Library Packet 2018 01-08-18
Agenda
Yorkville Public Library
Michelle Pfister Meeting Room
Board of Trustees
January 8, 2018 ‐ 7:00 P.M.
902 Game Farm Road
1. Roll Call
2. Recognition of Visitors
3. Amendments to the Agenda
4. Minutes
5. Correspondence
6. Public Comment
7. Staff Comment
8. Report of the Treasurer Financial Statement
Payment of Bills
Statistics
9. Report of the Library Director
10. City Council Liaison
11. Standing Committees Policy Personnel
Finance Community Relations
12. Unfinished Business Update on the Intergovernmental Agreement
Per Capital Grant Requirement—Board Bylaws
13. New Business Approve Sexual Harassment Policy
Fire Alarm Panel Proposal
Outside Lights Repair Proposal
Book Collection‐Christian Fiction Labels
14. Executive Session (if needed)
1. For the discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings
Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi‐annual
review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.
2. For the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or legal
counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against
an employee of the public body, or against legal counsel for the public body to
determine its validity.
15. New Business (continued) Release of Executive Session Minutes
16. Adjournment
DRAFT
Yorkville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, December 11, 2017, 7:00pm
902 Game Farm Road – Michelle Pfister Meeting Room
The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by President Russ Walter and a quorum was established.
Roll Call:
Wamecca Rodriguez-yes, Russ Walter-yes, Susan Chacon-yes, Darren Crawford-yes, Krista Danis-yes,
Theron Garcia-yes, Jason Hedman-yes
Absent: Carol LaChance
Others Present:
Library Director Elisa Topper, Technical Services Director Dixie DeBord
Recognition of Visitors: President Walter recognized the guests.
Amendments to the Agenda: None
Minutes: November 13, 2017
Jason Hedman moved and Russ Walter seconded a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
Unanimous voice vote approval.
Correspondence:
Ms. Topper received a check for $250 from the Lions Club for large print books and a poinsettia was
received from the library attorney.
Public Comment:
Ms. DeBord said two volunteers are still needed for the January 28th mini-golf.
Staff Comment: None
Report of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Chacon presented the report and said property tax of $6,859 was received and almost all
income has been received for the FY. Outside repair and maintenance is at 84% of the FY. The credit
card charges for the library are highlighted in yellow and due to an editing problem, all city charges are
listed on the report. A payment of $2,700 was made to Daikin for the chiller part replacement. Ms.
Topper gave an explanation of the two service calls for the fire alarm and said the technician indicated
a new module card is needed. After some further issues, technicians said an entire new panel is needed.
Ms. Topper will bring further information and possible other quotes to the January meeting. Ms.
Topper also said the elevator broke and an after-hours service call was needed at a cost of $550.
Page 1 of 3
Payment of Bills
Trustee Danis moved to pay the bills as follows and Trustee Hedman seconded the motion:
$24,948.29 Accounts Payable
$34,961.93 Payroll
$59,910.22 TOTAL
Roll call: Rodriguez-yes, Walter-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Danis-yes, Garcia-yes, Hedman-yes
Motion carried 7-0.
President Walter said he had requested the condensed expense and revenue report in the packet. It
shows only accounts with activity and Mr. Walter asked for Board input on this report for discussion
next month.
Report of the Library Director:
Library Director Topper presented the report:
1. She thanked those who attended the bartending event at the Law Office and thanked Shelley
Augustine for her assistance. The event made $440 for the library.
2. She wrote 2 clerk job descriptions: one for circulation and one for youth services
3. Discussed 'passive program' which is new term in annual report regarding do-it-yourself
activities
4. E-book usage now being reported
5. Applied for science kit grant, 2-4 awards will be given
6. Sugar Grove library has café and wine bar with suggested donations
7. Identified 4 libraries (3 in Illinois) that have agreements with schools for student cards for those
outside of library service area. More info coming in January.
City Council Liaison No report
Standing Committees:
Personnel
President Walter said Ms. Topper's 90-day review will be conducted in early January. Ms. Topper
indicated she has accomplished all the goals given to her thus far except the inter-governmental
agreement which is out of her hands at this time. She will compile a summary review for the Board.
Mr. Walter said the next 5K race will be discussed next month.
Unfinished Business:
Update on Tax Levy
President Walter reported the tax levy was passed and the library will be receiving $672,505 which is
an increase of $26,951 over last year. Without the tax cap, the amount would have been $743,033. He
said the library building bonds will not be retired until 2026.
Update on Inter-governmental Agreement
Ms. Topper said the agreement is with city hall administration and she included all items from the
previous agreement. She would like to do joint marketing and offered the meeting room to the city.
She noted the library is not included in the Parks and Rec catalog, but should be. She also met with the
Chamber Director. The meeting room could be a possible revenue stream with separate rates for non-
profit and profit organizations. This will be reviewed by the Policy Committee.
Page 2 of 3
New Business:
Per Capita Grant Requirements
The submission deadline is January 15 and prior to that, the Library Director and at least one trustee,
are required to view an on-line library safety webinar. Chapter 3 of the Trustees Facts File must also be
discussed at the January meeting. In addition, all Trustees must complete the Open Meetings Act
electronic training. Ms. Topper will also complete the safety checklist and conduct a fire drill.
Approve Repair of Air Handler Bearings
A motor was ordered and the work will be done in the coming week. Mr. Crawford made a motion to
approve spending $4,740 for the air handler and shaft replacement and $1,895 for parts and labor for
the air handler return. Mr. Hedman seconded the motion.
Roll call: Walter-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Danis-yes, Garcia-yes, Hedman-yes, Rodriguez-yes
Motion carried 7-0
Approve Board Meeting Dates 2018
Approve Library Closings 2018
Ms. Topper would like to move the meeting dates to a calendar year rather than fiscal year. She
suggested closing on Veteran's Day, Sunday, November 12, 2018. President Walter made a motion to
approve, for public notice, the meeting dates and closed dates as presented. Ms. Garcia seconded the
motion and it was approved unanimously on a voice vote.
Additional Business: None
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:
There was no further business and Mr. Walter and Ms. Rodriguez moved and seconded, respectively, to
adjourn at 7:40pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker
Page 3 of 3
May June July August September October November December January February March April
2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018
Library
Operations Old Second $ 349,886 $ 533,078 $ 504,996 $ 485,272 $ 742,421 $ 724,470 $ 693,626 $ 562,336
Building
Development Fees Old Second 20,004 21,754 21,732 23,660 34,099 35,016 36,851 33,687
Library
Operations IMET * 8,837 8,837 8,837 8,837 8,837 8,837 8,837 8,837
Library
Operations Illinois Funds 170,559 170,682 170,821 170,967 171,115 171,270 171,423 171,596
Total: $ 549,286 $ 734,351 $ 706,386 $ 688,736 $ 956,471 $ 939,593 $ 910,736 $ 776,456 $ - $ - $ - $ -
* Restricted
PAYROLL
1ST PAY PERIOD 17,692$ $ 20,595 $ 14,577 $ 14,818 $ 15,201 $ 16,196 $ 17,339 $ 17,117
2ND PAY PERIOD 17,845 32,345 15,447 15,213 14,283 18,558 17,623 17,977
3RD PAY PERIOD - 15,479 - - - - - 17,409
Total 35,537$ 68,420$ 30,024$ 30,031$ 29,484$ 34,754$ 34,962$ 52,503$ -$ -$ -$ -$
YORKVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CASH STATEMENT
As of December 31, 2017
FISCAL YEAR 2018
% of Fiscal Year 8%17%25%33%42%50%58%67%Year-to-Date FISCAL YEAR 2018
ACCOUNT NUMBER DESCRIPTION May-17 June-17 July-17 August-17 September-17 October-17 November-17 December-17 Totals BUDGET % of Budget
LIBRARY OPERATIONS REVENUES
Taxes
82-000-40-00-4000 PROPERTY TAXES 52,665 272,734 10,239 23,713 265,842 11,974 6,859 - 644,025 645,867 99.71%
Intergovernmental
82-000-41-00-4120 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX 909 - 930 43 - 635 - 167 2,684 5,250 51.12%
82-000-41-00-4170 STATE GRANTS - - - - - - - - - 17,200 0.00%
Fines & Forfeits
82-000-43-00-4330 LIBRARY FINES 1,289 654 1,649 604 294 515 927 292 6,223 8,000 77.79%
Charges for Service
82-000-44-00-4401 LIBRARY SUBSCRIPTION CARDS 698 1,340 147 531 908 627 1,206 990 6,448 6,500 99.19%
82-000-44-00-4422 COPY FEES 248 226 401 520 341 276 205 230 2,447 2,500 97.90%
82-000-44-00-4439 PROGRAM FEES 60 108 170 25 65 30 49 72 579 1,000 57.88%
Investment Earnings
