I. Call to order at 7:00 p.m., Zawacki

Trustees present: Laurence Biederman, David DeKorte, Millard Phillips, Jeffrey Sabo, Mark Zawacki

Trustee excused:  Suzanne Sutton

Staff Present: Joyce Armitage (Interim Director), Nihal Riad (Reference Assistant / Technical Services)

Others Present:  Woodlands Library Cooperative Director James Seidl, City of Milan Resident Julia Caldwell

II. Public Comment:  None

III. Suggestion Box:  Patrons requested William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate by Dave Dempsey, On Top of our Game [CD], by Dem Franchize Boys, Creepy Condors from California (American Chillers) by Johnathan Rand

IV  Approval of Agenda

MOTION:    Approved as presented, by Biederman / DeKorte, approved unanimously.

MOTION:  Suspend rules to allow Mr. Jim Seidl to make his presentation at the beginning of the agenda, by Phillips / Biederman, approved unanimously.

V Reading and approval of minutes

MOTION: Approve minutes of November 2006 MPL Board of Trustees meeting as amended, by DeKorte / Sabo, approved unanimously.

VI Financial Report

Treasurer Millard Phillips reviewed the monthly financial report (see attached) and the status of the endowment donations.  Mark Zawacki needs to be added to the list of approved check signers at the bank.  MOTION: Approve as presented, by Biederman / Sutton, approved unanimously.

VII Approval of Bills and Payables

 MOTION: Approve as presented (see attached), by DeKorte / Biederman, approved unanimously.

VIII Budget Amendments: None

IX Committee Reports: None

X  Director's Report:

A circulation clerk has been hired.  Hiring continues for the Reference Librarian position.  Gloria will be leaving soon.  Staff Christmas party was a success.  Technology updates have continued.  New computers need to be purchased to support new upgrades.  With the exception of the MD&A, the audit is finished.  The janitor has done a thorough cleaning.

XI Director Search

The MPL Board reviewed the results of James Hibler's background, credit, and reference check.
MOTION:  Schedule a second employment interview with James Hibler, by Sutton / Biederman, not approved by a vote of 2 votes in favor, 4 votes against.

MOTION:  Rescind verbal offer of employment to James Hibler, by DeKorte / Phillips, approved by a vote of 4 votes in favor, 2 votes against.
 
 

XII Old Business

 a. Plumbing and heating bids
 Mark Zawacki reviewed and compared bids for repair of the heating system.

XIII New Business

a. Woodlands Library Cooperative Director James Seidl came to advise the MPL Board on strategies for hiring a new director.  Seidl's discussion included advice for the formation and actions of a search committee, board preparation, search options, use of the Library Jobs Network, and interview strategies and preparation.

b. Purchase of Computers:
The Friends of the Library has authorized the purchase of three computers.  Four more computers are needed.  MOTION:  Approve purchase of four computers at a cost of $3050.14, by DeKorte / Sabo, approved unanimously.

c. Board Vacancy
The MPL Board of Trustees vacancy will be advertised.

MOTION: With gratitude for her service, the MPL Board of Trustees accepts President Suzanne Sutton's verbal announcement during the November 2006 meeting as an official notice of her resignation from the board, effective today.

d. Board / Staff get-together
The Board and staff agreed to plan a mid-winter get-together and will discuss such plans at the January meeting.

e. Announcement
Secretary Laurence Biederman noted that he expects to be late to the January through April MPL Board of Trustees meetings due to an evening class.  The board and staff suggested and agreed to starting the meetings at 7:30 for the four affected months.

XIV. Adjournment MOTION:  Adjourn at 9:15, by Zawacki, approved unanimously.
 

Respectfully submitted,
 

Laurence Biederman, Secretary
 

Mark Zawacki, Acting President / Vice President