APRIL 2008
April 2008 Librarian's Report
Activity Summary
70th Anniversary Open House:
Sunday April 13th MGPL hosted an Open House to celebrate the Library's 70th anniversary with the start of National Library Week (April 13-19).
The day’s events included a recognition ceremony for library volunteers, announcement of the Adult/Teen winners of the 3rd annual writing contest and awarding of prizes to same, a concert by Moon Glow and then an Open House Reception in the new book area.
Estimated concert attendance is between 125 and 150 with additional patrons arriving for the open house. Mayor Krier and Village Trustees Bruner and Minx attended the open house and Library Trustees Estelle Cooperman, Agnes Quinn and Daniel Hoffman also participated.
The Open House also featured a custom made Ginger Bread Library modeled on the original Library Building built in the early 1940s. Chef Michael Niksic out did himself, as you'll see from the pictures. Both the Champion and the Bugle wrote up the event with photos.
Volunteers:
Adult:
Joann Brelin
Marie Brelin
Ruth Budish
Marvin Cohen
Estelle Cooperman
Marv Cooperman
Sarah Delgado
Ricardo Distajo
Betty Higus
Judith Hindin
Carolyn Lawrence
Pat Morath
*Diane Morton
*Asako Nishimura
Dorothy Rasmussen
Terry Schlag
Martin Zabin
Steven Bronder
Teens:
Maria Dekntyar
Sony Jacob
Iryna Palkhouskaya
Vinny Varghese
Alexandra Darnell
Winners of the MGPL's 3rd Annual Writing Contest:
Student Category:
1st Prize: Fatima Khan
2nd Prize: Maryam Khan
Adult Category:
1st Prize: Mort Elenbogen
2nd Prize: Kathy Tamillo
MB Financial Bank graciously donated $400.00 to cover the cost of the 1st and 2nd prizes.
Spring Blast
The Youth Services/Teen contribution to the 70th Anniversary kick-off was the Spring Blast celebration for students/families. Despite the less than wonderful weather over 500 people came to spend the day eating popcorn (in the library), playing video games, getting their faces painted, climbing the wall, jumping around and checking out all the services and materials we have to offer.
The event was a milestone for this library, not just because the institution turns 70 this year, but also because we where able to demonstrate that MGPL has materials, services and staff that are capable of helping the people of Morton Grove find the information, educational support or services they need to lead more engaged and informed lives.
Without the dedication of everyone who works or volunteers at the library and the help of many members of the community the Spring Blast simply could not have happened.
Relationship coordinator position
This position is a part-time, non-exempt position whose principal responsibility is to perform work directly related to Library operations by promoting relationships between the Library and other Morton Grove institutions, encouraging the use of the Library and its services, and coordinating outreach efforts by the Library to other institutions and the community.
New Reference Department hires
The Reference department has interview several candidates to fill the three open part time positions. Melissa Mayberry, Chris Breitenbach, Elizabeth McClain were offered positions and have accepted.
Baxter Room roof replacement
Three estimates have been received for replacement of the Baxter Room roof. Review by the Buildings and Grounds Committee is requested.
Bike Rack grant
The Evanston Bicycle Club has awarded the library a grant of $1,050.00 for the purchase of a decorative bicycle rack. Buildings and Grounds Committee’s input on placement is requested.
Adult AV vs. Book circulation
Trustee Quinn raised the question if there was any relationship between Adult Book and Adult AV circulation numbers. A review of the last 32 months circulation counts for both items reveals that prior to June 2006 (two months after the Board removed the fee for borrowing AV materials) books tended to have significantly higher circulation than AV items. From June 2006 on book and AV circulation are much closer with books still circulating at slightly higher numbers, except for the month of December when AV prevails. Charts showing Adult Book and Av circulation counts by month and as a percent of total circulation are at the end of this report. Month #1 is August 2005.