82-000-45-00-4500 INVESTMENT EARNINGS 129 137 161 169 166 184 181 196 1,322 800 165.28%
Miscellaneous
82-000-46-00-4690 REIMB-MISCELLANEOUS - - - 691 - - - - 691 - 0.00%
82-000-48-00-4820 RENTAL INCOME 170 150 109 - 200 200 245 150 1,224 2,000 61.20%
82-000-48-00-4824 DVD RENTAL INCOME 157 221 220 438 170 246 268 147 1,867 2,500 74.68%
82-000-48-00-4850 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 26 125 68 269 1,041 10 32 37 1,608 1,000 160.80%
Other Financing Sources
82-000-49-00-4901 TRANSFER FROM GENERAL 5,448 1,820 1,820 2,049 1,820 1,197 1,820 1,328 17,302 26,440 65.44%
TOTAL REVENUES: LIBRARY 61,799 277,516 15,914 29,050 270,847 15,893 11,792 3,608 686,420 719,057 95.46%
LIBRARY OPERATIONS EXPENDITURES
Salaries & Wages
82-820-50-00-5010 SALARIES & WAGES 16,338 36,858 12,468 12,468 12,468 16,218 16,325 24,487 147,629 223,828 65.96%
82-820-50-00-5015 PART-TIME SALARIES 15,098 23,061 14,223 14,230 13,721 14,491 14,574 21,892 131,290 232,689 56.42%
Benefits
82-820-52-00-5212 RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTION 1,761 3,973 1,344 1,344 1,344 1,748 1,760 2,640 15,914 24,435 65.13%
82-820-52-00-5214 FICA CONTRIBUTION 2,339 4,527 1,989 1,990 1,951 2,297 2,304 3,484 20,881 34,263 60.94%
82-820-52-00-5216 GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE 13,349 4,104 4,808 4,617 4,418 4,796 5,690 5,434 47,216 88,996 53.05%
82-820-52-00-5222 GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 67 22 28 28 28 28 41 35 277 403 68.68%
82-820-52-00-5223 DENTAL INSURANCE 404 443 253 338 338 338 443 423 2,979 5,550 53.68%
82-820-52-00-5224 VISION INSURANCE 117 33 46 46 46 46 71 58 462 670 68.98%
82-820-52-00-5230 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 92 - - 229 - 229 - - 549 1,000 54.90%
82-820-52-00-5231 LIABILITY INSURANCE 5,356 1,820 1,820 1,820 1,820 968 1,820 1,328 16,753 25,440 65.85%
YORKVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET REPORT
For the Month Ending December 31, 2017
1
% of Fiscal Year 8%17%25%33%42%50%58%67%Year-to-Date FISCAL YEAR 2018
ACCOUNT NUMBER DESCRIPTION May-17 June-17 July-17 August-17 September-17 October-17 November-17 December-17 Totals BUDGET % of Budget
YORKVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET REPORT
For the Month Ending December 31, 2017
Contractual Services
82-820-54-00-5412 TRAINING & CONFERENCES - - - - - - - 112 112 500 22.41%
82-820-54-00-5415 TRAVEL & LODGING - - - 42 - - 115 35 192 600 31.94%
82-820-54-00-5426 PUBLISHING & ADVERTISING - - 100 - - - - - 100 100 100.00%
82-820-54-00-5440 TELECOMMUNICATIONS - - 518 - 1,127 - - 1,463 3,107 6,000 51.79%
82-820-54-00-5452 POSTAGE & SHIPPING - 294 - 7 13 27 11 28 380 500 76.00%
82-820-54-00-5460 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS - 1,717 11 468 11 728 1,342 1,250 5,527 12,000 46.06%
82-820-54-00-5462 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 877 3,691 1,510 5,107 1,483 942 2,465 1,952 18,028 40,000 45.07%
82-820-54-00-5466 LEGAL SERVICES - - - - - - - - - 2,000 0.00%
82-820-54-00-5468 AUTOMATION - - - 3,147 373 3,147 - - 6,667 20,000 33.33%
82-820-54-00-5480 UTILITIES - - 362 384 337 502 536 954 3,076 8,480 36.28%
82-820-54-00-5495 OUTSIDE REPAIR & MAINTENANCE 513 6,560 2,865 - 25,800 1,415 4,891 3,907 45,950 50,000 91.90%
82-820-54-00-5498 PAYING AGENT FEES - 1,100 - 589 - - - - 1,689 1,700 99.32%
Supplies
82-820-56-00-5610 OFFICE SUPPLIES - 302 570 392 13 1,008 104 781 3,170 8,000 39.63%
82-820-56-00-5620 OPERATING SUPPLIES - 1,500 96 664 - 978 - 506 3,744 10,000 37.44%
82-820-56-00-5671 LIBRARY PROGRAMMING - 193 23 - 32 62 95 89 494 1,000 49.38%
82-820-56-00-5685 DVD'S - 138 49 55 - 41 - 80 363 500 72.56%
82-820-56-00-5686 BOOKS - 11 - 13 - 22 - - 46 1,500 3.05%
82-820-99-00-9983 TRANSFER TO LIB DEBT SERVICE - - - - - - - - - 3,000 0.00%
TOTAL FUND REVENUES 61,799 277,516 15,914 29,050 270,847 15,893 11,792 3,608 686,420 719,057 95.46%
TOTAL FUND EXPENDITURES 56,311 90,348 43,082 47,976 65,323 50,031 52,586 70,938 476,595 803,154 59.34%
FUND SURPLUS (DEFICIT)5,488 187,168 (27,167) (18,926) 205,525 (34,138) (40,794) (67,330) 209,825 (84,097)
BEGINNING FUND BALANCE 489,057
FUND SURPLUS (DEFICIT)209,825
ENDING RESERVED FUND BALANCE 334,198
ENDING UNRESERVED FUND BALANCE 364,684
ENDING TOTAL FUND BALANCE 698,882
LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE REVENUES
83-000-40-00-4000 PROPERTY TAXES 62,037 321,269 12,061 27,932 313,150 14,105 8,079 - 758,634 757,396 100.16%
83-000-45-00-4500 INVESTMENT EARNINGS 0 0 2 70 227 240 275 472 1,286 - 0.00%
2
% of Fiscal Year 8%17%25%33%42%50%58%67%Year-to-Date FISCAL YEAR 2018
ACCOUNT NUMBER DESCRIPTION May-17 June-17 July-17 August-17 September-17 October-17 November-17 December-17 Totals BUDGET % of Budget
YORKVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET REPORT
For the Month Ending December 31, 2017
83-000-49-00-4982 TRANSFER FROM LIB OPS - - - - - - - - - 3,000 0.00%
TOTAL REVENUES: LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE 62,037 321,269 12,064 28,002 313,378 14,345 8,354 472 759,920 760,396 99.94%
LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE EXPENDITURES
2006 Bond
83-830-84-00-8000 PRINCIPAL PAYMENT - - - - - - - 50,000 50,000 50,000 100.00%
83-830-84-00-8050 INTEREST PAYMENT - 13,681 - - - - - 13,681 27,363 27,363 100.00%
2013 Refunding Bond
83-830-99-00-8000 PRINCIPAL PAYMENT - - - - - - - 520,000 520,000 520,000 100.00%
83-830-99-00-8050 INTEREST PAYMENT - 81,516 - - - - - 81,516 163,033 163,033 100.00%
TOTAL FUND REVENUES 62,037 321,269 12,064 28,002 313,378 14,345 8,354 472 759,920 760,396 99.94%
TOTAL FUND EXPENDITURES - 95,198 - - - - - 665,198 760,395 760,396 100.00%
FUND SURPLUS (DEFICIT)62,037 226,072 12,064 28,002 313,378 14,345 8,354 (664,726) (475) -
LIBRARY CAPITAL REVENUES
84-000-42-00-4214 DEVELOPMENT FEES 6,150 7,000 4,200 12,650 4,700 5,600 4,350 11,575 56,225 35,000 160.64%
84-000-45-00-4500 INVESTMENT EARNINGS 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 10 91.60%
TOTAL REVENUES: LIBRARY CAPITAL 6,151 7,001 4,201 12,651 4,701 5,601 4,351 11,576 56,234 35,010 160.62%
LIBRARY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
84-840-54-00-5460 E-BOOK SUBSCRIPTIONS - - 128 - - - 128 - 255 3,500 7.29%
84-840-56-00-5635 COMPUTER EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE - 862 3,894 - - - - 2,379 7,135 15,000 47.57%
84-840-56-00-5683 AUDIO BOOKS - 1,001 150 - - - 170 177 1,498 - 0.00%
84-840-56-00-5684 COMPACT DISCS & OTHER MUSIC - - - - - - - 110 110 - 0.00%
84-840-56-00-5685 DVD'S - 18 91 205 69 46 122 276 827 - 0.00%
84-840-56-00-5686 BOOKS - 2,466 2,717 2,068 2,143 3,738 3,347 4,573 21,053 16,500 127.59%
TOTAL FUND REVENUES 6,151 7,001 4,201 12,651 4,701 5,601 4,351 11,576 56,234 35,010 160.62%
TOTAL FUND EXPENDITURES - 4,347 6,979 2,273 2,212 3,784 3,767 7,515 30,877 35,000 88.22%
FUND SURPLUS (DEFICIT)6,151 2,654 (2,778) 10,378 2,489 1,817 585 4,061 25,357 10
3
DATE: 01/03/2018 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PAGE: 1TIME: 14:49:11 GENERAL LEDGER ACTIVITY REPORT F-YR: 18ID: GL440000.WOW ACTIVITY THROUGH FISCAL PERIOD 08PER. JOURNAL # ENTRY DATE ITEM TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION VENDOR CHECK INVOICE DEBIT CREDIT_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________82-000-24-00-2480 (L) ESCROW - MEMORIALS & GIFTS_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________01 05/01/2017 BEGINNING BALANCE 3,077.05 GJ-170531LB 06/02/2017 08 May 2017 Deposits 300.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 01 ACTIVITY 0.00 300.0002 AP-170612B 06/06/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104361 2032897995 52.18 06/06/2017 02 NAME PLATES KING & SONS MONUMENT 104364 051717 180.00 AP-170625 06/19/2017 148 AMAZON-PRINTER, PRINTER FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900046 062517-M.PFISTER 436.17 06/19/2017 149 TARGET-TARGUS CASES FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900046 062517-S.AUGUSTINE 99.98 GJ-170630LB 07/05/2017 08 June 2017 Deposits 2,675.23 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 02 ACTIVITY 768.33 2,675.2303 AP-170710 07/05/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032916077 31.02 07/05/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032937543 51.15 07/05/2017 03 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032944087 14.95 07/05/2017 04 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032946730 34.61 07/05/2017 05 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032960762 287.41 07/05/2017 06 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032963290 9.77 07/05/2017 07 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104377 2032970774 65.53 07/05/2017 08 07/19/17 NATURE'S ARCHITECTS FOREST PARK NATURE C 104380 071917 135.00 GJ-170731LB 08/01/2017 08 July 2017 Deposits 2.