Normal Public Library
Minutes of the Board of Trustees
September 24, 2008

Members present: Joan Steinburg, President, Amy Christensen, Charles Sila (left at 6:30 p.m.), Karl Sila, Diane Risius, Susan Rogers, Karen Farr, and Brian Chase (Library Administrator). Also present were Lolita Netter, Tori Melican, Ruth Reeves, and Jeanne Moonan.

President Steinburg called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

Mr. C. Sila moved that the agenda for the current meeting be accepted with the additional topic of the audit report included. Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 7-0. Ms. Rogers moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as presented. Mr. C. Sila seconded the motion and it carried 7-0.

President’s Report
Mrs. Steinburg informed the board that Sharon Rowlen and Beth Hager from Group 3 have been with the library all week. Mrs. Steinburg encouraged the board to continue to read the staff minutes.

Librarian’s Report
1. Monthly financial report. Revenue: Revenue for this fiscal year is up 34% from this time last year. Expenditures: The elevator repairs are almost complete. A 24/7 communication will soon be installed. An air conditioning unit was replaced for $2,400.
2. Parking and circulation: The validation system for the parking deck is working well. The library is encouraging patrons to use the new parking 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). The AquaBrower software is now functional. It will cost $97,000 to get a system from Polaris with the library’s data. The estimated cost for one year of a hosted stand alone system is less than $20,000.
4. Master Plan: Sharon Rowlen and Beth Hager from Group 3 have been at the library since September 21, 2008. An open public meeting will be held after the board meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Community Activity Center (One Normal Plaza-Senior Center). Group 3 has also met with five focus groups. A data gathering survey is available on-line thru September 29, 2008. Over 900 surveys have already been submitted.
5. Budgeting: Mr. Chase’s goal is to make the budget accurately reflect the library’s priorities and needs and to utilize the library’s resources most effectively. He has created a new replacement schedule. Mr. Chase has met with Amy Christensen and Ron Hill during the budgeting process.
6. Disposition of Property: The sale of the card catalogs will be delay in order to make sure they are priced appropriately.
7. Cost of Living Adjustment: The Town of Normal passed the COLA of 4.180% at their September 15, 2008 meeting.
8. Friends Book Sale: The Friends of the Normal Public library are having a book sale on Friday, September 26, 2008 thru Sunday, September 28, 2008.
9. Illinois Literacy Foundation Grant: The library has been selected to receive the Illinois Literacy Foundation Grant. Borders Bookstores will be asking customers if they would like to donate to the grant from November 24, 2008 thru December 31, 2008. The funds collected will come in the form of a Borders gift card that is redeemable at our local Borders Bookstore.
10. Retirement: Brenda Carter will be retiring on September 30, 2008 after 20 years of service. She will be greatly missed.
11. Per Capita Grant: The Per Capita Grant is ready for board approval.
12. Audit report: The Town of Normal Audit report is complete.

Committee Reports

Finance
Mrs. Christensen moved that expenditures amounting to $25,482.27 and two payrolls totaling $122,911.37 be paid. Miss Farr seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.

Alliance Library System
Mr. K. Sila informed the board that:
1. Becky Houghton retired.
2. The ALS has a cookbook.
3. ALS award nominations are due September 26, 2008.
4. There are trustee workshops in October and November.
5. The L2 system is starting.
6. The website has a “deadline dates” link.
7. The Pekin Library is expanding.

Personnel
Miss Farr reminded the board to check their emails for Mr. Chase’s six-month evaluation. The evaluation is to be completed and returned to Miss Farr by October 15, 2008. Mr. Chase’s six-month evaluation will be presented at the October board meeting.

Building and Grounds
Mrs. Risius encouraged the board to park in the new deck.

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
1. 2009-2010 Budget: Mrs. Christensen moved that the 2009-2010 Budget be approved as presented. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion, discussion was held, and the motion carried 6-0.

2. Review of Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5A ILCSA 430), and Open Meeting Act (5 ILCS 120): Based on the boards review of the Freedom of Information Act, the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and the Open Meetings Act, Miss Farr moved that the board approve implementations based on the samples presented at the September 24, 2008 meeting. Ms. Rogers seconded the motion, discussion was held, and the motion carried 6-0.
3. Per Capita Grant: Miss Farr moved to approve the Per Capita Grant application as presented. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion, discussion was held, and the motion carried 6-0.
4. Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): Ms. Rogers moved to adopt the COLA of 4.180%. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.
5. Audit Report: Mr. K. Sila moved to approve the Town of Normal Audit Report from August 22, 2008 as presented. Mrs. Risius seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Farr
Secretary