Board Meeting Minutes 7-18-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING 
Monday, July 18, 2022 
Central Library Workshop (or view online via Zoom) 
7:00 P.M. 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 

President Jillian 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; Emily Gilbert, Amy Mueller, Carole Pye 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT 

Anita Forte-Scott 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT 

None

OTHERS PRESENT 

Amber Creger, Jennifer Hunt, Britt Isaly, Annie Miskewitch, Jason Santos, Magan Szwarek, Beth Valenziano 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

None 

BOARD COMMENTS 

Treasurer Seyring enjoyed marching in the Hoffman Estates Independence Day parade with the Library. 

Trustee Pye also marched in the parade with the Library. She checked out the giant Jenga game and it was a hit at her family’s party. Trustee Pye read the “My Library Is...” blog from RAILS, including a post from Arlington Heights Memorial Library about things you don’t realize you can do with your library card. 

Trustee Gilbert used the Hoffman Estates Branch Pick-Up Lockers for the first time at 6 a.m. and chatted with another patron using the lockers who had a little difficulty using the lockers at various times – door frozen in winter and similar issue. But even with those challenges, the patron does enjoy the lockers. Trustee Gilbert appreciates the last-minute email reminders about holds. She also attended a wonderful gender identity informational program that was designed for parents.

Trustee Mueller appreciated the article Executive Director Miskewitch shared about the role libraries play in society and looks forward to hearing more about Intellectual Freedom. Trustee Mueller reflected on some things noted in the article that the library does well, such as creating safe, inviting spaces. 

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert 

Trustee Gilbert shared information from a recent RAILS newsletter, noting that the Illinois general assembly recently enacted public act 102-0843, extending the Cards for Kids program. More guidance will be coming about this from the Illinois State Library. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

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

The June 20, 2022 Regular Board Minutes be approved. 

Discussion included correction of a typo. 

The motion passed unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF BILLS 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that: 

The Library Board approve the June 2022 Bill List. 

There was no discussion. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Treasurer Seyring reviewed fund balances and investments, noting the Library is beginning to invest in better yielding properties. She noted that revenues for the month were primarily property tax receipts. Treasurer Seyring reviewed expenditures, comparing them to budget projections and prior fiscal year spending. She noted that Finance Director Valenziano is preparing for the upcoming audit and monitoring cash flows. 

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA 

The presentation from Ancel Glink will be before the President’s Report. 

PRESENTATION FROM ANCEL GLINK 

Britt Isaly of Ancel Glink let the Trustees know his firm is ready and available to assist with any of the Library’s legal needs. He mentioned two new laws that impact public libraries: the public act mentioned in the RAILS update and a change to the law about library board vacancies and the ability to hire an outside treasurer if needed. 

He answered questions about the new laws and about any legal guidance about providing access to materials, especially for children. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 

President Bernas thanked Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart for leading the June meeting. President Bernas noted she will not be in attendance at the August meeting. She followed up on discussion from the June meeting regarding the Board President replying to patron comments, encouraging communication among Trustees to ensure complete and accurate responses to patrons. President Bernas clarified details of the upcoming staff picnic with Executive Director Miskewitch. 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT 

Executive Director Miskewitch gave Trustees a presentation about Intellectual Freedom, noting this is one of the core values of a public library. The presentation included statistics about challenges on library materials, recent legislation regarding intellectual freedom and how Trustees can support the Library in upholding Intellectual Freedom. 

Executive Director Miskewitch answered questions about the presentation and about items included in her written report. 

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT 

Deputy Director Hunt reviewed some highlights from her written report, including the retirement of Hoffman Estates Branch Manager John Ericson, and Teen Librarian Allison Riggs winning the Illinois Library Association’s award for Young Adult Librarian of the Year. She also reviewed information learned through the Urban Libraries Council’s Business Value Calculator. 

She answered questions about information in her written report and the Business Value Calculator. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

Youth Services – Amber Creger 

Youth Services Director Amber Creger gave an update of all that has happened in her department over the last year. With many new staff members added to the team, the department has a lot of new energy, excitement and fresh ideas. She shared photos from events that inspire wonder and support the Library’s diverse community, new items in the Library’s collections and more. 

She answered questions about her presentation and report, as well as questions about the material selection process and department structure. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

None 

NEW BUSINESS 

Review and Approval of Tentative FY2022-2023 Budget & Appropriations Ordinance 2022-2023-1: Authorizing the Executive Director to make the Tentative Budget & Appropriations Ordinance available to the public and to schedule a Public Hearing on the Budget for August 22, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the Tentative FY2022-2023 Budget & Appropriations Ordinance 2022-2023-1: Authorizing the Executive Director to make the Tentative Budget & Appropriations Ordinance available to the public and to schedule a Public Hearing on the Budget for August 22, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. 

There was no discussion. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Waiver of Bid for purchase of Dell VxRails servers and Dell IDPA appliances in the amount of $394,316.00 

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that the Board approve the Waiver of Bid for purchase of Dell VxRails servers and Dell IDPA appliances in the amount of $394,316.00. 

Discussion included clarification of what these items are and do. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Waiver of Bid for renewal of sole source Integrated Library System from SirsiDynix in the amount of $87,117.02 

Trustee Pye moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the Waiver of Bid for renewal of sole source Integrated Library System from SirsiDynix in the amount of $87,117.02. 

Discussion included the length of the contract and the possibility of this being the final year with SirsiDynix. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Award of Bid to Acanthus Technology for the Cisco and Meraki network equipment in the amount of $220,00.00 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the Award of Bid to Acanthus Technology for the Cisco and Meraki network equipment in the amount of $220,00.00. 

Discussion included Trustees thanking the Library for finding good pricing on equipment. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Approval of Resource Selection Policy 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Resource Selection Policy. 

Discussion included clarification of the relationship of the Resource Selection Policy and the Reconsideration of a Library Resource Policy and its accompanying form, and clarification of selection vs. display of materials. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Reconsideration of a Library Resource Policy and review of request form 

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Reconsideration of a Library Resource Policy and review of request form. 

Discussion included Trustees thanking Executive Director Miskewitch for her thorough responses to recent reconsideration requests, and questions about the history of reconsiderations at the Library. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Pye seconded the meeting adjourn at 8:33 P.M. 

The motion passed unanimously.