Public Library
Board of Library Trustees
Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 10, 2004


Call to Order 
President Molly Ryan called the regular meeting of the Board to order at 7:17 p.m. Roll call was taken.  Present were Director Mrs. Bussey and Trustees Ryan, Coe, Daly, Horstman, Fischer and Sher.  Trustee Reitz was absent.

Audience to Visitors and Board Members- Comments
Four visitors signed in: Kay Kutska, Marybeth Foley, Lenny Soffer and Chriss Crement.  Comments were as follows:  Mrs. Kutska complimented Mrs. Bussey on having accomplished much in the short time since she became Director of the library.  Mrs. Kutska also read a letter from a patron.  The patron reported that she stumbled and fell over a stool near the check out desk and gave follow up information.  Mrs. Kutska stated that she believes that there is risk in having a stool in that location. Mrs. Bussey stated that she was aware of what happened and filed a claim with the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA). At IRMA’s suggestion, the stool remains in front of the Circulation Desk, but with colored tape around it.  Ms. Bussey and the library staff are considering other alternatives.  Ms. Ryan said that the Board will continue to monitor this issue.  Visitor Mrs. Chriss Crement said that she believes that the stool presents a safety problem for everyone.  Ms. Ryan thanked the visitors for their comments.  She announced that Trustee Roger Reitz is resigning effective immediately.  She added that she hopes that there will be an opportunity to thank Mr. Reitz publicly for his years of service to the library.  An article will be placed in the local press regarding Mr. Reitz’s resignation along with a notice that anyone interested in taking over the remainder of his term should contact Mrs. Bussey at the library.  Candidates will be interviewed by Board members.  The Board hopes to vote on the approval of a new Trustee at the December meeting.  

Consent Agenda
The September and October Treasurer’s Reports could not be voted on for approval as there is an accounting error.  Mrs. Bussey and Mrs. Reedy have met with the Village auditor, are working on the problem and hope to have it resolved soon.   The September, October and November reports will be voted on at the December meeting.  Mr. Coe moved that the Board approve the minutes of the October Board meeting, the minutes of the October 25, 2004 Budget and Finance Committee meeting and the Warrant List of Bills Payable for November, 2004.  The Warrant List covered checks # 4739 to #4799 and the November payroll for a grand total of $67,944.26. Mrs. Fischer seconded Mr. Coe’s motion.  Roll call vote was taken: all ayes, no nays: the motion carried unanimously. Additionally, the Board reviewed the September payroll which had been approved prior to the Board’s having seen a copy of that payroll.



Communications
A.  Quarterly Report Patron Suggestions- Mrs. Bussey gave a written report entitled “Allocation of Patron Suggestions”, which placed these suggestions in categories.  She will continue this statistical analysis of suggestions. 
B.  October Patron Suggestions- The Board reviewed the October patrons’ suggestions.

Directors Report
A. Statistical Report- Mrs. Bussey presented the statistical report to the Board.
B. Written Report- Mrs. Bussey presented the Director’s Report for October 2004 to the Board.
C. Departmental Reports- The Board reviewed the reports from each department of the library.

Old Business
A. Strategic Plan Review- After meeting with Mrs. Bussey, Mrs.Fischer prepared a document : The Strategic Plan May ‘03 - April ‘07: Status of Action Steps.  Board members complimented Mrs. Fischer on her thorough report, and Mrs. Bussey on the progress she has made on the action steps.  The Strategic Plan review will continue to be an agenda item.  Mrs. Bussey asked Board members to review the plan and brainstorm for ideas.  The process of future planning will begin in January.  Decisions made will determine the direction of the next strategic plan. A new strategic planning committee will be appointed and a new process will begin in April. 
B. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report- Mrs. Bussey reported that some of the leaks have been repaired.   Approximately $7,000 more is needed for repairs and painting.  Mr. Sher will give a more complete report at the December Board meeting.
C. Working Cash Fund Update- Mrs. Bussey reported that $100,000 has been upgraded to a better interest rate. $55,000 of the Working Cash Fund has been transferred to the Forest Park Community Bank for a slightly better rate of interest than it was drawing previously. Signatures were needed for Working Cash Fund and Orndorff Fund documents.
D. Meeting Room Policy- Mr. Coe moved that the Board replace the current “Policy for Use of the Meeting Room” with the new policy with these additional changes: 1.Priority will be given to the Belles Lettres Society (After “Meetings or programs of the Friends of the River Forest Library” but before “Non-profit organization sponsored meetings or programs”)  2. In lieu of “Any damage done to the furniture, equipment or carpeting will result in a fee of $25”, the policy should read “Any damage done to the furniture, equipment or carpeting will result in a fee commensurate with the damage”. Mrs. Fischer seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.
E. Wireless Policy- Discussion of the Wireless Policy was tabled.

New Business
A. Interlibrary Loan Policy- Mrs. Fischer moved that the Board adopt the River Forest Public Library Interlibrary Loan Policy effective December 1, 2004.  Ms. Horstman seconded.  A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Merit Increment Policy- This policy has been renamed The Merit Bonus Policy.  This has been tabled until further discussion by the Board Finance Committee.
C.2004-2005 Fiscal Year Budget Revisions- Mr. Coe moved that the Board approve the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year budget revisions.  Mrs. Daly seconded.  Roll call vote was taken.  All ayes, no nays, the motion carried unanimously.
D. 2004 Tax Levy Resolution- Mr. Coe moved that the Board approve the 2004 Tax Levy Resolution.  Mrs. Daly seconded.  Roll call vote was taken: all ayes, no nays, the motion carried unanimously.
E. Holiday Closings- Mrs. Bussey requested that the library be closed on Sunday, December 26, 2004 and Sunday, January 2, 2005.  Mrs. Fischer moved that the Board approve these holiday closings.  Ms. Horstman seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment
At 8:50 p.m., Mr. Coe moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Mr. Sher seconded.

Respectfully submitted, 
Diane Daly, Secretary