The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Mahlon P. Wallace Headquarters Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO, on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. The agenda had been posted in all branches of the Library District at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Library Board Members
Jean Weinstock, President
Lynn Beckwith, Vice President
Chingling Tai, Secretary
Edith Cunnane, Member
Kenneth Stricker was not able to attend.Others Attending
Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; George Durnell, Assistant Director for HQ Services; Cindy Ormsby, Crotzer, Ford & Ormsby Counsel; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Neighborhood Services; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Jake Fejedelem, Manager, ITS; Erin Dominiquez, ITS; Jim Bogart, Manager, Development; Pete Kruchowski, ITS; Tom Curran, St. Louis County Government; ; Jim Cunnane, patron; and Sandra Williams, Executive Assistant and Friends Coordinator.
The Minutes, dated Monday, August 20, 2007, were approved by general consent with a correction that Ken Stricker was named treasurer at the August meeting.
The Treasurer’s Report dated August 31 was approved subject to audit. Mr. Holdefer reported that the St. Louis County Highway Department is requesting permission to allow traffic to be detoured from Schneithorst through our parking lot to the traffic signal. This is a temporary measure to help alleviate problems from the Highway 40 closure during reconstruction. The Board approved the request (Beckwith/Tai).
A leased vehicle is being requested to help with the Preschool Outreach Grant for Emergent Literacy Program funded by the United Way. Low bids have been received from Enterprise Leasing. The Board approved the one year lease (Beckwith/Tai).
The Board requested notification of all future programs to have an opportunity to attend.
Customer Service Issues - Mr. Pace reported that the main issue this month involved materials challenged at the Daniel Boone Branch. Administrators are reviewing and discussing the merits of each item as a whole to determine whether or not they have been appropriately placed in the collection.
Major Author Events - Mr. Pace reported KMOX Radio and the Library Foundation sponsored a business breakfast on August 21. There were nearly 200 people attending at Headquarters.
Boeing Bookmobile - The Library unveiled the newest bookmobile at Marvin Elementary School in the Ritenour School District. The Bookmobile is sponsored by the Boeing Corporation. Guests included executives from Boeing, County Executive Charlie Dooley, former Library Director Donell Gaertner, Foundation Board members and other Library staff.
Gift of Reading - Mr. Pace attended the launch of the Gift of Reading Program at the Natural Bridge Branch. County Executive Charlie Dooley was in attendance. The program makes free books available to children who attend our Storytime programs at selected branches.
Facilities - Bill Sandwald, former director of the San Diego City Library System, was here the week of August 21 to continue the review of our library facilities.
Strategic Planning - Melissa Brechon will be in town September 19 and 20 in order to meet with the members of the Strategic Planning Committee as well as the various staff work teams. Bob Rohlf will be in town October 15 to meet with the new Board members and to give an interim update on the progress so far and what has been done towards developing a Facilities Master Plan.
Staff - Marcia Wilderman has begun as the new Multicultural Services Coordinator for the Library. Robbin Oehler has been hired as the new Juvenile Materials Selector following the retirement of Jean Taylor. Robbin was previously the Branch Manager at Tesson Ferry. Rebecca Dames, Headquarters Circulation Manager, is leaving to accept a position as a branch manager with the Knox County Library system in Knoxville, Tennessee. She will be missed.
Programs - John Dean will present a program on September 20. KMOX is helping to promote this event.
Early Closing for Authors - On November 14 the Library will host Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson for the launch of their final book in the Peter Pan series. We are expecting large crowds for this event and would like to close early. The Board approved the closing (Beckwith/Cunnane).
Resolutions - The Library Board signed resolutions acknowledging the service of former Board members Bettie Gershman and Richard Bagy (Tai/Beckwith).
Goals - Mr. Pace presented a Powerpoint demonstration outlining his goals and objectives for the coming year.
None.
Circulation Policies - George Durnell and Barbara Brain presented information to the Board concerning policy changes. The changes include raising fines, offering a grace period, and deducting a handling fee from all refunds. Final proposals and Board action will take place after further study.
Grievance Committee - The Board approved the recommendation that Donna Cooper be appointed to serve on the Grievance Committee
(Beckwith/Cunnane).Software Licenses - The Board approved the recommendation to purchase 800 Windows User Client Access Licenses (CALs) to enable the migration to a Windows Server Domain. The bid came in under expectation at $4,432 (Beckwith/Cunnane). A request was made to purchase future Microsoft licenses through the State’s contract with World Wide Technology. The Board approved the request (Beckwith/Tai).
Closed Session - Dr. Beckwith moved that the open meeting adjourn and the Board reconvene in closed session pursuant to Section 610.021 subsection (1), (2), (3), (9), (11), (12), (13) and (14) to discuss matters relating to legal actions, causes of action or litigation; property acquisition or sale and any personnel matters involving hiring, firing, discipline and promotion. All approved by individual voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________________ __________________
Chingling Tai Date
Secretary