Library Board

Monday, October 18, 2021 7:00 p.m. I. Call to Order The Board of Trustees of the Wheaton Public Library held their regular Board meeting on Monday, October 18, 2021. Board President Laurie Metanchuk called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present in person at roll call: Christine Fenne, Al Herbach, Joe McHaley, Laurie Metanchuk and Vallari Talapatra. Attending via Zoom were: Simone Morton and Kathryn Staron. Absent: Bob Lyon and Bob McDonough. Betsy Adamowski, Library Director, Ed Sirovatka, IT/Facilities Manager, and Lisa Christell-Sandri, Library Finance/Business Office Manager and recording secretary for this meeting, were also in attendance. II. Citizens to be Heard None III. Strategic Plan 3rd Quarter Update – Dana Tieman, Head of Continuing Education & Development Ms. Tieman went through the Strategic Plan, providing updates on each Goal and Task. Newer items included the Teen Department using the Discord app to engage teens in book discussions and programs. Another highlight was the set-up of “Studio B” which is a room set up for Zoom video recording. Dana concluded by answering questions. CONSENT AGENDA IV. Minutes for the September 20, 2021 Board Meeting V. Minutes for the September 20, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting VI. Financial Reports for September 2021 and Bill Listing for September and October 2021 Payment Mrs. Fenne moved and Mr. Herbach seconded to approve the Consent Agenda items. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Ms. Morton Ms. Talapatra Ms. Staron Mrs. Fenne Mr. Herbach Mr. McHaley Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Mr. Lyon Mr. McDonough Motion Carried VII. Library Director’s Board Report for September 2021 Mrs. Adamowski asked Ms. Talapatra to give an overview of the east side garden installation. Ms. Talapatra explained that the plants were put in this fall so they would come up next spring. At that time the rest of the garden work would be continued to completion. She emphasized that, while it is an interactive garden, it is not a walkthrough path, just stepping stones; and the plants and design can be viewed from the sidewalks surrounding it. She stated that patrons are already getting excited about it. Mrs. Adamowski referred to Mrs. Metanchuk and the Freedom Read and Intellectual Freedom and Censorship statements included in the packet. Mrs. Metanchuk noted that both statements support the Board’s decisions 1  WHEATON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 18, 2021 concerning Citizens to be Heard policies and programming. Mrs. Adamowski did not have anything more to add to her Director’s report. VIII. Unfinished Business: A. West Side Plaza Project Discussion Mrs. Adamowski said there were no new updates on the West Side Plaza project as the architects are still gathering information. She noted that it will be included in the budget presentation to the City Council. B. CY2022 Budget Discussion Mrs. Adamowski stated that the CY2022 Budget expenditures were higher now than what were on the Trustee’s copies due to additional cost for healthcare, and landscape and roof maintenance being added. She answered questions on some individual items in the budget. A motion to approve moving the CY2022 budget to the City Council for approval will be on the November agenda. IX. New Business: A. Motion to Approve Citizens to Be Heard Policy Discussion occurred. Mr. McHaley moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded to approve this motion. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Mr. Herbach Mrs. Fenne Mr. McHaley Ms. Staron Ms. Morton Ms. Talapatra Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Mr. Lyon Mr. McDonough Motion Carried B. Director Evaluation Process Discussion There was consensus that, for her evaluation, Mrs. Adamowski will present a summary of the year’s accomplishments and goals for the next year to the Board, then the members will discuss and Mrs. Metanchuk will prepare a summary of that discussion to present to Mrs. Adamowski at the December Board meeting. IX. Board Member Comments (Round the Table) Mrs. Metanchuk told the members that Bob McDonough is resigning from the Library Board. She will meet with Mayor Suess next week to discuss a recommendation for a replacement. Mr. Herbach said he liked the new curbside pickup location on the south side of the parking lot. Mr. McHaley said library collaborations are good to see. Members asked if their new emails were ready yet. Ed Sirovatka responded that they were and the members were given instructions on how to set theirs up. IX. Adjournment: There being no further business of the Wheaton Public Library Board of Trustees, Mr. Herbach moved and Ms. Talapatra seconded that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken and the motion for adjournment carried at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Christell-Sandri Finance/Business Office Manager 2