Joint workshop with Park Ridge Trustees
The Director at Park Ridge, Jan Van De Carr, is bringing Peter Pearson in to help Park Ridge Library Trustees develop an approach to community advocacy. This could be useful to all of us in serving the residents of Morton Grove.
Mr. Pearson, Executive Director of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library spoke at ALA Midwinter about their grassroots efforts, which led to the creation of the Saint Paul’s Friends group and library foundation.
Park Ridge PL is requesting MGPL to contribute half of the cost of this joint workshop, about $600. There is enough in the Education line to cover this without hampering other activities.
PC Reservation 1st month
Assistant Director Kevin Justie reports:
On March 31, 2008, we replaced our Computer Log computer reservation and sign-in system with the commercial PC reservation system. Under the old system, users were limited to signing up for 2 hours of computer time per day: either one 2-hour session or two 1-hour sessions. How much of that reserved time they actually used didn’t matter; the limit was based only on the amount of reserved time, whether that time was reserved in advance or at the time of sign-in.
The new reservation system, on the other hand, monitors only the actual computer time used; users can have as many sessions (sign-ins) throughout the day as they want, as long as they don’t exceed the daily time limit, which was increased to three hours. This change in accounting method has had a dramatic effect on usage patterns: many users are now signing in multiple times throughout the day, though often for short sessions. Some go on repeatedly in between doing other work in the Library, while others make multiple trips to the library to use the computers.
This change from one or two long reservations per day to a greater number of shorter sessions resulted in a 35% increase in the number of sessions compared to April of last year -- 1,157 versus 849 -- but this does not necessarily indicate a 35% increase in total computer usage as measured by total time actually used. Because we had no way to measure actual used computer time under the old system (that is, by not counting reserved time that was not used), we have no data on which to make a direct comparison of usage between the two systems.
Nonetheless, staff members anecdotally report a definite increase in usage, both in terms of number of users and total time used, as well as many new faces among those using the computers — exactly the benefits we would have hoped for. In addition, staff is spending much less time on computer management, having neither to sign users in nor tell them when their time is up. At this point, those gains are being somewhat offset by the time spent showing users how to use the new system, but that will eventually be reduced to a very small amount as all the regular users become familiar with the new system.
Here are some additional data from the first month of PC Cop statistics:
Walk-up sign-ins: users who did not have a reservation: 840
Future reservations created by users: 278
Future reservations created by staff, for users: 39
The first two of those numbers -- 840 walk-ups plus 278 user-created reservations -- represent 1,118 times that the reference staff was able to continue doing other work, such as answering reference questions, instead of having to deal with the computers.
Users who logged out before the end of their session: 860 (74%)
Users who used their entire reserved session: 127 (11%)
Users who left the computer without ending their session: 64 (6%)
(these do not total 100% due to other, smaller categories)
Busiest date: April 30 (Wed.) -- 55 users averaging 59 minutes each, meaning that 75% of the total available computer time for the day was used.
Busiest computers: #1 and #6, which is not surprising since by using these computers a user only has someone else on one side of them rather than on both sides.
Coming events
This summer we will present two Library Challenges:
Summer Library Challenge
It’s About Time!
Teen/Adult Summer Library Challenge: June 1 – August 1
In keeping with MGPL’s 70th anniversary, the theme for this summer’s challenge is “It’s About Time.” Registration begins June 1 for adults and teens (grades 7 and up). Ravinia Music Festival lawn passes to selected concerts will be distributed to Library Challenge participants when they sign up.
Summer Reading Program for birth – grade 6
Pre-registration for our Summer Reading Program will run Mon., May 19 – Sun. June 8.
Come to the Youth Services desk to sign-up and get your Score Card and instructions. The program will run for 8-weeks, 6/9 – 8/2. All participants will receive a t-shirt after 6/9. Each week you visit the Library you will play games and do activities to earn prizes and get a raffle ticket and coupon. Babies and toddlers will do emergent literacy activities. Participate at least six weeks to complete program earning extra prizes.
