Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton Public Library Board met Sept. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order 

The Board of Trustees of the Wheaton Public Library held their regular Board meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023. Board President Laurie Metanchuk called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members present in person at roll call: Christine Fenne, Al Herbach, Bob Lyon, Laurie Metanchuk, Steve Siemer and Vallari Talapatra. Absent: Simone Morton, Robert Rammer and Kathryn Staron. 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. Dana Tieman, Head of Continuing Education & Development sat in.

III. Library eContent Overview - Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Head of Adult Services 

Ms. Asimakopoulos spoke about her background, 2 1⁄2 years at WPL and 16 years in libraries, and about her involvement as Chair of eMedia Library which is a consortium of libraries that is able take advantage of sharing econtent. She went on to explain about how econtent and books compare, in purchasing and use. She said that Wheaton patrons are heavy users. She talked about the different ways the library tries to shorten wait times, which is an issue for all libraries. She then answered questions from the members.

CONSENT AGENDA 

IV. Minutes for the August 21, 2023 Board Meeting 

V. Minutes for the August 21, 2023 Nominating Committee Meeting 

VI. Financial Reports for August 2023 and Bill Listing for September 2023 Payment 

Mr. Siemer moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded to approve the Consent Agenda items.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Mrs. Fenne

Ms. Talapatra

Mr. Herbach

Mr. Siemer

Mrs. Metanchuk

Nays: None

Absent: Mrs. Morton

Mr. Rammer

Ms. Staron

Motion Carried

VII. Library Director's Board Report for August 2023 

Mrs. Adamowski began by saying that WPL has not received any of the bomb threats that continue to occur in neighboring libraries. She also noted that we have a good relationship with the Wheaton Police and they are aware of these threats and are supportive of the Library. They recommended that the library's chat service be shut down. In two weeks, that will be reviewed. Mrs. Adamowski said the Butterfly Donor Wall will be installed on Wednesday. Lastly, she confirmed that the Finance Committee meeting will be on Oct. 5th

VIII. Unfinished Business: 

A. Strategic Plan Update 

Mrs. Adamowski said she had a very good Strategic Planning meeting with the Department Heads. A common theme that kept coming up was "giving the patrons what they want." During the meeting they did a lot of analyzing and they now have a solid first draft.

B. 100 Year Celebration Party Update 

Mrs. Adamowski noted that 35 tickets have already been sold. She reiterated that the cost of the celebration will come from WPL's Foundation fund. She will send a digital invitation to the Board members and encouraged them to share it online.

C. CY2024 Budget Update 

While going over the budget process, Mrs. Adamowski pointed out that the 2024 budget is pushing the Library's funding to its bottom limit, threatening the ability to maintain a 5-month target balance needed each year before the tax funds are distributed. Contributing factors are the additional $100,000 cost going into the Building Renewal Fund (due to going from 75-year building life to 50 years), the updated benchmarking keeping employees' wages in line with the market, and general overall increased costs. She also mentioned that there are things that can be accomplished with Foundation funds, but those are one-time, non-operational costs. She encouraged the members to attend the Library's Budget Workshop on November 13th.

IX. New Business: None

X. Board Member Comments (Round the Table) 

Mr. Siemer said he visited the Lake Geneva Library and was impressed by the way it was set up. Mrs. Metanchuk thanked Mr. Herbach for running last month's meeting in her absence.

XI. Adjournment 

There being no further business of the Wheaton Public Library Board of Trustees, Mr. Herbach moved and Mr. Siemer seconded that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken and the motion for adjournment carried at 8:34 p.m.

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09182023-2380