Exciting Enhancements to IPPL Technology Presented

After Roll call and  reviewing the Missions and Vision Statements of the Library, a report was given to the Board by the Head of Computer and Technical Services, Ann Stovall. It was exciting to hear the technology update for the library, as well as upcoming plans to better serve the community with new technology advancements.

One new addition is that the Library’s “Ask a Librarian” service now has a “Text-a Librarian” version. Patrons send a new text message question on their mobile phones by following these steps:

1.    Compose New SMS
2.    Send to 66746 (this spells MOSIO on the phone keypad)
3.    Type “AskIPPL”
4.    Send.

How easy is that? No matter where you are -  in the store, on vacation, at a restaurant -  and have a question for the Library, you will be able to send a text message and get your answer!

Other exciting technological changes include the new “Playaway View” devices. Hand-held in size, these are for young children and are pre-populated with video versions of story books. We’ll have 24 of these nifty devices for check-out, and will be a great way for small children to prepare for their technological futures!

After Labor Day, we’ll also have eBook readers available for check-out to patrons age 14 and up. These will be preloaded with books and will be very helpful to anyone thinking about purchasing one. You will have the opportunity to try different kinds to see what they are all about and which type you might prefer.

Another new technology IPPL is implementing is the use of iPad 2′s for staff and patrons!

• Staff will be able to use these iPads while walking through the library, to provide assistance to patrons wherever they are. One exciting feature on these devices is the translation feature, which will help the librarians when assisting non-English, or English as a second language speaking patrons. With 44 different languages spoken in the home within our Library District, this feature will be very helpful for our staff!
• We also will have iPads available for parents to use with their kids for early child reading development with interactive books and alphabet recognition apps.

Strategic Plan Update

Much of the remainder of the meeting was related to the Strategic Plan initiative we are working on. Much input has come in from the community, and we are very grateful to you for that! The Board will hold two Trustee Retreats in September to review and make sense of all the data that has been compiled.

I look forward to updating you further on the Strategic Plan as we move forward over the next few months

The meeting was called to order on April 21st at 7:00 p.m.  in the conference room.  After opening the meeting with communications and announcements and approval of bills, the Macy’s Museum Adventure Pass Program was reviewed. The Metropolitan Library System sent an update on the success of the program. Since it began over 7 months ago it has been very popular with seventeen museums and 160 libraries participating. Since the program started, over 20,000 passes have been issued and more than 15,000 patrons have visited participating museums. This program will be continuing into a second year. Indian Prairie residents have been enthusiastic participants.

Jamie Bukovac, the director, answered a question about seating in the renovation plan: right now we have 166 patron chairs in the library and after the renovation there will be over 200. The blog on the IPPL website highlights the current status of the planning for changes to the library.  These changes were outlined at the board meeting.

