LOCATION: Central Library Conference Room

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Frankel, Mr. Hetzer, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Lyons and Mrs. Scott

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Jonen and Mr. Radley

OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Madden, Mr. Musni, Mrs. Chaturvedi, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Garvey, Mrs. Barch, Mrs. and Mrs. Flowers, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Hanrath, Mr. Javocic, Ms. Teasdale, Mrs. Miura, Mrs. Adrianopoli, and Mr. Kiefer

TIME MEETING BEGAN:
7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Comments
Mrs. Chaturvedi of the Community Nutrition Network came to thank the Library for services provided to seniors at the Schaumburg Barn.

Trustee Comments.
Mr. Hetzer said that there have been a number of complaints about cell phones and the library should look into getting a cell phone jammer. Mr. Madden said that the library did look into cell phone jammers but found out that they were illegal to use in Illinois. This will be checked into again in case there has been a change in the law.

Mr. Hetzer then expressed his concerns about book sales. He feels that the income is too low and that a cash register should be used. He feels that the auditors should look at this operation. Mr. Frankel said that Mr. Hetzer’s note on this issue implied that there was impropriety in handling book sale funds and Mr. Frankel asked if Mr. Hetzer had any evidence of a misappropriating of funds. Mr. Hetzer said that a cash situation with no controls bothers him and he also thinks that the prices of books should be adjusted similar to what the Barrington Library does. Mr. Lucas said that book sales are not really a priority revenue source for this Board and that the Barrington book sale operation involves one hundred volunteers. Mr. Lyons noted that he feels it is unfair to compare the book sale operation at Schaumburg with the book sale operation at Barrington as was done in the memo from Mr. Hetzer. Mr. Hetzer said that the book sales generate a substantial amount of money and the finances should be looked at again.

Mr. Frankel then read a statement he had prepared on the book sale memo prepared by Mr. Hetzer as well as other comments about Mr. Hetzer. This statement criticized Mr. Hetzer for making accusations about book sale funds with no evidence to support the accusation. He also felt that Mr. Hetzer keeps attacking Bob Miller’s integrity as well as the integrity of the Library Director. He also feels that other actions taken by Mr. Hetzer have been inappropriate: suggesting positions that would diminish the Library Director’s authority and accusing Trustee Lyons of ethics violations that an independent panel found unwarranted. Mr. Frankel also continued to list other actions by Mr. Hetzer that he felt were inappropriate relating to the concert series, raises for library employees, supporting unneeded positions and supplying incorrect facts to the press.

Mr. Hetzer responded by saying that he never accused Mr. Miller of improprieties but was concerned because the accounting records for the Friends were not available. He felt the Board was lax in handling the Friends of the Library and the book sales. He said that he wanted the concerts to have private funding and that he felt that the Library Board has total disregard for the taxpayers and has budgeted deficits.

Mr. Frankel responded by saying that it is not true about budget deficits and that the Board has worked hard for improved services to the public, services that he feels Mr. Hetzer really does not care about. Mr. Hetzer noted that he was hoping that the Deputy Director could be one of the department heads and as such would not cost additional funds and that the present Staff Accountant would increase her hours to become a Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Lucas then talked about a Joint Conference for Librarians of Color and asked if any staff were involved. Ms. Teasdale mentioned that she was involved with Reforma a librarian group involved with services to the Hispanic communities. Mrs. Scott then said that she would like to make a comment about the book sales. She said that the Library receives many donations and that it is important because of space issues to get as many books sold as possible. If the prices are raised, she feels that there would be a good chance that fewer books will be sold and that the library would have significant storage problems. Mr. Hetzer said a test could be done to see if that is the case.

Minutes.
It was moved by Mr. Hetzer and seconded by Mr. Lucas that:
The minutes of May 15, 2006 and the Executive Minutes of April 17, 2006 be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.

Director’s Report.
The director discussed the art fund and the computer donations. A new “Who’s In Charge” listing will be posted on the Intranet.

Staff Reports.
A report from the Youth Services Department on activities during the year had been distributed. Mrs. Scott mentioned that two staff members of the department had been able to attend a conference through funds she had secured. Mr. Hetzer asked about the ebook statistics and Mr. Madden said that Mrs. Napier is going to prepare a report on the downloadable service. Mrs. Jones mentioned that Youth Services also has TumbleBook Library which is an ebook service for kids. Statistics were discussed, especially the continuing high attendance at the new Hanover Park Branch Library. Mr. Frankel said that the new location is very prominent and that could easily be contributing to the increased use.

NSLS Representative.
Mr. Lyons reported that Sarah Long is being honored by Emory University as an outstanding graduate. Seven new people were elected to the NSLS Board and five are librarians and one is a student in library school. Mr. Frankel said that this is a real change from previous NSLS Boards and he feels that the number of librarians on the Board is too large. Mr. Lyons also updated the Board on the situation of the bridge behind the system building.

Personnel Committee.
Written report distributed.