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 03 ACTIVITY 629.44 2.0004 AP-170814 08/09/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2032988056 212.74 08/09/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2032994518 13.80 08/09/2017 03 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2033005997 74.38 08/09/2017 04 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2033019466 273.87 08/09/2017 05 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2033029979 143.42 08/09/2017 06 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2033032006 350.87 08/09/2017 07 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104390 2033048611 112.15 08/09/2017 08 DVD MIDWEST TAPE 104396 95229398 22.99 08/09/2017 09 AUDIO BOOK MIDWEST TAPE 104396 95254126 39.99 08/09/2017 10 DVD, AUDIO BOOK MIDWEST TAPE 104396 95273332 69.98 GJ-170831LB 09/01/2017 08 August 2017 Deposits 385.00 GJ-170903RC 09/05/2017 02 RC Aug 2017 Lib Deposits 277.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 04 ACTIVITY 1,314.19 662.0005 AP-170911 09/06/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104403 2033052718 24.46 09/06/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104403 2033074220 74.42 09/06/2017 03 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104403 2033092389 86.13 09/06/2017 04 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104403 2033096069 155.34 09/06/2017 05 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104403 2033111556 110.03 09/06/2017 06 2 MEMORIAL BRICKS KING & SONS MONUMENT 104406 082317 60.00 09/06/2017 07 DVD MIDWEST TAPE 104407 95284174 14.99 09/06/2017 08 AUDIO BOOK MIDWEST TAPE 104407 95311530 39.99 09/06/2017 09 AUDIO BOOK MIDWEST TAPE 104407 95326184 39.99 09/06/2017 10 AUDIO BOOKS MIDWEST TAPE 104407 95344286 69.98 09/06/2017 11 BOKK-IT 5K TIMING RACE TIME 104410 N0902 481.81 AP-170925M 09/19/2017 165 TARGET-PRIZES FOR SUMMER FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900050 092517-J.WEISS 32.87
DATE: 01/03/2018 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PAGE: 2TIME: 14:49:11 GENERAL LEDGER ACTIVITY REPORT F-YR: 18ID: GL440000.WOW ACTIVITY THROUGH FISCAL PERIOD 08PER. JOURNAL # ENTRY DATE ITEM TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION VENDOR CHECK INVOICE DEBIT CREDIT_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________82-000-24-00-2480 (L) ESCROW - MEMORIALS & GIFTS_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________05 AP-170925M 09/19/2017 166 DOLLAR TREE-PRIZES FOR SUMMER FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900050 092517-J.WEISS 8.00 09/19/2017 167 TARGET-GIFT CARDS FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900050 092517-S.AUGUSTINE 50.00 09/19/2017 168 NCG CINEMA-GIFT CARDS FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900050 092517-S.AUGUSTINE 25.00 09/19/2017 169 PANERA-GIFT CARDS FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900050 092517-S.AUGUSTINE 25.00 GJ-170930LB 09/29/2017 08 Sept 2017 Deposits 330.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 05 ACTIVITY 1,298.01 330.0006 AP-171009 10/03/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033127088 51.73 10/03/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033130769 42.69 10/03/2017 03 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033131319 11.49 10/03/2017 04 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033150590 12.59 10/03/2017 05 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033160913 84.57 10/03/2017 06 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033172409 14.37 10/03/2017 07 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104415 2033175842 14.94 10/03/2017 08 AUDIO BOOKS MIDWEST TAPE 104420 95382801 39.99 10/03/2017 09 2 DVDS, 1 AUDIO BOOK MIDWEST TAPE 104420 95409502 77.97 10/03/2017 10 1 AUDIO BOOK, 1 DVD MIDWEST TAPE 104420 95430011 59.98 GJ-171031LB 11/01/2017 08 Oct 2017 Deposits 1,850.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 06 ACTIVITY 410.32 1,850.0007 AP-171113 11/06/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104426 2033191873 14.95 11/06/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104426 2033210465 14.94 11/06/2017 03 BOOK BAKER & TAYLOR 104426 2033231304 14.94 11/06/2017 04 BOOK BAKER & TAYLOR 104426 2033245448 15.53 11/06/2017 05 DVD MIDWEST TAPE 104433 95481997 22.99 11/06/2017 06 DVD MIDWEST TAPE 104433 95509775 23.99 11/06/2017 07 DVDS MIDWEST TAPE 104433 95530036 45.98 AP-171125M 11/30/2017 175 AMAZON-BINGO CARDS, DAUBERS, FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900052 112517-D.DEBORD 37.44 GJ-171130LB 12/01/2017 08 Nov 2017 Deposits 2,644.00 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 07 ACTIVITY 190.76 2,644.0008 AP-171211 12/04/2017 01 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033253908 285.39 12/04/2017 02 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033277843 32.99 12/04/2017 03 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033279262 47.27 12/04/2017 04 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033297864 23.23 12/04/2017 05 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033303265 80.48 12/04/2017 06 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033324276 8.99 12/04/2017 07 BOOKS BAKER & TAYLOR 104441 2033325433 10.34 AP-171225M 12/18/2017 139 MCDONALDS-GIFT CARD FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900053 122517-M.EBERHARDT 20.00 12/18/2017 140 NCG CINEMA-GIFT CARD FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900053 122517-M.EBERHARDT 20.00 12/18/2017 141 IMPRINT-TABLE THROW & RUNNER FIRST NATIONAL BANK 900053 122517-S.AUGUSTINE 187.08 GJ-171231LB 01/02/2018 08 Dec 2017 Deposits 971.08 _________________________________ TOTAL PERIOD 08 ACTIVITY 715.77 971.08 TOTAL ACCOUNT ACTIVITY 5,326.82 9,434.31 ENDING BALANCE 7,184.54 GRAND TOTAL 0.00 7,184.54 TOTAL DIFFERENCE 0.00 7,184.54
December YTD % of FY 2018
Actual Actual Budget Budget YTD Actual % Change
LIBRARY OPERATIONS FUND (82)
Revenues
Property Taxes -$ 644,025$ 99.7%645,867$ 626,183$ 2.85%
Intergovernmental
Personal Property Replacement Tax 167 2,684 51.1%5,250 3,058 -12.23%
State Grants - - 0.0%17,200 13,044 -100.00%
Total Intergovernmental 167$ 2,684$ 12.0%22,450$ 16,101$ -83.33%
Library Fines 292$ 6,223$ 77.8%8,000$ 4,667$ 33.35%
Charges for Services
Library Subscription Cards 990$ 6,448$ 99.2%6,500$ 4,144$ 55.57%
Copy Fees 230 2,447 97.9%2,500 1,516 61.48%
Program Fees 72 579 57.9%1,000 626 -7.54%
Total Charges for Services 1,291$ 9,474$ 94.7%10,000$ 6,286$ 50.71%
Investment Earnings 196$ 1,322$ 165.3%800$ 618$ 113.94%
Reimbursements/Miscellaneous/Transfers In
Miscellaneous Reimbursements -$ 691$ 0.0%-$ 1,433$ 0.00%
Rental Income 150 1,224 61.2%2,000 1,591 -23.07%
DVD Rental Income 147 1,867 74.7%2,500 1,605 0.19%
Miscellaneous Income 37.00 1,608.02 160.8%1,000 1,719 906.66%
Transfer In 1,328 17,302 65.4%26,440 16,614 4.14%
Total Miscellaneous & Transfers 1,662$ 22,692$ 71.0%31,940$ 22,961$ -1.17%
Total Revenues and Transfers 3,608$ 686,420$ 95.5%719,057$ 676,815$ 1.42%
Expenditures
Library Operations 70,938$ 476,595$ 59.3%803,154$ 477,714$ -0.23%
50 Salaries 46,379 278,919 61.1%456,517 286,872 -2.77%
52 Benefits 13,401 105,031 58.1%180,757 109,116 -3.74%
54 Contractual Services 9,701 84,828 59.8%141,880 62,254 36.26%
56 Supplies 1,456 7,817 37.2%21,000 19,473 -59.86%
99 Transfers Out - - 0.0%3,000 - 0.00%
Total Expenditures and Transfers 70,938$ 476,595$ 59.3%803,154$ 477,714$ -0.23%
Surplus(Deficit)(67,330)$ 209,825$ (84,097)$ 199,101$
*December represents 67% of fiscal year 2018
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND TRANSFERS
For the Month Ending December 31, 2017 *
Fiscal Year 2017
For the Month Ending December 31, 2016
DATE: 12/18/17 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:11:12 MANUAL CHECK REGISTERID: AP225000.CBLCHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE ITEM CHECK INVOICE # DATE # DESCRIPTION DATE ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 900053 FNBO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OMAHA 12/25/17 122517-A.SIMMONS 11/30/17 01 COMCAST-OCT 2017 & E-RATE 82-820-54-00-5440 1,463.04 02 2016-2017 CHARGES ** COMMENT ** 03 KONICA-9/19-10/18 COPIER 82-820-54-00-5462 8.60 04 CHARGES ** COMMENT ** 20 ADS-NOV-OCT ALARM MONITORING 82-820-54-00-5495 345.60INVOICE TOTAL: * Page 1 of 11
DATE: 12/18/17 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:11:12 MANUAL CHECK REGISTERID: AP225000.CBLCHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE ITEM CHECK INVOICE # DATE # DESCRIPTION DATE ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 900053 FNBO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OMAHA 12/25/17 122517-D.DEBOARD 11/30/17 01 HOME DEPO-WREATH, POINTSETTIAS 82-820-56-00-5610 60.86 02 FLOOR GUARDS ** COMMENT **INVOICE TOTAL: 60.86 * 122517-E.TOPPER 11/30/17 01 AMAZON-TONER 82-820-56-00-5610 261.38 02 AMAZON-TONER 82-820-56-00-5610 187.78 03 AMAZON-CORRECTION TAPE, TONER 82-820-56-00-5610 204.00 04 AMAZON PRIME MONTHLY FEE 82-820-56-00-5610 10.99INVOICE TOTAL: 664.15 * Page 2 of 11
DATE: 12/18/17 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:11:12 MANUAL CHECK REGISTERID: AP225000.CBLCHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE ITEM CHECK INVOICE # DATE # DESCRIPTION DATE ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 900053 FNBO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OMAHA 12/25/17 122517-J.WEISS 11/30/17 01 DOLLAR TREE-SUPPLIES FOR 82-820-56-00-5671 21.00 02 CHILDREN'S PROGRAMING ** COMMENT ** 03 WALMART-SUPPLIES FOR CHILDRENS 82-820-56-00-5671 54.80 04 PROGRAMING ** COMMENT **INVOICE TOTAL: 75.80 * 122517-M.EBERHARDT 11/30/17 01 MCDONALDS-GIFT CARD 82-000-24-00-2480 20.00 02 NCG CINEMA-GIFT CARD 82-000-24-00-2480 20.00INVOICE TOTAL: 40.00 * Page 3 of 11
