|
 |
 |
     |
|
|
||||
|
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PARK RIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY HELD AT 7:45 P.M. ON OCTOBER 17, 2006 IN THE THIRD FLOOR MEETING ROOM OF THE LIBRARY CALL TO ORDER Mr. Schmidt called the meeting to order at 7:46 p.m. ROLL CALL TRUSTEES PRESENT: John Schmidt, President; Richard Van Metre, Vice President; Dorothy Hynous, Treasurer; John Benka, Margaret Harrison, Janet Joyce, Patricia Lofthouse, Eileen O'Neill-Burke. TRUSTEES ABSENT: Shlomo Crandus, Secretary. OTHERS PRESENT: Janet Van De Carr, Library Director; Jodi Bemis Whitney, John Doyle, Linda Egebrecht, Kate Hall, Vivian Mortensen, Kathy Rolsing, Tom Weiland, Library Staff; Chuck Baldacchino, Park Ridge Resident; Denise Guzman and Johanna Guzman, Maine South Students. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Schmidt asked if there was any discussion on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Benka directed Mrs. Van De Carr's attention to page 5, second to the last paragraph of the September Board Minutes. In that paragraph, Alderman Wynn Ryan and Mr. Benka had suggested sharing a demographic report (that had been discussed with the Board of Trustees) with the City. Mr. Benka asked if it was shared with the City, to which Mrs. Van De Carr replied that a copy was given to Mr. Tim Schuenke, City Manager, to Ms. Kim Uhlig, City Economic Development Director, and to Ms. Agnes Stempniak, City Public Information Coordinator, but that she had not received any comments from them. Mrs. Van De Carr stated that she would be asking at the upcoming City Managers' Meeting for comments and stated that she would report back to the Board in November with any information she receives. Mr. Benka also asked Mrs. Rolsing if the transfer of funds that the Board of Trustees voted on had taken place (note: the motion approved at the September meeting was to move the Library's Gift Funds (Restricted and Endowment) from Chase Bank Money Market accounts to the Park Ridge City's investment accounts.) Mrs. Rolsing replied that it did not take place. She explained that the plan was originally proposed by the City Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director, however after the September Board Meeting, and after getting the Library's things in place, Mrs. Rolsing called the City and asked for the account numbers where the Library funds could be transferred. At that point the City informed her that they had determined that the transfer of funds couldn't be done; that the Library funds and City funds could not share an account in any meaningful way where there would still be Library transactions of deposits and expenditures on a monthly basis. Mr. Benka asked what the Library was intending to do at this point. Mrs. Rolsing stated this evening the Board Officers would be signing for the current account. She added that she would be meeting with Chase to discuss investment opportunities, and then with the Board Officers, prepare a proposal, and then present it to the whole Board. Mr. Benka asked how the Library Board had handled financial matters in the past. Mrs. Van De Carr replied that the Library Budget & Finance Committee typically only meets when the Operating Budget is being prepared. In other instances, the Library Director and specific staff meet with officers of the Board of Trustees to discuss financial matters, and then a proposal is brought to the full Library Board of Trustees for approval. Mrs. Hynous asked that all officers remain after the conclusion of this evening's Board meeting to sign the current accounts. Mr. Benka directed Mrs. Van De Carr's attention to page 8, at the bottom of the last full paragraph. He asked Mrs. Van De Carr to explain the Library's budget of “$10,000 per year for consultants, as needed” in regards to how the money is spent. Mrs. Van De Carr explained that about 5 or 6 years ago the Board had felt it was important to have money set aside to pay for lighting consultants, architects, etc., considering all of the projects the Library was going to be undertaking in the near future. Mrs. Van De Carr added that her intentions for the coming year include coming to the Board to discuss the use of some funds from this budget to pay for the design of the glass wall that is going to go across the “balcony”/staff space in the Reference Department, so that next year when the money is in the capital budget the Library can move forward with the project. She explained that unused funds from this budget item don't accrue and that they go into the Library Fund, as do all other unspent funds. There being no further discussion, Mrs. Lofthouse MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda. Mrs. O'Neill-Burke SECONDED the motion. Roll call vote. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC Mr. Schmidt recognized Mr. Baldacchino, who stated based in part on what he heard Trustee Crandus say at the City Council meeting, that “apparently you need to hear this over again. If any of you think that in your lifetimes, let alone in your tenures, there will be a new Library or even an expansion of this building you are delusional. I know you think it is your responsibility to investigate what this library could look like, but I don't care what arguments you come up with, with respect to space or accessibility, it ain't happening. I don't know who's telling you that it is or that it might, but they're pulling your leg. Now, given that, and I hope you believe that, and if you have any doubts about that feel free to ask me about it, or ask anybody else about that. But, given that, I would encourage you, would plead with you, to spend your time, your efforts, and our tax dollars to reinvent this library, in this space. Do whatever you have to do to make this place something that the residents of Park Ridge can be even more proud of, will want to come to even more. But to do anything else is a waste. Thank you.” Mr. Schmidt replied that it is possible that in hiring a consultant he may come to the same conclusion; and then asked the Board if there was any response. Directing his comments to Mr. Baldacchino, Mr. Van Metre stated, “what I'm hearing you say is that you really don't care what any study would show. You, personally, are convinced that we don't need any more space than we have, and that's the only evidence you are interested in seeing. Now, I will repeat again, no one is standing behind us telling us that there might be an opportunity to get a bigger library through. We are not being encouraged. These discussions have come out of our own analysis of the space concerns with this building. And I think, as I said last month, we would be in dereliction of the duty that we agreed to perform when we accepted appointment to this board if we simply ignore what common sense is telling us. I'd love to have more people come to this library than are coming now, problem is they would be pushing the walls off the foundation we don't have room for them. Now, obviously, this has a political component and you may know more about that than I do, but a political opinion doesn't really affect what the Library needs to have. It may affect what the Library can get…and if you feel that it will make your reputation again to derail the Park Ridge Public Library, I encourage you to fight it as hard as you can. But as long as I feel that we need more space, I don't see how I cannot fight for it, regardless of what anybody else thinks. Now, we are doing studies because most of us would like to be reassured that professional people will come to the same conclusion we have before we push it. But if they do, then we will have to push it; I don't see that we have a choice. We are getting less and less adequate for the community. I realize that there is a body of thought, which I don't think is a majority in this community, that believes that we could have a much better library without books. So far, nobody has been able to persuade me that there's any actual basis to that, and that is one of the grounds on which I would fight this.” Mrs. Lofthouse stated, “and I 'd like to add that I don't think I'm being “delusional”. We've examined this space from the inside out, from the top to bottom, in line with our strategic planning goals, and we simply don't have enough space. We have staff members who have a desk in one area and downstairs they have a filing cabinet for all of their materials and possessions over in a storage area that is highly inaccessible. We have award-winning books that have to be weeded out because we don't have room to collect them. And I agree with Dick (Mr. Van Metre), that that's part of our service to the community. We're not only supposed to serve the current needs of the community, but we're also supposed to preserve the culture, too, and pass it on. And we are routinely turning people away, every day; we are routinely denying people the use of this room for different functions because we simply don't have the space to allow them to be in here. So, we do have a problem. And we are mandated by our (State) standards, as Board Trustees, to review the facility needs, and so that's what we're trying to do. And I would like to second Dick (Mr. Van Metre), that we would like to have an educated opinion as to space, how maybe it can be divided up better, allocated better, so that maybe we don't have to add as much space as we think we do. Let's really look at every inch of it, professionally. So that's why I voted that we need a feasibility study.” Mr. Baldacchino asked to make a short reply. He stated, “I think maybe you misunderstood me, I don't think I said, and if I didn't mean to say you were delusional about, for instance, making arguments that you think you're out of space. What I'm saying is, you are delusional if you think there is an approval process in this town that, no matter how strong your arguments are for space or anything else, that the people will approve either a new library or an expansion of this one. And, that goes to another point. I am not trying to derail anything. What I'm sitting here telling you is that I think I know what the people of this community are willing to accept and what they're not. And I think I have some credibility on that issue, alright? And again, whether you, or a consultant, or anybody else comes up and says that the walls are coming