Through out the year the library will present programing and materials related to each of the decades MGPL has been serving the Morton Grove community.
Bookmarks for each decade leading to the anniversary year will be available each month.
Beginning in May, the Lincoln Ave. Entry display case will focus on specific decades.
Films and programs will relate to that month's decade.
Statistical Summary
Total circulation for April was 24,285 down from 27,572 last month. However, April 2008 total circulation differed from 2007 by +1.4%. Year to Date total circulation is 102,823, 1.2% more than the same period in 2007 (101,589).
Adult circulation was 13,030 down compared to last month by 1,250 items and up 4% compared to April of last year. Year to Date 53,378 items have circulated compared to 51,694 in 2007.
Circulation for Youth Services was 11,242, down 1.4% compared to last April and down 2,041 items compared to last month. Year to date Youth Services has circulated 49,412 items.
The Reciprocal Borrowing Program (RBP) accounted for 3,580 items loaned to other communities or 14.7% of total circulation for the month. This is a decrease of 484 items compared to April 2007.
Patron registrations show an increase of 131 from March at 8,803 active cards, with 119 new patrons and 128 renewals. This represents 39.2% of the Morton Grove population with active cards. New registrations increased by 15 and renewals decreased by 31.
Adult reference activity had +13% change compared to last year with 2,815 questions. Youth Services reference activity for the month was 1,102 up 21% from last year.
Morton Grove residents made 112 Interlibrary Loan requests (up by 21 from last month) of which 96 were filled. Other libraries requested 229 items (up by 88 items from last month) from MGPL of which 98 were filled.
Adult online database use was 1032 sessions. This is an increase of 73 over April 2007. Year to date use is 3,071 YS database use is 44 or a 19% increase over March. Year to date use is 111.
Adult Internet PC usage was 1,157. With the introduction of the new PC reservation system comparison with previous adult PC usage data is not valid. Youth Services Internet use was 427 up 71% from 2007. YS Mac/PC usage was up 38% from last year at 349 signups.
Website hits from non-staff users were 211,899 for the month, up from March by 20,748. This is an average of 7,063 hits per day, a 10% increase over this month last year.
MyMedialMall downloads were 45 for the month. Registration now totals 257 with 8 patrons joining.
Adult programming conducted 60 event sessions with 1,844 attendees. Youth Services held 79 event sessions with 1,857 attending.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
MGPL Board of Trustees March 13th meeting agenda
MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 13, 2008
AGENDA
7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order/President Miller
2. Roll Call/Secretary Quinn
3. Minutes – February 14, 2008 Regular Meeting *
4. Treasurer’s Report/ Treasurer Cooperman
a. Cash Statement
b. Income Statement for February 2008
c. Accounts Payable
5. Committee Reports
a. Finance/Cooperman
b. Building and Grounds/Ahmad
c. Policy/Sykes
d. Fund Development Planning/Hoffman
e. Nomination Committee
6. Librarian's Report
7. Unfinished Business
a. New Building
1. Discussion of NSJC property
2. Letter to Mayor Krier
8. New Business
a. Summer Sunday hours*
b. Personnel Review Timetable*
c. Friends of MGPL Steering Committee Nominations
d. Fund Development Policy*
e. Closed Meeting for Employment/Appointment matters
5ILCS 120/2(c) *
9. Communications
10. Adjournment
*action items
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 13, 2008
AGENDA
7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order/President Miller
2. Roll Call/Secretary Quinn
3. Minutes – February 14, 2008 Regular Meeting *
4. Treasurer’s Report/ Treasurer Cooperman
a. Cash Statement
b. Income Statement for February 2008
c. Accounts Payable
5. Committee Reports
a. Finance/Cooperman
b. Building and Grounds/Ahmad
c. Policy/Sykes
d. Fund Development Planning/Hoffman
e. Nomination Committee
6. Librarian's Report
7. Unfinished Business
a. New Building
1. Discussion of NSJC property
2. Letter to Mayor Krier
8. New Business
a. Summer Sunday hours*
b. Personnel Review Timetable*
c. Friends of MGPL Steering Committee Nominations
d. Fund Development Policy*
e. Closed Meeting for Employment/Appointment matters
5ILCS 120/2(c) *
9. Communications
10. Adjournment
*action items
Friday, February 22, 2008
Board of Trustee Minutes for January 10, 2008
MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2008
1. Call to Order
President Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Secretary Quinn called the roll.
