September 25, 2018

​Present:  Kathleen O’Laughlin, President; Lisa G. McDonald, Vice President; Jan Barshis, Trustee;  Virginia George, Trustee; Stuart Wolf, Trustee; Dan Johnson, Trustee; Cynthia McMillan, Staff Liaison; Gayle Justman and Betty Giorgi Acting Co-interim Directors.  Also present was Joan Fishman, President of Friends of the Library.
 
Absent:  Ronald Rodgers,Trustee.
 
Significant Public Comment: There was no public comment as no one from the community was in attendance.
 
Significant Information Items:
 
Selection of New Director
Ms. O’Laughlin discussed the selection of Anthony Austen as the new Library Director.  She briefly reviewed his background and said they are working on the press release.  His start date will be October 29, 2018.  Ms. Justman and Ms. Giorgi are developing an onboarding process for him.
 
Renovation Project
Ms. Giorgi briefly discussed the progress on the Renovation Project to improve the safety and appearance of the Library patio.  She stated that they are currently working on the request for proposals for construction management with an aim for the project to break ground in the spring.  They plan to have open houses for public comment.   Ms. O’Laughlin indicated that she will be sending a response to a Wilmette resident who raised concerns with the Library Board about landscaping.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=233:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-10
 
Directors Report
Ms. Justman presented the Directors Report.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=229:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-6
The Library of Things has been very popular.  They are adding items including four portable CD players.  One of the items discussed was the Insurance report.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=231:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-8 She indicated that facilities has started working on recommended improvements and that the safety audit will be conducted annually going forward.  The library has received legal advice on new rules regarding who qualifies as candidates to run for the Board and discussed them briefly.  The head of Youth Services is leaving to move with her family.  The job has been posted on a number of sites with a closing date of 10/12.  They would like to have the interview process coincide with the new director’s commencement so he will have the opportunity to interview candidates.  Other items discussed are included in the Directors Report.
 
 
Friends of the Library Presentation
Ms. Fishman presented highlights of the Friends of the Library (“Friends”) year in review. The book of the year, A Gentleman in Moscow, was a great success.  She thanked the adult services staff for presenting additional programs relating to Russian culture.  She described in detail significant book donations made by the Friends to various organizations including the Wilmette Rotary Club, A Just Harvest and Stand for Children Illinois, which were well received.  The donation promised to the Library this year is $28,800, less than the 2018 donation, but indicated that the Friends would be flexible in considering additional funds for Library programming.  Friends funded the youth summer reading programs, which, having 931 participants, were very successful.  She invited Board members to attend the annual thank you luncheon on October 5, 2018, for Friends volunteers, which number around 60.  The Board questioned Ms. Fishman about declining book sales.  She indicated that book sellers claimed the inventory of books is not as good as it’s been in the past.  There was also a brief discussion about round- about racks being placed at the Wilmette Rec Center and Metra and CTA train stations to promote Books Down Under.
 
Legislative Breakfast
Ms. McDonald reported on the legislative breakfast hosted by the Library Board on September 18, 2018.  In attendance were members of the boards of Wilmette, District 39, District 29, District 203 and local legislators or their representatives.  Discussions were had about how the Library could support the efforts of the organizations represented.
 
Community Outreach
Ms. O’Laughlin and Ms. Giorgi recently visited Wilmette Village Hall to discuss with Village staff making Wilmette more bike friendly.  She discussed efforts of the Library (loaning bike locks, displaying local bike paths, offering a presentation on bike/helmet safety).  Other community outreach efforts were included, but not discussed, in the Cooperative Projects and Community Service Reports.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=232:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-9
 
Illinois Library Association Newsletter Discussion
Ms. Barshish provided a review of the Illinois Library Association newsletters.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=230:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-7
In particular there was a discussion of a new law regarding extending library membership for non-resident business lessees.  It was discussed that Library staff should reach out to the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce to identify how best to communicate and implement this new law.
 
The ILA Annual Conference, October 9-11, 2018, will be attended by a few members of the Library staff.
 
 
Action Items
Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Rogers was not in attendance to present his report.  Ms. O’Laughlin briefly summarized the report and praised the budgeting process for accurately forecasting the expenditures year-to-date.  Mr. Johnson asked for clarification of the balance sheet, to which Ms. O’Laughlin suggested that in light of Mr. Rodgers’ absence from the meeting, the issue be tabled until the Finance Committee meeting to be held October 10, 2018 at 8:00 pm at the Library or the next Board meeting, at which the auditors will be presenting their findings to the Board.  The Treasurer’s Report and bills and salaries for August 2018 were unanimously approved without discussion.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=226:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-3  and http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=227:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-4
Board Authorization of Deputy Election Clerks:  With the April 2, 2019, election for Board trustees, pre-filing notices have been sent to current trustees and posted on the Library web site and legal notices bulletin board. The Board unanimously approved the appointment of three clerks who will be responsible for filing completed candidate election packets to the Board of Elections in Chicago on behalf of the candidates.  See http://www.wilmettelibrary.info/board-meeting-agendas?download=228:board-meeting-agenda-attachments-september-25-2018-part-5
                                                           
 
Next meeting:                        October 16, 2018
Observer:     Elizabeth Seager                              Meeting Length: 75 minutes