Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
September 16, 2008
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Board of Trustees
Susan K. Niemi, President Nancy Jackson
Nancy E. Sheldon, Vice-President Laurie Styrcula
Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer J. Socrates Rivers
Thomas J. Colwell, Secretary
Regular Meeting
September 16, 2008
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Trustees absent: Rivers
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Assistant Director Noreen Reese, Head of
Technical Services and Interlibrary Loan Kevin Medows, and Recording
Secretaries Christine Gable and Mary Thacker.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a. Secretary’s report: Approval of minutes as received or
corrected.
i. Regular meeting of August 19, 2008.
ii. Executive session of August 19, 2008, and that they
remain closed to the public.
iii. Special meeting of September 6, 2008.
iv. Executive session of September 6, 2008, and that
they remain closed to the public.
b. Financial Statements for August 2008.
c. Director’s Report for September 2008.
d. Patron Suggestions for August 2008.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda as amended. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rivers
President’s Report
President Niemi commented on her attendance at these events and meetings:
- Gail Dever’s Retirement Party
- Survey Committee Meeting
- Diversity Meeting
- Special Committee Meeting
Trustee Rivers entered the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Reports of Other Trustees
Trustee Styrcula attended the Trustee Training Classes at NSLS on September
9, 2008, on the subject of creating an executive relationship between Trustees
and the Library Director. She mentioned that the NSLS online resources list
libraries and samples of their newsletters. While other libraries have up to six
(6) newsletters posted, WNPL only has one.
Trustee Styrcula also attended the Grayslake Library’s board meeting on
September 9th and commented on Grayslake’s use of technology (laptops) to
reduce paper, suggesting that WNPLD go more paperless. She also pointed out
that our present Board Room is not very welcoming and does not lend itself
well to the use of technology and/or presentations.
Director Bero explained that Board Room configuration will be addressed
following the results of the community survey and the facilities needs
assessment.
Correspondence, Communications, and public comments.
a. Presentation by Friends of the Library
Vice-President of Friends of the Library Mark Mueller and his wife Karen
presented a semi-annual contribution of $16,250.00 to the board to fund
the programs here at the library. The next fundraiser coming up for the
Friends is the Fall 2008 Raffle.
b. Recognition of visitors and public comments
President Niemi recognized Pioneer Press reporter Angela Sykora who
had no comments.
Assistant Director Reese pointed out that the hours of operation of the
Bookmobile on Saturday are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. She also commented
that the Friends contribution is a 30% increase from last year. In
addition, she explained Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth (HCHY) to
the board members.
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Styrcula seconded to grant permission for
Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth to place their “Let’s Talk” signs on
Library property along O’Plaine Road during the month of October 2008. The
motion carried on a voice vote.
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that the bills
payable for September 2008 and payrolls for August 2008 be approved for
payment. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Reports of Standing Committees
Finance – Meeting of September 11, 2008
Trustee Weinberg gave an oral update of the written report.
Personnel – No Meeting
Policy – Meeting of September 8, 2008
Trustee Sheldon gave an oral update of the written report.
Building & Grounds – Meeting of September 11, 2008
Trustee Colwell gave an oral update of the written report.
Reports of the ad hoc committees
Director Bero stated that the Community Survey went to the printer and
should hit mailboxes by September 19th. Following discussion, it was agreed
that the survey company will keep us updated on a reasonable basis as they
receive responses, that copies of the survey will be kept at the Reference Desk
in case any patrons wish to review it, and we will provide a drop-box for those
residents who wish to return the survey directly to the library. The average
return rate for this type of survey is 15%, and we will be posting reminders
here and issuing a press release(s) to try to maximize our return rate.
Progress report on the long-range plan
Director Bero talked about these long-range plans:
- Determining our facility needs will be done in two parts: the community
survey and then an engineering study.
- Attending the annual ILA conference next week.
Unfinished Business
Illinois Per Capita Grant FY2009 Requirements
Review of Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140).
Review of Chapter IX “Facilities-Implications of Technology on
Designing/Remodeling a Building” in Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois
Public Libraries, 1997, 2002 revision of Chapter IX.
The board members reviewed the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) and
Chapter IX, “Facilities-Implications of Technology on Designing/Remodeling
Building”, of Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries, 1997,
2002 revision of Chapter IX.
New Business
Subject: Resolution 2008/2009-1: Proclamation for Healthy Communities Healthy
Youth “Let’s Talk” Month.
Trustee Styrcula moved and Trustee Colwell seconded that Resolution
2008/2009-1: Proclamation for Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth “Let’s
Talk” Month be adopted. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Subject: Application for Illinois Per Capita Grant FY2009.
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Colwell seconded that the application for
the Illinois Public Library Per Capita Grant for fiscal year 2009 be submitted.
The motion carried on a voice vote. President Niemi and Trustee Colwell signed
the Application for Illinois Per Capita Grant FY2009.
Subject: Revision to the Illinois FOIA Policy, first reading.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Jackson seconded that the revision to the
Illinois Freedom of Information Act Policy be adopted as presented. The motion
carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Subject: Revision to the Hours of Operation Policy, first reading.
The policy committee will revise the section under Bookmobile hours from
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the revision to the
Hours of Operation Policy be adopted as amended. The motion carried on a
roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Public Forum
No comments.
Executive Session
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Rivers seconded a motion for the board to
move into executive session to consider probable litigation and that Director
Bero be invited to the session. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
The board adjourned to executive session at 7:49 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in open session at 8:01 p.m.
Executive Session
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Rivers seconded a motion for the board to
move into executive session to consider the employment of the library director.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Weinberg, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
The board adjourned to executive session at 8:02 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in open session at 9:03 p.m.
Announcements
1. By the chair
a. Communications to the public
b. Upcoming calendar
i. Public hearing for the annual budget and appropriations:
September 22, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
ii. Special board meeting to adopt annual budget and
appropriations: September 22, 2008, 7:15 p.m.
iii. Next regular board meeting: October 21, 2008 7:00 p.m.
iv. Next committee meetings
Policy Committee: October 6, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Personnel Committee: October 6, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Building and Grounds Committee: October 16, 2008,
7:30 p.m.
Finance Committee: October 16, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
v. Trustee attendance at other local governing board meetings
Trustee Rivers to attend the Diversity Meeting on
October 8, 2008.
2. By other trustees or the director
Director Bero requested that board members let him know if they have
anything to add to the agenda for Monday’s special board meeting.
Adjournment
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded that the meeting be
adjourned. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Colwell
Secretary
Christine Gable
Recording Secretary