Trustees Present: Sadiqua Ahmad; Estelle Cooperman, Treasurer; Arthur Goldstein; Dan Hoffman; Renée Miller, President; Jan Sykes; Agnes Quinn, Secretary
Others Present: Benjamin Schapiro, Director; Kevin Justie, Assistant Director/Coordinator of Automated & Technical; Blanche Miyamoto, Administrative Assistant
Visitors: Rosetta Metz, Information Assistant; Mayor Rick Krier; Joe Wade, Village Administrator; Nick Katz, Eric Potter
3. Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of December 13, 2007 were reviewed.
Correction on page 3 under #7 Unfinished Business, New Building – change “Hoffman” to “Goldstein”.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to approve the minutes.
Seconded by Trustee Hoffman.
Approved by voice vote.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Cooperman presented the December reports, including review of the cash statement, accounts payable, and income statement.
The Board accepted the Treasurer’s Report.
Finance Committee – January 8, 2008 meeting, Trustee Cooperman reporting.
The committee reviewed the December financial reports.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Conversation With Mayor Krier
New Building and Responsibility
The library board will need to convince the Morton Grove community of the importance in needing a new library. The community has a misconception of the many ways that the library can serve them. The board’s responsibility is to present a clear picture of its vision. The Village will support the library in whatever way they can.
Some suggestions on ways to promote the library’s usefulness to the community involves:
1. Presenting the advantages of a new library.
2. Presenting the cost of building a new library.
3. Calculating how much tax dollars will be needed.
4. Doing surveys to find out if peoples’ needs are being met.
Other Ideas:
1. Referendum – The board must have something concrete for this.
2. Working Relationship – If the library wants to buy the property on the east side, the Village will work with the library and help relocate the businesses.
3. Pamphlet – Add information about the library to the Morton Grove pamphlet that the Village publishes.
At this time Major Krier and Joe Wade proceeded to leave the meeting. The board thanked them for their input.
5. Committee Reports
Building and Grounds – no report
No meeting was scheduled.
Policy – no reporting.
No meeting was scheduled.
Fund Development Planning – no report
6. Librarian’s Report
Statistics
Year to date total circulation is 305,898. 5.7% greater than the same period in 2006 (289,332).
Website hits from non-staff users were 164,588 for December. This is an average of 5,309 hits per day, a 2% increase over last year.
Patron registrations show a decrease of 31 from November at 8,715 active cards, with 42 new patrons and 99 renewals. New registrations decreased by 19 and renewals decreased by 1.
MyMediaMall shows a continuous growth. Registration now totals 226.
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting –January 10, 2008 - Page 3
7. Unfinished Business
New Building
A letter to the Morton Grove Park District written by President Miller and Trustee Goldstein was presented for approval.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to accept the letter as written.
Seconded by Trustee Ahmad.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
8. New Business
Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library Development Contract drafted by Carolyn Rusnak, ESC representative, was presented for approval.
Motion by Trustee Quinn to accept the five-month contract at $5,000.
Seconded by Trustee Goldstein.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
9. Communications
Legislative Breakfast on February 18, 2008. Director Schapiro encouraged all trustees to attend this event.
Morton Grove Chamber Commerce “2008 Festival of Stars and 1st Annual Awards Dinner” is scheduled for January 31, 2008. Director Schapiro will need a count of trustees attending by January 13. A table of ten has been reserved.
A copy of a thank you letter from Susan McGowan was given to all trustees.
Michael Hurley will be retiring on January 31, 2008.
