6th Annual Shape of Carol Stream Town Meeting

On Wednesday, September 24th, the 6th Annual Shape of Carol Stream Live Town Hall Meeting was held at the Bielawski Municipal Center. Nine local government leaders, including Jim Bailey who is serving as the president of the Carol Stream Library Board of Trustees, were given an opportunity to speak about the agencies they represent and to answer questions from the audience. As you will see from the text of Jim Bailey’s presentation, there are many important and exciting programs and changes taking place at our library—all proof of the dedicated and responsible leadership of the five trustees who were elected with the help and support of the STL organization. We are extremely proud of the fine work they have done.

Introduction
Good evening and thank you for coming.  My name is Jim Bailey and I have served as a Trustee of the Carol Stream Public Library for over nine years and currently serve as President of the Board of Library Trustees. The role of the Trustees is to provide oversight to ensure that the Library has the facility, staff and resources to provide for the Library needs of the community.  The financial health of the Library is good and we maintain recommended reserves in our various funds.  We rely heavily on our Library Director, Susan Westgate, to manage the day to day operations.

Speaking of day to day operations, let me take this opportunity to tell you some interesting things about our great library.

• The Library had  over 200,000 visitors and nearly 500,000 items circulated in the past year
• We have a collection size of over 200,000 items including books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and more.
• The Library is open seven days a week and provides online services 24/7 through our website.
• Online services include subscription databases, program calendar, newsletters, access to downloadable eMedia, links to local resources, Chat Reference, online program registration and much more.  A mobile website is also available for cell phones.
• Public computers, printers, copier, Fax, scanner, study rooms, meeting rooms, Friends Book Sale, and a family play area with games and other activities.

FY 2012/2013 Accomplishments:
Technology
• Downloadable e-magazines using Zinio
• Coming in October we are offering on demand streaming video with Hoopla
• Updated the patron computer reservation system
• New preschool computers
• New Peek-a-book viewing station in Youth Services

Programs and Services
• The Library offered 621 programs during the year with nearly 20,000 attendees.
• New Discovery play table in youth services department featuring a train set and Duplo blocks.

In addition to traditional services the Library provides:
• New Early Literacy incentive program-1000 Books Before Kindergarten
• Home-Bound delivery to local patrons that  are physically unable to visit the Library.  Librarians deliver over 200 items each month to over 40 local patrons.  Carol Stream is one of only a few local libraries that provide this service.
• English Conversation Practice program every Tuesday morning for ESL learners to develop their conversation skills.  This program has been active for three years.
• Teen Advisory Board (TAB) of local teens that plan teen events and projects at the Library.
• Finals Study Nights for high school students when we are open until 11 p.m.
• The Museum Adventure Pass program provides patrons with the opportunity to free passes to local museums.

Awards and Recognition
• Received Best in Parade at this year’s annual Fourth of July Parade
• In August 2014, the Library’s Youth Chess Club won second place in the annual Neighboring Library Chess Tournament.

FY 2014/2015 future plans include:
• Developing a Strategic plan based upon feedback from the community provided in an online survey and focus groups.
• Pursuing an intergovernmental agreement with the Park District to establish a passive park on the Kuhn Rd. property.
• Mark your calendar for Sunday, Dec. 7!  The Library will be hosting a Holiday Open House for the community featuring live reindeer, Santa, Victorian Carolers, Bell Choir, crafts and more!  Please join us for an afternoon of fun-filled activities and refreshments from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Conclusion:
I would like to thank our dedicated professional staff and Board of Trustees for their contributions to making our library one of the best in the State of Illinois.  It is a pleasure to be of service to our community.  I will be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding our library.

Focus on Trustees: Nadia Sheikh

As we continue to focus on the great work being done by all of the library trustees that the STL Committee supported in the election in April, 2013, we are pleased to report on the many activities in which Trustee Nadia Sheikh has been involved since she was sworn into office last Spring. Nadia has taken an active role in all Library Board regular meetings and committee work and has distinguished herself as a dedicated worker who has done much to support library programs and services. She serves in a leadership position on the Friends of the Carol Stream Library organization and is also active in the Carol Stream Women’s Club.

Just as important, Nadia Sheikh has been active in many other events in our community and has volunteered her time and services to help make Carol Stream a better place for our neighbors and their children. Here is just a partial list of some of the specific activities in which Nadia has been involved:

May 18, 2013: 

Volunteered at CSWC booth and CSPL booth at the Carol Stream Park District “Just Play!” Event.

July 4, 2013:
Participated in CSPL's July 4th parade and handed out candy and library information from the library float.

August 3, 2013:
Participated in the Dominican University Public Library Trustee Orientation at the Gail Borden Library in order to learn more about her responsibilities as a trustee.

September 24, 2013:

Invited by District 94 Community High School (West Chicago) to participate in National Voter Registration Day and speak to high school government students about her role as a locally elected official.

September 25, 2013:
Attended the annual “Shape of Carol Stream” Town Hall meeting to represent the library and support Jim Bailey, fellow Library Trustee and President.

November 2, 2013:
Invited to speak at the Village of Streamwood's Community Relations Commission Annual “Cultures in Our Community” event to promote diversity within our communities. 

November 21, 2013:
invited by District 94 Community High School (West Chicago) to speak to a high school honors English class for their “Community Leaders Teach for a Day” program during National Education Week on the topic of “Leadership and Diversity in Local Government”.

December 8, 2013:
Worked with the library staff and the Friends of the Carol Stream Library to help make the CSPL Holiday Open House a big success.

January 14, 2014:
Invited by the Assistant Community Development Director of Carol Stream to participate in the Carol Stream Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

February 2, 2014:
Attended the Carol Stream Citizen of the Year dinner as a nominee for this award in recognition for her service to our community.

February 24, 2014:
Participated in the Carol Stream Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Kickoff meeting.

March 19, 2014:
Volunteered to work with high school seniors from West Chicago High School who asked her  to come speak to their government class during their mock legislative session.

The STL Committee is extremely proud of the work that Nadia Sheikh has done for our library and our community, just as we are for the service and dedication of all of the trustees that the STL Committee supported—Jim Bailey, Bonnie Gilliam, Patricia Johnson, and Ed Jourdan. Together, they have restored integrity and fiscal responsibility to our Library Board. We commend all of these people for their dedication and we thank them for their service to our library!

Holiday Open House

In the days before Christmas, the Carol Stream Public Library hosted a special Holiday Open House--a day filled with special events, music, delicious refreshments, and sleigh rides in Armstrong Park with real reindeer! The library was packed with residents throughout the day and the event was a huge success. The Friends of the Carol Stream Library generously provided all of the cookies and beverages, and several of the library trustees supported by the STL organization were on hand to lend support.

Bonita Gilliam, one of the trustees elected to the Board last April, shared some of her thoughts about the event:

"I had a wonderful day at the Holiday Open House in our very own Carol Stream Library. Books, magazines and media were the backdrop for laughter, singing, bell ringing, sleigh rides, reindeer, and movies. Ooops! I almost forgot to mention Santa and his elves were also present.

It was heart-warming to see so many folks who came out on a cold winter day to share holiday fun. I had the best “job” a  Library Trustee  could ask for because I got to welcome our guests at the front door of the library. Let me share some pictures with you--taken by my husband David Gilliam. Mark your calendars and plan to join us next year. Thanks again, Carol Streamers for electing me to serve as your Trustee."