Aurora Public Library Board of Directors met April 25.

By Lhalie Castillo

Jul 7, 2018

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call To Order: at 6:00 p.m.

Present: Trustees Jeffry Butler, Joe Filapek, Archie Needam, John Savage, Eva Serrano and Andrew Smith

Absent: Avis Miller

Two Vacancies

Also present Executive Director Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Deputy Director Michaela Haberkern, Director of Neighborhood Services Heather Sturm, Administration Manager Kathleen Fennell, Human Resources Manager Brenda Blough, Foundation Manager Laura Stoney and Administrative Assistant Kim Gautschi

Additions/Changes To The Agenda:

None.

Minutes Of March 28, 2018 Board Meeting:

Andrew Smith moved, seconded by Joe Filapek, to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2018, board meeting as written.

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needam, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Board Meeting 3-28-18 Minutes Approved

Minutes Of November 6, 2017 Finance Committee Meeting:

Archie Needam moved, seconded by Jeffry Butler, to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2017, Finance Committee meeting as written.

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needam, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Finance Committee Meeting 11-6-17 Minutes Approved

Minutes Of December 14, 2017 Policy & Personnel Committee Meeting:

Andrew Smith moved, seconded by Joe Filapek, to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2017, Finance Committee meeting as written.

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needam, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Policy & Personnel Committee Meeting 12-14-17 Minutes Approved

Public Comments:

Board President, John Savage, opened up the Public Comments by addressing the recent poetry exhibit held at the library. He expressed that first and foremost, the first amendment and freedom of speech is the cornerstone of this country and we should not be in fear that it may upset someone. That is the beauty of our country and the library is the cornerstone of what that is all about. Mr. Savage reiterated that he felt the poem in question contained hateful language and was unacceptable. This is not a representation of what we want for the library, community and country. Mr. Savage stated he grew up in art and thought-provoking venues need to be fostered and encouraged but there are boundaries and guidelines that we must adhere to. The resignation of an APL staff member was by individual choice. A key part of the individual’s role was to communicate and articulate the policy and goals that we set. Staff are to implement these goals and objectives. We will learn from this and improve going forward. We will have diversity training for all employees of the library. We will review processes of the library and have board representation. We are one of the few libraries that has great commitment to the arts. We offer our deepest apologies and there are no excuses; we can and will do better.

Joseph Oleson: Mr. Oleson is not a member of our community. He is attending board meetings of different libraries to observe what best practices are among library boards.

Marjorie Langman: Ms. Langman felt the situation with the poetry exhibit was handled with a lack of maturity and should have been handled in a better manner. The public should have reached out to the library for clarification. The library should have addressed the public by taking charge and calming the accusations and lead into a discussion. There was no need for addressing this in social media. The uproar this caused was unnecessary and damaging to the City’s reputation. If we cannot calmly deal with these issues, how can we expect businesses to come to Aurora? We must be aware of what we say and do but not let our sensitivity and willingness to forgive and understand one another get out of control.

Aliya Husain: Ms. Husain spoke as a representative of Metro IAF and the chair of The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. She thanked the board for the opportunity to speak and expressed her gratitude for the removal and condemnation of the satirical poem. She felt there was no context as to what the intent of the poem was and believed such type of art promotes intolerance and incites violence. Safety should not be compromised. The library is vital and an important institution and we stand to seek a silver lining in what happened. Metro IAF would like to be a resource to help build bridges. We want to extend our hands to work together to amplify the beauty that we have.

Dr. Gina Santori: Dr. Santori expressed her sorrow that this exhibit insulted a religion. Dr. Santori and her late husband had a great love for libraries and books. Their names are on the building. She offered her apologies to all. We are a diverse area. She would like to see training internally for the library and for the community so that we all learn the different cultures.

Craig Gunty: Mr. Gunty expressed his hurt heart with all the comments on Facebook. He was bothered that the library was slow in responding. He felt the person involved responded nonchalantly and it bothered him that this work made it into the display in the first place. We are upsetting a culture where hate is prevalent everywhere we go. Mr. Gunty is glad a panel will be reviewing everything in the future. We must learn from this, bury it and move on.

John Savage closed the Public Comments by again expressing his sincere apologies. He stated this is not what we stand for; not what Aurora stands for. We will continue to talk about these types of challenging issues. The only way to change behavior and attitudes is to address them head on.