Trustee Quinn gave a feedback on the Word 2007 program she attended. Instructor Cheryl Brown did an outstanding presentation.
Trustee Goldstein suggested the Library order citizenship books online.
There is no cost involved.
Enter executive session at 9:20 p.m. to discuss employment/appointment matters.
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting –January 10, 2008 - Page 4
Exit executive session at 9:55 p.m.
Motion by Trustee Hoffman to approve the salary increase of Director Schapiro as discussed in executive session.
Seconded by Trustee Goldstein.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2008
1. Call to Order
President Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Secretary Quinn called the roll.
Trustees Present: Sadiqua Ahmad; Estelle Cooperman, Treasurer; Arthur Goldstein; Dan Hoffman; Renée Miller, President; Jan Sykes; Agnes Quinn, Secretary
Others Present: Benjamin Schapiro, Director; Kevin Justie, Assistant Director/Coordinator of Automated & Technical; Blanche Miyamoto, Administrative Assistant
Visitors: Rosetta Metz, Information Assistant; Mayor Rick Krier; Joe Wade, Village Administrator; Nick Katz, Eric Potter
3. Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of December 13, 2007 were reviewed.
Correction on page 3 under #7 Unfinished Business, New Building – change “Hoffman” to “Goldstein”.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to approve the minutes.
Seconded by Trustee Hoffman.
Approved by voice vote.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Cooperman presented the December reports, including review of the cash statement, accounts payable, and income statement.
The Board accepted the Treasurer’s Report.
Finance Committee – January 8, 2008 meeting, Trustee Cooperman reporting.
The committee reviewed the December financial reports.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Conversation With Mayor Krier
New Building and Responsibility
The library board will need to convince the Morton Grove community of the importance in needing a new library. The community has a misconception of the many ways that the library can serve them. The board’s responsibility is to present a clear picture of its vision. The Village will support the library in whatever way they can.
Some suggestions on ways to promote the library’s usefulness to the community involves:
1. Presenting the advantages of a new library.
2. Presenting the cost of building a new library.
3. Calculating how much tax dollars will be needed.
4. Doing surveys to find out if peoples’ needs are being met.
Other Ideas:
1. Referendum – The board must have something concrete for this.
2. Working Relationship – If the library wants to buy the property on the east side, the Village will work with the library and help relocate the businesses.
3. Pamphlet – Add information about the library to the Morton Grove pamphlet that the Village publishes.
At this time Major Krier and Joe Wade proceeded to leave the meeting. The board thanked them for their input.
5. Committee Reports
Building and Grounds – no report
No meeting was scheduled.
Policy – no reporting.
No meeting was scheduled.
Fund Development Planning – no report
6. Librarian’s Report
Statistics
Year to date total circulation is 305,898. 5.7% greater than the same period in 2006 (289,332).
Website hits from non-staff users were 164,588 for December. This is an average of 5,309 hits per day, a 2% increase over last year.
Patron registrations show a decrease of 31 from November at 8,715 active cards, with 42 new patrons and 99 renewals. New registrations decreased by 19 and renewals decreased by 1.
MyMediaMall shows a continuous growth. Registration now totals 226.
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting –January 10, 2008 - Page 3
7. Unfinished Business
New Building
A letter to the Morton Grove Park District written by President Miller and Trustee Goldstein was presented for approval.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to accept the letter as written.
Seconded by Trustee Ahmad.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
8. New Business
Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library Development Contract drafted by Carolyn Rusnak, ESC representative, was presented for approval.
Motion by Trustee Quinn to accept the five-month contract at $5,000.
Seconded by Trustee Goldstein.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
9. Communications
Legislative Breakfast on February 18, 2008. Director Schapiro encouraged all trustees to attend this event.
Morton Grove Chamber Commerce “2008 Festival of Stars and 1st Annual Awards Dinner” is scheduled for January 31, 2008. Director Schapiro will need a count of trustees attending by January 13. A table of ten has been reserved.
