Board Meeting Minutes 1-17-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022
Central Library Workshop (or view online via Zoom)
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Bernas called the meeting to order at 7:01 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

Ameenah Zawahir, Araha Uday

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT

None

OTHERS PRESENT

Aaron Bock, Jennifer Hunt, Annie Miskewitch, Kate Niehoff, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Amanda Standerfer, Magan Szwarek, Lori Teipel, Gail Tobin, Beth Valenziano, Elena Vandolah, Emily Vinci, Ron Wolek, Joanne, Joe, Stephanie, iPad, Matt

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

BOARD COMMENTS

Trustee Pye thanked all Trustees for their service on this Martin Luther King National Day of Service. She attended the One Book, One Community kick-off and enjoyed the event. She also attended the gender expansive youth program and found it insightful.

Trustee Mueller has read The Vanishing Half and has heard some buzz around the community about the event with Brit Bennett and is looking forward to it. She appreciated Trustee Pye’s idea to donate the One Book, One Community books to all District 54 schools.

Trustee Forte-Scott shared a flyer of an exhibit using books as the art medium and thought it might be interesting for the Library to host. She noted her appreciation for Library staff’s work in staying on top of safety guidelines. She attended the Village of Hoffman Estates MLK Day event online.

Trustee Gilbert thanked the Library staff for pivoting under current COVID conditions. She is excited to see the strategic plan move forward and thanked trustees and staff for their work on that plan.

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Mueller moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that: The December 13, 2021 Regular Board Minutes be approved.

Discussion included correction of typos.

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

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

Treasurer Seyring moved and Trustee Pye seconded that: The Library Board approve the December 2021 Bill List. Discussion included clarification of some 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, explaining changes in various fund balances. She reviewed income sources and major expenses. Treasurer Seyring shared trends in spending compared to what was budgeted for the fiscal year. She shared expectations for the Library’s investments and the cash flow for the year.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA

None

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Bernas reminded Trustees that the Library renewed its membership with Urban Libraries Council and the membership meeting is held virtually tomorrow, January 18, 2022. Illinois Library Association’s virtual legislative meeting is coming up on February 21, 2022. President Bernas noted that Trustee Pye and some staff members will represent the Library at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Excellence event on January 20, 2022, where the Library is nominated for an award.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Annie Miskewitch extended everyone a happy MLK Day and noted some initiatives the Library had to celebrate the day. She highlighted a few areas from her report including use of Pick-Up Lockers at the branches. She introduced new Access Services Director Aaron Bock and he shared his background and related work experience.

Executive Director Miskewitch noted she is closely monitoring news from Illinois OSHA regarding vaccine guidelines for staff. She thanked frontline staff for their patience in managing and enforcing the changing safety guidelines for our Library.

Executive Director Miskewitch answered questions about patron-driven acquisitions, the book sale, the janitorial service contract, vaccine requirements for staff and the Town Square Association fee.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Deputy Director Jennifer Hunt attended the MLK Day celebration and appreciated the event from the Village of Hoffman Estates. She looks forward to attending the Hoffman Estates

Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Excellence. Ms. Hunt acknowledged that the last month was challenging with the COVID surge and thanked staff for all their work to cover shifts and switch in-person programs to online formats. She addressed questions and comments about One Book, One Community, the Urban Libraries Council business value calculator and a program to recognize the sculptor, Richard Hunt, whose work is on the second floor.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Programs and Outreach – Kate Niehoff

Programs and Outreach Manager Kate Niehoff noted she’s very proud of everything her team has accomplished over the last year. She and her team value feedback from patrons to show the impact of their work. She shared some of that patron feedback with Trustees, noting that positive patron feedback was a great way to keep her team on track and excited about their work throughout the challenging year. Kate also answered questions around the process of the OBOC book selection and a desire to bring it to the community to vote on in the future.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Student Advisory Trustee Committee

Treasurer Seyring noted that Ameenah Zawahir will continue on as an SAT. Ameenah was selected through an application and interview process.

Student Advisory Trustee Report

The SATs noted they updated the PowerPoint presentation for their schools. Trustees expressed congratulations to Araha as she announced her admittance to Stanford.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2nd Floor Renovation Discussion

President Bernas drew attention to the financial information in the board packet. Executive Director Miskewitch and Finance Director gave some more information about the data provided, noting this provides some conservative estimates for costs of potential building-related projects in the coming years. President Bernas noted this information can help Trustees evaluate the cost and timing of the second-floor renovation.

Executive Director Miskewitch noted she can have another conversation with the architects who are prepared to create some a la carte options or various scenarios for Trustees to review and consider. Trustees agreed this is a good course of action.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of Strategic Plan 2022-2024

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded that the Board approve the Strategic Plan 2022- 2024.

Discussion included thanks to staff for all their work on the plan and for meeting the ambitious timeline. Trustees noted they appreciate the phrasing of investigation into starting a foundation to show this is a potential option but not a certainty. Trustees discussed changes to phrasing on page 43 of the board packet regarding the description of the mission statement.

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

 

Approval of Employee Handbook

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the Employee Handbook.

Trustees appreciated being involved in the process of creating the handbook, and expressed thanks to the Library administrative staff for their work on the handbook. Executive Director Miskewitch noted the mission and vision statements will be updated to the newly approved versions.

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.

 

Approval of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy (updated)

Treasurer Seyring moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policy (updated).

Discussion included clarification of the 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.

 

Approval of Professional Development Expenses of $1,528.00 for Tyler Connect Conference 2022 (May 15-18) in Indianapolis

Trustee Pye moved and Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the Professional Development Expenses of $1,528.00 for Tyler Connect Conference 2022 (May 15-18) in Indianapolis.

Discussion included details about what this conference covers and who will be attending.

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.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Treasurer Seyring moved and Trustee Pye seconded the meeting adjourn 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.