ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

MEETING OF THE BOARD

HEADQUARTERS BRANCH

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 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 Blvd. 63131, on Thursday, January 22, 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; Marie Conlin, Library Planner; Jim Bogart, Development Manager; Eric Button, North Regional Administrator; Lisa Stump, Lashly and Baer; Jennifer Samson, St. Louis County Government; Dana Tennill, Tennill & Associates; Dr. John  Splinter, NCPCS; Carl Hendrickson, Citizens Against Pornography (CAP); SLCL staff attending:  Leander Spearman, Ellen Meschke, Jake Fejedelem, Kathy Wiese, Vicki Krueger, Lori Boschert, Joyce Loving, Mary Wilson, Nicole Clausen, Carrie Robb, Denise Keller, Anna Kwiatkowski, Paul Bayless, Tracy Fletcher, Robbin Oehler, Stacy Berger, Ken Cieslak, Erin Chapman, Emily Althoff, Erin Dominquez, Julie Mangner, Parkie Peck, Michael Cohen, Jennifer McBride, Dottie Wobbe, Heather Pehrson, Sharon Elliott, Ed Clark, Brenda Colombini, Cynthia Schultz and Sandra Williams.

 

 

The MINUTES, dated Monday, December 15, 2008, were approved by the (Beckwith/Cunnane). Dr. Beckwith asked for the posting of minutes to the web within a few weeks of their Board approval.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Dr. John Splinter addressed the Board regarding inappropriate teen material.  He appealed to the Board to make their decision with the children in mind.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

The Treasurer’s Report dated December 31 was approved subject to audit (Stricker/Cunnane). 

Mr. Holdefer reported that total cash receipts were within .45% of the budget.

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: 

 

Mr. Pace reported on the following.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES

 

The major issue of concern during the past month seemed to be the ability to place holds on new DVD’s as they enter the system. As the Board may recall, this is part of the changes that were made along with the implementation of a leased materials collection in order to have more materials available on the shelf when our patrons want them. We are continuing to monitor this situation and make adjustments to our ordering practices in order to have the best selection of materials available to our customers.

 

Other comments revolved around the interruption of Wi-Fi service at some of our branches due to copyright violations. Service has since been restored at these facilities. We also received a number of comments regarding the changes to the library’s website. We incorporated the colors from the new logo to give it a brighter appearance. As is fairly typical with such changes about half the respondents loved the new look and the other half hated it.

 

MAJOR LIBRARY EVENTS

 

On January 8 the Florissant Valley Branch hosted former Congressman William Clay, Sr. Mr. Clay discussed his new book “The Jefferson Bank Confrontation: The Struggle for Civil Rights in St. Louis”. It was a most interesting discussion and a number of thoughtful questions were asked about the state of race relations in St. Louis today during the q/a session. The Mayor of Florissant, Robert Lowery was also on hand to present Congressman Clay with the keys to the City of Florissant. This program is one of the highlights of the St. Louis County Library’s extended celebration of Black History Month. 

 

FACILITIES

 

The rewiring of Headquarters for data is scheduled to be done by January 23; this is the only major project from 2008 still outstanding.

 

A major flood occurred during heavy rains on December 27 in the Florissant Valley basement. Unfortunately this flood impacted the auditorium area which had just been carpeted. I authorized emergency repairs which were completed within a few days. We are working with our insurance carrier to make good the losses from this event. Apparently the flood was caused by exterior parking lot drains being clogged with leaves.

 

CUSTODIANS

 

During recent years we have had a very challenging time finding individuals to fill our part time custodial positions. Turnover rates for these jobs are quite high and the frequent vacancies have resulted in many branches going without coverage for periods of time. Therefore we have decided to experiment with outsourcing some of our custodial work, as part time positions become vacant they will no longer be filled but will instead be replaced with a contracted cleaning service that is able to guarantee someone will be present. No one will be laid off as this will be done on the basis of attrition. Full-time custodians will not be impacted. Ed Clark of Building Systems interviewed Branch Managers regarding this proposal and received overwhelming support. Dr. Beckwith requested administration carry out a formal bid for the filling of these positions.

 

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was approved by the Board in August 2008.  All Library employee family members are able to access this service for short term counseling, stress management, emotional problems, chemical dependency situations, legal and children referrals and more.  There is comprehensive health coaching.  Typical statistical usage is 5.8, but the Library is at 9%.    The highest usage is for emotional depression and marital concerns.  A Board member requested information on the meaning of PLE.  Kristen Sorth said she would find out and report back to the Board.

 

CHALLENGED MATERIALS ISSUE

 

The memo presented at the December meeting is included for reconsideration at this meeting at the request of one of the Board members who voted “no” on the initial proposal.