A copy of a thank you letter from Susan McGowan was given to all trustees.
Michael Hurley will be retiring on January 31, 2008.
Trustee Quinn gave a feedback on the Word 2007 program she attended. Instructor Cheryl Brown did an outstanding presentation.
Trustee Goldstein suggested the Library order citizenship books online.
There is no cost involved.
Enter executive session at 9:20 p.m. to discuss employment/appointment matters.
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting –January 10, 2008 - Page 4
Exit executive session at 9:55 p.m.
Motion by Trustee Hoffman to approve the salary increase of Director Schapiro as discussed in executive session.
Seconded by Trustee Goldstein.
Approved by unanimous roll call vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Five Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do
Every now and then some of the staff and I chat about child rearing (aka parental survival). Several of the moms talk about creating a bubble around their kids. I always thought in terms of a fence, specifically a two rail post fence. You know, porous enough to let things like rabbits, squirrels, wolves in, but not so porous that big things like cows and kids could actually get out.
My thinking about having a porous fence instead of an impermeable bubble was that interesting stuff -objects, ideas, interactions- could still get to and influence my children, but at least I'd know where they where.
So I was was really intrested and pleased when this video came my way a little while ago. Now before getting to the video let's talk about its source.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. The videos (all free) are of scientist, technologists, economists, musicians and artists presenting at the annual TED conference which brings together interesting and imaginative people from all all over the globes. So visit the site, but be aware it is a real productivity killer. Many of the topics overlap and mesh with the materials available from iTunes U that I mentioned a few posts ago.
Anyway, about the video, Five Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do. Right away I started ticking off all the things the speaker listed and was pleased that I'd done all but one by age 10. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act didn't exist until I turned 50, so I'm not to blame for not getting it sooner. I did break that one the day after it was passed, just like everyone else who owned a personal computer.
The Tinkering School looks very interesting. It is nice to see de-constructing technology as play has evolved into a social event from the rather solitary backyard exploration of yore.
My thinking about having a porous fence instead of an impermeable bubble was that interesting stuff -objects, ideas, interactions- could still get to and influence my children, but at least I'd know where they where.
So I was was really intrested and pleased when this video came my way a little while ago. Now before getting to the video let's talk about its source.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. The videos (all free) are of scientist, technologists, economists, musicians and artists presenting at the annual TED conference which brings together interesting and imaginative people from all all over the globes. So visit the site, but be aware it is a real productivity killer. Many of the topics overlap and mesh with the materials available from iTunes U that I mentioned a few posts ago.
Anyway, about the video, Five Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do. Right away I started ticking off all the things the speaker listed and was pleased that I'd done all but one by age 10. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act didn't exist until I turned 50, so I'm not to blame for not getting it sooner. I did break that one the day after it was passed, just like everyone else who owned a personal computer.
The Tinkering School looks very interesting. It is nice to see de-constructing technology as play has evolved into a social event from the rather solitary backyard exploration of yore.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Board of Trustee Minutes for December 13, 2007
MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2007
1. Call to Order
President Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Secretary Quinn called the roll.
Trustees Present: Sadiqua Ahmad; Estelle Cooperman, Treasurer; Arthur Goldstein; Dan Hoffman; Renée Miller, President; Jan Sykes; Agnes Quinn, Secretary
Others Present: Benjamin Schapiro, Director; Kevin Justie, Assistant Director/Coordinator of Automated & Technical; Blanche Miyamoto, Administrative Assistant
Visitors: Roz Bonar, ESC: Patsy Mellott, ESC
3. Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of November 8, 2007 were reviewed.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to approve the minutes.
Seconded by Trustee Sykes.
Approved by voice vote.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Cooperman presented the November reports, including review of the cash statement, accounts payable, and income statement.
The Board accepted the Treasurer’s Report.
Finance Committee – December 11, 2007 meeting, Trustee Cooperman reporting.
