Normal Public Library
Minutes of the Board of Trustees
February 11, 2009

Members present: Joan Steinburg, President, Amy Christensen, Diane Risius, Charles Sila, Karl Sila, Karen Farr, and Brian Chase (Library Administrator).

President Steinburg called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m.

Mr. C. Sila moved that the board go into executive session for the purpose of selection of a person to fill a public office (Section 2C-3). Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 6-0. The board entered executive session at 6:00 p.m.

The board exited executive session at 6:14 p.m. Mr. C. Sila moved to appoint Jess Ray to a vacancy on the library board of trustees for 2009 to 2011. Mr. K. Sila seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. The board will meet with Group 3 tonight for a preview of the master plan. There will be a joint work session with Group 3, town officials, and the library board on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Farr
Secretary

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Normal Public Library
Minutes of the Board of Trustees
February 25, 2009

Members present: Joan Steinburg, President, Amy Christensen, Jess Ray, Diane Risius, Charles Sila, Karl Sila, Karen Farr, and Brian Chase (Library Administrator). Also present were Lolita Netter, Ruth Reeves, and Jeanne Moonan.

President Steinburg called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

Mr. C. Sila moved to accept the agenda as presented. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 7-0. Mr. C. Sila moved to approve the minutes of the previous meetings (January 28, 2009 and February 11, 2009) as amended. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 7-0.

President’s Report
Mrs. Steinburg commented on the Annual Report. She is pleased with how it looks and is amazed by all that the library does.

Librarian’s Report
1. Monthly financial report. Revenue: January revenue was up 4.56% from this time last year. Expenditures: There has been demand for Value Line financial information online. The library is looking to purchase this with remote access for ten concurrent users. The approximate cost is $6,000.
2. Parking and circulation: Additional signage will be added to the Mulberry lot directing patrons to the parking deck. The last day for parking at the University Christian lot was January 31, 2009.
3. Uptown Redevelopment: Mulberry and College Avenue are both open. Construction on the University Church will begin in the near future.
4. RSA/ILS: The library is currently looking at possible alternative circulation systems.
5. Master Plan: The Needs Assessment is still being finalized. The library board and staff will identify and explore all possible expansion concepts.
6. Internet/Computer Policies and Social Networking: The library has received requests for social networking sites (Facebook, My space, ect…) These sites are currently being filtered. Current policies do not address social networking. The board will continue discussion on this topic at the March meeting.
7. Goal-Setting/Performance Reviews: The library department heads will meet with their employees to set individual goals for the upcoming year. A formal review process will start in 2010. Staff will have annual performance reviews and goal-setting sessions with their department heads.

Committee Reports

Finance
Mrs. Christensen moved that expenditures amounting to $50,976.93 and two payrolls totaling $122,364.10 be paid. Mr. C. Sila seconded the motion, discussion was held, and the motion carried 7-0.

Alliance Library System
No report.

Personnel
The personnel committee will meet before the March board meeting to go over Mr. Chase’s annual evaluation. Mr. Chase’s performance review will be conducted in executive session during the March board meeting. Miss Farr informed the board that they had until March 1, 2009 to complete Mr. Chase’s evaluation. Miss Farr asked Mr. Chase to write down 3-5 professional goals for the March meeting.

Building and Grounds
Mrs. Risius commented on how well the library is being maintained. Mr. Chase informed the board that some additional AV shelving is being installed.

Unfinished Business
1. Master Planning: Mr. Chase and Mrs. Steinburg met with Mike Royce to discuss Uptown Normal development. The board has created a Master Planning Committee to brainstorm expansion ideas. Mr. Ray (chair), Mr. C. Sila, and Miss Farr have been appointed to the committee.

New Business
1. Board Concerns: Mr. Chase will look into obtaining professional email address for the board members.
2. Executive session: Mr. C. Sila moved that the board go into executive session for the purpose of discussing settlement of a claim as according to section 2C-12. Mr. Ray seconded the motion and it carried 7-0. The board entered executive session at 7:40 p.m. The board exited the executive session at 7:44 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Farr
Secretary