River Forest Library Board Report 3-18-14

River Forest Library Board Meeting March 18, 2014 Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm 

Present: President Alice Calabrese-Berry; Trustees Kevin Crowell, Joan O'Connor, Mary T. Small, Thomas Smedinghoff, Claudette Zobel; Library Director Sophia Anastos; Library staff Joanna Bertucci, Blaise Dierks, Susan Quinn; Visitors: River Forest Residents Deborah Hill, Lisa Engoren, Tom Engoren; River Forest Library Trustee Emeritus Mark Coe.

 Absent: Trustee Genie Halloran 

Minutes: February 18, 2014 meeting approved unanimously. 

Warrant List: February 2014 approved unanimously after brief discussion regarding Mango Language computer program which has access to 16 different languages. It needs to be better publicized to patrons. 

Director's Report: 1) The library garden will be looked at by the Langton Group to determine which plantings need to be replaced, 2) Staff members’ evaluations have been completed and will be delivered to staff members, 3) director is looking into expanding life insurance coverage for full time employees and also at cost saving measures for the library's liability insurance, 4) the fiscal year 2013-2014 audit will be conducted after the close of the fiscal year on April 30, 2014, 5) library continues to receive tax money and probably will through end of March. 

Communications: 1) President Calabrese-Berry & Director Anastos thanked Adult Services manager Blaise Dierks for the increase in programming opportunities for adults and her work in the 2nd floor reorganization, 2) Trustee Emeritus Mark Coe spoke regarding the proposed exterior project for Roosevelt Middle School. He shared information obtained through a FOIA request and provided some history of the events for the project. He addressed questions and comments from the Board and visitors, 3) a donation of $565.00 in honor of Mrs. Edna McQuillan who passed away in February 2014, was acknowledged by the board, 4) Susan Quinn discussed the key performance indicators for statistical tracking documents, 5) Blaise Dierks discussed the progress of the strategic planning service goals for the adult & older adult populations. 

New Business: 1) Facility Committee had no report, 2) Policy Committee had no report, 3) Finance & Trustee O’Connor presented Development Committee report on the results of the Fundraising Feasibility Study. The study conclusion advised against a capital campaign at this time. The board discussed options for setting up a library foundation, establishing funding priorities, building a donor base and creating an annual fund per recommendations in the report, 4) President Calabrese-Berry spoke of her meeting with Paula Goedert regarding establishing a 501c3 Library Foundation. 

Old Business: A motion to approve the fiscal year 2014-2015 River Forest Library budget was presented & seconded.  A vote was taken and approved unanimously. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:36 pm.