Board Meeting Minutes 10-17-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, October 17, 2022
Hanover Park Branch Meeting Room (or view online via Zoom)
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Vice-President Julie 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

Muhammad Arshad, Ameenah Zawahir

OTHERS PRESENT

Julie Doren, Dave Hardt, Jennifer Hunt, Paul Lisack, Annie Miskewitch, Tom Pritchett, Mark Pruitt, Jason Santos, Joanne Schultz, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Gail Tobin, Beth Valenziano

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

BOARD COMMENTS

Trustee Forte-Scott attended an online LACONI session and is excited to attend the ILA Conference this week. She appreciates the shelter enclosure for the Pick-Up Lockers at the Hoffman Estates Branch. Ms. Forte-Scott enjoyed seeing the Library at the Farmers’ Market recently. She recounted an encounter with a patron trying to donate used books to the Library.

Trustee Pye congratulated Hanover Park Branch Manager Gail Tobin on 30 years of service at the Library. She attended two Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and assisted with a Freebie Friday event. Ms. Pye learned a lot from watching the Trustee video created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Library, as well as from watching resources about intellectual freedom.

Trustee Gilbert encourages all Trustees to keep up to date on information from ALA regarding intellectual freedom and challenges to materials. She attended the Community Ofrenda Kick-off and appreciated having a family member’s photo on the ofrenda.

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart watched the intellectual freedom webinar shared by Executive Director Miskewitch. She appreciates the Library participating in community collection drives.

Treasurer Seyring shared a patron’s appreciation for the Town Square concert series. She dropped in at the Library’s Bring Your Child to Work event, saw the Pop-Up Library at Schaumburg Park District’s Octoberfest, and attended the Community Ofrenda Kick-off and a Sister Cities event in Hoffman Estates. She is looking forward to attending the upcoming ILA Conference and congratulated Gail Tobin on 30 years of service at the Library.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

Ms. Gilbert called attention to upcoming webinars for Trustees, linked in Executive Director Miskewitch’s report.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that:

The September 19, 2022 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

There was no discussion.

The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that:

The Library Board approve the September 2022 Bill List.

Discussion included clarification of credit card usage and a new edition in utilizing an Amazon Business account for the Library.

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 the balances of the various funds. She noted September revenue was primarily investment income and stated expenses are trended below budget. Ms. Seyring said actual expenses for the year are projected to be near budgeted amounts. She noted favorable variances at the department level are primarily due to staffing vacancies. Ms. Seyring reviewed the investment portfolio. She noted major expenses for the remodel are not anticipated until late spring 2023.

Treasurer Seyring and Finance Director Valenziano answered questions regarding formatting of a report and property tax receipts.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

The presentation from Mark Pruitt will be next on the agenda. There will not be an Executive Session.

PRESENTATION FROM MARK PRUITT REGARDING SOLAR ENERGY EDUCATION

Mark Pruitt is an independent consultant who advises buyers in energy transactions. He tries to assess a client’s opportunities and helps them work through a procurement process to acquire what they are seeking, including structuring projects to qualify for the maximum available incentives.

Mr. Pruitt shared a general overview of solar energy, along with some information about how the Library might begin to assess options available regarding solar energy.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

None

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Miskewitch welcomed Director of Facilities Paul Lisack, who introduced himself. She shared that Circulation Director Kathy Morgan is retiring after 33 years of service at the Library. Ms. Miskewitch reminded Trustees to wear masks if attending the upcoming ILA Conference. She will be reaching out to Trustees to schedule Coffee with the Trustee events for the upcoming year.

Ms. Miskewitch answered questions about statistics, extending services at the branches on Sundays, sustainability plans and the status of a grant application.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Hunt shared the new Community Rhyme Book that will be used at storytimes.

Ms. Hunt answered questions about the Community Rhyme Book and a recent trip to the Merchandise Mart to select some furniture for use for the renovated 2nd floor project.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Hanover Park Branch – Gail Tobin

Hanover Park Branch Manager Gail Tobin shared some history of the Hanover Park Branch, along with current news.

Ms. Tobin answered questions about the facility, re-cataloging projects and the free summer meals program.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer Seyring noted the Art Committee will be meeting soon.

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart noted the Personnel Committee will be meeting soon.

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEE REPORT

SATs Ameenah and Muhummad shared how they are working with their schools to promote Library programs and services for teens.

The SATs answered questions from Trustees about how things are going overall and anything they might need from the Library.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of Bill Payment to Product Architecture + Design in the amount of $95,000

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the bill payment to Product Architecture + Design in the amount of $95,000.

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.

 

Approval of Policy: Filming and Photography

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the Filming and Photography Policy.

Discussion included confirmation that lawyers had reviewed the policy.

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.

 

Review of Policy: Family Bereavement Leave

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart and Executive Director Miskewitch asked Trustees to review the policy in advance of a vote on the policy next month, so this policy can be added to the Employee Handbook when this statewide law goes into effect in 2023.

Review of Policy: Leave Due to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Violence (VESSA)

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart and Executive Director Miskewitch asked Trustees to review the policy in advance of a vote on the policy next month, so this policy can be included in the updated Employee Handbook.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded the meeting adjourn at 8:56 P.M.

The motion passed unanimously.