Board Capsules
July 15, 2003

The regular meeting of the Des Plaines Public Library Board of Trustees was held in the second floor conference room on Tuesday, July 15, 2003. John Ciborowski called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

Members Present: Susan Burrows, John Ciborowski, Noreen Lake, Rhys Read, Elaine Tejcek, Susan Weinberg, Ellen Yearwood.

OATH OF OFFICE

Elaine Tejcek took the Oath of Office.

CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - Carla Brookman

Alderman Brookman reported that Cancer Awareness Day will be held at the library on October 4, 2003 and luminarias may be offered for sale on library plaza.

PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING TRUSTEE

President John Ciborowski thanked former trustee, John Burke, for his ten years of service to the library.

STAFF PRESENTATION - Michelle Meyer-Edley

Michelle Meyer-Edley reported on The New Literacy Grant. Michelle stated that the grant was funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and awarded by the Illinois State Library. Michelle also stated that basic computer classes were taught in English, Spanish and Polish and 894 adults attended the classes.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Over the Counter Receipts $ 12,200.86
2. Petty Cash Expenditures $ 19.60
3. Budget Expenditures for June $ 337,625.49
4. Expenditures Year to Date $ 2,210,585.76
5. Revenue for June $ 10,718.67
6. Revenue Year to Date $ 2,252,192.01

MOTION by Susan Weinberg, seconded by Rhys Read, to approve, subject to audit, expenditures authorized by the Library Administrator and Board Representatives for library Warrant Registers as follows:

June 02, 2003 $ 49,871.49
June 16, 2003 $ 43,783.19
Total $ 93,654.68

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Burrows, Ciborowski, Lake, Read, Tejcek, Weinberg, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

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

June 12, 2003 $ 96,558.07
June 26, 2003 $ 98,266.12
Total $ 194,824.19

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Burrows, Ciborowski, Lake, Read, Tejcek, Weinberg, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

PERSONNEL

New employee June, 2003: Darwin Marcelo, PT Page in the Circulation Department.

Resignations/Separations: Joseph Mullarkey, PT Reference Librarian.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Hector Marino and Holly Sorensen both attended the Annual Conference of ALA, which was held with the Canadian Library Association in Toronto. The conference attendance was approximately 8,000 less than expected following the W.H.O. warning about travel to Toronto because of the number of SARS cases reported there. Both Hector and Holly serve on ALA committees, Membership and International Relations, respectively. This year's conference was notable for two national issues that were pertinent to librarians. One was the announcement of the Supreme Court decision favoring the CIPA and the other was the growing controversy over libraries and librarians in Cuba in the aftermath of the recent harsh treatment of dissidents in Cuba.

I awarded tuition reimbursement to five employees for fall semester classes. One other employee received an earlier award for the spring semester. Three of the recipients are working for Masters' degrees, and three are working on Bachelor's degrees.

PATRON SERVICES

There were no inquiries concerning patron records in June.

The demand for our services continues to increase. Our circulation is up by 14% year to date over the same period last year. Items checked out in June increased 16% over June last year. Our Summer Reading Club enrollment is also higher than last year. Well over 1200 children are participating in the annual event. Patrons used self-check services to check out 23% of all materials in June. Youth Services checkouts comprised 36% of the total checkouts for the month. Mobile Library circulation increased by 14% over last June, and comprised 3% of the total circulation of all library materials.

The virtual reference service, now called "MyWebLibrarian" ended as a grant project officially on June 30. The service will continue, thanks to the efforts of library staff in the North Suburban libraries. We have nine staff members trained to provide this 24/7 online reference service for eight hours during the week and one out of three Sundays for four hours. Heidi Krueger, Adult Services Librarian, served on the steering committee and continues to serve as liaison for this joint project. During its heaviest month, April 2003, librarians assisted in over 3,000 reference inquiries. The program began in January, 2001. Our service is third in the country in volume of inquiries, behind Q&A NJ and Clevenet's Know-It-Now.

Chris Posinger reported on the successful public program, "A Tribute to Mae West." Ninety-two people attended and were uniformly pleased with the presentation. Eighty-five percent rated it excellent and 15% rated it above average.