DATE: 12/18/17 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:11:12 MANUAL CHECK REGISTERID: AP225000.CBLCHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE ITEM CHECK INVOICE # DATE # DESCRIPTION DATE ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 900053 FNBO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OMAHA 12/25/17 122517-S.AUGUSTINE 11/30/17 01 AMAZON-LABELS 82-820-56-00-5610 26.94 02 JEWEL-COFFEE, COFFEE CAKE 82-820-56-00-5671 13.60 03 IMPRINT-TABLE THROW & RUNNER 82-000-24-00-2480 187.08INVOICE TOTAL: 227.62 * 122517-S.IWANSKI 11/30/17 01 VISTA PRINT-LIBRARY BUSINESS 82-820-56-00-5610 28.78 02 CARDS ** COMMENT ** 03 POSTAGE FOR BOOKS 82-820-54-00-5452 27.82INVOICE TOTAL: 56.60 * 727$/$028173$,' Page 4 of 11
82-820 LIBRARY OPERATIONS 83-830 LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE 84-840 LIBRARY CAPITAL DATE: 01/03/18 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:18:40 CHECK REGISTERPRG ID: AP215000.WOW CHECK DATE: 01/08/18CHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE INVOICE ITEM NUMBER DATE # DESCRIPTION ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 104454 ALLVAC MICHAEL C. GOLICH 13946 12/04/17 01 VACUUM REPAIR 82-820-54-00-5495 103.85 INVOICE TOTAL: 103.85 * CHECK TOTAL: 103.85 104455 BAKTAY BAKER & TAYLOR 2033341157 12/04/17 01 BOOKS 82-000-24-00-2480 61.29 02 BOOKS 84-840-56-00-5686 302.42 INVOICE TOTAL: 363.71 * 2033364967 12/13/17 01 BOOKS 84-840-56-00-5686 149.52 INVOICE TOTAL: 149.52 * 2033372209 12/15/17 01 BOOKS 82-000-24-00-2480 599.34 INVOICE TOTAL: 599.34 * CHECK TOTAL: 1,112.57 104456 CHITRIB CHICAGO TRIBUNE 13975279-112817 11/28/17 01 BEACON NEWS ANNUAL RENEWAL 82-820-54-00-5460 130.00 INVOICE TOTAL: 130.00 * CHECK TOTAL: 130.00 104457 ERICSCUT ERIC K HILL 12001 12/01/17 01 FALL CLEAN UP, CLEAN GUTTERS 82-820-54-00-5495 1,910.00 INVOICE TOTAL: 1,910.00 * CHECK TOTAL: 1,910.00 104458 IDLABEL ID LABEL, INC.Page 5 of 11
82-820 LIBRARY OPERATIONS 83-830 LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE 84-840 LIBRARY CAPITAL DATE: 01/03/18 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:18:40 CHECK REGISTERPRG ID: AP215000.WOW CHECK DATE: 01/08/18CHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE INVOICE ITEM NUMBER DATE # DESCRIPTION ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 104458 IDLABEL ID LABEL, INC. 0101139-IN 05/16/17 01 LIBRARY BAR CODES 82-820-56-00-5610 185.40 INVOICE TOTAL: 185.40 * CHECK TOTAL: 185.40 104459 MIDWTAPE MIDWEST TAPE 95632418 12/05/17 01 DVDS 82-820-56-00-5685 51.97 INVOICE TOTAL: 51.97 * 95649185 12/11/17 01 DVD 82-000-24-00-2480 17.99 INVOICE TOTAL: 17.99 * 95671299 12/18/17 01 DVD 82-820-56-00-5685 22.99 INVOICE TOTAL: 22.99 * 95686677 12/22/17 01 DVD 82-000-24-00-2480 22.99 02 DVD 82-820-56-00-5685 40.98 INVOICE TOTAL: 63.97 * CHECK TOTAL: 156.92 104460 MVB MECHANICAL VIBRATION & 10781 12/13/17 01 REPLACE SHAFT AND BEARINGS ON 82-820-54-00-5495 4,740.00 02 AHU-1 RETURN FAN ** COMMENT ** INVOICE TOTAL: 4,740.00 * CHECK TOTAL: 4,740.00 104461 THYSSEN THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR CORP 3003596057 12/13/17 01 11/041/17-01/31/18 ELEVATOR 82-820-54-00-5495 525.00 02 MAINTENANCE BILLING ** COMMENT ** INVOICE TOTAL: 525.00 * CHECK TOTAL: 525.00Page 6 of 11
82-820 LIBRARY OPERATIONS 83-830 LIBRARY DEBT SERVICE 84-840 LIBRARY CAPITAL DATE: 01/03/18 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE TIME: 11:18:40 CHECK REGISTERPRG ID: AP215000.WOW CHECK DATE: 01/08/18CHECK # VENDOR # INVOICE INVOICE ITEM NUMBER DATE # DESCRIPTION ACCOUNT # ITEM AMT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 104462 YOUNGM MARLYS J. YOUNG 121117 12/26/17 01 DEC 11 LIBRARY MEETING MINUTES 82-820-54-00-5462 50.75 INVOICE TOTAL: 50.75 * CHECK TOTAL: 50.75 TOTAL AMOUNT PAID: 8,914.49Page 7 of 11
REGULAR OVERTIME TOTAL IMRF FICA TOTALSADMINISTRATION16,535.21$ -$ 16,535.21 1,782.49$ 810.84$ 19,128.54$ FINANCE9 350 86-9 350 861 024 19701 0611 076 11$UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLEPAYROLL SUMMARYDecember 1, 2017FINANCE9,350.86 - 9,350.86 1,024.19 701.06 11,076.11$ POLICE113,436.82 10,205.81 123,642.63 583.94 9,213.86 133,440.43$ COMMUNITY DEV.15,567.55 - 15,567.55 1,643.42 1,160.39 18,371.36$ STREETS13,066.46 - 13,066.46 1,408.56 962.40 15,437.42$ WATER15,742.24 353.06 16,095.30 1,699.51 1,174.41 18,969.22$ SEWER8,171.34 190.00 8,361.34 917.52 633.70 9,912.56$ PARKS15,566.26 174.41 15,740.67 1,696.85 1,152.97 18,590.49$ RECREATION12,915.28 - 12,915.28 1,147.17 964.73 15,027.18$ LIBRARY15,110.74 - 15,110.74 879.91 1,125.92 17,116.57$ TOTALS235,462.76$ 10,923.28$ 246,386.04$ 12,783.56$ 17,900.28$ 277,069.88$ TOTAL PAYROLL277,069.88$ Page 8 of 11
REGULAR OVERTIME TOTAL IMRF FICA TOTALSMAYOR & LIQ. COM.908.34$ -$ 908.34$ -$ 69.49$ 977.83$ CLERK583.34 - 583.34 8.98 44.61 636.93 TREASURER83.34 - 83.34 8.98 6.36 98.68 ALDERMAN3,900.00-3,900.00-287.054,187.05UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLEPAYROLL SUMMARYDecember 15, 2017ALDERMAN3,900.00 - 3,900.00 - 287.05 4,187.05 ADMINISTRATION16,766.01 - 16,766.01 1,807.39 828.51 19,401.91 FINANCE9,350.85 - 9,350.85 1,008.02 689.60 11,048.47 POLICE107,503.14 3,415.34 110,918.48 583.94 7,951.00 119,453.42 COMMUNITY DEV.15,608.05 - 15,608.05 1,627.25 1,152.00 18,387.30 STREETS13,066.46 863.63 13,930.09 1,501.65 1,025.67 16,457.41 WATER16,561.68 39.61 16,601.29 1,691.01 1,214.49 19,506.79 SEWER8,171.35 - 8,171.35 880.87 607.68 9,659.90 PARKS15,969.14 - 15,969.14 1,721.47 1,171.88 18,862.49 RECREATION13,824.17 - 13,824.17 1,161.26 1,026.61 16,012.04 LIBRARY15,910.29 - 15,910.29 879.91 1,187.08 17,977.28 TOTALS238,206.16$ 4,318.58$ 242,524.74$ 12,880.73$ 17,262.03$ 272,667.50$ TOTAL PAYROLL272,667.50$ Page 9 of 11
REGULAR OVERTIME TOTAL IMRF FICA TOTALSADMINISTRATION17,112.17$ -$ 17,112.17 1,844.71$ 885.72$ 19,842.60$FINANCE9 350 84-9 350 841 008 02706 8511 065 71$UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLEPAYROLL SUMMARYDecember 29, 2017FINANCE9,350.84-9,350.841,008.02706.8511,065.71$POLICE107,768.21 551.50 108,319.71 583.94 7,886.13 116,789.78$COMMUNITY DEV.16,148.56 - 16,148.56 1,627.25 1,218.36 18,994.17$STREETS13,417.95 - 13,417.95 1,408.56 1,009.61 15,836.12$WATER14,551.04 1,094.48 15,645.52 1,652.64 1,170.61 18,468.77$SEWER9,121.37 - 9,121.37 983.28 682.23 10,786.88$PARKS15,657.29 - 15,657.29 1,687.86 1,197.79 18,542.94$RECREATION14,901.86 - 14,901.86 1,306.38 1,136.89 17,345.13$LIBRARY15,358.25 - 15,358.25 879.91 1,170.51 17,408.67$TOTALS233,387.54$ 1,645.98$ 235,033.52$ 12,982.55$ 17,064.70$ 265,080.77$TOTAL PAYROLL265,080.77$Page 10 of 11
Library CC Check Register (Pages 1 ‐4)12/25/2017 $2,942.27
Library Check Register ‐ (Pages 5 ‐ 7)01/08/2018 $8,914.49
Sunlife ‐ Dec 2017 Dental Ins 12/12/2017 $423.27
IPRF ‐Jan 2018 Workers Comp 12/12/2017 $915.77
Nicor ‐10/31‐11/30 services 12/12/2017 $954.24
Flex ‐Nov 2017 HRA &FSA Fees 12/20/2017 $19 00
YORKVILLE LIBRARY BOARD
BILL LIST SUMMARY
Monday, January 08, 2018
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Flex ‐ Nov 2017 HRA & FSA Fees 12/20/2017 $19.00
Mesirow ‐ 2018 Service Fee 12/20/2017 $412.16
Dearborne National ‐ Jan 2018 Life Ins 12/20/2017 $34.66
Dearborne National ‐ Jan 2018 Vision Ins 12/20/2017 $58.40
BCBS ‐ Jan 2018 Health Insurance 12/20/2017 $5,325.68
TOTAL BILLS PAID: $19,999.94
DATE
Bi‐weekly (Page 8)12/01/2017 $17,116.57
Bi‐weekly (Page 9)12/15/2017 $17,977.28
Bi‐weekly (Page 10)12/29/2017 $17,408.67
TOTAL PAYROLL:$52,502.52
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS:$72,502.46
PAYROLL
Page 11 of 11
LIBRARY DIRECTOR REPORT— DECEMBER 2017
Facilities Management Air Handler motor and belts installed.
Yorkville Library Sign-Electrician called.
HVAC Company (Artlip) replaced filters in MeetingRoom.
(Waiting for proposal for Maintenance Agreement).
Met with Four Seasons Landscaping & Received Proposal.
Coordinating our fire extinguishers service with the City
reducing our costs.
Public Relations WSPY Broadcast (YS Managers) 12/1/17
Meetings Met with Bart Olson on Intergovernmental Agreement
11/18/17
Friends Meeting 12/11/17
Training Participated in the online class for Sierra.
Staff Recruitment We interviewed 4 candidates and hired 2: 1 for Circ and 1
for Youth Services.
Schools IGA Contacted the 4 libraries in Illinois to obtain copies of their
IGA’s (received 2/4 to date) Will report at February
meeting.
Staff Holiday Lunch Hosted a holiday pizza lunch for staff.
Programs, Activities
Adult Programs Evening Book Club No Meeting
Men’s Book Club No Meeting
Friends Meeting 13
Threads and More 18
TOTAL ADULT ATTENDANCE 31
Young Adult Programs Teen Meeting -TAG 18
TOTAL YA ATTENDANCE 18
Children Programs Drop-In Storytime 9
Tots and Toddlers (2 programs) 50
Afternoon/Morning Read (2 programs) 12
Lego Club Duplo 11
Lego Club 9
Book Club (Grades 1-2) 6
Dance Party 11
Ice Cream Book Club 5
Panera Storytime 40
Literacy Center 8
Cards for Kids 18
Cookie Decorating 5
3D Printer 7
Beginning Read 3
Polar Express 131
Santa 177
TOTAL CHILDREN’S ATTENDANCE 502
Passive programs included: Traced hand wreath (32), Reindeer Ornament-
make/take (42), Snowman ornament (47), Snowman stick ornament (53).
