Board Meeting Minutes 11-14-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, November 14, 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; Emily Gilbert, Carole Pye

Trustee Anita Forte-Scott participated in the meeting via Zoom due to a family emergency.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

Theresa Seyring, Treasurer; Trustee Amy Mueller

APPROVAL FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION OF TRUSTEE FORTE-SCOTT

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded the approval for remote participation of Trustee Forte-Scott and the motion passed unanimously.

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

Muhammad Arshad, Ameenah Zawahir

OTHERS PRESENT

Julie Doren, Dave Hardt, Jennifer Hunt, Annie Miskewitch, Paul Piraino, Tom Pritchett, Jason Santos, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Lori Teipel, Beth Valenziano, Judy Walther

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

BOARD COMMENTS

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart enjoyed attending the Library Service Awards for staff. She has been using the collections in several formats and for travel research.

Trustee Pye congratulated Library staff for their years of service, acknowledging Marketing & Communications Director Hollis Sienkiewicz for seven years and Director of IT Jason Santos for 26 years. Mrs. Pye enjoyed attending her first ILA Conference and thought the Teen Program video shared by Joe Marcantonio during his presentation was excellent. She also attended the trustee sessions and recognized the importance of Trustees acting with duty, care, obedience and curiosity. Mrs. Pye attended the Ukrainian music program and found it moving. She praised the new rock garden on the North side of the Library and the Explore More museum pass.

Trustee Gilbert attended the ILA Conference Trustee sessions and found them extremely informative. She encouraged all Trustees to keep up to date on information through RAILS webinars and the ILA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom blog with a focus on challenges to materials, especially LGBTQ+ items. Ms. Gilbert commends the Library and staff for its diverse and inclusive collection.

Trustee Forte-Scott expressed appreciation for Trustee approval to attend the meeting remotely.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

No update at this time.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

The October 17, 2022 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert 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 approved the October 2022 Bill List.

Discussion included clarification of a check reissued to Product, LLC.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Finance Director Beth Valenziano reviewed the financial reports, making note of balances in the various funds. She noted that on the balance sheet the General Fund increased by approximately 939K due to expenses exceeding revenues. She also highlighted a few line items and discussed why they are above or below budget at this time, and gave an update on the status of various Library investments.

Finance Director Valenziano answered questions regarding the Mesirow cashflow report.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

The presentation of FY2021-2022 Audit Report from the ATA Group, LLP CPAs, & Advisors will be next on the agenda. There will not be an Executive Session.

PRESENTATION OF FY2021-2022 AUDIT REPORT FROM ATA GROUP, LLP CPAs, & ADVISORS

Judy Walther introduced herself and noted changes in formatting of this year’s audit report. 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.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Bernas focused on being thankful for the work done at the Library, for Board members contributing their time to serving the community and to Executive Director Annie Miskewitch for keeping the Library on track and the Board members informed.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Miskewitch shared that Circulation Director Kathy Morgan is retiring after 33 years of service at the Library and is thankful for the work she accomplished in her tenure. Access Services Director Aaron Bock will be acting as longtime interim Circulation Director, while continuing in his current role. The Library will be hosting EDI Trustee training in partnership with two fellow district libraries. Ms. Miskewitch welcomed Director of HR Paul

Piraino, who introduced himself. She acknowledged Facilities staff and Finance Director Beth Valenziano’s contribution to the rock garden landscaping on the North side of the Library.

Ms. Miskewitch answered questions about the status of construction with Tony’s Market and Hopscotch.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Hunt commended staff on large scale programs including Halloween Hoopla, Day of the Dead and the local author fair. Ms. Hunt acknowledged the good work from the Digital Services team for the “Save for Later” feature, and the release of the Library’s new app-like experience for mobile devices. She highlighted the Library of Things survey currently live on the website.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Fiction, Movies, and Music – Lori Teipel

Fiction, Movies, and Music Director Lori Teipel highlighted two newly created book discussions. She reported on the local author fair and the success of the print stations in the AV area. Ms. Teipel stated that Fiction, Movies, and Music is working with Access Services on The Library of Things collection with a focus on developing adult gaming options. She also noted new signage in Fiction.

Ms. Teipel answered Trustee questions on leasing vs. purchasing materials and the popularity of movie transfer devices.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEE REPORT

The SATs updated their PowerPoint presentation and publicized some specific programs for teens with their schools. The SATs are working on a non-profit sock drive with more details to come.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Presentation on Foundations

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt and Marketing & Communications Director Hollis Sienkiewicz presented on the possibility of creating a Foundation to help support the Library.

Discussion included the benefits of a Foundation and will be revisited at the December Board meeting.

Approval of Policy: Family Bereavement Leave

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Family Bereavement Leave Policy.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

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

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Leave Due to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Policy (VESSA).

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Policy: FOIA (updated for FY22-23)

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the FOIA Policy.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of Regular Board Meeting Schedule 2023

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Regular Board Meeting Schedule 2023.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of Bill Payment to REDesign in the amount of $360,757.00

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the bill payment to REDesign in the amount of $360,757.00.

IT Director Jason Santos answered questions regarding the new system.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Bill Payment to Product Architecture + Design in the amount of $95,067.86

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the bill payment to Product Architecture + Design in the amount of $95,067.86.

There was no discussion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Review of Proposed Library Closures 2023

Discussion included closing the Library the full day on New Year’s Eve due to it falling on a Sunday and the benefit of being open for only five hours. The Trustees discussed what other libraries are planning. Executive Director Annie Miskewitch will provide door count information at the December Board meeting. Trustees discussed the benefits and drawbacks of closing on Juneteenth.

Further discussion will take place at the December board meeting.

Other: President Bernas announced that the Township is hosting a free Mental Health First Aid Course

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded the meeting adjourn at 8:46 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Bernas Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes

Ms. Gilbert Yes

Mrs. Pye Yes

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.