $480 in the first 50 days of operation.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

New employees since the last report: Daushal Rawal, Page I and Marianne Orme, Reference Librarian, Adult Services, Part-time.

Employee separations since last report: Jason Pluta, Technology Page; Lori Maslon, Mark Camposagrado, Monisha Williams, and Ahmed Osman, Page I; and Thomas Kinnebrew, Librarian I, Youth Services.

The Work Analysis Team submitted their final report to the Executive Team on September 6. The group is to be commended for their dedicated work, their opening the process to all staff input, and for thoughtful analysis, and promising suggestions. Their belief statements about customer service will serve as an effective guide for our staff. They will present their report to the whole staff on Thursday, September 13 at the All-Staff Meeting. Members of this team are Bob Blanchard, Mei-Na Chen, Kathy Kyrouac, Vee Luz, Chris Posinger, Pauline Simo, and David Whittingham.

Susan Farid, Martha Sloan, and I met with Peopleworks staff to prepare for the series of meetings with the full-time Circulation Department staff for team building for improving customer service delivery.

Fall programming has begun, with storytimes for children everyday, Monday through Friday. The new Mobile Library schedule is in effect. Learn to Read registration has begun and the Sunday films, sponsored by the Friends of the Library have been resumed. Plans are underway for a festive, informative, and elegant First Anniversary Celebration, thanks to the planning of Chris Posinger.

Our patron usage continues to be robust, but the statistics are difficult to compare with last year’s figures, because we were closed during the first two weeks of August for the move to our new building.

Our library has been selected to receive one of Secretary of State/State Librarian Jesse White’s Project Next Generation grants for 2001-2002. The grant will supply funds for computers, digital cameras, scanners, laptops, and staff for the mentoring of 10-12 children from sixth through eighth grades.

The mentors will be trained and the children will receive one-on-one assistance from the mentors as the youth develop computer skills and build self-esteem. The project will begin in November, with the children actively involved by February.

I have received introductory information concerning P.A.92-0166 (House Bill 1785) which will allow non-resident library card purchasers to use their cards at all Illinois libraries. The law, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2002, is being reviewed for administrative procedures in a series of public hearings throughout the state. The North Suburban Library staff is monitoring this process and keeping librarians informed.

I attended the Des Plaines Art Guild’s Fall Art Fair on September 8 to make a purchase award for the library. I selected a series of four monoprints from Jan Bowersox. The artist is changing the frame and mat on one print and is creating a new print for this series.

On August 27 I attended a planning session for the customer service teambuilding project with the staff of Peopleworks and a seminar on Meeting Management at North Suburban Library System Headquarters. I attended the Chamber/City Advisory Committee meeting on 8/28, the Board Executive Committee meeting on 8/30, and a teleconference with the Illinois State Library staff concerning the Project Next Generation. I conducted a brief orientation meeting with Noreen Lake on 9/4 and a budget discussion meeting with the acting City Manager and City Finance Director.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sandra Norlin asked for Board approval for the rental of a Christmas tree from Rentokil. Inara Brubaker asked that other religions be represented at the library with displays. The Board consensus was to approve the rental of a Christmas tree and to have displays depicting other religions.

MOTION by Inara Brubaker, seconded by Rhys Read, to adjourn the regular meeting. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.

Minutes prepared by Carol Kidd.

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