Library Board

Monday, April 19, 2021 6:00 p.m. I. Call to Order The Board of Trustees of the Wheaton Public Library held their regular Board meeting on Monday, April 19, 2021. Board President Laurie Metanchuk called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members present in person at roll call: Christine Fenne, Al Herbach, Bob Lyon, Bob McDonough and Laurie Metanchuk. Attending via Zoom were: Joe McHaley, Vallari Talapatra and Kathryn Staron. Absent: Simone Morton. 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 There were no citizens to be heard. CONSENT AGENDA III. Minutes for the March 15, 2021 Board Meeting IV. Financial Reports for March 2021 and Bill Listing for April 2021 Payment Mr. McDonough moved and Mr. Herbach seconded to approve the Consent Agenda items. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Mr. McHaley Mr. Herbach Ms. Staron Mr. Lyon Ms. Talapatra Mr. McDonough Mrs. Fenne Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Ms. Morton Motion Carried V. Library Director’s Board Report for March 2021 Mrs. Adamowski was pleased to announce that the Library received a $2,500 grant from the Lion’s Club for the repair and replacement of large print books. Each book will get a bookplate recognizing the Lion’s Club. Mrs. Adamowski noted that the intended bioswale in the parking lot will instead be made into a native garden and that Board Member Vallari Talapatra will be helping with the design. Mr. Lyon thanked Mrs. Adamowski for including the State of America’s Libraries Report in the Board packet. He also noted that the Barrington Library made a resolution for their public materials selection and management. Mrs. Adamowski responded that WPL defines that under policies, not as a resolution. She stated that Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Head of Adult Services, will be at the June Board meeting and can help explain the policy. VI. Unfinished Business: A. Motion to Approve the 2021-2023 Wheaton Public Library Strategic Plan Mrs. Adamowski said that presenting the strategic plan in a clean format helped to make it easier to understand. She noted that the content had not changed from when the Board last saw it. After 1  WHEATON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 19, 2021 approval, the Library will communicate the plan to the public. Concerning DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), Mrs. Adamowski reported that she plans to put out a message, rather than a statement, highlighting components in the Strategic Plan that will provide messaging through materials, programs and action by the Library. She told the Board that Mr. Herbach had met with Dana Tieman, Head of Continuing Education & Development, to work on determining measurements for Strategic Plan statistics. Mr. Lyon moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded to approve the motion. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Mr. Lyon Ms. Talapatra Mrs. Fenne Mr. McDonough Mr. Herbach Mr. McHaley Ms. Staron Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Ms. Morton Motion Carried VII. New Business: A. Library Reopening Discussion Mrs. Adamowski pointed out that the Library plans to reopen on June 1st providing that the COVID numbers don’t go up. The hours will go back to normal, tables and chairs will be available and the tables will have signs addressing social distancing and masks along with cleaner for patron’s use. There will be no cushioned chairs out, and a decision about opening the quiet reading room hasn’t been made yet. Study rooms will be open, but no meeting rooms. There will be some socially-distanced games in the Early Childhood area. B. Motion to Approve Adding the Sunday before Memorial Day and Labor Day to Holiday Closings Mr. Lyon moved and Mr. Herbach seconded to approve the motion. Mrs. Adamowski stated that if the schools remain open later than scheduled and students need to study for exams, the Library will accommodate them. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Mr. Lyon Mr. McHaley Mr. McDonough Mr. Herbach Ms. Talapatra Ms. Staron Mrs. Fenne Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Ms. Morton Motion Carried C. Coffee Café Vendor Presentations The first presentation was from Choun’s. Chounphit Hatsady, the owner, spoke about her 27 years of food service experience and the importance of using fresh ingredients. She stated how important 2  WHEATON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 19, 2021 customer service and the community are to her and her business. She talked about being at the French Market since it began. She feels that her café would be a meeting place that focuses on service with an international flair. There would be grab and go items and a children’s menu. A professional chef would oversee the café and they would hire local youth. Mrs. Hatsady answered questions from the Board members. The next presentation was from Altiro. Roberto Avila, the owner, noted that he already has a successful coffee shop in downtown Aurora along with three restaurants in Geneva, Wheaton and Aurora. He said that his café would be a good addition to this community. The café would serve different coffees, pastries and kid’s items along with different specials. He has seasonal high-school and college students who want to come back to work when they are not at school. Mr. Avila answered questions from the Board members. D. Motion to Approve Coffee Café Vendor Recommendation to City Council Mrs. Adamowski clarified that the service agreement is the same as for the last vendor – 3 years at $500/month. She stated that both vendors could be ready to open by June 1st. Several Board members noted that both vendors would be excellent choices – both have deep experience, community connection and good reputations. There was further discussion about the café’s atmosphere and what the expectations were. Mrs. Fenne moved and Ms. Staron seconded to approve the recommendation of Altiro as the coffee café vendor. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Ms. Staron Mr. Herbach Mr. McHaley Mr. Lyon Mr. McDonough Mrs. Fenne Ms. Talapatra Mrs. Metanchuk Nays: None Absent: Ms. Morton Motion Carried VIII. Board Member Comments (Round the Table) Mr. McDonough referred to the Strategic Plan and how a sign for the Library near Adams Park would enhance the library user experience. IX. Adjournment: There being no further business of the Wheaton Public Library Board of Trustees, Mr. McDonough moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken and the motion for adjournment carried at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Christell-Sandri Finance/Business Office Manager 3