ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

MEETING OF THE BOARD

ROCK ROAD BRANCH

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008

3:30 PM

 

The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Road on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.  The agenda had been posted in all branches of the Library District at least 24 hours before the meeting.

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

            Library Board Members:

 

                        Jean Weinstock, President

Lynn Beckwith, Vice President

Chingling Tai, Secretary

Edith Cunnane, Member

 

Kenneth Stricker was unable to attend.

 

            Others Attending:

 

Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Neighborhood Services; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Marie Conlin, Library Planner; Denise Keller, Finance Manager; Mary Jo Tuchschmidt, Manager Rock Road Branch;  Jim Bogart, Development Manager; Kathy Wiese; Acquisitions Manager; Marcia Wilderman, Multicultural Coordinator; Jennifer Sampson, St. Louis County; Jason Kuhl, Cliff Cave Manager; Barb Urban, Grand Glaize Manager; Julie Mangner, Prairie Commons Manager; Ed Clark, Facilities Manager;  Leander Spearman, Indian Trails Manager; Donna Spaulding, Mid County Manager; Jennifer McBride, Communications Manager; Joyce Loving, Special Collections Manager; Scott Holl, Asst. Mgr., Special Collections; Margaret Janku, Patron; Ken Cieslak, Natural Bridge Manager; Jill Pifer, Lewis and Clark Manager; Paul Bayless, Weber Road Manager; Karen Sieber; Asst. Manager, Jamestown Branch; Vicki Krueger, Jamestown Bluffs Manager; Stephanie Nordmann, System Admin Manager; Kerrie Coborn, Asst. Mgr., Cliff Cave; Kalyani Veeraraghavan, Thornhill Manager; Susan Scupin, Reference Manager; Trudy Williams, Bridgeton Trails Manager; Laura Sorkin, Asst, Mgr. Indian Trails; Emily Althoff, Eureka Hills Manager; Marsha Ramey, Sachs Manager and Sandra Williams, Executive Assistant and Friends Coordinator.

 

The MINUTES, dated Monday, March 10, 2008, were approved by the Board (Beckwith/Tai). 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Mrs. Margaret Janku, a patron and former SLCL staff member, addressed the Board regarding children’s picture books.  She requested that the Library shelve picture books in the same area and not separate them by subject.  She also requested that 7-9 grade books should be marked with blue tape.

 

Mrs. Weinstock acknowledged the presence of staff members attending the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

The Treasurer’s Reports dated February 29 and March 31 were approved subject to audit (Cunnane/Beckwith).  Gary Holdefer reported that more than $3,737,000 in escrow taxes have been released.

 

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: 

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES– Mr. Pace reported that a patron at Daniel Boone was seen taking pictures of sexuality books in the teen area.  Another patron of Daniel Boone called to complain about the weeding policy.  A handout was developed to help staff answer patron’s questions on this issue.

 

LIBRARY HAPPENINGS -Mr. Pace attended a presentation made by special collections staff member Ruth Ann Hager at the Dred Scott 150th Year Commemoration banquet on March 15.  He complimented Ruth Ann Hager on her well prepared presentation. Dr. Beckwith and Mrs. Weinstock also attended the event.

 

AUTHOR EVENT – Author and Foundation Board member Ridley Pearson discussed his newest book “Steel Trapp” on April 2.  He spoke at the Foundation Donor Appreciation Breakfast and at the launching of the new book that evening.  More than 200 people were there.

 

FACILITIES – The rewiring of our branch libraries is now underway in order to prepare for the new telephone system.  Materials are also being tagged for RFID at Eureka and Meramec branches.

Due to heavy rains, staff at Headquarters suffered through a number of leaks from the old roof.  It’s due to be replaced  this year.

 

PLA CONFERENCE – Mr. Pace attended the Public Library Association Conference (PLA) in Minneapolis March 25-28.  He gave a presentation and participated with a panel discussion.  He thanked the Board for allowing him to participate.

