MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 24, 2005

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Free Library

was held at the Yardley-Makefield Branch.  The meeting was called to order at

5:30 p.m.  Present:  Mary Ann Garton, President, William Draper, Vice President,

Jerry Balchis, Treasurer, Linda Brinker, Steven Dilliplane, Roberta Foerst, Martina Kominiarek, Executive Director, Janet Fricker, Assistant Director for Branch Libraries, Absent:  Joan Bowman, Secretary, David Bauer, Business Manager, Carolyn Lechelt, Executive Secretary. 

 

A MOTION to APPROVE the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2005, as amended, was made by Balchis, SECONDED by Brinker and unanimously APPROVED.

 

David Long, a resident of Yardley, presented a proposal to the Board to restore the Yardleyville historical sign that is displayed in the Library.  Mr. Long would like to obtain a quote and wants permission to take the sign out of the building.  The Board thanked Mr. Long for his presentation and told him his request would be referred to the Board’s Building Committee for their review.  A letter will be sent to Mr. Long when a decision has been made.

 

Staff Reports:

Yardley Branch Manager turned meeting over to Beryl Heisman, Business/Reference Librarian who gave a live Internet demonstration of new databases purchased with Disbrow funds.                               

Report of the Executive Director:

Joan Bowman and Ms. Kominiarek did a tape for cable TV on library funding and the importance of libraries.  Show will run in early morning hours.

 

Reviewed memo sent to staff re Megan’s Law and how privacy of patrons has to be respected.

 

Met with Borough of Doylestown and Directors of Michener and Mercer Museums regarding revitalization project of Cultural District.

 

Responded to a book challenge.

Report of Assistant Director for Branch Libraries

Update – revised Personnel Policy and Job Audits.  The projects have been more difficult and time-consuming than anticipated.  MEA submitted the Job Audits/Personnel Policy in a generic form.  Ms. Fricker and Department Heads did editing to customize.   This has now been completed.  Draft of Personnel Policy was submitted to the Chair of Personnel Committee for his review.

 

Presented written Personnel Report for April 2005.

 

Report of Technical Services Manager:

 

Chris Snyder distributed the new monthly statistical report to the Board and explained that it now includes information about the community public libraries to assist the Board in its role as a System Board.  Also new are statistics tracking program attendance and meeting room use in the branches. 

 

Gave the Board an update on the strategic plan timeline:  the external and internal facilitators are in place, external stakeholders are being identified to receive the SLOT survey, staff members are identified as team leaders and team members, the strategic planning retreat dates have been set, and, branch managers, assistant branch managers and administrative staff have contributed information critical in the design of the survey. 

 

The upgrade to the 2003 version of the Unicorn software was a success.

 

Report of Information Technology Manager (written) 

 

Update – Server move.   Move went on schedule and everything is up and running.

 

Report of Business Manager:

 

In Mr. Bauer’s absence, the President called for the following motions:  Approval of payment of bills and financial statements for April 2005.

 

MOTION to APPROVE the payment of bills for April 2005 in the amount of $334,408.34 was made by Balchis, SECONDED by Brinker and unanimously APPROVED.

 

MOTION to APPROVE the Financial Statements (subject to audit) of April 2005 was made by Foerst, SECONDED by Dilliplane and APPROVED unanimously.

 

Action on approval of 2004 audit was tabled; have not received the audit yet.

                                                                       

Board Reports –  Building, Fundraising, Personnel and Technology Committees did not meet.   

 

Finance Committee – Chair reported that a representative from Employee Benefit Specialist, Inc. met with the Finance Committee to review a proposal to establish a retirement 401K Plan in addition to TIAA/CREF.  This would give employees more investment possibilities.   The Library would match funds to the 401K the same as it is doing for TIAA/CREF.  The employee would choose the retirement plan he/she wanted on an either/or basis, but would not contribute to both.

 

Ms. Brinker reported that the Fundraising Committee is still searching for a Development Director.  This matter will be discussed during Executive Session.

 

Correspondence – submitted in writing.                                                                                   

 

Meeting was opened to Public Comment.  No public in attendance.                                                                                                                                  

Unfinished Business - None

 

New Business:

 

A MOTION to APPROVE the 2004 Pennsylvania Public Library Annual Report was made by Brinker, SECONDED by Dilliplane and APPROVED unanimously.

 

A MOTION to APPROVE the Application for 2005/2006 State Aid was made by Balchis, SECONDED by Brinker and unanimously APPROVED.

 

A MOTION to APPROVE THE 2005/2006 DLC Agreement was made by Draper, SECONDED by Dilliplane and so MOVED.

 

President called for an Executive Session at 6:41 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

 

Meeting was reopened to the public at 7:01 p.m.

                                                                                               

There being no further business, a MOTION to ADJOURN was made at 7:02 p.m. by Brinker, SECONDED by Foerst and so MOVED.

                                                                                   

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Lechelt

Executive Secretary          

        

 

APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JUNE 21, 2005