ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
MEETING OF THE BOARD
HEADQUARTERS BRANCH
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
3:30 PM
The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Headquarters Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63131 on Monday, August 17, 2009 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
Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Vice President
Kenneth Stricker, Treasurer
Dr. Ching Ling Tai, Secretary
Mrs. Edith Cunnane, Member
Others Attending:
Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Adult and Support Services; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Tim Wadham, Assistant Director, Youth and Community Services; Marie Conlin, Library Planner; Eric Button, Regional Branch Administrator; Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer;
SLCL staff attending: Leander Spearman, Anna Kwiatkowski, Ken Cieslak, Robbin Oehler, Kathy Wiese, Joyce Loving, Nicole Clawson, Susan Scupin, Laura Kasak, Kathy Condon-Boettcher, Vicki Krueger, Jake Fejedelem, Tracy Fletcher, Julia Mangner, Anna Schurk, Ellen Meschke, Gerry Burrow, Jennifer McBride, Denise Keller, Stacy Berger, Parkie Peck, Edith Isele, Karen Sieber, Geri Olmstead, Paul Bayless, Heather Pehrson, Trudy Williams, Stephanie Nordmann, Michael Cohen, Scott Holl, Cynthia Schultz, Charlene Zinkl, Kerrie Coborn, Jenny Via, MaryAnne Marjamaa, Jennifer Jung, Pat Woodward and Sandra Williams.
The MINUTES, dated Monday, July 27, 2009 were approved by the Board (Beckwith/Cunnane).
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
The Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2009 was approved subject to audit (Stricker/Beckwith).
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Customer service issues
Most of the complaints regarding the network and database access have faded away as those problems have all been resolved over the past few weeks. The implementation of the new phone system did cause some concerns as our customers adapted to the new way of doing business. Although most people adapted well and with relatively little problem, there were a few who became upset. These few individuals who still use rotary phones were upset that there was no way for them to dial an extension directly but there is little we can do in a situation like that. Otherwise, the month has been relatively quiet and overall the new phones have been well received.
The call center which we call Customer Connect is working fairly well.
We have had a few complaints lately regarding patrons concerned with food and beverages in the Library.
In response to concerns about the High School labeling, I have met with Mrs. Cunnane, Dr. Beckwith and key staff members. We are in the process of codifying our existing informal system wide procedures and for making them more standardized. This information will be shared at the September Board meeting.
Major Library events
Daniel Silva visited the library on Wednesday, July 29 to talk about The Defector, the latest book in his series featuring the enigmatic art restorer and assassin, Gabriel Allon. More than three hundred people attended this event which marked Mr. Silva’s third visit to the library. Subsequently, we received a note from Mr. Silva’s publisher thanking us for our work in organizing the program and noting that this is one of Mr. Silva’s favorite stops on his book tours.
Library Card Campaign
August 22 is the kickoff for our library card campaign and we expect to roll out a variety of advertising and promotional activities to raise interest and awareness in the Library. We will be introducing a new colorful children’s card as part of this effort and will also be waiving fines that children may have for the six weeks of the campaign in order to encourage them to use the library and or get new library cards. Our goal is to add ten thousand registered borrowers during this time. In addition to this, there will be promotional spots for the library running on cable television during the time of the sign up effort. We think this will be an exciting way to market and promote the library.
Dr. Beckwith requested statistics on the number of people using their cards compared to those who have them. Stephanie Nordmann says she will check into the statistics.
Facilities
Work is under way for the construction of the new desk and lighting cloud at the Florissant Valley Branch. We expect to have the lighting installed on August 23 with the desk to follow shortly after that. New lighting has been ordered for the Natural Bridge Branch as well and should be installed sometime in the next couple of months. As you know, office space is at a premium here in headquarters so in order to give us a little bit more flexibility; we are going to frame out two small offices in a corner of the reference area. This work should take place some time in the next few weeks. We are also going to be repainting some of the wall surfaces in the children’s area with bright, primary colors in order to refresh and enhance the look of this part of the library and make it more welcoming for children.
