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.