Kankakee Times

Bradley Public Library District Board of Trustees met March 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Bayer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Trustees Present: Karen Bayer, Madonna Benoit, Lucson Edme, Connie Hendrickson, Terri Jones, Jonathan Shinabarger

Also Present: Jodie DePatis, Director, Marie Cowden, Recording Secretary, Nickolas Allen, Prospective Trustee

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Trustee Hendrickson made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 16, 2022 Regular Library Board meeting. Trustee Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

FINANCIAL REPORT AND APPROVAL OF VENDOR PAYMENTS:

Trustee Bayer made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted and to accept Vendor Payments in the amount of $38,642.78 for the month of February 2022. Trustee Shinabarger seconded the motion. Motion carried by roll call of 6 ayes, 0 nays.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

(Statistical Reports Attached)

Director DePatis stated the following:

• Programs: The Say Yes to the Prom Dress program on March 5 & 6 was a success with 50 students receiving 75 dresses at no cost to them. Only 2 students left without a dress, and we received several compliments from attendees on their experience. We will have one last pop-up prom dress shop on April 9 after hours. We started sending out library card renewal postcards in February. We have sent out 210 postcards and have had 9 renewals due to the postcards that we are aware of and had the added bonus of postcards unable to be delivered alerting us to patrons who have moved. We have also given out 7 Narcan kits in the last 6 weeks. The kits are provided by the Kankakee County Health Department.

• Grants: Continuing to order and process materials for the EDI grant, “Tech to Go,” including 26 Launchpad pre-loaded educational tablets for pre-K – 1st grade which should begin circulating by the end of the month. The Glowforge from the PNG “Teen Tech” grant is up and running. The Short Story Cube from Short Edition has been ordered for the ALA Humanities grant. Jodie attended the ALA Humanities grant orientation meeting online. We have also received the $10,000 grant check from ALA.

• Technology: The Library took advantage of a limited time offer from Mobile Beacon and T-Mobile to upgrade our existing hotspots to new models at no cost. They should arrive within the next few weeks. Computer upgrade project continues with most of the circulation computers having been replaced and new receipt printers installed where needed. Two public computers have been replaced so far and a new laser printer for the public has been ordered since the existing one will not work with the new computers.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

• Coronavirus Re-Opening Plan Update: Masks continue to be optional for both patrons and staff. Sign up for library programs will continue to help control the number of patrons attending for social distancing purposes.

• Mortgage Refinance: Director DePatis stated the mortgage refinancing though Peoples Bank of Kankakee County was successfully completed.

• Banking: Director DePatis stated that the online banking for the account through Peoples Bank of Kankakee County is in the process of being set-up. By the end of the month funds would be transferred to the new account to enable check writing and Kankakee County Treasurer’s office was being notified of bank change for future tax payments.

• Statement of Economic Interests: Director DePatis informed all board members that they should have received an email informing them to complete a statement of economic interests and the deadline to complete is May 1, 2022.

• Trustee Vacancy: Nickolas Allen expressed interest in the trustee opening and was interviewed by trustees.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Commercial and Liability Insurance Renewals: Director DePatis informed that the insurance renewal is May 2022. The 2021-22 total for commercial umbrella, commercial property and liability, and worker's comp insurance was $15,159. The 2022-23 total is $16,258 so the difference is $1,099, or about a 7% increase which is comparable to past years.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

• Selection of a person to fill a public office: Trustee Hendrickson made a motion at 6:45pm to enter executive session for the purpose of selecting a person to fill a vacant trustee position. Trustee Edme seconded. Trustee Bayer declared executive session concluded at 6:55pm.

COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE: None

ADJOURNMENT:

At 6:56 p.m. Trustee Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Jones seconded the motion and motion carried by unanimous vote.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

https://www.bradleylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Board-Meeting-Minutes-March-16-2022.pdf