Computer Use Adult 277
Young Adult 22
Children 35
Express 22
TOTAL COMPUTER USE 356
Database & E-book Use Ancestry Not Available
Gale Not Available
Omni E-Book 621 E-Audio 246 (Users) 202
E-Read IL 10 E-Book Audio 39 (Users)16
Circulation Checkouts 10,639
New Patrons Added 76
New Items Added 261
Teen Volunteers Morgan Rustsay, Mikayla Mika, Juleah Richardson, Naytona
Faedtke, Rachel Robinette, Halle Jones, Sydney Klebenow, Skyler Krantz, Riley
Benning, Brooklyn Souza, Alexa Roehr, Estella Tejada, Mark Sanford, Katyln Tugman,
Leah English, Zach Weiss, Kurt Bowen.
Adult Volunteers Theron Garcia (Dance Party), Yorkville Jr. Women’s Club (Drop
In Story Time, Joe Gillespie (Santa) and Kurt Bowen (3D Printer)
Meeting Room 3 Rental, 5 Programs
Patron Count 4168
Proctored Test 1
Grants Did not receive the grant for the IEEE Science Kits for Public Libraries
(Very Competitive—over 15 applications and 2 awards).
Gifts, Donations and Memorials One brick submitted for engraving.
Medical Emergency Patron was semi-conscious upstairs, 911 called. We will be having
a CPR and First Aid class for our Spring Staff Training Event.
YORKVILLE STATISTICS FOR FY18
Month
All
Transactions
checkouts+
renewals checkouts renewals
all holds
placed
holds
filled checkins usage
Items lent
to other
libraries
Items
borrowed
from
other
libraries
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Reciprocal
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atYorkville
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added
Total
items
Patrons
added
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patrons
e-
commerce
MAY 12,510 6,087 5,275 812 334 1,160 4,929 0 535 932 266 437 111 492.84
JUNE 17,149 8,616 7,531 1,085 413 1,507 6,613 0 598 1,266 425 310 184 405.54
JUL 16,457 7,641 6,569 1,072 437 1,468 6,911 0 604 1,217 258 305 146 296.55
AUG 15,773 7,313 6,221 1,092 367 1,550 6,542 1 699 1,290 220 272 142 203.95
SEP 13,260 6,043 5,104 939 421 1,499 5,297 0 615 1,263 207 325 113 147.70
OCT 14,168 6,723 5,693 1,030 416 1,470 5,559 0 660 1,236 325 481 113 361.20
NOV 13,625 6,322 5,421 901 306 1,432 5,565 0 716 1,169 247 418 80 174.85
DEC 10,639 4,958 4,009 949 307 1,023 4,351 0 565 831 220 261 76 169.60
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
DATABASE USEAGE FOR FY18
ANCESTRY GALE E-READ IL OMNI WORLDCAT ILL
SEARCHES HITS SESSIONS SEARCHES E-BOOK E-AUDIO USERS E-BOOK E-AUDIO USERS VIDEO LENT BORROWED
MAY 189 70 6 34 14 15 13 642 216 208 2 27 21
JUN 90 30 6 20 5 8 13 723 191 210 1 12 19
JUL 38 18 8 22 22 10 13 797 231 203 0 12 14
AUG 280 159 1 7 16 15 16 676 222 214 1 23 14
SEP 110 22 12 88 27 15 21 665 228 198 0 18 6
OCT 219 72 23 51 23 29 19 586 258 204 1 22 9
NOV 236 118 6 18 21 54 22 559 220 190 0 32 5
DEC 10 39 16 621 246 202 0
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
1
Yorkville Public Library Policy Manual
Section Personnel—Conditions of Work
L. POLICY PROHIBITING SEXUAL HARASSMENTi
I. PROHIBITION ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT
It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sex. The courts have determined that sexual
harassment is a form of discrimination under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in
1991. All persons have a right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment. Sexual
harassment is unacceptable misconduct which affects individuals of all genders and sexual orientations.
It is a policy of The Yorkville Public Library to prohibit harassment of any person by any municipal
official, municipal agent, municipal employee or municipal agency or office on the basis of sex or gender.
All municipal officials, municipal agents, municipal employees and municipal agencies or offices are
prohibited from sexually harassing any person, regardless of any employment relationship or lack
thereof.
II. DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
This policy adopts the definition of sexual harassment as stated in the Illinois Human Rights Act, which
currently defines sexual harassment as:
Any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when:
(1) Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual’s employment,
(2) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment
decisions affecting such individual, or
(3) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work
performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
Conduct which may constitute sexual harassment includes:
Verbal: sexual innuendos, suggestive comments, insults, humor, and jokes about sex, anatomy
or gender-specific traits, sexual propositions, threats, repeated requests for dates, or
statements about other employees, even outside of their presence, of a sexual nature.
Non-verbal: suggestive or insulting sounds (whistling), leering, obscene gestures, sexually
suggestive bodily gestures, “catcalls”, “smacking” or “kissing” noises.
Visual: posters, signs, pin-ups or slogans of a sexual nature, viewing pornographic material or
websites.
Physical: touching, unwelcome hugging or kissing, pinching, brushing the body, any coerced
sexual act or actual assault.
2
Textual/Electronic: “sexting” (electronically sending messages with sexual content, including
pictures and video), the use of sexually explicit language, harassment, cyber stalking and threats
via all forms of electronic communication (e-mail, text/picture/video messages, intranet/on-line
postings, blogs, instant messages and social network websites like Facebook and Twitter).
The most severe and overt forms of sexual harassment are easier to determine. On the other end of the
spectrum, some sexual harassment is more subtle and depends, to some extent, on individual
perception and interpretation. The courts will assess sexual harassment by a standard of what would
offend a “reasonable person.”
III. PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING AN ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
An employee who either observes sexual harassment or believes herself/himself to be the object of
sexual harassment should deal with the incident(s) as directly and firmly as possible by clearly
communicating her/his position to the offending employee, and her/his immediate supervisor. It is not
necessary for sexual harassment to be directed at the person making the report.
Any employee may report conduct which is believed to be sexual harassment, including the following:
Electronic/Direct Communication. If there is sexual harassing behavior in the workplace, the
harassed employee should directly and clearly express her/his objection that the conduct is
unwelcome and request that the offending behavior stop. The initial message may be verbal. If
subsequent messages are needed, they should be put in writing in a note or a memo.
Contact with Supervisory Personnel. At the same time direct communication is undertaken, or in
the event the employee feels threatened or intimidated by the situation, the problem must be
promptly reported to the immediate supervisor of the person making the report, a department
head, a director of human resources, an ethics officer, the city manager or administrator, or the
chief executive officer of the municipality.
The employee experiencing what he or she believes to be sexual harassment must not assume
that the employer is aware of the conduct. If there are no witnesses and the victim fails to notify
a supervisor or other responsible officer, the municipality will not be presumed to have
knowledge of the harassment.
Resolution Outside Municipality. The purpose of this policy is to establish prompt, thorough and
effective procedures for responding to every report and incident so that problems can be
identified and remedied by the municipality. However, all municipal employees have the right to
contact the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) for information regarding filing a formal complaint with those entities. An
IDHR complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged incident(s) unless it is a continuing
offense. A complaint with the EEOC must be filed within 300 days.
Documentation of any incident may be submitted with any report (what was said or done, the date, the
time and the place), including, but not limited to, written records such as letters, notes, memos and
telephone messages.
3
All allegations, including anonymous reports, will be accepted and investigated regardless of how the
matter comes to the attention of the municipality. However, because of the serious implications of
sexual harassment charges and the difficulties associated with their investigation and the questions of
credibility involved, the claimant’s willing cooperation is a vital component of an effective inquiry and an
appropriate outcome.
IV. PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION FOR REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS
No municipal official, municipal agency, municipal employee or municipal agency or office shall take any
retaliatory action against any municipal employee due to a municipal employee’s:
1. Disclosure or threatened disclosure of any violation of this policy,
2. The provision of information related to or testimony before any public body conducting an
investigation, hearing or inquiry into any violation of this policy, or
3. Assistance or participation in a proceeding to enforce the provisions of this policy.
For the purposes of this policy, retaliatory action means the reprimand, discharge, suspension,
demotion, denial of promotion or transfer, or change in the terms or conditions of employment of any
municipal employee that is taken in retaliation for a municipal employee’s involvement in protected
activity pursuant to this policy.
No individual making a report will be retaliated against even if a report made in good faith is not
substantiated. In addition, any witness will be protected from retaliation.
Similar to the prohibition against retaliation contained herein, the State Officials and Employees Ethics
Act (5 ILCS 430/15-10) provides whistleblower protection from retaliatory action such as reprimand,
discharge, suspension, demotion, or denial of promotion or transfer that occurs in retaliation for an
employee who does any of the following:
1. Discloses or threatens to disclose to a supervisor or to a public body an activity, policy, or
practice of any officer, member, State agency, or other State employee that the State employee
reasonably believes is in violation of a law, rule, or regulation,
2. Provides information to or testifies before any public body conducting an investigation, hearing,
or inquiry into any violation of a law, rule, or regulation by any officer, member, State agency or
other State employee, or
3. Assists or participates in a proceeding to enforce the provisions of the State Officials and
Employees Ethics Act.
Pursuant to the Whistleblower Act (740 ILCS 174/15(a)), an employer may not retaliate against an
employee who discloses information in a court, an administrative hearing, or before a legislative
commission or committee, or in any other proceeding, where the employee has reasonable cause to
believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. In
addition, an employer may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government
or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information
discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. (740 ILCS 174/15(b)).
4
According to the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/6-101), it is a civil rights violation for a person, or
for two or more people to conspire, to retaliate against a person because he/she has opposed that
which he/she reasonably and in good faith believes to be sexual harassment in employment, because
he/she has made a charge, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation,
proceeding, or hearing under the Illinois Human Rights Act.
An employee who is suddenly transferred to a lower paying job or passed over for a promotion after
filing a complaint with IDHR or EEOC, may file a retaliation charge – due within 180 days (IDHR) or 300
days (EEOC) of the alleged retaliation.
V. CONSEQUENCES OF A VIOLATION OF THE PROHIBITION ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT
In addition to any and all other discipline that may be applicable pursuant to municipal policies,
employment agreements, procedures, employee handbooks and/or collective bargaining agreement,
any person who violates this policy or the Prohibition on Sexual Harassment contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-
65, may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 per offense, applicable discipline or discharge by the
municipality and any applicable fines and penalties established pursuant to local ordinance, State law or
Federal law. Each violation may constitute a separate offense. Any discipline imposed by the
municipality shall be separate and distinct from any penalty imposed by an ethics commission and any
fines or penalties imposed by a court of law or a State or Federal agency.
