Northlake Public Libray District

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APRIL 15, 2010

The regular meeting of the Northlake Public Library District Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President Sonya Teets . Present were Board members: Blaskey , Salutric , Rivera, O’Cull , Salo , Teets . Also present were Sharon L. Highler, Library Director, and Mary Jane Garrett, Head of Technical Services. Absent Board member: Gutierrez.

The agenda for the April 15, 2010 meeting was approved, with the change that the Executive Session would not be needed, on a motion by Salo with a second by Blaskey .

AYES: All.

The minutes of the regular Board meeting of March 18, 2010, were read and approved on a motion by Rivera with a second by Salutric .

AYES: All.

The Board read and accepted the following: the Treasurer’s Report of March 31, 2010; the Bills Payable Report for April 15, 2010; the Revenue and Expense Report for March 2010; and the Statistical Circulation and Acquisitions Report for March 2010. Acceptance of the above reports was on a motion by Blaskey with a second by O’Cull . Roll call vote:

AYES: Blaskey , Salutric , Rivera, O’Cull , Salo , Teets .
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Gutierrez.

Grand total of all payables listed: $53,688.68.

Highler reported that the library’s data sheets are continuing to be refined. Board members received copies of a table of statistics for the library for the month of March. This was prepared from statistics available from the Metropolitan Library System (MLS). One of the results gained from the table confirms staff observations that Sundays are often the “busiest per hour” days of the week.

The librarians’ reports were read and accepted with the appreciation of the Board. Highler reported on the library’s application for a Penny Severns Literacy Grant, for a family program of English as a Second Language during the summer. She plans that, even if the library does not receive a grant, the library will still have a modified form of the program. Our SWAN circulation system has initiated a new system for holds (interlibrary loans within the library system). This gives patrons less time to pick up their items when they arrive. Staff are discussing alternatives to mail for patron notification; email is already being used as a good alternate. MLS is discussing how to manage reduced funding; one topic is an alternate delivery system among member libraries.

President Teets had nothing additional to report.

Vice President Rivera reported on meeting with Highler to discuss the duties and roles of trustees. Each Board member received a copy of the “Governing Board Member Job Description”.

Participation in the two upcoming parades – Stone Park’s Memorial Day parade, May 31, and the Northlake Days parade, June 27 – was discussed. Salo is able to drive for both parades, but she needs additional people to ride in the car. In addition to any Board members riding, staff members are being asked if they would ride in the parades. It was decided that a booth at Northlake Days was not possible this year.

2011 Per Capita Grant requirements were discussed. One of the requirements is that the Board must review the bylaws and make any needed revisions, corrections or updates. A committee needs to be formed to review the bylaws and report back to the Board what changes are needed. The library’s department heads are reviewing the most recent Illinois library standards, and will be reporting to the Board about how they affect the library district. Highler has been reviewing job descriptions and the salary scale. Blaskey , Rivera, O’Cull and Teets volunteered to be on the bylaws committee. They will meet on April 19.

ILA membership applications were given to Board members if they wish to join.

Current library legislative issues were discussed. Rather than having the annual rally in Springfield, ILA is encouraging people to be more proactive locally. Highler will continue to keep the trustees informed about current legislation.

Highler reported on National Library Week activities. The staff READ posters are on display; Board members may participate in this also. The Staff Appreciation Days have gone very well. Patrons were asked to fill out mini-surveys, with their names to be put into a raffle for prizes. Copies of the survey forms were given to the Board. “Food for Fines” has not gathered as much as the same program during the holidays, but it is being held for only one week as opposed to the entire winter holiday season.

As part of the summer family ESL program, staff are being required to learn key Spanish phrases that might be used in customer service. Some Board members may help with pronunciation recordings. Although we have bilingual staff, all staff need to know some basic Spanish phrases.

Teets asked that, since we have done READ posters successfully, will we be featuring local government officials? Highler said that now that the staff knows how to do them, we will offer to feature government officials in the posters.

Blaskey reminded the Board that, at the October Board meeting, a policy was agreed upon that established $3,000.00 as the upper limit for purchase decisions that could be made by the Director without presenting them to the Board.

Rivera reported on Internet and other problems still being experienced on the public computers.

The Board wished to add a phrase to the “Public Discussion” part of the agenda about each person being limited to three minutes of speaking time.

No members of the public were present.

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2010.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. on a motion by O’Cull with a second by Salo .

AYES: All.

Barbara Salo , Secretary