Board Meeting Minutes 2-21-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, Feb. 21, 2022
Central Library Workshop (or view online via Zoom)
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

Jillian Bernas, President

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

Ameenah Zawahir

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT

Araha Uday

OTHERS PRESENT

Amber Creger, Jennifer Hunt, Ting Ko, Annie Miskewitch, Tiffany Nash, Kate Niehoff, Dan Pohrte, Jason Santos, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Magan Szwarek, Lori Teipel, Beth Valenziano, Elena Vandolah, Emily, Joanne, Joe Marcantonio,

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

BOARD COMMENTS

Trustee Pye attended the ILA Legislative Meetup and the various Village updates, and learned a lot of great information. Additionally, she attended a Library program hosted by Jane Rozek. She was glad to see the fireplace turned on at the Hanover Park Branch and enjoyed the amenities there. Trustee Pye appreciated donating the One Book, One Community youth book titles to John Muir Literacy Academy.

Trustee Gilbert also attended the ILA Legislative Meetup and appreciated the support of all the legislators. She attended the Library’s DEI Committee meeting and heard the draft of the land acknowledgement statement. She appreciates the reminder emails from Executive Director Miskewitch regarding upcoming events.

Trustee Forte-Scott congratulated President Bernas on the birth of her baby boy. She was very impressed with the Village of Schaumburg community survey that Executive Director Miskewitch shared. She is looking forward to hearing from One Book, One Community author Brit Bennett and to attending the ILA spring trustee workshops.

Treasurer Seyring attended the ILA Legislative Meetup and reviewed some of the information she learned from various legislators who spoke at the event.

Trustee Mueller is looking forward to meeting One Book, One Community author Brit Bennett and appreciates that the event is in-person and streaming online. She also looks forward to hearing from the architects at this meeting, regarding the potential second-floor renovation.

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart attended the Schaumburg Village update, especially noting that Mayor Dailly made a call for businesses to encourage workers to come back into the offices. She also attended the ILA Legislative Meetup and noted that Palatine Library received a grant for renovations through the Illinois State Library and shared more information about this with Library administration. Schaumburg Library was mentioned at the Legislative Meetup in connection with receiving two grants. She shared that several legislators offered their support in grant applications. Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart is also looking forward to the event with Brit Bennett this week. She does have comments from President Bernas and will share those as appropriate, including that President Bernas noted the Executive Director evaluation forms will be available at the March meeting and will be due in April.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that:

The January 17, 2022 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

Discussion included clarification of comments.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that:

The Library Board approve the January 2022 Bill List.

There was no discussion.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Seyring reviewed changes in fund balances. She explained sources and trends for revenues and expenses for the month. She noted all departments have favorable variances from projections, primarily due to staffing vacancies. Investment yields are expected to increase slightly as interest rates rise, but this should not have a major impact on the current fiscal year.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA

The presentation from Product Architecture + Design will be next. There will be no President’s Report and no Executive Session.

PRESENTATION FROM PRODUCT ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

Dan Pohrte and Tiffany Nash from Product Architecture + Design reviewed potential design plans and renderings for a second-floor renovation. They started by sharing the current floor plan and some of the goals of a possible renovation, noting what is currently successful and areas for improvement.

Trustees commented on restroom quantities and locations; enough space for the various department offices; possible uses for the area marked as “Innovation and Business Center”; the need/use of a Board room; the scope of the project; specific design elements; and possibly reusing some more recently purchased items/materials.

Product Architecture + Design also reviewed plan/phasing options and cost models of the project.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Annie Miskewitch highlighted some areas from her written report, including the addition of more units to the Central Pick-Up Lockers. She noted hiring continues for various key positions throughout the Library. Ms. Miskewitch introduced Tween Librarian Ting Ko, who shared about his background and work experience. Ms. Miskewitch will attend the Town Square Association meeting later this month and asked Trustees to pass along any questions they’d like her to ask. She noted the Library will follow updates in the state’s mask guidelines, anticipated to change at the end of the month. She encouraged Trustees to attend the upcoming ILA workshops.

Executive Director Miskewitch answered questions regarding changes to the mask mandate, but stated she is awaiting specific language in an Executive Order from the Governor’s office.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt noted staff are excited for the One Book, One Community Brit Bennett event. She gave recognition and praise to Magan Szwarek, Kate Niehoff and Joe Marcantonio for their various efforts that were acknowledged at the ILA Legislative Meetup. Ms. Hunt gave an update on the Strategic Plan, noting the Leadership Team and then all staff will be working on the activity plan in the next couple of months. Once the activity plan is in place, Trustees will get a monthly update on progress.

Trustee Forte-Scott noted she is eager for shelters at the branch Pick-Up Lockers. Trustee Gilbert is excited about the grant funds for additional laptop kits, and appreciates work with the Township for a Juneteenth event. Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart appreciated seeing patron feedback about the One Book, One Community exhibit. Trustee Pye is excited to have the volunteer programs back in-person, especially at the branches.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Reference Services – Magan Szwarek

Reference Services Director Magan Szwarek thanked the Trustees for attending the ILA Legislative Meetup, as she co-chairs the committee that coordinates the event. She gave an overview of the Reference Services department and some highlights from the past year. She gave specific recognition to Jane Rozek’s local history blog and to genealogist Tony Kierna who retired last year.

Trustees shared kudos on various staff members and initiatives from the department.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Student Advisory Trustee Report

Ameenah Zawahir noted that she attended some recent Library programs for teens. The SATs have also updated their PowerPoint presentation for the schools.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart asked if Trustees had any questions on the documents shared by Finance Director Valenziano regarding funding projections for renovation and capital projects. Finance Director Valenziano gave a brief overview of the information, and discussed possible options to fund the second-floor renovation, including increasing the levy to 5%, a potential line of credit, grant funding or going to referendum in future years.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of Budget Committee Meeting Dates

Executive Director Miskewitch noted staff are beginning to work on the FY 22/23 budget, giving special attention to projects that support the strategic plan. She proposed holding two budget committee meetings, and asked Trustees for any preferences on meeting dates or schedules. Trustees discussed possible ways to restructure the discussions to accommodate two meeting dates. Ms. Miskewitch will send meeting date options to the Trustees.

Review of Policy Review Schedule

Executive Director Miskewitch reviewed the schedule included in the packet. She thanked the Board for their ongoing work in reviewing and approving Library policies for patrons and staff.

Approval of Bid to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc. in the amount of $202,212.00.

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the bid to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc. in the amount of $202,212.00

Discussion included an explanation of why a switch in cleaning company was necessary, how the bid process worked to award this bid, details of the end of the previous contract and the history of outsourced cleaning.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

The motion passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Forte-Scott seconded the meeting adjourn at 9:39 P.M.

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Seyring Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Mueller Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

The motion passed unanimously.