 

WELLNESS INITIATIVE – Mr. Pace reported that as a part of the library’s efforts to reduce long term insurance costs, we have partnered with Gold’s Gym to provide discounted memberships to employees.

 

 

 

UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS– The following authors will visit the Library within the next few weeks.  April 23, Steven Weinberg; May 3, Michael Chabon; May 9, Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark; and May 21, Cokie Roberts.

 

 

VISITOR GUIDELINES –New guidelines for visitors were developed by a committee to ensure safety among employees and make staff aware of visitors in the building.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN – The Board will receive a report monthly from work teams assigned to one of the Strategic Goals.  This month the goal is Celebrate Diversity. Kristen Sorth, Sr. Manager, Human Resources; Leander Spearman, Branch Manager for Indian Trails Branch; Cherise Taylor, Staff Trainer; Kathy Wiese, Manager of Acquisitions; and Marcia Wilderman, Multicultural Outreach Coordinator gave presentations at the meeting. 

 

Dr. Beckwith stated that minority positions do not reflect the county representation of the minority population.  He also stated that there should be an effort to recruit more minorities for all positions.  He complimented the managers on their presentations.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

BOARD BY LAWS – The second reading of a new Absences Policy for Board attendance was passed (Beckwith/Cunnane).

 

CIRCULATION POLICY/GRACE PERIOD – Barbara Brain reported that the administration is pleased with the success of the grace period since its implementation. It benefits those who visit the Library regularly, helps to offset the fine increase and address the issue of people who would like a longer loan period and eliminates the need for staff to handle small amounts of money.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

DIVERSITY SERVICES – Mary Jo Tuchschmidt, manager of Rock Road Branch, gave an informational report on the “Library Services for the Spanish Speaking Community:  Program and Collection Initiatives.  The power point presentation, reported on the efforts to bring programming into Libraries that is beneficial to the Spanish speaking community.

 

PERSONNEL MANUAL POLICY ADDITION AND REVISIONS – The Library Board approved three personnel manual policy additions and revisions in three areas (Beckwith/Cunnane).

(1)    Kristen Sorth presented a new policy to reflect the Community Involvement of staff.  The policy states that full-time employees may receive unpaid leave (up to 8 hours per month) to participate in legitimate volunteer activities within the community at a recognized and registered not for profit that positively impacts the community as determined solely by the Library.   Employees may substitute vacation or compensatory time for the unpaid leave.

 

(2)    In January 2008, congress expanded the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide additional leave for military families.  The law now requires employers to offer FMLA leave for two new qualifying events.  The additions represent 12 weeks of FMLA for a qualifying exigency arising out of a family member being called to active duty in the Armed Forces; and 26 weeks of FMLA leave to take care of a family member is undergoing medical treatment or recuperation or therapy or placed on temporary disability due to the Armed Forces.  The Library’s Policy now includes this expansion.

 

(3)    The Inclement Weather Policy was expanded to grant comp time to non managerial essential personnel who are required to work during inclement weather when the Library is closed. 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - The Board approved the hiring of Cohesion with Peggy Lents & Associates for $65,000 to provide branding and public relations services.  Services will also include a crisis management plan, marketing plan development and ongoing public relations support (Beckwith/Cunnane).

 

BUILDING REPAIR – The Library Board approved roof repairs at Daniel Boone Branch by Sielfliesch Roofing for $88,513 and Lakeside Roofing at Headquarters for $426,388 (Beckwith/Cunnane).

 

BUILDING REPAIR - The Library Board approved Hackett Security to provide motion detectors at three branches. Cliff Cave ($6,818); Jamestown Bluffs  ($5,588); and Prairie Commons ($5,777); The motion passed  (Beckwith/Tai). 

 

PURCHASING CARD PROGRAM – Denise Keller presented a request to expand the Library’s purchasing card program.    Dr. Beckwith requested the names of individuals who have cards.  He also recommended the Board approve cards on an as needed basis.  No action was taken.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Dr. Lynn 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 5:08 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

____________________________________________                    __________________

Chingling Tai                                                                                         Date

Secretary