MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF THE
NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JANUARY 19, 2012
The regular meeting of the Northlake Public Library District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President Sonya Teets. Present were Board members: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets. Absent Board member: Garcia. Also present were: Kathy O’Cull, citizen and former Board member; Sharon L. Highler, Library Director; and Mary Jane Garrett, Head of Technical Services.
The Board approved the agenda. The Executive Session will be needed.
Minutes of the Board meeting of November 17, 2011, were read and approved on a motion by Salo with a second by Rivera.
AYES: All.
Minutes of the Executive Session of November 17, 2011, will be presented at the regular Board meeting in February.
The Board read and accepted the following: the Treasurer’s Reports of November 30 and December 31, 2011; the Bills Payable/Paid Reports for December 26, 2011 and January 19, 2012; the Revenue and Expense Reports for November and December of 2011; and the Statistical Circulation and Acquisitions Reports for November and December of 2011. Acceptance of the above reports was on a motion by Rivera with a second by Ukleja. Roll call vote:
AYES: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Grand total for December and January: $89,465.85
The grand total was found to be in error. The corrected grand total is $89,464.85. The Bills Payable/Paid Report was approved to be amended to show the corrected grand total of $89,464.85 on a motion by Salo with a second by Rivera. Roll call vote:
AYES: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
The librarians’ reports were read and accepted with the appreciation of the Board. Highler reported that the spring newsletter layout was done entirely in-house by Isela Herrera, the district’s new PR staff member. The Board commented that the newsletter looked good. Staff were pleased with the turnaround time. During the staff in-service day on January 13th, Highler introduced a succession planning project. Departments will break down staff tasks into steps, designate who the primary person is for each task, and train backup people to do the tasks when the primary persons are absent.
President Teets asked if Kindles and similar devices are having an effect on circulation. She has been asked by citizens why a library of books is needed if people have Kindles. The Board discussed this viewpoint. The library district will continue to keep up with new formats as they are introduced, but a significant number of people still read in the book format. The district not only supplies reading materials formats, but also provides services such as educational and recreational programming.
Vice President Rivera asked why the number of so many Gale database searches in December 2011 shows as eleven. Is this an error? Highler will check.
Highler reported on how the organization of the new RAILS library system is progressing. Though we have become used to the added services and continuing education opportunities provided by the MLS library system, with RAILS we can expect support only for delivery services and a Local Library System Automation Program (LLSAP), according to the state. Our current automated catalog is still SWAN.
The IMRF resolution to include compensation paid under an Internal Revenue Code Section 125 Plan as IMRF earnings was read and discussed by the Board. It was approved, contingent upon dates being confirmed and typos fixed, on a motion by Blaskey with a second by Salo. Roll call vote:
AYES: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
The Treasurer’s Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, July 1, 2011 Thru December 31, 2011, was read and approved on a motion by Rivera with a second by Salo. Roll call vote:
AYES: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
The NIMEC proposed contract for purchasing electricity was discussed by the Board. The Board approved the signing of the final contract when it is received, on a motion by Ukleja with a second by Gutierrez. Roll call vote:
AYES: Rivera, Salo, Blaskey, Ukleja, Gutierrez, Teets.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Garcia.
Action on the HVAC maintenance contract was tabled until the next regular meeting.
Highler will be bringing information on all property tax appeals and exemptions to Board meetings from now on. The law firm of Johnson and Colmar handles larger property tax appeals and exemptions. The smaller ones are allowed to go through.
Information on required trustee training on the Open Meetings Act was given to the Board. The training is given online. When trustees have completed the training, they should give their certifications to Highler before the deadline.
The Illinois Library Association Trustee Forum workshops for 2012 will be held on February 4th in Oak Brook. Any interested Board members should fill out a registration form and give it to Highler.
Board members were given copies of the Board contact information list. If any corrections are needed, please let Highler know. The final list will be sent to Board members.
The revised Northlake Public Library District Organizational Chart and the revised Person-in-Charge List were accepted by the Board.
Kathy O’Cull gave a brief greeting to the Board.
No other members of the public were present.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2012.
At 7:18 p.m., the Board voted to adjourn the regular meeting and go into Executive Session, as per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), “the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel to determine its validity.” The motion was made by Rivera with a second by Ukleja.
AYES: All.
Barbara Salo, Secretary