 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MIDWINTER

 

I will be out of town from January 23-28 attending the ALA Midwinter Conference in Denver. I can be reached via email or on my mobile phone during this time if any issues or concerns arise.

 

UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS

 

Well known children’s author Mo Willems will be at Headquarters on January 23 at 7 pm to talk about his latest book, “The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed”. Mr. Willems is perhaps best known for writing “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”. A large crowd is expected for this event.

 

Also taking place on January 23 at the Florissant Valley Branch will be a presentation by Naomi Tutu, daughter of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. An internationally recognized speaker, Tutu will speak on the subject of “Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground”. There will be a question and answer session and reception following.  This is the official Kick-off for Black History Month activities.

 

The St. Louis County Library Foundation is pleased to present poet, author and activist Nikki Giovanni. Giovanni is the first recipient of the Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award, and holds the Langston Hughes Medal for Outstanding Poetry. Giovanni will read excerpts from her newest collection of love poems entitled, “Bicycles: Love Poems”. This program will take place at Headquarters on February 13 at 7 pm.

 

Headquarters will host the renowned Black Rep Theatre company on February 20 at 7 pm, the Black Rep will be presenting “Josephine’s ‘Magination”.

Patricia O’Black presented artwork valued at $3,700 to the Daniel Boone Branch on January 14.  There was a short ceremony with Board president Jean Weinstock and Foundation Board president Carla Haack in attendance.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

MATERIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

Mrs. Cunnane made a motion to bring the Material Review Recommendation to the agenda.  It was seconded by Dr. Beckwith.  Dr. Beckwith read the recommendation which stated,

Since there is a wide range of maturity and reading levels from age 13 through 18, the committee recommended that St. Louis County Library adopt a system of adding “High School” labels to 9th through 12th grade level materials.  Signage will be posted in the Teen Centers indicating “High School” labeled materials are most appropriate for ages 14 and up.  The committee also recommended that the challenged titles be given “High School” labels except for Escape from Egypt, which is for younger readers, and Growing up Gay in America and A Seahorse Year which are a part of the adult collection.  Mr. Stricker seconded.  Mrs. Cunnane asked if the labels would be on the spines and the answer was affirmative from Administration.  The administration also said the new policy would be posted on the website.  The policy would be implemented at the end of January.  All voted in the affirmative.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

 

Kristen Sorth introduced Mary Mosqueda Compensation Practice Leader for the Lockton Company, developed the form used for performance evaluations.  Ms. Mosqueda explained the process of the tool to the Board including the fact that it consists of five ratings with six core values.  Also she explained that all employees must self rate.  Dr. Beckwith requested a copy of the evaluation form.

 

FOOD FOR FINES

 

The Board approved the recommendation to continue to offer the Food for Fines program during National Library Week, April 12-18.  Customers bring in canned goods in exchange for reduced fines up to $10.  The food is given to Operation Food Search and they distribute it throughout the region (Stricker/Cunnane).

 

VEHICLES

 

The Board approved the purchase of two multi purpose vans from Lou Fusz Dodge for $39,356 (Stricker/Cunnane).

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (INDIAN TRAILS AND WEBER ROAD)

 

The Board approved the HVAC systems for Indian Trails and Weber Road.  Meramec Mechanical was awarded the job at Indian Trails for $227,900 and the Weber Road job for $266,450.  Mr. Dana Tennill spoke about the scope of the work.   He said Meramec Mechanical had performed well in the past.  He also mentioned that there was a complaint of sub standard work. He said upon investigation, it was determined to not be significant (Beckwith/Cunnane).

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (TESSON FERRY)

 

Gary Holdefer reported that Midwest Testing has completed soil testing at Tesson Ferry Branch site.  The findings indicated the original branch built in 1958 was constructed on a sink hole.  The hole had been filled but portions still remain just west of the original building.  There is also evidence that a new sink hole is forming on the east property line along Lin Ferry Dr.  The report did establish that the northwest corner and north property area were suitable for the construction of a new building.  Drawings of a proposed 40,000 square foot two-story library constructed on the existing site were discussed.  The Board will form a committee to issue an RFQ for professional services and determine the possibility of a new site.

 

CONCERNED CITIZENS

 

Mrs. Edith Cunnane reported that Library customer Laura Kostial passed out an informational sheet with some questions to the Board.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Kenneth Stricker moved that the open meeting adjourn. Mrs. Cunnane seconded.  All approved by individual voice vote.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:42p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

____________________________________________                    __________________

Chingling Tai                                                                                         Date

Secretary