Board Meeting Minutes 12-13-21

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, Dec. 13, 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 7:01 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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

Carole Pye

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

Ameenah Zawahir, Araha Uday

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT

None

OTHERS PRESENT

Amber Creger, Jennifer Hunt, Annie Miskewitch, Kate Niehoff, Jason Santos, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Bobbi Sloan, Amanda Standerfer, Magan Szwarek, Lori Teipel, Gail Tobin, Beth Valenziano

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Bobbi Sloan noted there are flyers on display for a business that may not be appropriate. She also complimented the Library on the winter decorations.

BOARD COMMENTS

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart was browsing in the Library over the weekend and noted it felt fairly normal with many others in the Library. She offered many thanks to all the staff and consultants who worked on the employee handbook – she feels this is a wonderful resource for the Library and notes what amazing progress the Library has made in this area.

Trustee Seyring also complimented the winter decorations. She was in the Library for the free coffee day, and while disappointed there weren’t more people in the morning, she noted more traffic came in the afternoon.

Trustee Forte-Scott spoke with Palatine Township Trustee Christine Svenson about how wonderful libraries are, especially in Palatine and Schaumburg. They hope to get together again soon to chat more.

Trustee Gilbert was excited to receive the print Guide and was delighted to receive her Library Box. She enjoyed the beautiful holiday party and appreciated seeing so many staff recognized for their years of service. Ms. Gilbert mentioned the new ILA advocacy tool kit and has shared a link to the tool kit with Executive Director Miskewitch.

Trustee Mueller is excited the branch lockers are up and running. She also appreciates the content on the Library’s Facebook page. Ms. Mueller has heard from several community members that they appreciate receiving the Guide in the mail.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

The November 15, 2021 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

There was no discussion.

The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Treasurer Seyring moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that:

The Library Board approve the November 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

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Seyring reviewed the financial reports, noting changes in fund balances and investments, as well as revenue sources and expense trends for the month. Cash flows are projected for the rest of the year based on expected investment maturities, tax revenue and expenses. The Library anticipates receiving more tax revenue again in March.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA

The SAT report and the presentation of the strategic plan will take place before the President’s Report.

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES REPORT

The SATs promoted the Library’s English research resources to classmates and collaborated with the Library to post on social media about finals week and resources at the Library. They also updated their PowerPoint and shared it with the school librarians, and added posts about Library resources to the schools’ website.

On behalf of the entire Board, Treasurer Seyring thanked SAT Ameenah for her service, as this is the last meeting of her term.

PRESENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2024

Amanda Standerfer of Fast Forward Libraries, along with the Strategic Planning Committee, presented an update of the progress of the strategic planning process. They reviewed the process so far, and shared proposed strategic directions, and vision and mission statements.

The board discussed options for vision and mission statements. Executive Director Miskewitch will share those with the board via email for additional thoughts and feedback.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Bernas appreciated all the staff and board’s work on the strategic plan. She thanked the social committee for the holiday party. Ms. Bernas noted she has some maternity time coming up. She plans to be at the January meeting, but will miss the February meeting and possibly the March meeting. Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart will lead the meetings in Ms. Bernas’ absence, and Treasurer Seyring will lead the meeting should both Ms. Bernas and Ms. Wroblewski Bosshart be absent.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Annie Miskewitch shared that Library Journal announced their 2022 star ratings and Schaumburg Library is once again a 5-star library. She also shared a very positive, personal note from a patron. Executive Director Miskewitch noted the patron appreciation coffee event went smoothly, though there was not much increase in traffic for the event.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt reminded the board that the requirement for this year’s Per Capita Grant is for all trustees to review Serving Our Public 4.0, and for the Library to report progress made on any standards over the last year. Ms. Hunt answered questions about her written report for this project.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Fiction, Movies and Music – Lori Teipel

Fiction, Movies and Music Department Director Lori Teipel gave a brief update on the work of her team throughout the pandemic since her last department report was in March 2020. The Library website now includes a Readers page with information specific to this group of patrons. The Fiction team continues to look for ways to support local authors. Highlights from the AV area include relabeling and adding RFID tags to DVD cases, and adding entertainment-related materials to the circulating collection. Ms. Teipel noted that Library Boxes are a hit with the community and she looks forward to working with Youth Services to find ways to make this service more consistent Library-wide.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Review of Employee Handbook (Draft)

President Bernas asked Trustees to please review the draft of the updated employee handbook and to share thoughts with Executive Director Miskewitch before the next meeting.

Discussion included the bigger changes to employee policies, such as parental leave, dress code, emergency building closures and personal days. Trustees noted some opportunities for more inclusive language within the parental leave section. Trustees asked for clarification on dress code mentions regarding scents. Full-time staff hours of 37.5 vs. 40 hours per week were discussed.

The board also discussed the timing of approving the handbook and how that may impact payroll and benefits.

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

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the updated Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy.

Discussion included clarification of charging for FOIA material printing, and tax levy details. Trustee Bernas raised the question regarding why only Medicare could be levied separately. Discussion took place regarding whether or not a reference should be made to all payroll taxes and not just Medicare. The vote was tabled until clarification could be made. Trustees felt additional information was needed on this policy before voting to approve.

Trustees Forte-Scott and Mueller withdrew their motions. Executive Director Miskewitch will provide trustees with additional information regarding the tax levy details.

Approval of Professional Development Expenses of $2,039.11; $1,789.00; $1,597.29; $1,820.00; $1,872.00; $1,959.00; $1,625.70; $1,625.70; $1,665.79 for PLA Conference (Portland, OR) in March 2022

Trustee Gilbert moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the professional development expenses of $2,039.11; $1,789.00; $1,597.29; $1,820.00; $1,872.00; $1,959.00; $1,625.70; $1,625.70; $1,665.79 for PLA Conference (Portland, OR) in March 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

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Combined Rasmussen Room Use for School District 54 on January 19, 2022; February 16, 2022; and March 16, 2022

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the combined Rasmussen Room use for School District 54 on January 19, 2022; February 16, 2022; and March 16, 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

Ms. Bernas Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Mueller seconded the meeting adjourn at 9:44 P.M.

The motion passed unanimously.