Board of Trustees River Forest Public Library Regular Board Meeting Minutes October 20th, 2009 7:30pm Call to Order & Roll Call President Margaret Horstman called the regular meeting to order at 7:30pm. The roll was taken. Present were Trustees Joan O’Connor, Alice Calabrese, Genie Halloran, Mark Coe, and Joan Cusack. Trustee Beck arrived at 7:40pm. Also present were Director Sophia Anastos, staff member Rebecca Thornton, and Ann Grimes from the League of Women Voters. Audience to Visitors, Trustee and Staff Comments Trustee O’Connor attended the “Poe After Dark” event and was very impressed with the quality of the program as well as the number of people in attendance. Consent Agenda Trustee Calabrese moved to approve the Warrant and Benefit List for the period of September 1, 2009 through September 31, 2009 including checks numbered from 9160-9246 for a total of $294,248.08, with the Minutes from the July 21st and September 19th meetings. Trustee Cusack seconds the motion and a roll call vote is taken. Ayes: Trustees Calabrese, Horstman, Cusack, Halloran, Coe, and O’Connor Nays: None Absent: Trustee Beck Communications A. Announcements B. Patron Suggestions Director’s Report SENSE Report: Roof: -The work on the roof is taking longer than expected. The company claims the work is moving right along. Landscaping: -The park District removed all of the old shrubs from the sides of the building. -Director Anastos has been in touch with the OPRF Garden Club with consideration for a landscaping plan in the upcoming spring. -A contact from Triton previously did the landscaping plan for the front garden. It might be nice to work with them again. -Trustee Horstman requests the tree stumps in the front yard be removed. Carpeting: -New carpeting is to be installed in the Meeting Room on October 24th. IT update: -Lee Rivadeneira is now working four days a week, for three hours a day. -There are a variety of projects being worked on right now to update our infrastructure. -He is currently working on a solution for the speed of our partial T-1 line. Comcast is one solution being looked at. In-Service: -The focus for the October In-Service day is explaining benefits available to Full-Time staff members. There is a short presentation in the afternoon on Retirement Planning that all staff are encouraged to attend. Meeting with Donna Carroll: -Director Anastos met with President of Dominican Donna Carroll to discuss how they can work together to support each other and the River Forest community. -There is a possibility of working with the newly formed PhD program in Library Science. Discussion with Klein Thorpe and Jenkins: -The library is not entitled to any of the TIF money being distributed. -There is a slight possibility the library will get a chance at any surplus that becomes available. Parking: -A discussion occurred over addressing the parking issue in the future as it was a big point of interest in the Community Focus Groups. -The library will eventually start a dialog with the Park District and Roosevelt School about what options there might be. -The recent work on Lathrop cut two extra spaces in front of the library for parking. Old Business -None New Business Strategic Planning: -Gretel Stock-Kupperman presented the Focus Group Report to the Board. Her comments were encouraging action, stating that we have a limited time to be effective and act on some of the comments collected. The analysis was that we currently have a “perfect storm” to achieve our goals: a wonderful staff, Board, Director, and patrons who are all willing to work towards improvement. It was very encouraging that every Focus Group asked the library “What do you need from us? How can we help?” The plan worked on in the coming month will give a direction for the library to head in. Key Themes for the Final Plan: -Building Updates -Patrons and Staff have differing views of the building. Patrons love the cozy and small building. Staff recognizes the age, space constrictions, and inefficiencies throughout the building. -Marketing -Patrons frequently asked for programs or services that already existed. -Outreach - There is a lot of potential for a better connection with the community. -Internal Staff Support -Staff is feeling overwhelmed and there is a need for new organization. Patrons notice and appreciate the hard work and dedication of every staff member. -Funding and Sustainability -How can the library best support the work needing to be done as the plan moves forward? Executive Session Trustee Cusack moves the Board go into Executive Session at 9:25pm. Trustee Halloran seconds the motion and a roll call vote is taken. Ayes: Trustees Calabrese, Horstman, Cusack, Halloran, Coe, Beck, and O’Connor Nays: None Adjournment At 9:37 PM, President Horstman requested a motion for the meeting to be adjourned. Trustee Cusak moved so, and Trustee Halloran seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Harley Beck Secretary