The committee reviewed the November financial reports.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
5. Committee Reports
Building and Grounds – no report
Director Schapiro will contact Sarah from BCA for her professional advice on the choice of furniture for the Board Room.
No meeting was scheduled.
Policy – Trustee Sykes reporting.
The committee met on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss changes to the MGPL Computer Use Policy. The changes were presented to the Board for approval.
Motion by Trustee Sykes to approve changes to the MGPL Computer Use Policy as follows:
1. The reference librarian will allow reservation for only two computers at a time.
2. It is not acceptable for the reference librarian to enter patrons’personal data online.
Seconded by Trustee Hoffman.
Approved by voice vote.
Fund Development Planning – Trustee Hoffman reporting.
The committee met with the ESC committee on Tuesday, December 4, 2006 to finalize reports.
6. Librarian’s Report
Statistics
Year to date total circulation is 282,122. 6.2% greater than the same period in 2006.
Website hits from non-staff users were 177,800 for November. This is an average of 5,927 hits per day, a 9% increase over last year.
Patron registrations show a decrease of 44 from October at 8,746 active cards, with 61 new patrons and 100 renewals. New registrations decreased by 120 and renewals decreased by 149.
New Schoolbook Discussion Group
Liz Kaiz, Young Adult Librarian and Rosetta Metz, YS Informational Assistant developed a discussion group called “Famished 4 Fiction”.
A blog will be created for students from different schools within the community to discuss books online.
7. Unfinished Business
New Building
President Miller and Trustee Goldstein will get together to work on a letter to the Morton Grove Park District seeking to initiate a discussion on relocating the library adjacent to the Park District’s Prairie View Center.
8. New Business
Fund Development Planning Committee Final Report
Roz Bonar, ESC and Patsy Mellott, ESC reporting.
A recommendation from Roz and Patsy is for the Board to finalize the mission and vision statements.
Selection of 70th Anniversary Logos
The Board was asked to pick two logos. Samples were reviewed and the Board picked the top logo on the first page and the logo on the second page.
Enter executive session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss employment/appointment matters.
Exit executive session at 9:45 p.m.
There was no resolution on employment/appointment matters.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2007
1. Call to Order
President Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Secretary Quinn called the roll.
Trustees Present: Sadiqua Ahmad; Estelle Cooperman, Treasurer; Arthur Goldstein; Dan Hoffman; Renée Miller, President; Jan Sykes; Agnes Quinn, Secretary
Others Present: Benjamin Schapiro, Director; Kevin Justie, Assistant Director/Coordinator of Automated & Technical; Blanche Miyamoto, Administrative Assistant
Visitors: Roz Bonar, ESC: Patsy Mellott, ESC
3. Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of November 8, 2007 were reviewed.
Motion by Trustee Cooperman to approve the minutes.
Seconded by Trustee Sykes.
Approved by voice vote.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Cooperman presented the November reports, including review of the cash statement, accounts payable, and income statement.
The Board accepted the Treasurer’s Report.
Finance Committee – December 11, 2007 meeting, Trustee Cooperman reporting.
The committee reviewed the November financial reports.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
5. Committee Reports
Building and Grounds – no report
Director Schapiro will contact Sarah from BCA for her professional advice on the choice of furniture for the Board Room.
No meeting was scheduled.
Policy – Trustee Sykes reporting.
The committee met on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss changes to the MGPL Computer Use Policy. The changes were presented to the Board for approval.
Motion by Trustee Sykes to approve changes to the MGPL Computer Use Policy as follows:
1. The reference librarian will allow reservation for only two computers at a time.
2. It is not acceptable for the reference librarian to enter patrons’personal data online.
Seconded by Trustee Hoffman.
Approved by voice vote.
Fund Development Planning – Trustee Hoffman reporting.
The committee met with the ESC committee on Tuesday, December 4, 2006 to finalize reports.
6. Librarian’s Report
Statistics
Year to date total circulation is 282,122. 6.2% greater than the same period in 2006.
