MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WEBSTER GROVES PUBLIC LIBRARY
March 19, 2008

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Webster Groves Public Library was held at 7 p.m. on March 19, 2008. President Jon Furst presided, and Library Director Tom Cooper kept the minutes. Present: Library Board Trustees Stacy Deleste, Angela Birke, Christine Krueger, Peter Ruger, Bob Herdler and Liz Walsh, and City Council Liaison Jeanne Kirkton. Absent: Board Trustee Tom Reedy.

Call to Order

The meeting began with a public engagement session conducted by Sue Pruchnicki of Bond Wolfe Architects. About thirty members of the public attended and offered their thoughts on proposed changes to the library’s services and facilities. The actual board meeting was called to order at 8:50 p.m.

Public Agenda

There was no public agenda.

Minutes of the February 20, 2008 Meeting

Mr. Ruger moved to accept the minutes as presented, Ms. Krueger seconded, and the minutes were accepted.

Correspondence

We received a letter from Kirkwood Public Library Director Wicky Sleight, thanking us for our donation in honor of the victims of the killings at Kirkwood City Hall.

President’s Report

Mr. Furst noted that two trustees, Angela Birke and Tom Reedy, have terms expiring in May, and need to send a letter to the Mayor indicating their desire to resign or volunteer for another three-year term.

His term expires in May, and by law he is termed out of further service. There was some discussion of the actual necessity of him leaving his position on the Board. He said that Tom Reedy is amenable to taking over as president, but since Mr. Reedy was not in attendance, it was decided to table the discussion until the April meeting.

Librarian’s Report

Mr. Cooper reported that a tenant has been found for the Mason house, a family that wants a year lease and will begin moving in as early as next week.

Advanced Planning

Ms. Krueger asked Sue Pruchnicki a few questions concerning Bond Wolfe’s proposal to do a Capital and Operations Budget Study. Ms. Deleste moved to accept the proposal, Ms. Walsh seconded, and the proposal was accepted.

The need is upon us to hire a bond attorney. Mr. Cooper will solicit suggestions from other MLC Directors.

Automation/Systems

There was no report from this committee.

Building and Grounds

There is a problem with the water bills at the house. They are way too high for an unoccupied property. Mr. Cooper has been in touch with Missouri American Water Company and is trying to resolve it.

Finance

Mr. Herdler reviewed the financial report and disbursements for February 2008. Of note is the fact that this fiscal year’s tax anticipation note has been paid off. Mr. Ruger made a motion that the financial report be approved as presented. Ms. Birke seconded, and the report was approved.

Human Resource

There was no report from this committee.

Policy

Ms. Birke told the Board that Webster Groves Public Library has a somewhat outdated policy in its Personnel Manual, which disallows employees from using sick time to care for members of the immediate family. Many libraries in the area do allow this use of sick time. It was generally agreed that this should be changed. Mr. Cooper will prepare draft language of the change to present at the next board meeting.

Old Business

There was no old business.

New Business

There was no new business.

Adjournment

Mr. Herdler moved to adjourn, Mr. Deleste seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

The next meeting of the Library’s Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.