off the foundations, the people will not approve a new or an expanded library. Now, I might be wrong, but I'll bet anybody right now a thousand bucks that in our lifetimes it ain't gonna happen, that's how confident I am. It's sort of a virtual bet, as it were, it's my way of saying to you that I have a great deal of confidence in my understanding of what the people in this community will accept and what they won't. Given that, humor me for a minute and believe that my knowledge of the community is marginally better than yours in respect to whether or not the people will approve it, not whether or not they'll understand your space arguments. Given that, it then follows that any expenditure of funds on a consultant, any expenditure of funds on anything else, any expenditure of your time is a waste. Okay, it's a waste! Now, you need to come to grips, I think, with whether or not, no matter how powerful your arguments are, either if they're generated here or come from the most important consultant on libraries on the face of the earth, whether that will make a difference if the question were to come to the people. And I will say again, evidence is that it won't. Now you have to live with that question and I'm just laying it on the table, and I will continue to lay it on the table, please do not get me wrong. I am not against the Library; I am for what the people want. If you can get a referendum out here and people will approve a new library or an expansion to this one, I will the first one to be in line, kicking down the door, standing on your desks, insisting that it be done. But it won't happen.” Mr. Schmidt said, “I think we're about the same age, approximately…I never thought I would see the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall fall in my lifetime. That happened. Anything is possible. And eventually, this may have to go to the people, and then we'll see. It might not have to go to the people, who knows what the consultant is going to say. Any other observations?” Mr. Benka stated that looking at the number of Library visitors, applause, applause the numbers are greatly improved over last year. It's nice to see people coming to this space as it's arranged now in large numbers. The Library staff is to be congratulated for the efforts that they continue to make and the plans and programs that you continue to create to increase the numbers as the statistics show that increase. SECRETARY'S REPORT In Mr. Crandus' absence, Mr. Schmidt circulated one folder of correspondence and information, which included the following:
Mr. Benka stated that Alderman Wynn Ryan sent her regrets for not being in attendance this evening and that she had asked Mr. Benka to express her personal congratulations to Mr. Crandus on his presentation at the October 9 City Council meeting. Mr. Benka stated that he, too, agrees that Mr. Crandus did a marvelous job in preparing and delivering the message to the City Council from the Library Board of Trustees. Mrs. Hynous seconded that opinion, stating that she had a conversation with another Alderman on an unrelated topic and at the end of their conversation the Alderman stated how impressed he was with Mr. Crandus' presentation. Mr. Benka asked that it be noted in the minutes that the Trustees are all proud and pleased with Mr. Crandus' hard work and presentation abilities and that they urge him to continue to act on their behalf. TREASURER'S REPORT Ms. Hynous reviewed the financial reports contained in the packet. She reported that the Summary by Line Item Report showed that with 42% of the fiscal year elapsed, 39% of the budget (excluding the Capital Budget) had been expended. Mrs. Van De Carr noted that the Library had received the updated Cash Report this evening, and distributed the report to the Board. She stated that the Report reflected the receipt of property taxes. The Board acknowledged the many donations made to the Library's Restricted Gift Fund (which includes the Van Fund) during September. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Van De Carr reviewed the Library's statistics for the month, reporting that circulation was up 3% for September and up 8% for the year-to-date, and that the Library continued to see some growth in the audiovisual collection. She reported that the Library has been using grant and gift money, as well as regular budget to expand the audiovisual collection. Mrs. Van De Carr stated that as a part of National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September, the Library did not see an increase in the number of new library cards issued in the month, in fact it was 71 fewer cards than were registered in September 2005, even though the Library is still at 66% of the borrower population having library cards. As a result, the Library will be rethinking the 2007 Library Card Sign-Up Month campaign and program to see if there are other incentives or enticements the Library can try. The 2005/2006 campaign of incentives earned by showing your library card only rewarded those who have a library card, but it doesn't seem to encourage new people to come in and get one. Mrs. Lofthouse asked if the Children's and Youth Librarians were visiting