Trustee Orientation

Welcome to the Indian Prairie Public Library Board! You will be making an important contribution to the people in our community and to our community's future. A public library is one of the most universal and accessible institutions in our society. Your contribution as a public library trustee will help bring opportunity to all the people, irrespective of all the differences that sometimes divide communities in other spheres. Your connections to the community, understanding community needs and interests, and connecting residents to the many opportunities we offer will assure the library remains an essential institution with strong ties to the community.

- Jamie Bukovac, Library Director

About Indian Prairie Public Library District

DISTRICT MAP
HISTORY

• As a district library, IPPL serves most of Darien, except Farmingdale sub-division, all of Willowbrook, much of Burr Ridge west of County Line Road, the residents and businesses in Burr Ridge Village Center and businesses in County Line Square, plus unincorporated areas.
• The majority of the district is located in DuPage County with just Burr Ridge Village Center and County Line Square in Cook County.
• Boundaries of the Library District do not align with villages, school districts, or township boundaries.
• The district is an independent local government body and is not governed by a village or city, just like a school district or park district.
• Not all residents in Illinois pay taxes to a public library. Thus, the state provides for the sale of “non-resident” cards. The cost is equivalent to the average taxes by a household to the library. Currently an IPPL non-resident card costs $211.00.

Library Mission

MISSION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN

• In the summer of 2019, the library finalized a strategic plan process that resulted in a strategic plan for 2019-2022.
• The Board reviewed the mission and vision statements in June 2019, keeping the mission and writing a new vision statement.
• • Quarterly reports are typically given by the Director.
• The library typically goes through a strategic planning process every 4-5 years.

Structure of Library Board

TRUSTEES
BYLAWS

• Made up of 7 members
  • Members are elected in odd-year consolidated elections for 4-year terms (or remainder of unexpired terms) or appointed by Board vote to serve until the next consolidated election.
• Officer positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Officers are elected every two years after the consolidated election, or when there is a vacancy in an officer position on the Board. 
• Current committees: Building and Grounds, Policy, Planning/Outreach, and Finance.
  • Treasurer is chair of the Budget & Personnel Committee.
  • All committees are appointed by the President

Library Board Meetings

OPEN MEETINGS ACT
AGENDAS AND BOARD PACKETS
PUBLIC COMMENT

Schedule

• The 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Board Room; during the pandemic, meetings are held virtually by Zoom.
• The agenda is posted on our website and at the library at least 48 hours before the meeting (per the law), generally on the Friday before the meeting.
• Board packets are distributed by email on the Friday before the meeting.

Meeting Structure

• Call to Order by President.
• Follow the agenda
  • All items on the agenda are actionable, meaning the Board can take action on any agenda item, even if not indicated as an action item on the agenda.
  • The Board may not take any action on an item not listed on the agenda
  • The Board uses an Omnibus Vote for some actionable items.
• The Board operates informally, but is guided by Roberts Rules of Order.
• Executive sessions are used in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

Board Roles and Responsibilities

ALA CODE OF ETHICS
DIRECTOR EVALUATION FORM
POLICIES
FINANCIAL POLICY
OPERATING BUDGET OVERVIEW
OPERATING BUDGET LINE ITEMS
FINANCES
LIBRARY INVESTMENTS

Staff

• The Board oversees the work of the Director including the Director’s evaluation.
• All other staff report to the management team and ultimately the Director.

Policies

• Policies are set by the Board and govern the operation of the library.

Financial

• IPPL’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.
• The Board receives a financial report in each board packet providing information as to receipts and expenditures for the previous year and YTD totals.
• At each meeting, the Board receives a report of all checks processed in the previous month and approves those expenditures as part of the Omnibus Agenda. Prior to the meeting, a trustee is scheduled to review the invoices and checks.
• To establish the budget each year, the Board follows the Budget & Levy Calendar, which is created using statutory dates and requirements provided by the library’s attorney.
• The Budget & Appropriation indicates the amount of money we expect to spend each year and the maximum we are able to spend in each fund.
• The Levy is the formal request to taxpayers for funding and is managed by DuPage and Cook Counties; the levy is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, commonly called the PTELL or tax cap.
• Library finances are audited annually.
• The Board also oversees the library’s investments.

Advocacy

• Advocate on behalf of the library with local, state, and federal officials.
• Promote the library within in the community.

Guiding Principles

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM
ALA FREEDOM TO READ
ALA FREEDOM TO VIEW
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
SERVING OUR PUBLIC 4.0: STANDARDS FOR ILLINOIS PUBLIC LIBRARIES
TRUSTEE FACTS FILES

Staff

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
PERSONNEL POLICY
SERVICE PHILOSOPHY

Organizations

SWAN CONSORTIUM

• IPPL is part of a consortium of 100 libraries that share a catalog and other resources.
• Consortium membership allows greater access to a broader collection of items for our patrons and access to group purchasing (and cost savings) for some shared resources.

RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System)

• IPPL is part of a regional library system that covers the northern half of Illinois (excluding Chicago).
• The library system manages delivery of materials between libraries state-wide and offers access to group purchasing for shared resources.
• The library system offers many opportunities for networking and continuing education.
• The library system is very well-respected by member libraries and is a hub of information, often issuing recommendations for services, policies, and practices.

ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY

• The Illinois State Library was established to promote, support, implement and maintain library services on a State level for all State Officers, Offices, the General Assembly, the Judiciary and all State agencies, bodies and commissions, and to promote, support and implement library services on a statewide basis.
• Secretary of State Jesse White is the State Librarian and his office manages state library grants including the per capita grant the library receives annually.
• The State Library oversees RAILS and support RAILS through grants.

ILA (Illinois Library Association)

• ILA is the state library association.
  • Trustees are enrolled as members in ILA and will receive the ILA Reporter publication.
  • Trustees are invited to attend the ILA annual conference and other workshops offered during the year.
  • ILA advocates for libraries with the state legislature.

ALA (American Library Association)

• ALA is the national organization that supports all types of libraries
• ALA hosts an annual conference that trustees may attend when the conference is in Chicago.
• ALA lobbies on behalf of libraries with the federal government.

IPPL Foundation & Friends

• The library’s fundraising organization.
• The IPPL Library Board members are also members of the Foundation and Friends Board.