Board Meeting Minutes 10-18-21

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

Monday, Oct. 18, 2021

Hanover Park Branch Library (or view online via Zoom)

7:00 P.M.

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

 

President 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; Anita Forte-Scott, Emily Gilbert, Amy Mueller, Carole Pye

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

 

None

 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

 

Araha Uday, Ameenah Zawahir

 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT

 

None

 

OTHERS PRESENT

 

Amber Creger, Erin Emerick, Jennifer Hunt, Blake Kindl, Annie Miskewitch, Jason Santos, Joanne Schultz, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Sarah Strzalka, Lori Teipel, Gail Tobin, Beth Valenziano, Emily Vinci, Kathy, Kate

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

None

 

BOARD COMMENTS

 

Trustee Mueller gave kudos to the Library’s Facebook efforts, the grant secured for additional laptops and the new Story Cube.

 

Trustee Forte-Scott appreciated being able to represent the Library at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing.

 

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart attended the Autumn Food Favorites program in-person at the Library and thought all went well. She also appreciates the Library traffic graphs by hour included in the board packet this month, and asked about differences between weekday and weekend traffic. Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart asked about Tony’s Finer Foods coming to Town Square and Executive Director Miskewitch noted the Village recently approved the grocery store coming to Town Square in 2022.

 

Trustee Gilbert attended the ILA Annual Conference and found several sessions helpful and relevant to the Library’s current efforts.

 

Trustee Pye attended the origami exhibit and was impressed by all the artwork. She read an informational document from PLA that Executive Director Miskewitch shared about digital equity and appreciated the information.

 

Treasurer Seyring attended the ILA Annual Conference. She enjoyed hearing the keynote speaker and found value in several sessions.

 

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

 

RAILS is offering a webinar on Nov. 9 about how the library can prevent harm against marginalized groups.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that:

 

The September 20, 2021 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

 

There was no discussion.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that:

 

The Library Board approve the September 2021 Bill List.

 

Discussion included clarification of some training charges.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart     Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott                       Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                           Yes

Mrs. Pye                                  Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Treasurer Seyring reviewed the financial reports, making note of revenue sources and how these compare to past trends. She also reviewed expenses, highlighting a few line items and why they are above or below budget at this time. Treasurer Seyring noted favorable variances at department levels are due to staff vacancies.

 

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA

 

President Bernas noted there will not be discussion or action regarding use of the combined Rasmussen Room as the request has been withdrawn.

 

Additionally, there will be an Executive Session after the Regular Board Meeting under sections 2(c), (01); and 2(c), (11).

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Bernas enjoyed hearing about all the different ways Trustees are involved in Library activities and representing the community as Board members. She also wanted to pause and acknowledge positive comments from patrons, including a voicemail she received with compliments about the Library and staff members.

 

President Bernas reminded Trustees of the Board Strategic Planning Session at the Hoffman Estates Branch on Saturday, Oct. 23 beginning at 10 a.m. She encouraged Trustees to prepare for the meeting by reading the materials provided.

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Executive Director Annie Miskewitch highlighted a few areas from her written report, including some statistics. She noted the Library is busy hiring and welcoming new staff members, including Early Literacy Librarian Erin Emerick who introduced herself.

 

Ms. Miskewitch noted an offer has been extended to an HR Director candidate, and that Building Operations Manager Blake Kindl has given his notice and will be moving on to a new opportunity. The employee handbook is currently being reviewed by the Library’s lawyers.

 

The Library is experiencing some supply chain disruptions and is managing these to the best of its abilities. Ms. Miskewitch and Building Operations Manager Kindle explained the work happening beneath the Central first floor that has resulted in a temporary white pipe being visible from the east side of the building.

 

Ms. Miskewitch gave kudos to Library staff who presented at the ILA Annual Conference. She also noted there are printed copies of the Strategic Planning Learning Report available. Finally, she called attention to upcoming author events with Cathy Park Hong and Chris Bohjalian.

 

Trustee Forte-Scott asked about the branches’ lockers. Executive Director Miskewitch and IT Director Jason Santos noted they continue to work with the vendor as everyone eagerly anticipates the lockers’ arrival.

 

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt called attention to a few items in her written report, including some grant funding that has been awarded to the Library. She also noted the Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab exhibit will be coming to the Central Library in summer 2022 in conjunction with the Summer Challenge around STEM initiatives. Finally, she noted the Local Author Fair will be at the Central Library Saturday, Oct. 23.