the schools for library card sign-up. Mrs. Van De Carr replied that they were, and in fact the Children's Librarians had just visited all of the kindergarten classes this month. Mrs. Hall, Children's Services Manager, stated that due to the visits to the preschools last year after the age limit was eliminated for the eligibility for a library card, she and the other librarians found that many kindergarteners already have a library card. Mrs. Van De Carr added that a library card is on the school supply list for every grade level in District 64. Some discussion ensued regarding how the percentage of borrower population is calculated and possible alternative methods to calculate what percentage of households (rather than individuals) have library cards. Mrs. Van De Carr stated that some alternative methods were somewhat expensive, but that she would contact CCS (Cooperative Computer Services) to find out if they can try to run a report using addresses in Park Ridge. Mrs. Lofthouse asked if there was an online registration for a library card, to which Mrs. Van De Carr stated that there is one but that it is not used very often. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the premium online databases to impart information on such databases to encourage getting a library card, etc. via a pop-up screen, for instance. Mrs. Van De Carr stated she would look into that possibility. Mrs. Van De Carr asked if there were any questions regarding anything written in her “Director's Report”, which was included in their packets. Mr. Benka asked if there were any ideas gleaned from the youth who attended the Young Adult Loft Planning Committee meeting. Ms. Mortensen replied that Ms. Hommel, the YA Librarian would be compiling a report for the Board, but that she had said that the meeting was fun and that she felt it was very valuable. Among the results were that the students would like comfortable chairs, more computers, nothing too avant guard, etc. Mrs. Van De Carr distributed a summary regarding a new project called “Kick Start for Kindergarten”, that Children's Services is involved with, and on which three of the Children's Services staff did a presentation at ILA (the Illinois Library Association convention). Mrs. Van De Carr added that Children's Services would use a grant from Target Corporation to provide this program next year. Mr. Benka asked how the Librarians learn about different grants, to which Mrs. Hall explained that such information is received via word-of-mouth, from mailings from the various benefactors, networking, or via newsletters, email announcements, etc. Mr. Schmidt recognized Mr. Baldacchino, who apologized for “being so talkative”, and who stated he had one editorial comment and one point after that. He asked those assembled to take care when looking at the library statistics, not only those of the Park Ridge Public Library as well as those of other libraries. Mr. Baldacchino began to talk at some length regarding statistics and their validity. Mr. Benka called a Point of Order, asking the Board President to note that according to the Agenda, Comments from the Public were restricted to one opportunity to speak, at the beginning of a Board meeting after the Consent Agenda vote. He suggested that such Comments from the Public be limited to that one period of time at a meeting. He also suggested that the Board discuss the validity of adding another such opportunity to the end of the meeting Agenda if it decides that there is a necessity from time to time. Mr. Schmidt stated point was taken; that he had offered Mr. Baldacchino this time as a courtesy and since there was an objection from a Board member that he was going to have to hold such comments until the end of the current meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning & Operations: In Mr. Crandus' absence, Mrs. O'Neill-Burke reviewed the Committee meeting minutes, stating that the Committee discussed the action plans for the 2006/2007 Strategic Directions. Specific action plans were emphasized, including the need to continue addressing the needs of specific groups, such as families with children of special needs, building the foreign language collections (specifically the Polish language collection), an analysis of salaries which is currently underway as well as identifying two new Library technologies that are not currently being utilized. Dates for completion for each section were determined. The Committee decided that it should strive to identify core competencies by January 2007, identify training schedules by May 2007, and continue to nurture the present culture of staff service orientation to patrons. Mrs. O'Neill-Burke reported that the Committee also discussed the Community Survey. Mrs. Van De Carr added that the last Community Survey was in 2000, and in preparation for the upcoming budget meetings, the Committee recommends putting $10,000 in the operating budget for FY 07/08 for a Community Survey should the Board decided to conduct a Community Survey in the near future. Marketing & Fund-Raising: Mrs. O'Neill-Burke reviewed the Committee meeting minutes, stating that the Committee had addressed two major issues. She added