Upcoming Author Events and Programs
On August 22 at 2 pm, the Library will be hosting Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Bill Harley. Bill Harley has been recognized as one of America’s finest performers for families. Armed with a guitar, songs and slightly offbeat tales, Bill Harley will delight audiences of all ages.
Mrs. Edith Cunnane had an article published in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on August 12, 2009. Dr. Beckwith complimented Mrs. Cunnane on her article in the Post that was written about education.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT EVALUATION PROPOSAL
Mary Mosqueda of Lockton Group presented information to the Board. She explained that her services included engaging the Board to ask for future performances and evaluations which are not necessarily for increase in pay. She offered to interview the Board members to discuss the evaluation tool. Mr. Stricker suggested the Board meet in a special workshop. Mrs. Weinstock asked that dates be submitted for the Board’s availability to meet with Ms. Mosqueda. If approved, the performance process contract will cost $5,750 (Stricker/Cunnane).
NEW BUSINESS
MID COUNTY BRANCH PROJECT UPDATE
Tim Wadham gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Mid County Branch project that was proposed by the Clayton School District and developed by Christner, Inc. Board requested copies be provided with a cost factor. The proposed Library is conceived of as a community centered regional arts destination. Dr. Beckwith requested information on whether Libraries were eligible for stimulus money. Mare Conlin responded that it was unlikely in most situations but she is continuing to follow all the news regarding the situation. Mrs. Weinstock asked that Mr. Wadham share the updated information after the Clayton School District Board holds their meeting.
PERSONNEL MANUAL
The Library Board approved revisions to the Personnel manual concerning two policies: Electronic Use and Operation of Library Owned Vehicles/Driving Records. In the Electronic Use policy the revision limits electronic resources to Library related business only with the exception of conduct covered by the Personal Telephone Calls section of the manual. Library email account should be used for Library related business only. In the Operation of Library Owned Vehicles/Driving Records, the revision forbids text messaging or emailing while driving. Also there is now a procedure for dealing with accidents in Library vehicles. The Library’s insurance company, Fireman’s Fund, was pleased with the changes (Stricker/Beckwith)
BUDGET REVISION
The Library Board approved the 2009 Cash Budget Revision. Cash income will decrease by $272,000 and expenditures will decrease by $230,000. The excess is budgeted at $67,000 (Beckwith/Stricker).
DISTRICT TAX RATES
The required 2009 tax hearing was held prior to last month’s Board meeting. The Library Board approved the 2009 tax rates as follows:
Real Property Residential – $0.14; Agricultural – $0.15; Commercial – $0.163; and Personal Property – $0.15 (Beckwith/Cunnane). Mr. Pace announced that there is a hiring and salary freeze at the Library. An exception to hiring will take place for key positions that affect Library operation. Mrs. Weinstock requested that the Library publicize this information.
BOARD ORGANIZATION
The Library Board approved a recommendation from Mrs. Cunnane that Library Board members retain their current offices. They are President, Jean Weinstock; Vice –President, Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Jr.; Secretary, Dr. Chingling Tai; Treasurer, Ken Stricker and Member, Edith Cunnane. Mr. Stricker seconded, and all voted for approval.
2010 BOARD MEETING DATES
The Library Board approved the following dates to hold Board meetings in 2010. All meetings are at Headquarters except those indicated differently. January 25 @ Bridgeton Trails; February- no meeting; March 8; April 19 @Daniel Boone; May 17; June 21@Florissant Valley; July 19th; august 16; September 20@Tesson Ferry; October 18; November 15@Prairie Commons; and December 20.
Ken Stricker asked to be excused from the September 2009 meeting. Dr. Tai requested to meet via conference call in July 2010.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Stricker moved that the open meeting adjourn for closed session.. All approved by individual voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________________ __________________
Dr. Ching Ling Tai Date
Secretary