LAKE FOREST LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
MINUTES
Present: President Thornburgh; Trustees Barnett, Dettling, Miserendino, Pierson, Westropp, and Young; Youth Liaison, Amanda Levy; Administrative Librarian Grabbe; and Administrative Assistant Grasmick.
Absent: Trustees Garrett and Hull.
President Thornburgh called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
There were no changes or corrections to the minutes of the November 11 meeting. The minutes were approved as mailed.
Administrative Librarian's Report:
Maintenance: The shelving and furniture from Children’s was donated to Highwood Public Library for the renovation of their Children’s room.
The renovation is on schedule and on time. We expect to reopen in mid March. A grand opening celebration will be planned, perhaps to coincide with National Library Week in April.
The Friends approved funding for the Thomas Melvin murals.
Terry Dowd moved the Apple Tree sculpture out of the construction zone. They will move it to the new location and may do some restoration work.
Personnel: Ruth Sommers, Head of Circulation, is retiring. Tori Sergel will be the new department head and Choosri Goebel will move to assistant head of Circulation.
Miscellaneous: On January 5 the City Council approved the new library ordinance.
Trustee Young asked if there was any mention of how the library would be affected by the financial downturn. Mrs. Grabbe stated that 93% of our budget comes from property taxes and we run quite a lean budget. Those factors should keep us in good financial shape.
The October and November statistics were distributed. In November there was a jump in Children’s circulation due to the extended due dates. December stats will show a drop in circulation, reference questions, patron visits, and programs.
October and November financials are all in line.
Trustee Barnett asked what we hear about Amazon’s Kindle wireless reading device and library use. Mrs. Grabbe stated that we had tried an early version of an eBook and it was only checked out two times. Patrons in this area seem to buy their own if they want the use of one. She is not aware of much library use.
Committee Reports:
Services: No report.
Long Range Plan: No report. A meeting will be held in late spring.
Finance: No report. A meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. prior to the February 10 meeting to discuss the FY10 budget.
NSLS: The 2009 NSLS Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for Monday, February 16, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Arboretum Club, 401 W. Half Day Rd. (Rt. 22), Buffalo Grove. Trustees interested in attending should notify Mrs. Grabbe. This is a good way for libraries to meet with their legislators.
Friends : A board meeting was held on January 10. Mrs. Grabbe will distribute the approved items from the wish list.
Old Business : None.
New Business: The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Opportunity for the public to address the Board: No one addressed the Board.
Trustee Young moved that the meeting be adjourned; Trustee Dettling seconded. Motion carried.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Pierson
Secretary