that the Library is within $5,000 of purchasing a van for the Library. The Committee discussed if there were any further fund-raising potential for the van, as well as how there will begin to be a diminishing return to the fund-raising efforts. The Committee discussed the possibility of spending up to $5,000 from the Library Contingency Fund toward the purchase of a van for the Library. Mr. Benka asked what the total cost of the proposed van was estimated to be, to which Mrs. Van De Carr replied that it would be around $17,000. Asked how much had been raised thus far for the Van Fund, Mrs. Van De Carr stated that, to date, there was $13,517.52 in the Van Fund which was a combination of money from the Art Auction, Silent Auction, patron donations, and $5,550 pledged by the Friends of the Library. In response to Mr. Schmidt's inquiry, Mrs. Van De Carr stated that there was $30,000 in the Library Contingency Fund. Mrs. Van De Carr added that she would be working with the City's Purchasing Agent, Mr. Kaderabeck, and together they would be using the State Bid List, which is what governmental bodies use to purchase items like a van. In response to Mrs. Hynous' inquiry, Mrs. Van De Carr stated that the Library needs a minivan and there are no hybrid minivans available and since the Library requires stow-and-go seating, Dodge and Chrysler are the only two manufacturers who offer that amenity. The van will be parked in the central lot when not in use. Mr. Kaderbeck would take care of the purchasing because he is very well versed in that since he purchases automobiles for the City. On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. O'Neill-Burke made a MOTION: to spend up to $5,000 from the Library Contingency Fund to purchase a van for the Library. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Mrs. O'Neill-Burke reported that the Committee reviewed the revisions to the Buy-A-Brick Policy, IA5, which was included in their packet. The policy was reviewed extensively by the City Attorney, as well as the Committee, and should comport with any first amendment problems as best the Library can at this point. On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. O'Neill-Burke made a MOTION: to approve the Buy-A-Brick Policy, as revised. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Library Resources: Mr. Benka reviewed the Committee meeting minutes, stating that there was discussion regarding the fact that the library materials budget has not increased in 4 out of 5 years and that there was yet to be any direction from the City regarding the upcoming budget. Mrs. Van De Carr distributed a report showing how the library materials budget was spent for each category of purchase to see how the money has shifted from one category to another, which they have. He added that adult non-fiction purchases have grown in the period of 2002 to 2006 and that members of the community have stated that they appreciate the growth in the non-fiction and “Most Wanted” sections. Being faced with a flat budget again, it is understood that as always a great deal of analysis and discretion will be used when purchasing. Mr. Benka stated that Mrs. Van De Carr had reported that the service Tutor.com, which is used by students in grades 4 through 12, is becoming more expensive, having gone from $4,000 to $11,000 in four years. The cost is based on usage and Mrs. Van De Carr stated that she believes that Tutor.com is a service worth keeping, therefore this service will be a part of the Board's budget discussion Mr. Benka reported that the Resources Committee also looked at the Action Plans for the 2006/2007 Strategic Directions. The Committee determined that the Plan for 2006-07 should not be so inclusive as to list everything the Library does. Suggestions were made regarding defining those items that are being considered for weeding. The Committee encouraged Mrs. Van De Carr to include language that would confirm that any evaluation of collections would be reported to the Board periodically, keeping it apprised of any expansion or reduction of collections. He added that the Committee also discussed the area of “Programming”. The Committee encourages the staff to continue to network with others as part of the action plan as they develop programs to attract teens to the Library and to prepare young children for kindergarten, as well as to introduce an action plan that focuses on new retirees. Mr. Benka reported that the Committee was pleased to know that part of the staff's action plans was to create and strengthen partnerships with those agencies in town that serve teens. Mr. Benka added that in conjunction with the Marketing & Fund-Raising Committee, the Resources Committee considered creating an objective relating to the new neighbors from the development on the north side of Touhy in Uptown focusing on getting them interested in and involved in using the Library and what the Library has to offer. Mrs. Van De Carr informed the Board, as she had done at the Committee meeting, that NSLS (North Suburban Library System) had without any warning, announced that, as of June 1, 2007, it would no longer provide NorthStarNet to the north suburban