MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JANUARY 16, 2014
The regular meeting of the Northlake Public Library District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by President Orlando Rivera. Present were Board members: Salo, Gutierrez, Efta, Wright, Rivera. Absent Board members: Mukite, Garcia. Also present were Sharon L. Highler, Library Director; and Mary Jane Garrett, Head of Technical Services.
The Board approved the agenda of the meeting, with the exception of not needing the Executive Session.
The minutes of the Public Hearing of November 21, 2013, and the minutes of the regular Board meeting of November 21, 2013, were approved by the Board on a motion by Salo with a second by Efta.
AYES: All.
The Board read and approved the following: the Treasurer’s Reports of November 30 and December 31, 2013; the Bills Payable/Paid Reports for December 2013 and January 16, 2014; and the Revenue and Expense Reports for November and December of 2013. Acceptance of the above reports was on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Salo. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Efta, Wright, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Mukite, Garcia.
Total bills payable: $44,733.21.
Total bills paid: $78,002.16.
Highler reported to the Board on recent transfers of funds. These were done in order to have money available for operating expenses, to make up for tax money that is coming in slowly. The money is returned to the original fund as the district receives the taxes.
The Board read and discussed the Statistical Circulation and Acquisitions Reports for November and December of 2013, and the librarians’ reports for November 2013 through January 2014. Highler spoke additionally on items from the reports. Circulation has been down across the entire library system. Board members asked about getting circulation reports about specific parts of the collection, and about what is being requested/sent through interlibrary loan. Richard Stronczek, Business/Building Manager, will be reducing his hours and eliminating his responsibilities related to the library building.
Information from Nancy Garcia arrived after the meeting agenda was posted, so the Board’s discussion of it cannot involve an official decision. Garcia has sent her resignation from the office of Trustee to the Board, but the Board will not be able to officially accept it until the next regular meeting on February 20. Highler will post the Trustee vacancy on January 20, with an application deadline of February 19. Board members should encourage people likely to be good Trustees to apply.
Wal-Mart’s PTAB (tax objection) cases and their solutions were discussed in communications from Johnson and Colmar, and among Highler and the Board. The Board agreed to the assessment discussed in the January 16, 2014, communication.
Highler and the Board discussed the ongoing computer problems in the library building. Highler is pursuing funding from lesser-used parts of the budget in order to purchase additional staff time from CTC, our IT provider.
During this winter, library staff have held voluntary collections of money and supplies to help some local homeless patrons.
The Board accepted the Statistical Circulation and Acquisitions Reports and the librarians’ reports with appreciation.
President Rivera and Salo commented that the current print newsletter seemed less substantial than previous newsletters. Highler explained that library staff is experimenting with having an email newsletter plus just basic information in the print newsletter. Salo suggested making a more obvious statement in future print newsletters stating something like “for more detailed information, see our website.”
Vice President Mukite was not present to report.
Highler reported further on the Staff In-Service Day on December 13.
Required Trustee training on the Open Meetings Act has been completed.
The Director’s Evaluation Process was discussed. The current coordinator is unable to schedule enough time to do a complete job. Efta volunteered to be the new coordinator. Highler’s input has already been given to the Trustees. Trustees should fill out their forms and email them to Efta, who will put a report together. Highler will send a reminder with a form to each Trustee.
The Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA), covering liability, property and public officials insurance, was found to have significant savings over our previous provider. LIRA was accepted by Highler as our new provider for these types of insurance, as stipulated by the Board decision at the November 21 meeting.
Highler’s proposed Emergency/Weather Related Closing section of the Personnel policy was presented to the Board and discussed. 7:30 p.m., Efta needed to leave the meeting. The Board adopted the revised Emergency/Weather Related Closing section of the Personnel policy on a motion by Salo with a second by Gutierrez.
AYES: All.
The final version of the revised Internet Access Policy and the new Digital Media Policy were presented to the Board and discussed. The Internet Access Policy and the Digital Media Policy were adopted by the Board on a motion by Gutierrez with a second by Wright.
AYES: All.
The annual Illinois State Library Certification for the library district has been completed. Copies of the completed form were given to the Board.
Highler and Richard Stronczek (Business Manager) were authorized by the Board to sign the contract with the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) for electricity pricing, on a motion by Salo with a second by Wright. Roll call vote:
AYES: Salo, Gutierrez, Wright, Rivera.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Mukite, Garcia, Efta.
Trustees received copies of a letter (December 31, 2013) from Resurrection Luthern Church, thanking the library district for its donation of food gathered through our Food for Fines program.
Trustees each received a copy of the January 13, 2014, issue of Library Law e-News from Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., the attorneys for the library district.
No members of the public were present.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2014.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. on a motion by Salo with a second by Gutierrez.
AYES: All.
Barbara Salo, Secretary