Ms. Bukovac also pointed out that patrons can now cancel their own holds which is frequently requested.  The number of holds for materials has continued to increase.
Laura Birmingham, Assistant Director, gave her report. As better weather arrives, landscaping is a high priority. Also the Friends of the Library have been very active. They will help to fund various programs and summer reading as well as hold a “Meet and Greet the Friends of the Library” on June 10th. The Book Nook made $1,441.83 in Feb. and March combined. The Volunteer Luncheon was held on April 19th where our volunteers were recognized for all their efforts. Also National Library Week was April 11-17 with special events through the week for staff and patrons.
Monica Dzierzbicki, Head of Youth Services, gave the April staff report. She highlighted all the planning and preparations for summer reading for 2010 which begins on May 24th.  She also discussed the popularity of  Tumblebooks as well as the continued planning for renovating the youth services space.
Statistics are always a part of the board meeting with circulation continuing to increase as well as computer usage and web site visits.
Jamie reviewed upcoming meetings for the Board and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The Indian Prairie Library Board met at 6:15 p.m. with a Foundation meeting. The Foundation is the charitable board which directs donations to library needs. The trustees are also on the Foundation board. Various future fundraisers were discussed.
The regular board meeting began at 7:00 p.m. One of the first items under Communications and Announcements was the request from the Darien Park District Garden Club to hold a plant sale on June 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Garden Club has been involved in beautifying the library grounds and does a wonderful job. Their request was approved.
Another resolution was to declare a vacancy on the Indian Prairie Library Board and appoint a new trustee. Theresa R. Noose, a longtime trustee who is remembered for her devoted service to the library, recently passed away and the Board has now filled that vacancy. Ursula Zyzik will fill the vacancy until the next regular election of Library Trustees in April, 2011. We are very pleased to welcome Ursula to the board. Her interest and willingness to serve on the board will make her a valuable trustee.
The board then spent a considerable amount of time discussing and being updated on the library renovation project. For more information, there is a blog which details the specific highlights of the project.   The staff and PSA Dewberry, the architectural firm, are making many plans to improve and update the library.
There will be a Special Board Meeting on April 7th to approve the bid package.
The IPPL Board meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The meeting of February 17th was called to order at 7 p.m. One of the first items of business was to acknowledge the letter from Jesse White, Secretary of State. Mr. White informed the Indian Prairie Library District that the per capita grant in the amount of $44,804.85 would be awarded. Another communication item was a letter from Brian Waterman, Principal of Hinsdale South High School. Hinsdale South High School and the Willowbrook Corner Coalition are sponsoring an event to give area residents an opportunity for them to ask questions about community services that are available. The Indian Prairie Library will be represented at this meeting.
Other agenda items of this meeting included changes to policies regarding circulation, computer and internet services. By-laws are periodically reviewed.
Director’s Report:
The Strategic Plan Committee will begin work on the 2012-2015 plan in 2011. It will include input from patrons, board and staff. Also, the building project is progressing well. The blog on the library website has many details. Carpeting, paint colors and flooring are being chosen and furniture will be decided upon in the next few weeks. The library will have a whole new look!
Laura Birmingham, Assistant Director, reported on the Big Read which is The Help. Program booklets are now available, highlighting all the related events. The library also participated in the ILA Snapshot of a Day program which can be viewed on the IPPL website.
Monthly reports from all the departments were also reviewed. All the departments have been involved in the building project plans.
The Board concluded the February meeting with a review of library events and “listening posts” which highlights comments to the staff from patrons. Two comments that were shared: “A patron remarked to me that she visits a lot of libraries and that our circulation has the best customer service”! and “Patron wants to know if we could have computer classes on facebook and twitter”.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

On January 20, 2010, at 6:55 the IPPL Board met to conduct the Foundation Annual Meeting. The Foundation was established as the charitable “arm” of the library. It consists of the General Fund and the Chan Fund. The Chan Fund primarily sponsors musical performances on a regular basis.

At 7:00 the Board meeting was called to order. Included in Communications and Announcements was a letter from Alice Calabrese-Berry notifying the Metropolitan Library System of her intent to retire on October 31st, 2010. A committee will be formed to find her replacement. She has contributed to the library profession for thirty-nine years.
Trustees were also informed of the Annual Legislator’s Breakfast on Feb. 15th, and upcoming trustee workshops. Also noted was a memo from the City of Darien . The City Council has decided to rebate the utility tax increase for local taxing bodies.
In Reports,  The Circulation Department wrote that the library conducted a ” Food for Fines Project”  in December and collected 2,255 items. This is over 2 1/2 times the number from just 7 years ago. Hinsdale South High School students collected and distributed food baskets for the holidays.   Thanks to all the students, staff, and residents who participated.
This department also noted that circulation has had a 7% increase and patron visits have had a 5% increase during 2009. Library users also placed 25% more holds. The ability to place holds on-line has significantly changed the way users reserve their books. Library usage continues to grow and the staff and trustees want to serve our patrons in the best possible ways.
Adult Services reported on the continuing change from videos to DVD’s as more titles become available. Also the Big Read is in progress with the novel, The Help, as this year’s book.
In Youth Services, laptop use by teens continues to grow and a new Teacher Reacher e-mail went out to area teachers informing them of library services.
From Technical Services, look for a continuation of “de-deweying” which means books will be organized by topic. Books in a subject area will now be easier to locate.

The focus of the January 20th board meeting was to review plans with the architects from PSA Dewberry. A new blog has been created: Imagine, Create and Renew. More detailed information about how the library space will be re-configured can be found on this blog.
Valuable input from staff, residents and trustees are being used to direct this project. It is a very exciting time for the library. Be sure to check out “Imagine, Create and Renew”!

The library trustees then went in to Closed Session for the annual Director Evaluation and the meeting was adjourned.