A crew of over 20 staff, family and Trustees marched in the Fourth of July parade. Even in oppressive heat, the Book Drill Team impressed the bystanders. Thanks to Bob Blanchard for organizing this year's entry and to Gail Bradley for providing the graphics for Tshirts and bookmarks.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

I attended my last meeting as a member of the University of Illinois Extension Advisory Committee on June 19, followed by the Chamber of Commerce membership meeting and the retirement reception for Dave Markworth on the same day. I attended two meetings of the Friends of the Library, June 24 and July 1. On June 29 I attended the opening celebration for the Skokie Public Library's addition and renovation. I walked with the staff and trustees in the library's entry for the 4th of July parade, and attended an all-day workshop on Excel 2002(XP) on July 9.

I plan to take vacation July 16 through 21, but will attend a Library Advocacy Program at NSLS on Monday, July 21.

OLD BUSINESS

President Ciborowski distributed the results from the Community Focus Groups and explained how the information was compiled and how the participants were chosen. President Ciborowski explained that the next step in the process is to use the results of the report to help with the development of a new strategic plan. The Board asked the Planning Committee to meet and make a recommendation as to whether or not a consulting firm should be hired to facilitate the strategic planning process.

Susan Burrows reported that the Des Plaines City Council approved the library's request to reopen the Buy A Brick fundraiser. Susan asked for board approval to set brick prices at $100 for an 4" x 8" brick, $175 for an 8" x 8" brick and $250 for an 8" x 8" logo brick.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by Rhys Read, to approve an ongoing Buy A Brick fundraising program and to increase the price of the engraved bricks to $100.00 for an 4" x 8" brick, $175 for an 8" x 8" brick and $250 for an 8" x 8" logo brick and to have the bricks installed one time per year, with the program continuing until further notice. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

Sandra Norlin reported that the Community Library Foundation will facilitate the brick sale and that there will be a $4.50 service fee to those persons wanting to pay for their brick purchase using a credit card.

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Susan Burrows, to divide the proceeds from the Buy A Brick fundraiser between the Century Fund for Books and the Art Fund. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS

John Ciborowski will attend the August 4 City Council meeting, Susan Weinberg the August 18 meeting, Noreen Lake the September 2 meeting and Rhys Read the September 15 meeting.

Susan Burrows reported that the Nominating Committee nominates John Ciborowski as President, Noreen Lake as Vice-President and Carol Kidd as Secretary for a twelve-month term, beginning with the July Board Meeting.

MOTION by Ellen Yearwood, seconded by Susan Burrows, to approve the slate of officers, John Ciborowski, President, Noreen Lake, Vice President and Carol Kidd, Secretary, by acclamation. VOTE: AYES: All. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Susan Burrows announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Monday, August 4 at 4:30 PM to begin discussion of the library FY2004 budget and invited Board attendance.

Sandra Norlin reported that the contract to provide Mobile Library service to Rosemont has been sent to Peter M. Rosenthal, Rosemont City Attorney.

Sandra Norlin reported that the Supreme Court declared the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) constitutional. The Board will postpone discussion on the impact CIPA will have on the Des Plaines Public Library until a later date.

Noreen Lake thanked the staff for their planning and participation in the Fourth of July parade.

OTHER

Sandra Norlin reported that Resurrection Medical Center will present a two day program on osteoporosis to library patrons in October and that Resurrection Medical Center offered to provide an osteoporosis screening for a fee of $10.00. Sandra explained that library policy prohibits outside groups charging a fee for services and that any exception must be approved by the Board

MOTION by Rhys Read, seconded by Ellen Yearwood, to enter into an Executive Session at 8:25 PM to discuss Semi-Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes. Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Susan Burrows, seconded by Ellen Yearwood, to concur with consensus in Executive Session that the following Executive Session minutes no longer require confidential treatment and are available for public inspection:

April 16, 2002 - Administrator's Evaluation, Purchase or Lease of Real Property
June 18, 2002 - Purchase or Lease of Real Property
October 15, 2002 - Purchase or Lease of Real Property
December 17, 2002 - Semi-Annual Review of Executive Minutes
April 15, 2003 - Purchase or Lease of Real Property

And further concur with consensus in Executive Session that the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or part of the remaining Executive Session minutes. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Burrows, Ciborowski, Lake, Read, Tejcek, Weinberg, Yearwood. NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

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

back