MINUTES

SCLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

April 26, 2012 12:15 p.m.
SCLS Headquarters

 

Present:  J. Ashford, C. Chapman, F. Cherney, L. Davis-Brown, J. Harrington, T. Iaccarino, B. Keen, S. Martin, M. Nelson, G. Poulson, J. Pugh, J. Wexler


Also Present:  K. Goeden, M. Van Pelt

Absent:  E. Bruskewitz

Excused:  P. Cox, B. Moss, H. O’Donnell, N. Stevenson, P. Westby

 

Call to Order: G. Poulson, President, called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. 

 

a.                  Introduction of guests/visitors: None

b.                  Changes/additions to the agenda: None

c.                   Requests to address the board:  None

Minutes: J. Wexler moved approval of the March 22, 2011 minutes.  C. Chapman seconded.  Motion carried.

Bills for Payment/Financial Statements:  J. Wexler reviewed the bills for payment in the amount of $176,352.36 and moved approval.  J. Pugh seconded.  Motion carried.

President's Report:  Sue Martin has been re-elected to serve on the SCLS Board.  She accepted the appointment as Secretary in place of T. Patton, who was not re-elected to Portage County.  Sue also agreed to serve on the Personnel Committee.  Gary shared information about his trip to Washington, D.C. for Library Legislative Day.

 

Building Consultation: Deb Haeffner, Building & Design Consultant, gave an overview of her responsibilities and the services she offers to the member libraries.  She also distributed a handout of specific projects she has worked on for the libraries.

 

Committee Reports:

  1.  Personnel Committee: 
    C. Chapman noted the committee met to begin the System Director evaluation process.  A survey is being put together and will be provided to specific people for input.  The committee will be meeting following the April board meeting

SCLS Foundation Report:  M. Van Pelt noted the Foundation board will meet following the SCLS Board meeting to prepare for the Cornerstone Event.  The Columbus Public Library has joined the foundation and deposited a $136,000 check.  Peter Kaland is serving as the interim director for Columbus Public Library.

Circulation and ILL Statistics:  No report.

 

System Director's Report:  M. Van Pelt discussed her experience at National Library Day in Washington, D.C.  Wisconsin was represented with statewide coverage.  A few of the legislative priorities included LSTA funding, cyber security, access to federally funded projects, and E-rate.  Tammy Baldwin was spotted coming off an elevator and the WI representatives introduced themselves.

Ruth Ann Montgomery, Director of the Arrowhead Library System (ALS), is retiring. ALS covers Rock County and the change in leadership is an opportunity to explore consolidation with another system. ALS contacted Mid-WI and Lakeshores to request information packets regarding joining their system. M. Van Pelt inquired about submitting a proposal from SCLS and was told we could do so with a deadline of May 2 for the ALS board meeting on May 9. The ALS member libraries are compiling a list of questions for the interested systems, but we have not received that list.  ALS does not have to consolidate and the ten SCLS county and system library boards involved would have to agree to the consolidation. 

 

The SCLS Board supports pursuing the investigation of a possible consolidation with ALS.  An information packet will be prepared and submitted.  M. Van Pelt will send an email to all the SCLS directors to keep them informed of the process.

 

The SCLS Board received a copy of the correspondence between Pamela Westby, Director of Middleton Public Library and M. Van Pelt, per P. Westby’s request.  The board acknowledged receiving the correspondence and being briefed of subsequent emails that were exchanged.  The board understands there is a process in place for an ILS evaluation and that LINK libraries are in agreement with the process. 

 

The 2011 Public Library Annual Reports’ Statement Concerning Public Library System Effectiveness was included in the board packet.  Of the 53 member libraries, ten indicated SCLS “did not provide effective leadership and adequately meet the needs of the library” because of issues with the open-source ILS system, Koha.

 

SCLS will be contracting with Laura Page, a consultant, for interviewing SCLS constituents.  She specializes in team building, communications, strategic planning, customer service, conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, coaching and training.  Her webpage is:  http://www.lauravpage.com/

Administrative Council (AC) Report:  

Action items at the meeting include approval of the Cost Formula and the creation of a Governance Review Work Group.

The minutes may be viewed here: http://www.scls.info/committees/ac/index.html.

Other Business:

  1. Preliminary discussion of SCLS Mission and Vision statements.  This topic was postponed for the May meeting, but G. Poulson asked the board to consider changes that may need to be made.

 

Information sharing: 
K. Goeden informed the board that the reimbursement checks for mileage can be picked up following the board meeting.

 

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. 
Heidi Moe, Recorder