Dear SWAN Board
As I mentioned last week at the Board meeting - I suggest that SWAN make available to the membership monthly circ stats ( nothing crazy just total circ's )consortia-wide. It would give member libraries a baseline to compare their experience to that of the consortia as a whole. For example, we saw a 9% increase in circ's in April 2024 - compared to April 2023 - I had a Board member ask if that is happening elsewhere or just at my library. This might be a SWAN goal for 24/25
Timothy Jarzemsky, Director
Bloomingdale Public Library<http://www.mybpl.org/>
[cid:b4e1236d-94ec-42f9-bcff-be12f5359c0d]
101 Fairfield Way
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Direct (630) 924-2722
Fax (630) 529-3243
Dear Fellow Board Members,
Since we only had 5 members present at this morning's meeting, I just wanted to say in an email what I said in person about the Board self-evaluation:
We had one question that was poorly written: "I participate fully in discussions and feel free to express my opinions." It was poorly written because it was asking about two things, not one. Also, on that question, we had one respondent answer "neutral." I know that's not disagreement, but I would like our board to be one where everyone feels free to express their opinions. I don't know who gave what answers, so I just wanted to say that if anyone does not feel free to express their opinions at meetings, please reach out to me privately to discuss it, so I could learn how to better make space for everyone. If for some reason you don't feel comfortable reaching out to me privately, then possibly you could reach out to one of our other officers and ask them to convey any suggestions for improvement you may have.
Thanks, and have a great weekend everyone!
Jennifer Cottrill, Library Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers (What's this?)<https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/talking-about-prono…>
Midlothian Public Library
14701 S. Kenton Avenue
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 535-2027
jcottrill(a)midlothianlibrary.org
www.midlothianlibrary.org<http://www.midlothianlibrary.org/>
[cid:cc1e898b-a0a3-4149-8641-2c4c5e3f8532]
Hello SWAN Board reps-
The agenda and packet for Friday's meeting are posted and available from the meeting page below.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94467
The topics for the meeting on Friday include:
* IMET transfer of funds
* SWAN office recommendation
* Platform analysis report
* Review of the Board evaluation form
Following the full board meeting, the Board Environmental Scan Task Force will meet to discuss its charge and process. This That agenda is posted below, along with a written charge that has been drafted.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94612
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN board reps-
The agenda and packet for this Friday's meeting is now posted. The packet includes the analysis of platform survey comments for WorkFlows, Analytics, MobileCirc, and Aspen. The remaining platforms will be completed by next month's meeting. We made sure to prioritize the SirsiDynix software used by SWAN for our March meeting.
The meeting information and packet are linked below.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94466
As a reminder, we will be meeting at Bloomingdale Public Library. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please let Jennifer and I know. Colleen is unable to attend this week.
See you Friday!
Best,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hi SWAN Board reps-
The agenda and packet for Friday's meeting is now posted. Our meeting will be held at Roselle Public Library District.
Link to the packet:
https://support.swanlibraries.net/sites/default/files/meeting/24_02_16/9446…
This is a large packet due to it including the full results of the platform survey. I have provided some initial analysis and the individual responses from the 75 library submissions.
Let me know if you have any questions! I look forward to seeing you all Friday.
Regards,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hi SWAN Board reps-
I have a few updates for you on next week's Committee of the Whole meeting and the SWAN platform survey.
First, make sure you register for the COW. We have 37 registered. I will send another reminder out on Monday that advance registration is needed for this meeting:
https://swanlibraries-net.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrc--vqjgvHtbg1G6Vdc_c…
The meeting agenda & packet are here, along with the Zoom registration link:
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94438
In my SWANcom last week, I requested that if a library has negotiated its bond or debt service to report this schedule to SWAN. Thus far I have heard from Northlake. I will remind directors at the COW about this.
Secondly, the platform survey was extended until next week Friday, February 9th. We have 53 responses thus far. I have included a reminder in two January SWAN newsletters, at the Fireside meeting this week, and an email reminder sent to the directors we have not heard from (and I also sent confirmations to those that have responded). I will send one more email reminder directly to those library directors next week on Monday.
Lastly, I do not think this is controversial, but I would like to have our March 7th Quarterly meeting with budget approval include an amendment of our current budget so that we can move forward with implementation of the single sign-on project. SWAN IT & System Support Manager Ian Nosek is eager to get started with this project. The FY25 budget has this one-time cost set at $35,000 and we would amend the current FY24 budget line #5430 Server Infrastructure from $105,200 to $140,200.
I will include an update for you to review at the February 19th SWAN Board meeting about this budget amendment. I didn't want to surprise you if I mention this intention at the COW!
Regards,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN board reps---
The agenda and packet for this Friday's board meeting is now posted. The good news is that we have a completed audit for FY23! There are two other items on the agenda that have a large page count-the RAILS FY25 LLSAP agreement that requires approval, and the FY25 SWAN budget. I have the EBSCO group purchase fees completed for the year-5 renewal included.
Link to meeting & packet:
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94464
Thank you all, see you Friday at Homewood Public Library District.
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