communities. She stated that NSLS gave their reasoning as they believe NorthStarNet no longer provides the kind of services that were originally intended. NorthStarNet is an umbrella that hosts all of the community networks, library sites, businesses, etc. at no cost. The Park Ridge Public Library site is one of the largest sites on NorthStarNet. Mrs. Van De Carr reported that the Library would, with other libraries, explore the possibility of forming a new consortium, or other alternatives, to “re-build” such a service. The Library would probably be hosting a meeting in the near future to discuss the issue with interested libraries. The Park Ridge Library feels that NorthStarNet is a very worthwhile project and that a networking project like it deserves to be saved. Mrs. Van De Carr stated that she would keep the Board apprised of the matter. Building & Grounds: Mrs. Lofthouse reviewed the Committee minutes. She reported that the Committee discussed various projects in the building that the Library wishes to accomplish in the next fiscal year, including the renovation of the Young Adult Loft. Mrs. Van De Carr added that one of the things that needs to be accomplished prior to the redecoration of the Young Adult Loft is to erect a permanent wall between the Loft and the Reader Services staff area, which is currently just a bookcase. Mrs. Van De Carr added that the Library would be asking the contractor who undertakes that project to work on the Library front doors, because the Library was unable to find a contractor who was willing to undertake the door project alone because it is a relatively small job. Mrs. Van De Carr added that the Library was still waiting for the light fixtures for the second floor lobby, and that once they were received the ceiling tiles would also be replaced to match those in the first floor lobby. She added that she and Mr. Weiland were working on a list of small projects that don't fit the definition of “capital project”, but that need to be done in the next budget year. Mrs. Lofthouse asked what the reaction had been to the second floor lobby and the new location of the videos, to which Mrs. Van De Carr stated she had only had one negative comment regarding the move, and that was because the DVD's and VHS's tapes are filed together; many people have both types of machines at home and so they welcome the ability to take out one format if the other is already checked out. Mrs. Van De Carr stated that the lobby area was getting a lot of use, people were using the chairs in the area, and that they were utilizing the books on the new shelving units. She added that the free publications that had been tucked behind the print management station were now on shelving below the slatwall area in the second floor lobby, so people are accessing those as well. As soon as the area is better lit, more can be done to improve the area. Mrs. Lofthouse reported that the Committee reviewed and discussed the Building & Grounds section of the “Achieving Strategic Goals” document from the Strategic Plan. The Committee wants to emphasize that it will continue to make improvements to keep the facility in good shape, without letting anything go. She added that the Committee is collecting the information from the community input on the utilization of the facility and intends to convene some focus groups utilizing citizens from Park Ridge in that regard. The Committee's long-term goal for FY 2008-09 is to conduct the feasibility study so that the Board may explore all of the facility's options, always keeping in mind A.D.A. compliance. Mrs. Lofthouse stated that all Committee members are knowledgeable about what the Library's space needs are and when it has the opportunity to inform other people, including elected officials, about those needs that they will do so. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY Mrs. Van De Carr announced that the Friends had scheduled their fall book sale for the first weekend of November. She informed the Board the sale weekend would begin Friday night, November 3, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the Pre-Sale for Friends of the Library Members only. On Saturday, November 4, the Book Sale would be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 5 would be the Half Price Book Sale, with hours from Noon to 2:00 p.m. The Library will be closing the first floor meeting room for the full week prior to the sale so that the Friends can set up the room, and there will be a lot of materials available. Mrs. Van De Carr reported that there was an article in the next issue of the Library newsletter, announcing that the Library had received a large donation of books from Photographer Helen Harvey Mills and her husband Ralph, a retired UIC professor. They had been collecting books for over 40 years and have donated over 500 books on art, dance, music and the fine arts to the Friends of the Library for this sale. Mrs. O'Neill-Burke asked if the Library had made a donation to the book drive for the Illinois Judges Association, to which Mrs. Van De Carr replied that the Library had donated six cartons of books. Mrs. O'Neill-Burke stated that the books would be going to Illinois prisons. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Schmidt stated that at the last meeting he had made a proposal regarding the start time of the regular Board meeting, which has been 7:45 p.m., suggesting that it begin at 7:30 p.m. like the Committee meetings do. Having heard input from five Board members, Mrs. Van De Carr stated that the consensus was to have all of the Board meetings start at 7:30 p.m. if approved, beginning with the November Board meeting, all meetings would start at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Schmidt made a MOTION: To revise the start time of all Board of Trustees meetings to 7:30 p.m. Mr. Benka SECONDED the motion. Roll call vote. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Hynous asked the status on the meetings of the Board Trustees and the Aldermen. Mrs. Van De Carr stated she would email the Trustees to let them know who still had not had a meeting, and a schedule would be made from there. Mr. Schmidt commented that in the past that it was the policy of the Board of Trustees to take Comments from the Public at the end of the Agenda (meeting). Then that was changed for a variety of reasons and Comments from the Public were place at the beginning of the Agenda. Addressing Mr. Baldacchino, he stated that until now, he tried to show Mr. Baldacchino courtesy by taking any comments he had out of time specified in the Agenda. Mr. Schmidt added that he would like to continue doing so informally, but if a Point of Order is raised, the Board may have to make a more formal policy, and so the Board will discuss this issue. Mr. Baldacchino commented that as a public meeting participation from the public is customary. He apologized for speaking out against the policy-prescribed order of the Agenda, stating that he was commenting at a time and manner that he thought was customary for a public meeting considering that was how the City Council allowed Comments from the Public. Mr. Baldacchino stated that the Board should not be adverse to hearing things in opposition to which they don't want to hear. He reiterated his earlier statements of how he knows what the public wants. Addressing Mr. Schmidt, Mrs. Van De Carr stated that although she may not attend as many City Council meetings as Mr. Baldacchino, it was her experience that members of the Public are not allowed to interject comments whenever they feel they have a comment there are set times on the Agenda at which point the Council takes comments. Mr. Schmidt asked the Board if they felt that a formal policy needed to be set down, as opposed to how he had been conducting this issue, and asked the Board as a whole to advise him. Mrs. Hynous stated that perhaps the issue should be discussed in Committee. Mr. Van Metre stated that a single episode doesn't merit setting down a formal policy; adding that especially since the only time he had publicly supported Mr. Baldacchino was when the City Council was talking about limiting the amount of time of public comments, and he still supports him in that. Mrs. Lofthouse stated that she felt that the Library Board of Trustees should have a formal policy. Mr. Benka stated that (on the Council) the informal discussion takes place in Committees, that's where the Council encourages the public to dialog with the Committee on the topics covered by the Committee. He added that he welcomes comment at the time of a formal motion. Mr. Schmidt stated that therefore, Comments from the Public would continue to be taken informally, at the discretion of the Chair, until the Board of Trustees decides to change the policy. It was decided that the subject would be discussed in the Library Resources Committee. Mrs. Lofthouse asked Mr. Baldacchino about his comment of 80/20. Mr. Baldacchino replied that when he had looked at the circulation numbers years ago, it was his opinion that 80% of the circulation came from 20% of the Library's holdings. He encouraged the Library to ask questions about the statistics that they receive to make sure they are meaningful and not skewed. He said that if they are going to take arguments out to the public with the kind of statistics that they have, “you're gonna get clobbered”. He stated that “there are a lot of statistics that are traditional for Illinois Libraries they are rubbish statistics. Sure that's what you use to compare library to library, but” they will not resonate with the population.” “If you are gonna to make any arguments about this Library needing changes, be prepared to have them whacked if you present them the way they are” currently presented. Mr. Baldacchino commented that he was willing to sit with any of the Board to give them a perspective of “what it was that resonated with the community in 2002 when we crushed the Library expansion. We just put data out there.” [Note: the 2002 Library Referendum was voted down by a vote of 60% to 40% - with only 13,500 of the public voting.] Mr. Van Metre stated, “In my judgment what you put out there was opinion disguised as data.” ADJOURNMENT Mr. Benka MOVED to adjourn the Board meeting. Mr. Van Metre SECONDED the motion. Voice vote. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. |
|||
 |
 |
