MUSSER PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 – 4:30 P.M.
LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
PRESENT:
Drake, Durham, Johnston, Koehrsen, Martin, Nus, Stelzner, Ward.
STAFF:
Anderson, Chaudoin, Collins, Warschauer. Guest: Barb Christensen.
ABSENT:
Lande.
M I N U T E S
I.
CALL TO ORDER:
Pres. Johnston called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
II.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The Long Range Planning item was moved to just
after the Staff Liaison report. Durham moved to approve the agenda with this
change. Second by Drake. All ayes. Motion carried.
III.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Durham moved to approve the minutes of the
October meeting. Second by Martin. All ayes. Motion carried.
IV.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT:
Nus moved to approve payment of the following
bills: 10/30/07 totaling $6,445.20,
11/13/07 totaling $13,730.37,
12/04/07 totaling $8,247.12,
12/18/07 totaling $5,923.82.
Second by Ward. All ayes. Motion carried.
V.
CITIZENS SPEAK:
None present.
VI.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A.
Staff Liaison
– The staff is busy weeding in Reference and getting rid of
old magazines. They are creating a Genealogy/Local History “room” in the
eastern section of the reference area.
B.
Long Range Planning – Progress on Pearl Pavillion –
Collins and
Christensen met to discuss collaboration on the building project. They explained
their vision for a more integrated, fluid space that would combine the Art Center
and the Library in such a way as to create an experience for patrons and visitors.
Plans are being formulated to coordinate a series of events tied in with the theme
of the library’s Summer Reading Program “Insects”, including a visiting artist
component. The Kickoff would be an Earth Day project with outreach to the
schools and the Discovery Center, and activities would continue throughout the
summer. They foresee providing for great interactive family activities, the
possible sharing of staff for certain events, lots of promotion in the schools and a
lot of press coverage. They will talk to school administration, work on funding,
grants and Friends groups and possibly engage the naturalist at Wild Cat Den
State Park. This large scale collaboration would demonstrate the ability of the Art
Center and Library to work together and eventually share a building. A joint
newsletter is also being discussed for use by the Library, Art Center and some of
the larger arts organizations. Mailing would be targeted to memberships in these
organizations rather than a mass mailing. They plan to 1) get the joint committee
together again, and 2) possibly hire a consultant to move beyond the conceptual
level. The joint committee will meet before the next library board meeting.
C.
Director’s Report
–
1)
The Holiday Stroll had an amazing turnout,
perhaps due to the presence of the Grinch and his Dog and the wonderful “roast
beast” cake.
2)
New furniture in the director’s office came as a result of a large
donation from Allsteel, thanks to the assistance of Chaudoin’s cousin.
3)
Heads
of departments have formed a Management Team to meet once a week and
discuss changes for the library. Their plan consists of several steps: to eliminate
the AV desk, move the Reference desk to the other side of the stairway, put the
Holds out on the floor so patrons can serve themselves, move the audiobooks into
the west side of the reference area, bring the AV items out onto the floor, and
arrange the Internet computers so Reference can better monitor their use. This
plan would give us only two desks to staff, with better flow and function. The
current AV area will become the staff Circ Workroom when AV is moved out
onto the floor. A used self-check machine has been purchased to try out and see
how the public likes it. A new library would likely utilize self-check machines
more sophisticated than this one.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A.
Operations:
1.
Unattended Child Policy (C-43) –
This policy works well. Mark
it “Reviewed 12-19-07”.
2.
Travel Policy (C-42) –
Works well. Mark “Reviewed 12-19-07”.
3.
Registration Policy
– No changes. Mark “Reviewed 12017-07”.
4.
Fax Policy (C-14) –
We are rethinking this policy as we consider
whether to move the fax machine down to the Reference desk, purchase a
self-serve coin-op machine, or whether this is a necessary library service.
Space is a consideration as is the possibility of support from the Friends.
This item was tabled and will be revisited at the February 2008 meeting.
V
III. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
IX.
NEW BUSINESS:
A.
Budget City/Contracted Areas –
The Cable budget was discussed.
Collins hopes more of the library’s cultural and topical programming will be
broadcast on Cable. The Library budget request of 1.43 million is mostly salary
increases. There are requests for staff development workshops and meetings. The
Budget Committee consists of Nus as Chair, Durham and Johnston.
B.
Bequest –
Collins reported receiving a bequest from Bill Cory for
$80,000. This can be used for building-related functions or for other things.
C.
Budget review –
Collins will meet with A.J. Johnson tomorrow morning
for the budget review. Durham and perhaps Koehrsen will also attend. Stelzner
moved to approve the budget request for presentation to the City Administrator.
Second by Nus. All ayes. Motion carried. A letter of request will be drafted for
the Illinois townships in time for their budget planning meetings.
X.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Paula Durham, Secretary
/iw