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

Members present: Joan Steinburg, President, Amy Christensen, Jess Ray, Diane Risius, Charles Sila, Karl Sila (arrived 6:04 p.m.), Karen Farr, and Brian Chase (Library Administrator). Also present were Ruth Reeves, Jeanne Moonan, Tori Melican, Mari McKeeth, and Kristi Cates.

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

Mr. C. Sila moved to accept the agenda as presented. Mr. Ray seconded the motion and it carried 6-0. Mr. C. Sila moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as presented. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.

President’s Report
Mr. Mark Peterson, Town Manager, gave the board an update on uptown development. Discussion was held on the library’s master planning and need for space. A joint committee will be formed with library and town officials to explore library development.

Mrs. Steinburg wished Jess Ray and Emily Chase a “Happy Birthday”. She also reminded the board that Jason Wegman’s memorial service will be held on April 7, 2009.

Librarian’s Report
1. Monthly financial report. Revenue: February revenue was up 4.73% from this time last year. Expenditures: Online access to Value Line for up to ten concurrent users was purchased for $6,400. A large portion of the RSA fee ($38,826) was paid last month.
2. Parking and circulation: Additional signage is being added to the Mulberry lot directing patrons to the parking deck. The infrastructure construction is progressing quickly. The University Christian Church has been demolished and the parking lot is fenced off.
3. Uptown Redevelopment: The Uptown Circle is now open. North Street is closed to vehicular traffic from the circle to Fell Avenue.
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. Mr. Chase met with Mark Peterson, City Manager, prior to tonight’s meeting.
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. Mari McKeeth and Kristi Cates will present on this topic (see below).
7. Goal-Setting/Performance Reviews: The library department heads are meeting 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.
8. Normal.org Email Addresses for Board Members: It is possible to have normal.org email addresses for board members through the Virtual Private Network. It would cost $42.03 per account.
9. ALA Toyota Motor Corporation Grant Awarded: The library is one of 200 libraries to receive a set of 50 translated books of modern Japanese fiction and nonfiction. Thank you to Mari McKeeth for writing the grant!
10. YALSA Teen Tech Week Mini Grant Awarded: Kristi Cates was awarded one of twenty YALSA Teen Tech Week Mini Grants of $450.00. The money will be used for a monthly teen gaming program. Congratulations Kristi!

Committee Reports

Finance
Mrs. Christensen moved that expenditures amounting to $112,416.87 and two payrolls totaling $125,139.19 be paid. Mr. C. Sila seconded the motion and the motion carried 7-0.

Alliance Library System
Mr. K. Sila gave the board an update on ALS happenings.

Personnel
Miss Farr informed the board that Mr. Chase’s annual evaluation will be performed tonight during an executive session.

Building and Grounds
Mr. Chase informed the board that he has met with the Town of Normal Horticulturist and has been given some great ideas for landscaping.

Unfinished Business
1. Master Planning: Mr. Ray gave the board an update on the Master Planning Committee’s March 11, 2009 meeting. The committee wants to continue momentum on the master planning process.

New Business
1. Board Concerns: Discussion was held on the Tale for Two Cities book, The Coal Tattoo, by Silas House. Board members should have received an invitation to “Meet the Author” on Thursday, April 16, 2009.
2. Social Networking Presentation: Mari McKeeth and Kristi Cates presented the board with information and examples of social networking. Discussion was held.
3. Executive Session: Mr. Ray moved that the board go into executive session for the purpose of the Semi Annual Review of Executive Minutes (section 2C-21) and Personnel-Library Director’s Annual Evaluation (Section 2C-1). Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 7-0. The board entered executive session at 8:23 p.m. The board exited the executive session at 8:41 p.m. Miss Farr moved to approve any actions taken in executive session. Mr. C. Sila seconded the motion and it carried 7-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Farr
Secretary