Notice: This meeting of the Lake Bluff Library Board of Trustees was held with a quorum of Trustees physically present. The meeting was simulcast for any members of the public who did not wish to attend the meeting in-person at the Lake Bluff Public Library building. Guidelines and access codes were published before the meeting so members of the public could log in. The meeting was recorded, with the recording made available through the Library’s website. As required by law, at least one representative from the Library was present at the Library while participating in the meeting.

  1. Call to Order: Board President Bonnie Shaul called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
  2. Roll Call: Trustees Friedeman, Jardine, Graziano, Jerch, and Shaul were present. Trustees Zaute & Hayes were absent. Library Director Renee Grassi and staff members Anthony Garriga, Jillian Chapman and Katie Horner were also present. David Seleb, proposed Library Interim Director, was also present.
  3. Additions & Corrections to the Agenda: There were none.
  4. Opportunity for Public to Address the Board:
    1. David Seleb introduced himself to the Board and Library staff, providing an overview of his experience working in public library service. Mr. Seleb has interviewed and is being proposed to the Board as the selected candidate for the Interim Director of the Lake Bluff Public Library.
    2. Library Director Grassi provided a brief statement of thanks to the Board and staff prior to her last day on Friday, September 20th.
  5. Approval of Library Board Meeting Minutes:
    1. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the August 20th, 2024 Board Meeting minutes, Trustee Graziano seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Trustee Graziano moved to approve the September 5th, 2024 Special Board Meeting minutes, Trustee Friedeman seconded; Trustees Shaul, Friedeman and Graziano voted aye; Trustees Jardine & Jerch abstained. The minutes will move to the October Board meeting for review & approval with a quorum of Trustees present.
  6. Library Director Updates: Library Director Grassi provided an overview of August happenings at the library and monthly usage statistics, including staffing updates with a full-time Cataloging Librarian beginning October 1st and part-time Youth Services librarian beginning September 19th. A new volunteer intern from the Lake Forest High School vocational program has begun as a shelver in the Youth Department. Library staff continue to plan and scope the upcoming collection weeding project to resize collections in alignment with community size, building space and possible future construction projects. Director Grassi also provided a summary overview of library usage statistics, with a significant increase in public wireless sessions.
  7. August 2024 Financial Reports
    1. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the August 2024 Detailed Revenue & Expenditure Report, Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the August 2024 Monthly Check Disbursement Report with checks numbered 16176-16206, Trustee Friedeman seconded; all voted aye.
  8. Committee Reports
    (Met)
    1. Finance and Technology Committee (CHAIR: Hayes MEMBERS: Shaul, Zaute): Trustee Shaul provided an overview of the most recent Finance & Technology Committee meeting, which was focused on the FY25-26 Budget preparation cycle. The Committee is preparing two budgets, one using a typical levy tax amount (5%) and another with a larger levy tax and increased spending in technology, personnel, building & e-books. Financial Advisor Jamie Rachlin will attend the next Finance & Technology Committee meeting to guide future tax levy asks.
    2. Human Resources Committee (CHAIR: Graziano MEMBERS: Jerch): Trustee Graziano provided an overview of the most recent HR Committee meeting, which was focused on the Interim Director hiring process and pushed the full-time Director search process to the next HR Committee meeting.
      (Did Not Meet)
    3. Building and Grounds Committee (CHAIR: Jerch MEMBERS: Jardine, Shaul)
    4. Engagement Committee (CHAIR: Jardine MEMBERS: Graziano)
    5. Long Range Planning Committee (CHAIR: Shaul MEMBERS: Friedeman)
    6. Intergovernmental Committee (MEMBERS: Jerch, Grassi)
    7. Bylaws & Policy Committee (CHAIR: Friedeman Members: Zaute)
  9. New Business
    1. Approve the appointment of David Seleb as part-time temporary employee in the role of Interim Director for Lake Bluff Public Library: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the appointment of David Seleb part-time temporary employee in the role of Interim Director for Lake Bluff Public Library; Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Update to the Library’s Hours of Operation and extend the Modified Pilot Hours: Director Grassi presented documents, data and comments from the public for the modified pilot hours report that went into effect in June 2024. Trustee Jerch moved to extend the modified pilot hours for six months; Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    3. Approve the 2025 Calendar of Board Meetings: Trustee Jerch moved to approve the Regular Board Meeting Dates for 2025 with a change to reflect February 18th, 2025 and November 18th, 2025 Board meetings; Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    4. Approve the 2025 Schedule of Library Closings: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the Library Closing Dates for 2025; Trustee Jerch seconded; all voted aye.
    5. Current Status of negotiating new Intergovernmental Agreement with Village of Lake Bluff: Trustee Friedeman provided a brief overview of the current status of the IGA, which is awaiting updated amounts from the Village. Ideally the new IGA will be presented to the Library Board for the October 2024 meeting. Trustee Shaul noted that an outstanding lighting issue needs to be added to the next Building & Grounds Committee agenda.
    6. FY24-25 Lake Bluff Library Work Plan: Director Grassi provided a draft workplan for FY2024-2025 with priorities to guide both the interim director and new full-time Director in leading the organization.
  10. Library Correspondence: Library Director Grassi provided an overview of Library correspondence, including the Director Resignation News Release, Lake Forester Article, Patch Article, Staff Compliments, Illinois Libraries RAILS Impact Report, Training for Trustees and Run for LBPL Board Trustee flyer.
  11. Executive Session(s) if needed: There was none.
  12. Any and all other business which may properly come before the Board: Trustee Shaul extended thanks to Director Grassi for her contributions during her tenure as Library Director.
  13. Adjournment: Trustee Jerch moved to adjourn the meeting, Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Alexandra Friedeman

Secretary