River Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Regular Meeting
October 18, 2005


Call to Order
President Molly Ryan called the regular meeting of the Board to order at 7:17 p.m. Present were Ms. Ryan, Mrs. Bussey, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Horstman, Mr. Soffer and Mrs. Daly. Mr. Coe and Mrs. Cusack were absent.

Visitor and Trustee Comments
Visitor Denise Medema complimented Mrs. Bussey on the new front door. She asked if there had been feedback from patrons about the policy requiring children ten and under to be accompanied by an adult in the library.  Mrs. Bussey replied that there had been comments, but that when she or staff members explained that the policy is for the safety of the children, and that children are welcome to go upstairs with an older sibling or adult, patrons are responsive to the change. Further discussion of the policy ensued.

Presentation by Blaire Valentine
Administrative Assistant Blaire Valentine gave a power point presentation regarding current public relations strategies for the library. 

Consent Agenda
The Board reviewed the minutes of its September 14, 2005 regular meeting.  Trustees reviewed the Warrant List of Bills Payable for the period of September 15 to October 18, 2005, including checks # 5588 to 5703, and the payroll and benefits list, for a grand total of $55,736.30.  Trustees reviewed the September 2005 Treasurer’s Report.  Mr. Soffer moved that the Board approve the Consent Agenda.  Mrs. Daly seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Voting aye were Ms. Ryan, Mr. Soffer, Ms. Horstman, Mrs. Fischer and Mrs. Daly. There were no nays: the motion carried unanimously.

Communications
A. Announcements: 
     Mrs. Bussey shared the following with the Board:
     -The October 7th In Service Day Schedule
     -“The Buzz” – an MLA Communication
     -An article in the Wednesday Journal regarding library programming in conjunction    
      with the local schools
     -A letter from patron Naomi Williams
B. Patron Suggestions: 
     -Fourteen Patron Suggestions (Numbers 123-136) and the Director’s replies were 
     recorded for the month of September 2005.



Director’s Report
A. Statistical Report – Board members reviewed the September 2005 statistics.
B. Written Report- Highlights of the report were:  a telephone consultant has been hired, the roof consultant is in place, and the new Time Capsule will be buried in front of the library on Saturday, October 22.
C. Departmental Reports – Board members reviewed the reports from each of the department heads and reiterated their appreciation of these excellent and informative reports.

Old Business
 A. Capital Improvements- Mrs. Fischer reported on the progress being made on the 
            following capital improvements:   
     1. Roof Repairs- A consultant has been hired to manage the roof repairs which will    
            require four specialists for different parts of the repair job.
     2. Front Door – The new front door is in place.
     3. Phone System – The proposals for the new phone system will be opened on 
            November 4th and presented at the November 9th Board meeting.
     4. Circulation Modernization – Mrs. Bussey is investigating a self checkout system.
     5. The Chiller- Mrs. Bussey will get a second opinion as to the best course of action 
          regarding the repair of the chiller. 
     6. Library Design Specialists- Six designers submitted proposals to the library.  The 
          Capital Improvements Committee and other interested Trustees will interview the 
          designers the committee feels would best suit the library’s needs. After the  
          interviews have been conducted, the Committee will make a recommendation to  
          the full Board at the subsequent regular meeting.

B. ASK @ theriverforestlibrary After School Program-
       Mrs. Bussey reported that she has sent a written proposal to Ruth McLaren of the Community Bank requesting support for this program.  She will also be filling out the paperwork for a grant from the OPRF Youth Township Office, and has been putting out feelers with the local Rotary and Service Clubs for funding.  The program will most likely not be in place until fall of 2006.  

New Business
A. Personnel Committee Report- Holiday Pay- Ms. Horstman
      The Personnel Committee proposed a revised Holiday Pay Policy.  Mrs. Fischer moved that the Board adopt the revised policy. Ms. Horstman seconded.  After discussion, a vote was taken.  There were all ayes and no nays: the motion carried unanimously.
B. SWAN Participation Agreement – 
      Mrs. Fischer moved that the River Forest Public Library agree to participate in the policies of the SWAN Consortium.  Ms. Horstman seconded.  A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.  President Ryan and Secretary Daly signed the agreement.



C. Trustee Work Load – 
      Board members discussed their work loads and the pros and cons of doing much of the Board work in committee.
D. Board of Trustees retreat/planning session-
       Board members decided to hold either a day long or weekend long retreat/planning session tentatively to be scheduled in January, 2006.

Executive Session
At 9:50 p.m. Mrs. Daly moved that the Board go to executive session. Mr. Soffer seconded.

Adjournment
At 10:05 Mrs. Daly moved that the regular meeting be adjourned.  Ms. Horstman seconded.

Respectfully submitted,
Diane Daly, Secretary