 

Trustee Gilbert is excited about Illinois Libraries Present and gave some feedback about the website homepage refresh.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

Youth Services – Amber Creger

 

Youth Services Director Amber Creger thanked her team for pivoting and learning new skills to continue serving the community. She also gave updates about outreach opportunities, new year-round reading materials, an upcoming Rhyme Book for storytimes and STEAM kits for checkout. Ms. Creger gave updates about teen librarians and their initiatives, including a maker station, activism opportunities and teen mentorship opportunities.

 

Hanover Park Branch – Gail Tobin

 

Hanover Park Branch Manager Gail Tobin reviewed her written report, noting that the branches serve as convenient neighborhood locations. The branch staff work in collaboration with Central staff to provide as many of the Library’s services at the branch as possible. She offered some history of the branch and shared some facility updates that are coming up. Ms. Tobin focused on the staff, noting they provide a friendly, welcoming environment for all visitors. She also noted community involvement and collaboration with various organizations.

 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES REPORT

 

The SATs updated their PowerPoint presentation and shared it with their high schools. They also continue to share information about teen Library programs, especially college prep programs.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

None

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Discussion of COVID-19 vaccination requirement for employees

 

Executive Director Miskewitch introduced the topic of requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all employees, noting she’s been monitoring this in recent months and has seen various libraries creating a policy requiring vaccination. She wanted to gauge the Trustees’ interest in pursuing this.

 

President Bernas, Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart and Trustees Forte-Scott and Mueller noted they are not in favor of a vaccine mandate for employees. Ms. Miskewitch stated she has heard from staff that they will not get vaccinated unless it is mandated. She also shared that a poll of employees showed that, as of May 2021, more than 80% are vaccinated.

 

Trustee Gilbert noted staff have a right to be safe in the workplace and feels a vaccine mandate is a reasonable action for public safety.

 

Treasurer Seyring and Trustee Pye felt unsure and can see both sides of the issue.

 

Additional discussion included particular libraries and organizations that were creating a vaccine mandate, and possible other incentives for vaccination in lieu of a mandate.

 

Discussion and review of IGA for Illinois Libraries Present

 

Executive Director Miskewitch called attention to the Illinois Libraries Present information in the Trustees’ packets, noting that the Library will seek approval on this inter-governmental agreement before the end of the calendar year. Illinois Libraries Present allows libraries to pay a nominal fee to join the group for more opportunities to co-present high-quality virtual programming. This is a sub-committee operating through RAILS.

 

Review of proposed Library Board meeting schedule for 2022

 

President Bernas asked Trustees to review the proposed schedule. Executive Director Miskewitch offered an alternative meeting date of Nov. 14, 2022, to avoid meeting the week of Thanksgiving. Trustees will vote on this schedule at the November meeting. Trustees clarified that they will keep the 7 p.m. meeting start time.

 

Review of proposed Library closures for 2022

 

President Bernas asked Trustees to review the proposed Library closures. She called attention to the staff in-service becoming an annual closure date. Trustees will vote on these closures at the November meeting.

 

Review and approval of Face Mask/Face Covering Policy (updated)

 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the updated Face Mask/Face Covering Policy.

 

Discussion included review of updates to the policy.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart       Yes

Mrs. Seyring                                    Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott                              Yes

Ms. Gilbert                                        Yes

Mrs. Mueller                                    Yes

Mrs. Pye                                             Yes

Ms. Bernas                                        Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Pye seconded that:

 

The Library Board enter into Executive Session under sections 2(c), (01); and 2(c), (11) at 8:44 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart       Yes

Mrs. Seyring                                    Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott                              Yes

Ms. Gilbert                                        Yes

Mrs. Mueller                                    Yes

Mrs. Pye                                             Yes

Ms. Bernas                                        Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded the Library Board exit Executive Session at 9:20 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote:

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart       Yes

Mrs. Seyring                                    Yes

Ms. Forte-Scott                              Yes

Ms. Gilbert                                        Yes

Mrs. Mueller                                    Yes

Mrs. Pye                                             Yes

Ms. Bernas                                        Yes

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded the meeting adjourn at 9:21 P.M.

 

The motion passed unanimously.