VI. CONSEQUENCES FOR KNOWINGLY MAKING A FALSE REPORT
A false report is a report of sexual harassment made by an accuser using the sexual harassment report
to accomplish some end other than stopping sexual harassment or retaliation for reporting sexual
harassment. A false report is not a report made in good faith which cannot be proven. Given the
seriousness of the consequences for the accused, a false or frivolous report is a severe offense that can
itself result in disciplinary action. Any person who intentionally makes a false report alleging a violation
of any provision of this policy shall be subject to discipline or discharge pursuant to applicable municipal
policies, employment agreements, procedures, employee handbooks and/or collective bargaining
agreements.
In addition, any person who intentionally makes a false report alleging a violation of any provision of the
State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to an ethics commission, an inspector general, the State Police,
a State’s Attorney, the Attorney General, or any other law enforcement official is guilty of a Class A
misdemeanor. An ethics commission may levy an administrative fine of up to $5,000 against any person
who intentionally makes a false, frivolous or bad faith allegation.
i This policy was drafted using the Illinois Department of Human Rights Sexual Harassment Model Policy and has
been modified to conform to Public Act 100-0554.
FIRE ◊ SECURITY ◊ VIDEO ◊ ACCESS CONTROL ◊ STRUCTURED WIRING ◊ PHONE ◊ INTERCOM ◊ SOUND
PO Box 629, 3 E Front St, Newark, IL 60541 ◊ Phone (815) 496-3000 ◊ Fax (815) 496-2777 ◊ www.correctelectric.us
PROPOSAL
January 3rd, 2018
Yorkville Public Library
Elisa Topper
902 Game Farm Rd.
Yorkville, IL 60560 Elisa.topper@yorkville.lib.il.us
630-553-4354 ext. 117
REFERENCE: Yorkville Public Library
We propose to provide the necessary labor and material to complete the following:
We have determined that an underground parking lot lighting and sign feed has gone
bad shorting out the wires. We were unable to pull the wires out leading us to
believe the underground conduit has been broken and that is what caused the wires
to short out. We propose to bore a 1” conduit under the blacktop parking lot from
pole base to pole base. We will then connect the pipe to the conduit coming out of
the bases under grade if possible or pipe up side of base if need be. We will pull in
new wire between the poles. Splices will be made as required and tested complete.
TOTAL PRICE…………………………………………………$5,285.00
Permit and/or application fees, if required, are by Owner.
All material is guaranteed to be as specified, and the above work to be performed in accordance with the drawings
and specifications submitted for the above work and completed in a substantial workmanlike manner for the sum
of: $ 5,285.00
Payment will be made as follows, pay-outs as job proceeds, with minimum monthly pay-outs, balance due upon
completion. Finance charges will apply (1 ½% monthly) unless previously arranged. Customer shall be liable for
all reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, finance charges, and expenses that may be incurred as a result of
failure to make payment. Correct Electric Inc. pays all applicable state sales taxes.
FIRE ◊ SECURITY ◊ VIDEO ◊ ACCESS CONTROL ◊ STRUCTURED WIRING ◊ PHONE ◊ INTERCOM ◊ SOUND
Any alteration or deviation from above specifications involving extra costs, will be executed only upon written
orders, and will become an extra charge over and above the estimate. All agreements contingent upon strikes,
accidents or delays beyond our control. Owner to carry fire, tornado and other necessary insurance upon above
work.
Respectfully submitted by: Ryan Mason SIGNATURE: Ryan Mason
Project Manager
NOTE: We may withdraw this proposal if not accepted within 90 days.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
I am authorized to approve this work as specified. The above prices, specifications and conditions
are satisfactory and are hereby accepted. Payment will be made as outlined and taken above.
PURCHASE ORDER #_____________ SIGNATURE: _______________________________
DATE PRINTED NAME:
Crossing Over | Christian Fiction Genre Spotlight
reviews.libraryjournal.com/2014/11/books/genre-fiction/christian-fiction/crossing-over-christian-fiction-genre-spotlight/
It is no shocker that the publishing game is undergoing rapid-fire change. The astonishing
growth in self-publishing (over half a million self-published titles were released in 2013, up 400
percent since 2008, according to a recent Bowker report), the continued improvements in
ereaders and digital reading apps, the rise in print on demand, and mergers among the Big Six
(now Big Five) publishers are creating ripple effects throughout the industry.
How are Christian publishers keeping pace? Cat Hoort, the marketing and publicity manager
for Abingdon Fiction, finds the ever-evolving fiction market particularly challenging. “We
frequently see shifts in the popularity of genres, and we all know that ebooks changed the
game entirely, not only in pricing, distribution, and content (such as digital bundles and now
tweetable ebooks) but—perhaps most importantly—in discoverability. Direct-to-consumer
promotion is now more important than ever.” Change is not new, she argues. Publishers that
can adapt to the changes are still going to be successful.
CF’s growing mainstream appeal
1/12
One way publishers are adapting is by reaching new audiences; for secular houses that
means acquiring Christian fiction imprints and buying titles specifically designed to appeal to
value-driven readers. This trend is especially notable in the romance category; despite the
current craze for erotic romance, there remain plenty of fans who prefer a more traditional or
gentle love story. If the Christian content is subtle and organic, such readers are willing to
consider an inspirational novel. “I think we’ll see mainstream readers who prefer less explicit
stories start to gravitate toward Christian romance,” says Christina Boys, a senior editor for
Hachette’s FaithWords/Center Street imprints.
Grand Central publicist Julie Paulauski agrees. “Romance readers are voracious in
consumption and diverse in taste, so our editorial team is always looking for all types of stories
within the genre.” She cites two upcoming World War I novels from the publisher’s Forever
imprint—Stacy Henrie’s Hope Rising (Dec.) and A Hope Remembered (Mar. 2015)—that will
be marketed to both the inspirational and the mainstream demographic.
“I love Stacy’s willingness to fearlessly cross boundaries,” says associate editor Lauren Plude,
who acquired these books because she enjoyed them so much. “The ‘Of Love and War’ series
dips its toe into women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, and Christian fiction. In many ways
this series is undefinable—which I think makes her universally appealing.”
Crossover opportunities
If mainstream romance fans are increasingly willing to sample CF, inspirational readers—and
publishers—are also more open to new genres. Sarah Freese, an agent at Wordserve Literary
(a Christian-based agency whose clients include award winners Julie Cantrell, Katie Ganshert,
and Jody Hedlund), notices more Christian readers accepting stories that fall under the literary
fiction category. “While there are still rules and expectations within the CBA [Christian
Booksellers Association], more readers are open to Christian fiction that [doesn’t offer] ‘typical
Evangelical’ answers.”
Concurring with Freese’s assessment is Chip MacGregor, president of MacGregor Literary;
among his clients are popular CBA author Mindy Starns Clark and best-selling crossover
author Susan Meissner. “I see several CBA publishers trying to create fiction that is less
constrained by strict Christian fundamentalist restrictions.”
Among them is the UK’s largest Christian publisher, Lion Hudson; its Lion Fiction imprint offers
historical, mystery, contemporary, and fantasy titles that appeal to both religious and secular
readers. [See Barbara Hoffert’s “Spotlight on Lion Fiction” for a full profile (ow.ly/DpWN5).—
Ed.] Noelle Pederson, the marketing and publicity manager for Kregel Publications, which
represents Lion Fiction in the United States, points to the crossover success of Elizabeth
Flynn’s debut 2013 mystery, Game, Set and Murder,which attracted the attention of Gothic
Bookshop’s (Durham, NC) International Mystery Book Club. When Dead Gorgeous, the
second title in Flynn’s “D.I. Costello” series, publishes in November, Kregel’s marketing push
will focus on both Christian and secular mystery outlets.
2/12
Testing new waters
Also seeking new opportunities is best-selling CF author Davis Bunn, who is set to release a
completely new brand of novels, published by Revell Books, under the pseudonym Thomas
Locke. “These novels will provide the same suspense and intrigue that his readers have come
to expect, but with story lines targeted to the general market,” explains Revell publicist Claudia
Marsh. His first Locke book, Emissary , is an epic fantasy (Jan. 2015), something new for
Bunn, although he is an avid fan of the genre. In June arrives the second Locke title, Trial
Run, a technothriller that launches the “Fault Lines” series.
Another award-winning CBA writer navigating the general market is Susan Meissner, whose
second mainstream novel with NAL will be released in February. Dovetailing between the
perspectives of a modern American scholar and a fashion designer during the London Blitz,
Secrets of a Charmed Life examines the impact the choices we make have on our beliefs and
behaviors.
As Meissner’s success demonstrates, women’s fiction continues to be a strong draw for
crossover audiences, especially for those readers who gravitate to Debbie Macomber and
Jodi Picoult. “We’ve watched Julie Cantrell achieve great crossover success,” says Abingdon’s
Hoort, “and we expect to see more of this from such authors as Cynthia Ruchti.” Ruchti’s
upcoming novel, As Waters Gone By (May 2015), is a story of spouses separated by hardship
attempting to save a desperate marriage.
Diluting the message?
Does the mainstreaming of Christian fiction mean a watered-down faith element? Bethany
House marketing vice president Steve Oates stresses that a house’s publishing philosophy is
more important than whether the ownership is Christian. And author Ruchti, who is also the
professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), argues that
secular companies can in fact connect readers who might not otherwise consider inspirational
fiction. Recognizing CF’s clout, such publishers are not interested in diluting the very element
that makes such fiction popular.
Abingdon’s Hoort doesn’t expect either secular or CBA publishers to abandon their core
readers, believing it to be a “both and” situation. “There will still be future releases for readers
who want a clear Gospel message in their novels alongside books that are clean, fun, and
3/12
inspiring but not overtly religious.” She points to Sharyn McCrumb’s Christmas novella Nora
Bonesteel’s Christmas Past (Abingdon, Nov.) as an example.
“Christian readers may find a Matthew 7:12/Golden Rule sort of inspiration, while at the same
time crossover and mainstream readers will enjoy this as a fun read that includes the
characters and setting that they’ve come to love—the very elements that have made McCrumb
a repeated New York Times best seller,” Hoort says.
Going indie
Once considered a domain for those whose books couldn’t find a home at a traditional house,
self-publishing is attracting even best-selling writers. Some are going this route to bring their
out-of-print titles back into circulation without the high costs of traditional publishing. Other
authors are using it as a tool to “build momentum” for hungry readers in between their book
contracts. Still others are pleased with the greater control self-publishing puts into their hands,
such as over the elements of pricing and timing.
Still, ACFW’s Ruchti maintains that the most successful independent authors are those who
“cut their teeth” and built experience in the traditional publishing world. Karen Watson, Tyndale
House associate publisher, fiction, agrees, noting that independent publishing can be a good
source of income for established authors. But she questions whether it can be used as
replacement income—even for those with a name in the industry. “What this will mean for
these authors long- term is still too early to tell.”
