Library Board of Trustees

The Woodstock Public Library Board of Trustees met on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Robert Laurie called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Robert Laurie (President), Christy Johanson (Vice President), Jim Hurley (Treasurer), Mary Beth Urbin (Secretary), Mary Ann Lenzen, Gayle Hoch, Sarah Parisi OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Christensen (Deputy City Manager), Nick Weber (Library Director), Tiara Thayer (Library Assistant II) ABSENT: Teresa Flores, Susan Gullotto APPROVAL OF MINUTES Discussion and Vote on approving the Regular Minutes from the July 2023 meeting as presented or corrected. Mary Ann Lenzen moved to approve the minutes of the July 2023 regular meeting as presented, Gayle Hoch seconded, and the motion passed with unanimous ayes. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None. COMMUNICATIONS: None. LIBRARY EXPENDITURES Discussion and Vote on the July 2023 Building Fund and Operating Fund Expenditures. Mary Beth Urbin moved to approve the July 2023 combined Warrant of operating and building expenditures, as presented, Christy Johanson seconded, and the motion carried with unanimous ayes. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT Nick Weber presented the librarian’s report, a copy of which is attached. Highlights include: • The summer reading program ended with participation levels almost as high as before the pandemic. • The library’s new people counter has been installed for a full year now; July 2023 saw a 16% increase in visitors compared to July 2022. • The McHenry County Civil War Roundtable reported their highest attendance in recent history at their meeting, which featured a Ulysses S. Grant re-enactor. • The checkouts for the library’s digital collection have seen an increase that has contributed to the overall increase of checkouts (comparisons were made between July 2022 and July 2023).  • The library subscribed to an additional digital borrowing platform, Axis360, which is through the State of Illinois and Baker & Taylor. • The Old Courthouse will be opening to the public this month. • The library will be closed the whole day on Friday, September 1st, for a staff mental health training session. • Saturday, September 9th will be the Friends’ Plant Sale. There will also be a book sale that day, with a fill-a-bag book sale the next day, Sunday, September 10th. NEW BUSINESS • PrairieCat Update o PrairieCat will be transitioning from the Encore user interface to Vega in the next few months. • Logo Update o The city’s new logo has been selected, but has not been released to the public or staff. The new logo will likely roll out with the new website. o The city’s departments have started receiving their logo options for departmental feedback. The library’s management team has submitted their feedback on the initial logo designs they were presented with. • Update on national and state library trends o Nick offered his thanks to the board for advocating and promoting the library’s services and presence throughout the community. o There is currently a small, but loud, push among certain groups throughout the country to censor library materials and to undermine libraries’ ability to inclusively serve their communities. o Kirk Cameron (author of multiple BRAVE books) has begun hosting story time events (See You at the Library) at public libraries. The stories being read place an emphasis on conservative Christian values. ▪ See You at the Library will conduct one of their story time sessions at the McHenry Public Library. ▪ The board asked if this group would be allowed to reserve a space at the Woodstock Public Library. Nick explained that as long as the group met the library’s requirements and operated within the library’s policies, then they would be able to reserve a space here. ▪ To date, we have not had any requests of this nature. o Mary Ann asked if the library has a diversity policy. Nick explained that the library does not, but that the strategic planning committee is working to address this topic. o The board will discuss the ALA Library Bill of Rights at their next meeting and vote on adopting it as part of the state’s “Ban on Book Bans” legislation that becomes law January 1, 2024. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Building Update o Bayton Outdoor Space ▪ Nick will be working with the city’s grant writer to secure additional funds for the project. o Staff Office Remodeling ▪ Nick has begun working with Public Works to convert open space between the staff work room and the public computers into additional office space  for staff. Public Works should be able to complete this project by themselves this fall. ▪ Part of the staff work room will also be converted into dedicated office space for the circulation manager, children’s librarian, and outreach coordinator. This project will be more challenging due to the HVAC and electrical components in that area. Public Works will collaborate with contractors, and should begin construction this fall. • Staffing Update o The library hired a part-time reference librarian about two weeks ago, and she resigned yesterday, August 11th, in favor of another job offer. Nick and Martha will be resuming the search for a new part-time reference librarian. o Due to an incident that transpired on Saturday, August 5th, Nick has determined that de-escalation training is a must for the library staff. ▪ Robert asked if the city’s HR department would be a helpful resource for de-escalation training. Nick stated he will ask what de-escalation resources might be available to the library. • Friends of the Woodstock Library Update o The Friends have removed the requirement of membership dues in an effort to eliminate any barrier from becoming an active advocate for the Woodstock Public Library. o Gayle reiterated that the Friends’ Plant Sale will take place on September 9th, and everyone should attend. • Strategic Planning Update o The committee will be meeting Monday, August 14th, for a final review of the plan before it will be presented to the boards for further review and approval. ADJOURNMENT Gayle Hoch moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:27 p.m., Mary Beth Urbin seconded, and the motion passed with unanimous ayes. All meetings of the Library Board are open to the public. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are fully accessible, and if any further accommodations are needed, please contact the Library Director 48 hours prior to the meeting.