Staff Reports:

Executive Director Daisy Porter-Reynolds spoke about a technology program we offered to seniors at Alden of Waterford. Staff brought chromebooks, hotspots, a selfie stick, and talked about ebooks, e-audiobooks, and streaming media offered through the library. The seniors were thrilled to learn about all the library had to offer and remarked that they could now teach their grandchildren something about technology. Porter-Reynolds mentioned that the library registered 125 new teacher cards in March, which means that hundreds of Aurora kids have access to library materials in their classrooms. Finally, spring break at Eola Road was successful: 9 programs and 392 participants.

Foundation Manager Laura Stoney gave a brief overview of the role of the Foundation emphasizing its key role in Homebound Services, Kiwanis Shining Bright Literacy Program in conjunction with SPARK, and Township Light of Learning Scholarships.

A 1980s themed barbecue fundraiser will be held on August 25, 2018, and our annual auction event will be held at Santori on December 1. This year’s theme, “We Care Together,” will raise money to help us to reach out those more at risk.

Former Business: None

New Business:

Art Exhibit-

Executive Director, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, expressed her gratitude for the comments on moving forward. She presented the steps that took place: Dr. Miller came to the library to attend a First Friday event and asked how he could display his poetry. A staff member who gave the go-ahead after hearing the explanation of the controversial poem. As soon as library leadership found out of the negativity, we took the exhibit down. We do have a policy on displays and we have the right to remove them. Daisy released a statement today offering her apologies to the community. She advised the steps the library would be taking going forward would include changing the way we review exhibits by having a panel of approvers that includes board members and senior staff; hosting training for all staff on the importance of diversity and cultural sensitivity; and offering programming to our community, as we have done in the past, on topics of race and religion.

Trustee Jeffry Butler recognized the importance on partnering with the community as well as with organizations to hear from several different groups.

Trustee Joe Filapek stressed the need to strive to have diversity reflected on the panel. It is important to have training on art as well as a resource on hand. Trustee Filapek suggested looking to the Aurora Arts Council for guidance.

Approval of March and April Bills-

Andrew Smith moved, seconded by Jeffry Butler, to approve the monthly expenditures as listed on the Authorization Sheet for the period March 29, 2018, to April 25, 2018, in the amount of $735,380.48

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needam, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Payment Of Bills

3-29-18 TO 4-25-18

Hoopla (Midwest Tape) $25,000: This is an advance payment; pay per usage. Normally spend $5,000 per month; last month was $3,900.

Aurora Metropolitan Exposition $450: This is a 50% down payment for the rental of Copley Theatre for the Teen Talent Show rehearsal and performance.

Marcia Lathrop two payments for $90: Ms. Lathrop is a sign language interpreter. This service was requested by customers at two different programs.

ZooBean Inc. $5,000: This is a licensing to register for Summer Reading. It will track statistics, allow people to register for the program and is interactive.

American Library Association Dues, why are payments in varied amounts: ALA charges different amounts for varied divisions for dues or round tables applicable to the member’s position.

Executive Session:

Andrew Smith moved, seconded by Eva Serrano to adjourn to Executive Session at 6:41 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) and the minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21))

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needham, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

All in favor

Motion carried

Approved Executive Session

April 25, 2018 Board Meeting reconvened at 7:33 p.m.

Minutes Of The March 28, 2018 Executive Session:

On a motion by Archie Needam, seconded by Andrew Smith, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2018 executive session as written.

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needham, Savage, Serrano and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Smith

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Minutes Of The March 28, 2018 Executive Session Approved

Release Of Closed Meeting Minutes And Parts Of The Closed Meeting Minutes:

On a motion by Andrew Smith seconded by Joe Filapek, the board voted unanimously by roll call to release for public inspection the closed meeting minutes and parts of the closed meeting minutes as listed on the attached appendix. For reasons of personal privacy or protection of the public interest, the need for confidentiality still exists as to those closed meeting minutes or parts thereof not described in the attached appendix, and such minutes or parts thereof shall be kept confidential at this time.

Roll call on motion:

Yes: Butler, Filapek, Needham, Savage, Serrano, and Smith

No: none

Abstain: none

Absent: Miller

Two Vacancies

Motion carried.

Release Of Closed Meeting Minutes And Parts Of The Closed

Meeting Minutes Approved

Adjournment:

On a motion by Andrew Smith, seconded by Eva Serrano, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.

All in favor.