MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF THE
NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JANUARY 20, 2011

The regular meeting of the Northlake Public Library District Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:38 p.m. by President Sonya Teets. Present were Board members: Rivera, Blaskey, O’Cull, Gutierrez, Teets. Also present were Sharon L. Highler, Library Director, and Mary Jane Garrett, Head of Technical Services. Absent Board members: Salutric, Salo.

The Board approved the agenda for the meeting, with the exception that an Executive Session would not be needed. The public hearing minutes of November 18, 2010, had not been listed on the agenda, so they will be read for approval at the February 17, 2011, meeting.

6:40 p.m., Salo arrived.

Minutes of the regular Board meeting of November 18, 2010, were read and approved on a motion by O’Cull with a second by Rivera.

AYES: All.

The Board read and accepted the following: the Treasurer’s Reports of November 30 and December 31, 2010; the Bills Payable/Paid Reports for November and December of 2010; the Revenue and Expense Reports for November and December of 2010; and the Statistical Circulation and Acquisitions Reports for November and December of 2010. Acceptance of the above reports was on a motion by Rivera with a second by Salo. Roll call vote:

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

The librarians’ reports for November and December of 2010 were read and accepted with the appreciation of the Board. The Library Director’s report also included copies of a draft of the library systems’ vision, mission and values; a letter to the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Library System (MLS) from a group of library directors with questions about the merger process; letters from the law offices of Peregrine, Stime, Newman, Ritzman & Bruckner, Ltd., on amendments to the Open Meetings Act relating to the time frame for approval of minutes and to public comment at meetings; and a notice from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) on rising employer contributions for 2011. Highler reported that she would like to arrange for a photo opportunity with the major donors to the new bilingual literacy computer for Youth Services.

During her President’s Report, Teets asked that, in relation to the state taxing situation, are there additional ways that we can cut back if we get less tax revenue than expected? Highler reported that she had planned for some reductions already, and has reminded department heads to assume that there will be 10% less funds for them to spend than last fiscal year.

The Personnel Policy Committee met with Highler on November 30, and discussed the Personnel Policy and its changes.

For the Vice President’s report, there was not any information to add.

Personnel Policy revisions were discussed by the Board. Changes in benefits, the work week and hours were summarized. The Board would like Highler to poll nearby libraries to see how our paid holidays compare to theirs. The section of the Personnel Policy up to the holiday listing was approved on a motion by Salo with a second by Rivera. Roll call vote:

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

The Community Relations Guidelines (sometimes known as a patron bill of rights) were discussed and adopted on a motion by Rivera with a second by O’Cull. Roll call vote:

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

The Employee General Guidelines (sometimes known as a staff bill of rights) were discussed and adopted on a motion by O’Cull with a second by Blaskey. Roll call vote:

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

The Northlake Public Library District Organizational Chart was discussed and accepted on a motion by Rivera with a second by Blaskey. Roll call vote:

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

The Person-in-Charge List was discussed and accepted on a motion by O’Cull with a second by Gutierrez. Roll call vote:

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

Highler reported on the state of Illinois’ library systems and the Illinois State Library. The related documents from the Director’s Report were discussed in more depth. MLS has voted to dissolve at the end of June 2011, and has approved the system merger.

The MLS Annual Certification for public library membership was approved for signing, on a motion by Rivera with a second by O’Cull.

AYES: All.

The Board discussed the need for a new problem patron policy and procedures, or amendments to a present policy. The Board would also like Highler to pull the district’s sexual harassment policy for the Board to review. Highler added that the staff’s Personnel Committee will also discuss this as part of their responsibilities.

No members of the public were present.

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2011.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m., on a motion by Salo with a second by Blaskey.

AYES: All.

Barbara Salo, Secretary