LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT

WAUCONDA AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

August 14, 2006

The meeting was held at the library at 7:30 p.m. with the following Library Trustees present:

Mrs. Carr, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Jonak, Mr. Kosty, and Mrs. Miller, Mr. Stevig, Mrs. Whitman . Trustees absent: none. Staff present: Tom Kern (Library Director), Julie Cerqua (Business Manager); Kathy Nielsen (Circulation Manager), Jan Staudemeyer (Head of Children’s Services), and Sue Strauch (Head of Adult Services). No visitors were present.

No visitors were present for the public hearing for the FY0607 Budget and Appropriations Ordinance 06-01. The hearing had been advertised and posted as required.

Dr. Johnson made a motion seconded by Mrs. Carr to accept the minutes of the July 10, 2006 meeting. Voice vote. All in favor. Motion carried.

The financial and budget reports were discussed. Topics included: repair of the sound system; luncheon for new teachers workshop; landscaping expenditures; criminal history check of library employees at hiring; notifying the board of flower purchases for special occasions; reporting of the library director checking account; budgeting of developer fees; delay of posting of bank statements this month because of auditing requirement that statements go directly to auditor; uncashed paychecks; payment to the graphic artist for her work on the brochure for eBooks and eAudiobooks; OCLC membership fee; repairs to the video security system.

Mrs. Whiman made a motion seconded by Dr. Johnson to pay the bills as presented and to transfer sufficient funds from the Investment Pool into the checking account.

Roll call vote

YES:                                                      Carr, Johnson, Jonak, Kosty, Miller, Stevig, Whitman
NO:                                        none
ABSTAIN:                            none
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING:    none

Library usage statistics were discussed. Topics included: monthly circulation hit an all-time high; increase in information requests at the Adult Services Reference Desk; substantial increases in literacy, Spanish language borrowing, and use of the library’s website. Increases in reciprocal borrowing and possible reasons for these increases were discussed, as well as the need to report borrowing statistics as well as lending statistics and specifically what types of materials reciprocal borrowers are borrowing.

Mr. Kosty suggested that trustees should visit other local public libraries, should the opportunity present itself.

Library director and departmental reports were discussed. Topics included: Trustee training as one of the requirements for the Per Capita Grant for FY0607; availability of eBooks, eAudiobooks and iPods; the NSLS rules governing reciprocal borrowing; substantial increases in program attendance this summer; the need for managers to sign off on all invoices for their departments; Target grant for $1,750; the replacing of the library’s computer class instructor; the Circulation Department’s summer “re-boot” camp.

Suggestions from the Suggestion Box were discussed. Topics included: book clubs for young adults; better lighting for crossing Main Street from Cook Park to the library.

Incident reports were reviewed.

Mrs. Whitman reported that the Finance Committee had met to review the proposed FY06/07 Budget and Appropriations Ordinance and Spending Plan.

Mrs. Whitman opened the discussion up for questions or comments.

The FY0607 Spending Plan was discussed. Topics included: a year-end bonus budgeted for library staff; the percentage of the operating budget devoted to purchasing library materials, online services, and programs; the need to establish a stronger reserve fund; and the possibility of increasing the budget should developer fees come in faster than expected due.

Mrs. Whitman made a motion seconded bv Mr. Jonak that the Spending Plan for fiscal year 2006-2007 be approved as presented.

Mrs. Whitman made a motion seconded bv Dr. Johnson that the Board adopt the Budget and Appropriation Ordinance 06-01 for fiscal year 2006-2007 and to authorize the publication and posting of the Truth in Taxation Hearing Notice for the September 11, 2006 board meeting.

Mr. Kern discussed a requirement of the Illinois State Library that at least one trustee must attend a trustee training program and report back to the rest of the board. It was determined that Mr. Jonak would attend a workshop at the annual conference of the Illinois Library Association and report back to the board at the October 4 board meeting.

Mrs. Carr made a motion seconded by Mrs. Whitman that the library participate in the North Suburban Library System’s Reciprocal Borrowing Program in accordance with the NSLS policies, as presented.

Mr. Jonak made a motion seconded by Mrs. Miller that the meeting be adjourned. Voice vote. All in favor. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Approved ____________________

________________________________ ________________________________

President Secretary