Board Capsules
January 15, 2002
The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of
Trustees was held in the second floor conference room on Tuesday,
January 15, 2002.President John Ciborowski called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE – Rosemary Argus.
Alderman Rosemary Argus mentioned two library programs
("Business Before Hours" and the special project for
National Library Week) that promote local businesses and thanked the
library for their support of Des Plaines businesses.
CONSENT AGENDA
Rhys Read asked that B. Acceptance of Financial Reports for
December, 2001 be removed from the Consent Agenda and Sandra Norlin
asked that E. - 4. Administrator’s Report be removed from the
Consent Agenda.
Rhys Read requested that the February board packet include the
financial reports for period 13 and he also requested copies of the
audited financial statements for 2001. Sandra Norlin stated that the period 13 financial reports
most likely will be provided by the City of Des Plaines by the end
of February 2002 and the audited financial reports by March 2002.
Sandra Norlin reported that circulation totals for the year 2001
showed an increase of 22% over the year 2000. Sandra also reported that March 2001 was highest in
circulation for the year and August 2001 was the second highest
usage month at the library. Sandra reported that trends in library usage are changing.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
All staff development efforts and opportunities this month have
been directed to training for the new computer system.
Five staff members have registered to attend the biannual Public
Library Association Conference in Phoenix in March.
The figures that we keep in house are available for registration,
patron assistance, and attendance. These numbers indicate that we have increased our services in
all these areas. Attendance for the year 2001 is 454,781, which is an increase of 38.7%. The graphs of patron services show the increases in both
adult and youth patron assistance over 2001. Attendance at library programs and events was 39,025 for the
year 2001.
Gary Valente and his staff deserve high praise for maintaining a
safe and attractive environment throughout the library. In addition to keeping the facility clean and hazard-free,
his department is responsible for setting up furniture and equipment
and cleaning for all meetings. With daily attendance at an all-time high in addition to the high number
of meetings held throughout the year, the general appearance of the
building is remarkably excellent.
NEW BUSINESS
Gary Valente, Head of Building and Security Services reported on
the work of his department. Gary’s program included a Power Point presentation with a detailed
narrative of his department’s efforts to effectively and
efficiently run the building.
President Ciborowski complimented Gary Valente’s management of
the building and stated that Gary is on top of all problems and is
always looking for ways to save the library money.
Alderman Sayad asked if the library had designated an employee to
view the security monitors and if all the monitors were located in
one location. Gary Valente responded that the security system is
used as a tool by library staff to monitor activity on each floor
and that videotapes can be viewed if a security issue arises.
William Grice stated that a member of his church appreciated the
security provided by the library. William Grice asked Gary Valente if special uniforms were worn by security
and Gary responded that the Building and Security Systems Department
all wear shirts that identify them as security monitors for the
library.
Alderman Sayad asked if problems with 3M security equipment for
library materials had been resolved. Sandra Norlin responded that
the most likely reason that alarms were being set off was that
library personnel had not desensitized the magnetic strips, but that
incidents of the alarm going off have decreased significantly.
Sue D’Hondt stated that Friends of the Library were unable to
view library security tapes because of the type of specialized
equipment the library security system uses.
Alderman Sayad asked how long the library keeps the security
tapes and Gary Valente responded that if there are no incidents to
review the tapes automatically rewind and rerecord after 48 hours.
Alderman Sayad suggested that additional videotapes be
purchased and the library change the tapes daily. Ellen Yearwood responded that an employee of the library
would have to change the tapes daily and this would be an added
expense for the library. President Ciborowski referred this matter to the Building and Grounds
Committee for further review.
President Ciborowski asked for Board approval to obtain two
proposals for the lighting of the atrium sculpture.
MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Ellen Yearwood, to authorize
Library Administrator, Sandra Norlin, to obtain two additional
proposals for lighting the atrium sculpture.
Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Argus asked if local vendors were being considered for
lighting the atrium sculpture and Gary Valente responded that local
vendors had been contacted.
Sandra Norlin distributed two reports prepared by Margie Borris.
Margie Borris prepared a report on 2001 tours and programs
and a volunteer report for 2001. Sandra reported that every department except for Building and
Security Systems uses volunteers.
The Management Committee will meet on March 5, 2002 at 4:30 PM and will review the
hours the library is open, including Sunday hours. William Grice asked Sandra Norlin to prepare a comparison
report on hours that surrounding libraries are open. Sandra Norlin responded that she will gather the information,
but also reminded the board that the library budget for 2002 is
austere and an increase in library hours would mean budget cuts in
other areas. John Burke suggested that this information be gathered for possible
implementation in 2003.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sandra Norlin introduced Diana Wolciechowski, a resident of Des
Plaines, who attends Kendall College and will work with Sandra
through the end of March in an administrative internship position.
William Grice thanked the library staff and the patrons of the
library for their generous contributions to the Self-Help Closet.
William Grice also thanked the library for supporting the
program.
Leslie Steiner reported that the library and the Des Plaines
Chamber of Commerce & Industry are working with local businesses
on a special project for National Library Week, April 14 – 20,
2002. Participating local businesses will offer a discount or special value to people who show
their Des Plaines Public Library cards during National Library Week.
Alderman Argus asked that this information be presented to
the City Council at their January 21, 2002 meeting.
Martha Sloan reported that local businesses are being invited
to attend “Business Before Hours” at the library on February 8,
2002. This program is being sponsored by the library, Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and
the Des Plaines Economic Development Commission and funded through a
grant from the Illinois State Library.
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