Budget Committee.
Mr. Lucas reported that the Budget committee met and the main new item to review was the materials budget. The budget has been revised by $30,000.00 since the new health insurance rates have been received and those rates are up 10%.
It was moved by Mr. Lucas and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
The revised preliminary budget for 2006-2007 be approved.
Mr. Hetzer noted that he is not in favor of the increase in salaries that is included in the budget. Mr. Lyons noted that the percentage of funds spent by this library on personnel is in the lower third of the forty-eight public libraries in our system. The staff makes this library what it is and in some years the raises were lower. With increased cost including insurance costs he feels that the raise proposed is reasonable. And he thanked a hardworking and productive staff for their contributions. Mr. Frankel says that salary and benefits are not done in a vacuum. Every few years the library has does salary analysis to determine if salaries here are in line with other libraries.
Roll call vote:
  Mr. Lucas     Yes
  Mr. Frankel     Yes
  Mrs. Scott     Yes
  Mr. Hetzer     No
  Mr. Lyons     Yes


It was moved by Mr. Lucas and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
The Library hires Ehlers and Associates to develop a financial plan for the library subject to a minimum fee of $5,250 and a maximum fee of $8,750.
Roll call vote:
  Mr. Lucas     Yes
  Mr. Frankel     Yes
  Mrs. Scott     Yes
  Mr. Hetzer     Yes
  Mr. Lyons     Yes

Treasurer’s Report.
The Treasurer then reported that the Library will have another surplus budget year for 2005-2006 with an estimated balance of $700,000. He feels that the reason why the library has had so many surplus budget years is that the staff has been able to reorganize and cut costs. This he feels is especially remarkable in that a new Central Library, a new Hoffman Estates Branch Library and a new Hanover Park Branch Library have all opened in the past eight years.

Mr. Hetzer recommended that Ehlers also look at the present callable bonds to determine if ones at lower interest rates could be sold early and the money reinvested in higher rate callable bonds.

Hanover Park Branch Library.
Mr. Madden distributed a listing of bills for the Hanover Park project that still need to be paid. It is estimated that after all bills are paid, there will be a surplus of around $84,000.00 for this project. Mr. Lyons noted that the Library has received a request from Mr. Oliver to extend his contract one month at a cost of $10,750.00 as well as $10,000.00 to explore the Hoffman Estates Branch water problem. In December the board had approved an extension of the contract until April 30th at a cost of $43,000.00. The Board expressed their concern about this additional increase for a contract extension and asked that Bob Lyons review this issue with Mr. Oliver. Mr. Lyons also noted that he had personally paid for a dinner for the Hanover Park Branch Library planning team (contractor, architect, consultant and staff) to thank them for a job well done.

Mrs. Miller then distributed a sheet showing three possible sculptures for the new Hanover Park Branch Library. Mr. Lyons felt that the sculptures were too similar and it would be good to have choices with more variety. Mrs. Scott recommended that Illinois artists need to be considered. Mrs. Miller also distributed a sheet showing an alphabet sculptured chair for consideration. It was felt that this sculpture was too expensive.

Hardware Bids for Sirsi Unicorn System.
An upgrade of the Sirsi Unicorn Server is budgeted for $80,000.00 in the new fiscal year. However, in order to get it operating in time for the software upgrades it is important that a contract be awarded now. Mr. Musni explained that the maintenance contract on the present system is running $15,000.00 a year because of the unit’s age.
The present unit is also too slow for the upgrades that are needed. Mr. Hetzer asked that the old system should be sold and Mr. Musni says he has been checking and similar used systems are listed on eBay for around $2,300. Mr. Frankel said that the key question is: Is the present system able to do what needs to be done. Mr. Musni said no that the present system is inadequate. The following bids were received:
  Mainline     $70,750.00
  BryTechnic     $74,012.00
  IBM Direct     $82,018.00
  Champion     $86,380.01
It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mr. Lucas that:
A contract be awarded to Mainline for $70,750.00.
Roll call vote:
  Mr. Lucas     Yes
  Mr. Frankel     Yes
  Mrs. Scott     Yes
  Mr. Lyons     Yes
  Mr. Hetzer     Yes

Library Director – Goals and Evaluation.
A listing of goals for the Library Director for 2006-2007 in line with goals set by the Board at the Planning Retreat had been distributed. Mr. Madden requested that if there are any additions or changes, those should be presented at the next Board meeting.

Internet Security.
Mr. Frankel gave some background information on a wonderful Internet security program. Mrs. Adrianopoli and Mrs. Jones said that a program is being planned for this fall.

Election of Officers.
It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mr. Lucas that:
Mrs. Scott be elected President.
There were no additional nominations and Mrs. Scott was elected.

It was moved by Mrs. Scott and seconded by Mr. Lucas that:
Mr. Frankel be elected Vice-President/Secretary.
There were no additional nominations and Mr. Frankel was elected.

It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mrs. Scott that:
Mr. Lucas be elected Treasurer.
There were no additional nominations and Mr. Lucas was elected.

Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Hetzer and seconded by Mr. Lucas that::
The meeting adjourn.
Motion passed unanimously.

Time Meeting Adjourned.
9:20 p.m.