Normal Public Library
Minutes of the Board of Trustees
August 27, 2008

Members present: Joan Steinburg, President, Amy Christensen, Charles Sila, Diane Risius, Karen Farr, and Brian Chase (Library Administrator). Also present were Lolita Netter, Tori Melican, and Daniel Freburg (visitor).

President Steinburg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. C. Sila moved that the agenda for the current meeting be accepted with the addition of an executive session-litigation Section 2C-11. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 5-0. Mrs. Risius moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as presented. Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 5-0.

President’s Report
Mrs. Steinburg informed the board about an article, “Closing the Gap,” in the current ILA Reporter magazine. She encouraged everyone to read it.

Librarian’s Report
1. Monthly financial report. Revenue: Revenue for this fiscal year is up 9.09% from this time last year. Expenditures: The library is now paying for the water it uses. The bill should be around $2,000 per year. The brick side walk has had some settling. Repairs are estimated at $765.00. It is estimated that a matching sidewalk across the eastern portion of the grass would cost $3,800.00. The town is training a crew on brick repair. The library has offered the town’s crew the side walk repair job.
2. Parking and circulation: The parking deck opened on July 12. The validation system is working well. The demolition of the University Christen Church is to occur in 2-3 months. Many patrons have expressed pleasure with the variety of parking options. Brian Williams, Normal Police, spoke to the library staff on safety in a parking deck. Safety whistles have been distributed to all staff members that are parking in the deck.
3. RSA/ILS: The Normal Public Library is actively participating on the RSA/ALS committees pertaining to the new/upgraded automation system. Progress is being made with the remote patron authentication (through WebFeet) Mr. Chase met with Lee Logan, Director of Consulting and Continuing Education for the Alliance Library System, to discuss current system issues. Mr. Chase will serve on the ALS Advisory Council for the next two years.
4. Master Plan: Sharon Rowlen, Beth Hager, and Dennis Humphries from Group 3 will be in Normal on September 21, 2008 to September 25, 2008. An open public meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Community Activity Center (One Normal Plaza-Senior Center). They will also meet with five focus groups. A data gathering survey will be available on-line very soon.
5. Budgeting: Mr. Chase has been learning a lot during his first budget cycle. He has been obtaining the staff’s input in order to create a budget the more adequately reflects the priorities and needs of the library. He wants to utilize the library’s resources effectively. Amy Christensen will meet with Mr. Chase to go over the budget before presenting it to the board.
6. Landscaping: Mrs. Lynny Wegman will no longer be maintaining the landscaping at the library. Discussion was held on having volunteers, master gardeners, and/or students provide landscaping ideas. The library staff will maintain the landscaping until next spring.
7. Disposition of Property: Mr. Chase is taking inventory of all stored items. The library currently is storing many items that it will most likely never use again. All unnecessary items will be sold.
8. Future meeting date: Mr. Chase’s final Synergy session is November 18-20. Therefore the November board meeting will be held on Monday, November 24, 2008.
9. Book drops: Discussion was held on how to best utilize staff for book drop pick-ups. Discussion was held on purchasing a van for this work.
10. Per Capita Grant: Discussion was held on the Per Capita Grant. The grant is due October 15, 2008.

Committee Reports

Finance
Mrs. Christensen moved that expenditures amounting to $79,008.18 and two payrolls totaling $133.071.40 be paid. Mr. C. Sila seconded the motion and it carried 5-0.

Alliance Library System
No report.

Personnel
Miss Farr informed the board that the personnel committee met at 5:00 p.m. today to discuss Mr. Chase’s six-month evaluation. The committee has decided that the board will evaluate Mr. Chase and that no self evaluation will take place. A questionnaire was created for this purpose and the board members will be receiving it by e-mail in the next week. Mr. Chase’s six-month evaluation will be presented at the October board meeting.

Building and Grounds
Mrs. Risius informed the board a no parking/loading zone will be marked in the back parking lot in front of the dumpsters.

Old Business
1. Uptown Normal: Uptown redevelopment continues and patron access to the library remains a concern. The College Avenue bridge near Anderson Park is being replaced this summer. Detours are in place. Demolition of the University Christian Church will affect parking in that location and most likely changes to traffic flow in front of the library.

New Business
The semi annual review of the executive session minutes will be held at the October meeting. Mrs. Risius moved to go into executive session for the purpose of litigation (Section 2C-11). Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 5-0. The board entered executive session at 7:10 p.m. The board exited executive session at 7:16 p.m. Mr. C. Sila moved to approve any actions taken in executive session. Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 5-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at The Community Activity Center (One Normal Plaza).

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Farr
Secretary