Board Meeting Minutes 11-15-21

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, Nov. 15, 2021
Central Library Workshop (or view online via Zoom)
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Bernas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Jillian Bernas, President; Julie Wroblewski Bosshart, Vice-President/Secretary; Theresa Seyring, Treasurer; Anita Forte-Scott, Emily Gilbert, Amy Mueller, Carole Pye

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

None

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

Ameenah Zawahir

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT

None

OTHERS PRESENT

Jennifer Hunt, Annie Miskewitch, Kathy Morgan, Kate Niehoff, Jason Santos, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Lori Teipel, Beth Valenziano, Elena Vandolah, Emily Vinci

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

BOARD COMMENTS

Trustee Pye enjoyed the program with Cathy Park Hong and learned quite a bit, including about a Korean author in Chicago who shares immigrant stories on TikTok. She thanked Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart for sharing the article about the Memphis library. She also looked at the Veterans’ History Project on the Library’s YouTube channel.

Trustee Gilbert attended the RAILS webinar “Harm and Healing in the Library.” She has read three of the four One Book, One Community books and is enjoying the Pick-Up Program to solve a cold case.

Trustee Mueller appreciates all the innovation happening at the Library. She also appreciated the article about the Memphis library and is excited to see how Schaumburg Library can continue to innovate with the new strategic plan.

Trustee Forte-Scott is looking forward to getting materials from the new Pick-Up Lockers at the branches. The Library anticipates those will open to the public in December 2021.

Treasurer Seyring also attended and appreciated the Cathy Park Hong event. She gave kudos to Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart for the shared article about the Memphis library. She also noted she saw former Trustee Bob Lyons recently and shared about his contributions to the Library.

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart appreciated the strategic planning session. She also called attention to the “A Conflict of Values” article in the latest ALA Magazine, and gave a recap of the article about the Memphis library, relating both to Schaumburg Library.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Pye moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that:

The October 18, 2021 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

Discussion included clarification of a board comment.

The motion passed unanimously.

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that:

The October 23, 2021 Special Board Meeting Minutes be approved.

There was no discussion.

The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that:

The Library Board approve the October 2021 Bill List.

Discussion included clarification of some charges.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Seyring reviewed the financial reports, making note of balances in the various funds. She noted total revenues for October were primarily from property and replacement taxes. She also reviewed expenses, highlighting a few line items and why they are above or below budget at this time. Treasurer Seyring noted projections for staffing have been adjusted to account for vacancies. She also gave an update on the status of various Library investments.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA

The presentation from ATA Group will be before the President’s Report.

There will be an Executive Session after the Regular Board meeting under section 2(c), (05).

PRESENTATION OF THE FY 2020-21 AUDIT REPORT FROM ATA GROUP, LLP CPAS & ADVISORS

Judy Walther introduced herself and noted this is the third year ATA Group has performed the Library audit. She gave a brief overview of the written audit report, noting some of the recent financial trends of the Library. She shared that the audit ran smoothly and the Business Office staff were helpful throughout the process.

Treasurer Seyring gave kudos to Finance Director Beth Valenziano for all her hard work and for always sharing her knowledge.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Bernas appreciated everyone’s participation in the strategic planning session and is looking forward to the final product of the planning process.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Annie Miskewitch thanked finance director Beth Valenziano for all her work with the audit. She reviewed her written report, highlighting and answering questions about some statistics of note. She welcomed several new staff members, including new human resources director Elena Vandolah, who introduced herself briefly. Ms. Miskewitch shared Aaron Bock will be joining the Library as access services director, and briefly reviewed the responsibilities of the access services department.

Ms. Miskewitch also recommended Trustees read the ALA Magazine article “A Conflict of Values.” Ms. Miskewitch shared a report from the Library’s DEI Committee to show the work they’ve done over the last year with staff.

Ms. Miskewitch shared a printed draft of the employee manual for Trustees to review. She hopes Trustees can review in November, and possibly approve in December. Ms. Miskewitch gave an update on vaccine mandate news.

Ms. Miskewitch answered trustee questions regarding the fireplaces, hours of operation, the employee handbook and the DEI Committee.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt shared that the Library is once again applying for the annual per capita grant, which comes with a review of Standards for Illinois Public Libraries 4.0. Ms. Hunt noted she’ll bring a review of the Standards at the December meeting. She highlighted some areas of her written report, including the staff kickoff of One Book, One Community, meeting room usage, Library Boxes and a visit from middle school students.

Ms. Hunt and Ms. Miskewitch answered some Trustee questions about FOIA requests.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Marketing and Communications – Hollis Sienkiewicz

Marketing and Communications Director Hollis Sienkiewicz shared several of the Library’s promotional videos created over the last year.

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES REPORT

The SATs updated their PowerPoint presentation and publicized some specific programs for teens with their schools.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Review of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy (updated)

President Bernas asked Trustees to review the updated FOIA policy. Trustees will vote on this policy at the December meeting. Executive Director Miskewitch noted this policy should be reviewed every year.

Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement for Illinois Libraries Present

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for Illinois Libraries Present.

Discussion included some basic review of the agreement and noting it was reviewed by the Library’s lawyers.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of Library Board Meeting Schedule for 2022

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the Library Board Meeting Schedule for 2022.

There was no discussion.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of Library Closures for 2022

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that the Board approve the Library closures for 2022.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Waiver of Bid to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum for “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab” exhibit in the amount of $42,000.00

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the Waiver of Bid to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum for “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab” exhibit in the amount of $42,000.00.

Discussion included an overview of the exhibit from programs and outreach manager Kate Niehoff.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of Combined Rasmussen Room Use for School District 54 on December 1, 2021

Trustee Pye moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that the Board approve the combined Rasmussen Room use for School District 54 on December 1, 2021.

Discussion included review of the policy to have Board approval of outside organizations using the combined Rasmussen Room.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that:

The Library Board enter into Executive Session under section 2(c), (05) at 8:37 P.M.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded the Library Board exit Executive Session at 9:20 P.M.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Ms. Bernas Yes

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded the meeting adjourn at 9:21 P.M.

The motion passed unanimously.