The December board meeting was held on Dec. 16th with all board members in attendance. Communications and announcements were reviewed as well as the treasurer’s report, bills, and minutes of previous meetings. Department reports were also discussed. Some items of note were: two new blogs have been created for the library’s Web site: Explore, Create and Renew which will update readers about the building project, and IPPL 2010 Big Read which focuses on this year’s book, The Help. There has also been a new Speaker’s Bureau brochure developed by Cris Cigler as well as a brochure for 55+ to be used to publicize the library to seniors. The notary service was also discussed. The library always has a notary on duty as a no-charge benefit.
Every month the trustees are provided with statistics from each department. For example, the library currently has 80 volunteers who collectively worked 435.50 hours in the month of November. We are fortunate to have a growing number of very capable volunteers!   Patron visits grew to 32,263 for the month of Nov. and 55% of adult circulation are audio visual materials.
Crystal Megaridis continued the meeting with a report on the Metropolitan Library System.  As well as serving as an Indian Prairie trustee, Crystal serves as a trustee on the MLS Board.  Currently, the state has not been funding MLS, requiring the system to consider how to remain fiscally solvent. MLS provides training for librarians and trustees, and a variety of consulting services.  In addition, they provide delivery service for the growing reciprocal borrowing from neighboring libraries. More information will follow as MLS deals with serious financial issues.
A discussion of the building project was the last major item on the agenda. This is an exciting time as staff and trustees, with PSA Dewberry architects,  rework the library space to bring much needed additional seating, a larger preschool and teen area, and a cafe.  The website will describe this project in more detail.

We would like to wish the staff and all the residents in the Indian Prairie Library District a very happy holiday season and a Happy New Year!

The Board of Trustees met on Nov. 18th, beginning with the annual Truth in Taxation Hearing. After reviewing communications and announcements, the trustees heard from Debbie Sheehan, Head of Circulation Services. Her report included information about how the upcoming renovation will change the Ciculation Department. Currently, the “rough sort” room is closed and there is a “recently returned” area in each department. If you are searching quickly for popular items, this may be a place to take a look. A fact which emphasizes how library usage has increased: Indian Prairie circulated 75,131 items in October alone.  This is a 13% increase over October 2008.  Thanks to Debbie and the Circulation Department for their hard work!
Also, Food for Fines is coming up- December 5-10. One dollar of fines will be waived for each item of food brought in. Help others and lower the cost of your fine.
Laura Birmingham, Assistant Director, reported on the Greening Initiative which highlighted how the library and staff are being energy conscious and “green”. For example, using non-toxic cleaners, recycling, and buying materials from recycled materials are a few of the mentioned activities. Laura also gave a parking lot update: the parking lots are now officially connected. Patrons may park in the south parking lot during non-school hours.
Jamie Bukovac, Director, reviewed the meeting with the architect about the upcoming library makeover. Check out the Winter Newsletter which will arrive soon for more details, especially the Imagine the possibilities, Create the space, and Renew the experience article on the front page.
This will be an exciting time as the new library building plan will better meet the needs of the community.
Another topic of discussion was the Dewey Decimal System. Most of us remember learning those numbers in school. But new ways of organizing non-fiction books may be used for popular parts of this collection.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

It was with great sadness that we remembered our fellow trustee, Theresa Noose, with a resolution honoring her contribution to the Indian Prairie Library. Terry served as a trustee both on the Willowbrook and the Indian Prairie Library boards. She was commended and honored for her devoted and outstanding service. Terry donated countless hours to bring excellent library services to the community for more than twenty-nine years. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
Two items on the October agenda were priority items. Trustees reviewed the Five Year Financial Plan for the library compiled by Ehlers and Associates, Inc. The library was given a strong financial future outlook with adequate money to fund building improvements.

The Board also met with the architectural firm, PSA-Dewberry to provide them with direction for the scope of the building project.  The administration, staff and board members will meet with PSA on November 17th to continue planning for the project.  This plan will be based on library patron and staff input compiled over the last year.  Technology changes,  increased usage, and expectations for library services as well as keeping up the library facilities have driven this project.

Jamie Bukovac, Director, and trustees also reported on advocacy efforts with legislators.  Meetings were held during the last month with Patti Bellock, Christine Rodogno and Jim Durkin.  One topic was the importance of library service during difficult economic times.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.  The next board meeting will be Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 7 p.m.