MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOVEMBER 21, 2013
The regular meeting of the Northlake Public Library District Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by President Orlando Rivera. Present were Board members: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera. Absent Board member: Garcia. Also present were Sharon L. Highler, Library Director; Mary Jane Garrett, Head of Technical Services; Laura Bartnik, Head of Adult Services; and Rich Stronczek, Business/Building Manager.
Stronczek stated that, in relation to our levy amount for fiscal year 2012-2013, we had over $137,000.00 of it deducted over the course of that year due to tax protests. Did any Board members have questions regarding Paul Inserra’s presentation about the audit during the public hearing? As there were no questions, at 7:08 p.m. Stronczek was thanked for coming and he left.
The Board approved the agenda of the meeting, with the exception of not needing the Executive Session, plus the minutes of the October 17, 2013, regular meeting, on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Efta.
AYES: All.
The Board read and accepted the following: the Treasurer’s Report of October 31, 2013; the Bills Payable/Paid Report for November 21, 2013; the Revenue and Expense Report for October of 2013; and the Statistical Circulation and Acquistions Report for October of 2013. Acceptance of the above reports was on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Salo. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Total bills payable: $35,277.90.
Total bills paid: $615,453.21.
Bills paid amount includes the library district’s payments on the bonds.
Highler suggested asking representatives from Ehlers, a financial advisory firm for public sector clients, to revisit the Board at a future meeting and discuss the refinancing process. The Board agreed to meet with Ehlers’ representatives. Wright asked if the district should consider changing areas of investment. Rivera said that he favors low-risk investments, and that at present the district is not losing money on investments. Highler reported that she would hesitate about increasing any amount of risk, but that she is in favor of the Ehlers representatives discussing investments management with the Board.
The librarians’ reports were read and accepted with the appreciation of the Board. Garrett added her appreciation to all staff who helped with the October 17 regular meeting during her illness. Laura Bartnik took the notes and wrote the majority of the meeting minutes for October 17.
Tyler Works of Adult Services resigned to take a position at Indian Prairie Public Library. Raleigh Ocampo has been hired as an Adult and Digital Services Librarian. Teen activities and collection responsibilities are being shifted to Allison Parker of Youth Services. Kathy Ladell’s position of Bilingual Outreach Librarian is being redefined as Outreach Librarian, though Ladell will still help with translation and related duties. There are a number of bilingual staff at the library now, so the Outreach duties are being changed and expanded. Job descriptions for Outreach Librarian and Digital Services Librarian have been written and will be discussed later in this meeting.
Highler reported that the library’s booth at State Representative Willis’ Resources Fair on November 2 has produced good results. Northlake’s was the only library booth from the area at the fair. Highler, Stephanie Carlile of Circulation Services and Annette Alvarado of Adult Services participated. They were able to speak to a lot of people about the library’s resources and get information on other community resources in the area.
Laura Bartnik, Head of Adult Services, gave a presentation on new developments in her department. The Zinio digital magazine service has been a hit with patrons. The Hulk project’s statue is still popular, and the project itself greatly increased media attention for the library. From the funds raised, Adult Services was able to purchase technology that included Adobe Creative Suite, Cintiq, and a 3-D printer. Through using TechSoup, the department has been able to get technology at a discount. Adult Services has been using their portion of the annual Per Capita Grant for special projects and new technology. A recent series of programs used Arduino microcontrollers to teach programming language to teens. Bartnik also spoke on plans for checking out additional technology to patrons. In general, on a “curve of innovation adoption,” many patrons could be classified in the “laggard” category, probably because of not knowing new technology is available and because the cost of the technology is a barrier. Those on the library staff who are in the “innovators” category can help with advancing technology knowledge and use. Bartnik was thanked for her presentation and she left.
President Rivera had nothing additional to report.
Vice President Mukite asked if more lounge-type seating could be placed near the Hulk, so that area could be more of a social area. Highler said that, though some tables with chairs are needed in that wing of the building, she can take a look at seating needs.
Highler reminded the newer Trustees that they need to complete their required online Open Meetings Act training.
The Director’s evaluation process was discussed by Highler and the Board. Highler presented her self-evaluation to the Board.
Staff In-Service Day awards – awards for years of service and holiday bonuses – were discussed by Highler and the Board. Staff members have usually been recognized for each five years of service. Because of economic conditions, instead of a gift card Highler would like to recognize years of service with the addition of one-half of a personal day for each five-year increment of service, to be used by June 30, 2014. In previous years a cash bonus was given to each staff member for the holidays. Last year gift cards were used in order to economize. In place of a monetary gift this year, Highler is requesting that each employee be given one-half of an additional personal day in January, to be used by June 30, 2014. After discussion, the Board approved Highler’s proposals for awarding years of service and holiday bonuses on a motion by Salo with a second by Gutierrez. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Highler presented the revised Internet Access Policy to the Board. She asked them to read through it, plus an additional part to be given to them later, and be ready to discuss these at the January meeting.
After discussion, the Board accepted the revised Displays and Exhibits Policies on a motion by Wright with a second by Efta.
AYES: All.
The Board accepted the financial audit by McClure, Inserra & Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, on a motion by Salo with a second by Gutierrez. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
It was reported that the public hearing on the levy and tax assessment rate for fiscal year 2013-2014 was held on November 21, 2013. No members of the public attended the hearing. The report was accepted on a motion by Wright with a second by Salo.
AYES: All.
Ordinance #13-553, Levying and Assessing Taxes of the Northlake Public Library District, Cook County, Illinois, For the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2013 and Ending June 30, 2014, was adopted on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Efta. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Ordinance #13-554, Directing Against Proportional Reduction in the Aggregate Extension of the 2013 Tax Levy of the Northlake Public Library District, was adopted on a motion by Efta with a second by Gutierrez. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Efta, Mukite, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Trustees received copies of an informational brochure about the Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA), which has Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as program administrator. LIRA will begin on December 31, 2013, with a property/casualty insurance program and a workers compensation program. Being part of a group of libraries is projected to increase negotiation and buying power relating to insurance coverage. The Board decided that there was not enough information to accept or reject membership in LIRA before the end of 2013. There is usually no Board meeting in December. Highler can send the additional information to Board members when she receives it. The Board agreed to give Highler the authority to decide on membership in LIRA if she sees a savings advantage after investigating the additional LIRA information, on a motion by Wright with a second by Salo.
AYES: All.
Board members discussed the two new job descriptions, for Outreach Librarian and Digital Services Librarian. The Board accepted the job descriptions for Outreach Librarian and Digital Services Librarian on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Efta.
AYES: All.
No members of the public were present at the meeting.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2014.
As all items on the agenda were covered, Rivera declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Barbara Salo, Secretary