For the moment, CF houses like Thomas Nelson and Tyndale House have picked up only a
few previously self-published writers, a tiny portion of their lists, but the publishers are paying
close attention to those indie authors who are building a fan base and who might be a good fit
for their programs. “I think that by and large, the attitude of traditional publishers toward self-
publishing has evolved from a sense of threat to a sense of opportunity,” says Thomas Nelson
VP and publisher Daisy Hutton.
The hybrid model
Where others might fear to tread, small hybrid houses like Oklahoma-based Redbud Press are
springing up to bridge the gap between self-publishing and the traditional model. Launched this
year by authors Regina Jennings, Lacy Williams, and Erin Taylor Young, the self-described
boutique publisher is using the digital-first and print-on-demand model. “We believe there is a
need for more short inspirational romances (45,000–60,000 words), and we’ve also seen that
many authors are nervous about taking the leap into self-publishing and want someone to
manage the business side for them,” explains Williams, who is Redbud’s managing editor. “We
are a traditional publisher in the sense that we maintain control of the print and ebook rights
and final decisions on cover art and edits, but we are employing many of the same marketing
tactics that successful self-published authors and online marketing gurus are using.”
4/12
Scheduled for a March 2015 rollout, Redbud’s initial list includes Cheryl Wyatt’s Out of the
Deep, the first of a three-book series featuring Coast Guard heroes, and Susan Crawford’s
debut novel, Saving Justice,about a teacher who clashes with a wealthy entrepreneur over an
at-risk youth. “While many of the current contemporary romances feature small-town or
Western settings, this novel takes place in an urban setting,” says Williams. Redbud is also
actively acquiring backlist titles of authors who fit its readership.
Agent MacGregor represents numerous hybrid authors (authors who do some self-publishing
as well as some traditional publishing), and he is encouraging most writers to consider that
direction. “I think we’ve developed two basic markets—one for largely self-published authors,
another for traditionally published authors.”
History in the making
Though Civil War novels and historicals set in the Old West are still favored by CBA readers,
opportunities in new periods beyond the classic American frontier are emerging as a result of
the mainstream popularity of early to mid-20th-century periods. “As the mainstream and
Christian markets become more entwined, each market seems to influence the other,”
comments FaithWords’ Boys.
The success of Downton Abbey (the new season starts in January on PBS) and this year’s
World War I and World War II anniversaries (the centennial of the Great War’s start; the 70th
anniversary of the D-day landings) continue to spur reader interest in both global conflicts.
Shannon Marchese, fiction editor for WaterBrook/Multnomah, believes these trends will
continue for a while, especially as the news from the real world feels overwhelming. “These
are examples from history of triumph over evil and people of strength and faith carrying on
after devastating experiences.”
“The World War II anniversary celebrations have been extensive in the UK and have quite
captured the imagination there,” explains Kregel’s Pederson. “Lion Fiction is contributing to that
zeal but combining it with its growing reputation as a mystery publisher to present a new hard-
boiled series [set in wartime London], ‘The Blitz Detective,’ with debut author Mike Hollow.”
The first book, Direct Hit, will publish next June. Kristy Cambron, author of the acclaimed The
Butterfly and the Violin,will revisit the Holocaust in the second entry in her “Hidden
Masterpiece” series, A Sparrow in Terezin (Thomas Nelson, Apr. 2015). As for the Great War,
Kate Breslin’s sophomore effort, Not by Sight (Bethany House, Aug. 2015), offers a look at the
role of spies in World War I England.
Bethany House acquisitions editor Raela Schoenherr also notices a surge in demand for
stories about the prewar and postwar eras. Sarah Loudin Thomas’s Miracle in a Dry Season
(Aug.), the first entry in her “Appalachian Blessing” series, “begins in the 1950s and is full of
heart and charm that serves as a nice foil to the darkness of the war years.” Next August,
Bethany House will publish Susan Ann Mason’s Irish Meadows, a debut novel that showcases
romance and family drama prior to World War I. The 1920s were a time of new freedom for
women and thus make the perfect period for A Flying Affair (FaithWords, Jun. 2015), Carla
5/12
Stewart’s historical novel about a female pilot navigating love and life that is sure to appeal to
readers with a strong sense of adventure. On Shifting Sand (Tyndale, Apr. 2015), Allison
Pittman’s latest historical, explores the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. Pittman and Stewart are
both multiaward winners known for their character-driven fiction.
Tyndale’s Watson has also seen in the last few years novels that are pulling from the late
1950s and early 1960s, a time of significant change involving civil rights, social justice, and
changing social mores. “There has been enough distance from those events to make them
historical and ripe for exploration.”
Seems like old times
Biblical fiction’s popularity ebbs and flows, according to Bethany House’s Schoenherr, but the
popularity of The Bible miniseries as well as the controversial release of Noah with Russell
Crowe and Ridley Scott’s upcoming film Exodus: Gods and Kings starring Christian Bale as
Moses “shows that ancient times hold new appeal.” If Scott’s film is a hit, there may be a ready
audience for Cliff Graham’s Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus (Bethany House, May 2015), a
gritty action-filled saga about Old Testament heroes Joshua and Caleb. Jill Eileen Smith’s
“Daughters of the Promised Land” series launches next February with The Crimson Cord
(Revell), which retells the story from the Book of Joshua about Rahab the Jericho prostitute
who risks all to save Israelite spies.
A surprising entry in the New Testament genre is Ted Dekker, who turns to biblical fiction with
A.D. 30 (Center Street, Oct.; see starred review). In this interpretation of Jesus’s life, Dekker
(known for his chillers published by both CBA and mainstream houses) turns his thriller-writing
skills in a new direction, adding (in senior editor Boys’s words) “strong characters and settings
that bring history and the Bible to life, driven by action and adventure and some surprising
twists.”
The GOT effect
Literary agent Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency (which represents Vannetta Chapman and
Amanda Flower) likes to watch what is happening in television and film as early indicators of
possible trends. “With Game of Thrones, we are now seeing more medieval themes.” Why the
appeal of fiction set during the Middle Ages? Bethany House executive editor, fiction
6/12
acquisitions, David Long suggests that particular historical period “seems poised on the knife’s
edge of history and legend, fairy tale and real life…. There is a lasting appeal there that
crosses generations of readers.”
Coming in January from Bethany House is Dina Sleiman’s Dauntless, a debut adventure novel
that combines history, legend, and romance. With its heroine, a baron’s daughter–turned–
bandit, this is bound to attract Robin Hood buffs and readers who like strong female
protagonists in their historical fiction. For fans of George R.R. Martin’s and Bernard Cornwell’s
medieval dramas, there is John Sadler’s visceral Blood Divide: A Novel of Flodden Field (Lion
Fiction, Jan. 2015), which re-creates the bloody 1513 Battle of Flodden in which the English
forces slaughtered the Scottish king, James IV, and 15,000 soldiers.
December marks the publication of William Peak’s The Oblate’s Confession (Secant), a debut
historical novel about a seventh-century English monastery that takes readers “deep within the
mind-set and spirits of our Christian forefathers.” Ron Sauder, editor and publisher at Secant
Publishing, a small Maryland-based mainstream press specializing in new regional voices,
notes that this novel would appeal to “anyone who wants to reflect on the role of faith, and
prayer, in a time of great uncertainty.”
The rise of Christian sf/fantasy
For Kregel’s Pederson, the current medieval interest goes hand in hand with the rise in
popularity of fantasy and speculative fiction. “Thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien, much of fantasy
(Christian and otherwise) has a hint of the Middle Ages.” Anna Thayer, an English teacher who
lectures on Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, concludes her “Knight of Eldaran” trilogy with The Broken
Blade (Lion Fiction, Apr. 2015). Readers who admire Stephen R. Lawhead’s Celtic fantasies
will want to follow C.E. Laureano’s “Song of Seare” YA series about a young harpist’s journey
in a dangerous world ruled by the Red Druid; the second volume, Beneath the Forsaken City
(NavPress), releases in February.
Meanwhile, the dystopian craze shows no signs of abating. The genre, explains Pederson,
tells exciting stories with a strong moral message and, because of that, will remain popular in
Christian YA fiction. “It’s this sense of purpose that makes dystopian fiction, like our debut
author Marissa Shrock’s The First Principle (Jan. 2015), a good fit for a strong evangelical
publisher like Kregel.” Steve Laube, a literary agent and president of Enclave Publishing, sees
a certain fatigue in editors and booksellers. Still this past October Enclave published A Time To
Die, the first volume in Nadine Brandes’s “Out of Time” trilogy; when 17-year-old Parvin
Blackwater helps the rebels who destroy the clocks that determine their life span, she embarks
on a pilgrimage to find meaning in what remains of her own life.
One of the few CF publishers to specialize in Christian sf/fantasy, Enclave is the new name of
Marcher Lord Press, which Laube acquired from Jeff Gerke in 2013. Its other recent offerings
include military sf (J. Wesley Bush’s Knox’s Irregulars), space opera (Kathy Tyers’s
Firebird),fantasy (Gillian Bronte Adams’s Orphan’s Song), and YA speculative fiction (John W.
Otte’s Failstate Nemesis).
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End of end times?
With the success of the HBO series The Leftovers and the groundbreaking “Left Behind” series
by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, is there a resurgence in end-times fiction? Laube thinks
most other end-times apocalyptic novels have struggled to find a fraction of the book-buying
audience. (The 2014 Left Behind film starring Nicolas Cage was a critical and financial bomb.)
The Seymour Agency’s Gwinn disagrees. “With the recent flare-up of trouble in Israel, there
has been again a spike in end-times (Revelation) discussions. What we are seeing now is a
rise in popularity in themes where technology takes over to create blackouts and dystopian-
type situations.” She points to such new television series as The Last Ship (pandemic) and
Fallen Skies (aliens) as indicators of where this trend could be going. Tyndale’s Watson
foresees more merging of the two genres of end-times literature: dystopian and biblical. There
will be “less wrestling with the theology of end-times and more about waking up in a reality that
leaves no other choice for characters than to examine their own lives and eternal destiny.”
Whatever direction Christian speculative fiction takes, its growing popularity is encouraging
other CF authors to explore its imaginative possibilities. Next April, best-selling CBA author
Jennifer AlLee is stepping out of her women’s fiction shoes with Vinnie’s Diner (Abingdon),
about a most unusual roadside eatery, which Abingdon senior acquisitions editor Ramona
Richards hopes will open a few more doors for her and for the genre.
Contemporary issues
Today’s contemporary faith-filled fiction is unafraid to tackle difficult social issues once avoided
in more traditional CBA fiction fare and explore these subjects through the eyes of faith.
ACFW’s Ruchti credits the make-a-difference mind-set of Millennials for driving story lines of
novels that address pressing social issues. “Real needs. Real problems. Played out in the lives
of imaginary characters.”