Website hits from non-staff users were 177,800 for November. This is an average of 5,927 hits per day, a 9% increase over last year.
Patron registrations show a decrease of 44 from October at 8,746 active cards, with 61 new patrons and 100 renewals. New registrations decreased by 120 and renewals decreased by 149.
New Schoolbook Discussion Group
Liz Kaiz, Young Adult Librarian and Rosetta Metz, YS Informational Assistant developed a discussion group called “Famished 4 Fiction”.
A blog will be created for students from different schools within the community to discuss books online.
7. Unfinished Business
New Building
President Miller and Trustee Goldstein will get together to work on a letter to the Morton Grove Park District seeking to initiate a discussion on relocating the library adjacent to the Park District’s Prairie View Center.
8. New Business
Fund Development Planning Committee Final Report
Roz Bonar, ESC and Patsy Mellott, ESC reporting.
A recommendation from Roz and Patsy is for the Board to finalize the mission and vision statements.
Selection of 70th Anniversary Logos
The Board was asked to pick two logos. Samples were reviewed and the Board picked the top logo on the first page and the logo on the second page.
Enter executive session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss employment/appointment matters.
Exit executive session at 9:45 p.m.
There was no resolution on employment/appointment matters.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
It's Easy to Change the World...
...or at least play with the Google page ranking system.
The last time I checked, the number of hits for googling "Died in a blogging accident" had gone from 2 to 13,000.
I'll admit I like this as it plays on all sorts of Geek/Librarian issues with indexing, rating information relevance by user actions and using many small actions to have a big (if narrow) impact on the people around us.
XKCD.com owns the cartoon and is worth checking out.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Myra Aggen, First MGPL Full-time Director
Myra J. Aggen
June 6, 1918 – December 19, 2007
Myra J. Aggen, 89, formerly of Melrose Meadows, died Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch, Iowa.
Myra was born June 6, 1918, the daughter of Ferdinand and Esther Beer Stecker. On June 28, 1941, she married Chester C. Aggen in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
Myra was the first fulltime director of the Morton Grove Public Library, serving from 1955-1971. The children’s room was named in her honor. While a resident of Morton Grove she was a member of the American Library Association, the Illinois Library Associations, and Toastmistresses, and was an avid bridge player.
Following retirement, Myra and her husband moved to Colorado and then to Lake Havasu, Arizona. In 2004, Myra moved to Iowa City.
Myra is survived by her daughter, Mary New; her granddaughter, Jennifer New and her husband, Andrew Epstein, and their children, Isabella and Tobias, all of Iowa City; and her brother, Glen Stecker of Johnson County, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son-in-law, Michael New, and her sister, Mildred.
Graveside services will be held this spring at Hillside Cemetery in Chilton, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Public Library Foundation, 123 S. Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240 (319-356-5200). Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.
Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com
June 6, 1918 – December 19, 2007
Myra J. Aggen, 89, formerly of Melrose Meadows, died Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch, Iowa.
Myra was born June 6, 1918, the daughter of Ferdinand and Esther Beer Stecker. On June 28, 1941, she married Chester C. Aggen in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
Myra was the first fulltime director of the Morton Grove Public Library, serving from 1955-1971. The children’s room was named in her honor. While a resident of Morton Grove she was a member of the American Library Association, the Illinois Library Associations, and Toastmistresses, and was an avid bridge player.
Following retirement, Myra and her husband moved to Colorado and then to Lake Havasu, Arizona. In 2004, Myra moved to Iowa City.
Myra is survived by her daughter, Mary New; her granddaughter, Jennifer New and her husband, Andrew Epstein, and their children, Isabella and Tobias, all of Iowa City; and her brother, Glen Stecker of Johnson County, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son-in-law, Michael New, and her sister, Mildred.
Graveside services will be held this spring at Hillside Cemetery in Chilton, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Public Library Foundation, 123 S. Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240 (319-356-5200). Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.
Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com
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