Cindy Sproles’s Mercy’s Rain (Kregel, Jan. 2015) takes on an immediacy with its themes of
abuse and misconduct in the clergy, while Gerard Kelly’s The Boy Who Loved Rain (Lion
Fiction, Jan. 2015) deals with teenage suicide, more timely than ever in the wake of Robin
Williams’s death. Traveling a bit further, Kate McCord, a humanitarian aid worker in
Afghanistan who wrote In the Land of Blue Burqas, a memoir about her experiences, now
turns to fiction with Farewell, Four Waters (Moody, Oct.), which deals with the urgent issue of
sex slavery. Even a popular author of Amish fiction like Cindy Woodsmall is tackling tough,
real-life topics. In her September novel A Love Undone (WaterBrook), Woodsmall examines
the fallout after an Amish wife abandons her family. “A complicated situation in any family, it is
made even more difficult by the restrictions of the Amish belief system,” says WaterBrook’s
Marchese.
Novelizations & romance
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As the market for Christian-themed films expands, movie tie-ins are increasingly part of the
contemporary landscape. Chris Fabry’s novelization (Tyndale, Jan. 2015) of the recent fall
release The Song is a contemporary story of temptation and forgiveness that will resonate with
readers. Rene Gutteridge’s contemporary romance Old Fashioned (Tyndale, Jan. 2015) is
based on the film of the same name set to release this winter. Tyndale will also publish a
nonfiction book on old-fashioned courtship and romance to coincide with both the book and the
film release.
In the inspirational romance category, time of year and sense of place remain vital elements.
Melody Carlson is launching the urban-themed “Follow Your Heart” series with New York City
the setting for the first book, Once upon a Summertime (Revell, Jun. 2015) while thoughts of
Cupid fill her Valentine’s-themed Love Gently Falling (Center Street, Jan. 2015). Another
romance with a strong sense of place—and historical elements—is The Lost Garden (Lion
Fiction, Jun. 2015), set in a former English vicarage. The author, Katharine Swartz, is an
Anglican minister’s wife and lover of all things country, which colors her fiction.
Cozies & clerical sleuths
For Christian mysteries, cozy is the name of the game. Lion Fiction decided to publish
mysteries, because it is a plot-driven genre that translates well to the inspirational fiction
market. “And because they want them to fit in the Christian fiction market as well as the
general market most [of Lion’s mysteries] can be classified as cozy,” says Pederson. Out this
month is Martha Ockley’s A Saintly Killing (Lion Fiction), which introduces a clerical protagonist
in the tradition of G.K. Chesterton’s popular Father Brown titles. Lynne Hinton, author of the
best-selling “Hope Springs” series, is making her mystery debut, Sister Eve, Private Eye
(Thomas Nelson, Nov.), featuring a crime-solving nun. On the thriller front, Zachary Bartels’s
debut, Playing Saint (Thomas Nelson, Oct. 2014), has the pastor of a megachurch caught up
in Da Vinci Code–like shenanigans but with more humor.
Suspense remains much in demand with readers, and some favorite best-selling authors are
returning next year with new thrillers, including Dee Henderson’s abduction-themed Taken
(Bethany House, Apr. 2015); Terri Blackstock’s conclusion to her “Moonlighters” series,
Twisted Innocence (Zondervan, Feb. 2015); Colleen Coble’s latest romantic suspense, The
Inn at Ocean’s Edge (Thomas Nelson, Apr. 2015); DiAnn Mills’s FBI thriller Double Cross
(Tyndale, Apr. 2015), and Candace Calvert’s medical-themed By Your Side (Tyndale, Mar.
2015).
What’s new for bonnet fiction?
Despite an influx of Amish vampires and detectives, such angles may not hold any lasting
impact on the genre, according to Bethany House’s Oates. “The dynamic that attracts a buyer
to the Amish genre is the family-oriented lifestyle, the integration of faith and life, and the
simplicity of the nontechnological life. Adding elements to the plot that don’t naturally occur in
the Amish community isn’t going to appeal to the reader of these gentle stories.” Likewise,
Kregel is sticking with the original Amish romance formula but adding a broader context. Its
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“Plain City Peace” series by Stephanie Reed (the second book, The Bachelor, just came out in
October) is set in the 1970s and incorporates Vietnam and the Kent State shootings as well as
the core Amish community in Plain City, OH.
Still, Abingdon’s senior acquisitions editor Ramona Richards thinks Amish fiction will continue
to explore a variety of settings away from the traditional Pennsylvania and Ohio locations. One
such example is Lynette Sowell’s Florida-based “Seasons in Pinecraft” series; the third
volume, A Promise of Grace, is out next June from Abingdon. The town of Pinecraft is also a
popular vacation destination in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Promise of Palm Grove (Avon
Inspire, Jan. 2015), the first title in her new “Amish Brides of Pinecraft” series. Richards also
expects more cross-genre efforts (Amish mystery/suspense) and more novella collections,
“which will provide some light, quick reads for the audience.” Indeed, Suzanne Woods Fisher
will be mixing Amish history with inspirational romance in Anna’s Crossing (Revell, Mar. 2015),
about the early Amish migration to America.
CF’s future
As the traditional CF audience ages, it is only natural that the new names coming up in the
industry will be Millennials. According to Tyndale’s Watson, these authors are expressing their
faith and the interpretation of it through their writing in fresh new ways. “In the same way that
authors like Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker came onto the scene 20 years ago and changed the
norm for CF, today’s new authors will do the same,” says Watson. Amy Haddock,
WaterBrook’s senior marketing manager, adds that Millennial readers demand higher quality
writing and less predictable plots. What WaterBrook and Tyndale look for now are highly
skilled marketable new authors with original ideas. The challenge for publishers, notes
Watson, is in finding the right balance of new and marketable.
What kind of inspirational fiction do young adults in their 20s and 30s want to read? Janet
Kobobel Grant, founder of Books & Such Literary Management, thinks such readers are
interested in stories about “units” of people (think Friends): “whether that be a depiction of an
extended family; a saga of a family over generations; siblings striving to accomplish something
together; or girlfriends figuring out life.” As for the budding genre of new adult fiction, agent
Julie Gwinn says the more intense adult situations give some CF publishers pause.
In marketing to Millennials, houses are discarding the traditional book promotion of the past.
Young adults, says Abingdon’s Richards, are more likely to stay loyal to a known author and
seek to make connections to authors through social media. “This means that the way readers
discover new authors continues to evolve and that an author’s visibility is going to be key in
reaching new fans.” Today’s promotional campaigns spend more time trying to help an author
build a following with personal interactions on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Skype.
In the end, says author Ruchti, Christian fiction is all about the story. Despite the challenging
publishing climate and rapid technological changes, “The world hasn’t lost its love of story. And
story hasn’t lost its power to move us, to make us think, dream, or reflect.”
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Midlothian, VA–based freelance writer Julia M. Reffner has reviewed books and DVDs in a
variety of genres for LJ and writes and reviews for several websites. She is also an assistant
coordinator for the CAROL awards in Christian fiction for American Christian Fiction Writers
(ACFW)
Seeking Christian Fiction
Mentioned in this article (and its online extension) are recently published and forthcoming Christian fiction
titles that illustrate the genre’s diversity in all its forms
AUTHOR TITLE PUBLISHER RELEASE
Adams, Gillian Bronte Orphan’s Song Enclave Oct.
AlLee, Jennifer Vinnie’s Diner Abingdon Apr. 2015
Bartels, Zachary Playing Saint Thomas Nelson Oct.
Blackstock, Terri Twisted Innocence Zondervan Feb. 2015
Brandes, Nadine A Time To Die Enclave Oct.
Breslin, Kate Not by Sight Bethany House Aug. 2015
Bush, J. Wesley Knox’s Irregulars Enclave Nov.
Calvert, Candace By Your Side Tyndale Mar. 2015
Cambron, Kristy A Sparrow in Terezin Thomas Nelson Apr. 2015
Carlson, Melody Love Gently Falling Center Street Jan. 2015
Carlson, Melody Once upon a Summertime Revell Jun. 2015
Coble, Colleen The Inn at Ocean’s Edge Thomas Nelson Apr. 2015
Crawford, Susan Saving Justice Redbud Mar. 2015
Dekker, Ted A.D. 30 Center Street Oct.
Fabry, Chris The Song Tyndale Jan. 2015
Fisher, Suzanne Woods Anna’s Crossing Revell Mar. 2015
Flynn, Elizabeth Dead Gorgeous Lion Fiction Nov.
Graham, Cliff Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus Bethany House May 2015
Gray, Shelley Shepard The Promise of Palm Grove Avon Inspire Jan. 2015
Gutteridge, Rene Old Fashioned Tyndale Jan. 2015
Henderson, Dee Taken Bethany House Apr. 2015
Henrie, Stacy A Hope Remembered Forever: Grand Central Mar. 2015
Henrie, Stacy Hope Rising Forever: Grand Central Dec.
Hinton, Lynne Sister Eve, Private Eye Thomas Nelson Nov.
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Hollow, Mike Direct Hit Lion Fiction Jun. 2015
Kelly, Gerard The Boy Who Loved Rain Lion Fiction Jan. 2015
Laureano, C.E.Beneath the Forsaken City NavPress Feb. 2015
Locke, Thomas Emissary Revell Jan. 2015
Locke, Thomas Trial Run Revell Jun. 2015
McCord, Kate Farewell, Four Waters Moody Oct.
McCrumb, Sharyn Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past Abingdon Nov.
Mason, Susan Ann Irish Meadows Bethany House Aug. 2015
Meissner, Susan Secrets of a Charmed Life NAL Feb. 2015
Mills, DiAnn Double Cross Tyndale Apr. 2015
Ockley, Martha A Saintly Killing Lion Fiction Nov.
Otte, John W.Failstate Nemesis Enclave Oct.
Peak, William The Oblate’s Confession Secant Dec.
Pittman, Allison On Shifting Sand Tyndale Apr. 2015
Reed, Stephanie The Bachelor Kregel Oct.
Ruchti, Cynthia As Waters Gone By Abingdon May 2015
Sadler, John Blood Divide Lion Fiction Jan. 2015
Shrock, Marissa The First Principle Kregel Jan. 2015
Sleiman, Dina Dauntless Bethany House Jan. 2015
Smith, Jill Eileen The Crimson Cord Revell Feb. 2015
Sowell, Lynette A Promise of Grace Abingdon Jun. 2015
Sproles, Cindy Mercy’s Rain Kregel Jan. 2015
Stewart, Carla A Flying Affair FaithWords Jun. 2015
Swartz, Katharine The Lost Garden Lion Fiction Jun. 2015
Thayer, Anna The Broken Blade Lion Fiction Apr. 2015
Thomas, Sarah Loudin Miracle in a Dry Season Bethany House Aug.
Tyers, Kathy Firebird Enclave Oct.
Woodsmall, Cindy A Love Undone WaterBrook Sept.
Wyatt, Cheryl Out of the Deep Rosebud Mar. 2015
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