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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 01/13/2022 Approved Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, January 13, 2022 @ 6 p.m. Location: South Burlington Public Library Members Present: Margaret Ann Cross, Lee Freeman, Lauren Ballard Hatch, Patrick Leduc, Stacey Pape, Jay Pasackow, Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Margery Vagt, Ted Lenski, Members Absent: Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray Friends of the Library Present: Sue Raatikainen Call to Order Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 6:04 pm. Additions and deletions to the posted agenda None Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda None Approval of regular board minutes of December 9, 2021 Upon a motion made by Trustee Lee Freeman, and seconded by Trustee Ted Lenski, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the minutes with the correction of a name misspelling of the December 9, 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting. Chair’s Report The idea of a book festival has been discussed at various times with the Library Board of Trustees. The Chair learned that the Burlington Library is in the process of creating a foundation that will be called the Green Mountain Book Festival. This structure will provide the opportunity for the book festival to move around the state. There is interest in collaboration with other libraries across the state. The Board discussed the possibility of being involved in the book festival and maybe a signature event being held at the South Burlington Library. The tentative dates for the Book Festival are September 23-25, 2022. The Chair outlined possible next steps including an exploratory meeting that would involve interested members of the Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation, Library staff, and the Friends of the Library. COVID 19 Update Jennifer Murray reported that the mask mandate is still in place for the library. Most patrons are compliant with the policy.There are children’s masks at the circulation desk if needed. Due to the rise in cases, many larger library programs have moved to a virtual option, or have been postponed. Anything that is in person, the staff work to have the program have some appropriate social distancing space. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT Bookshop • November Sales $386.11 (our second highest month since opening). • Book donations have slowed down over the holidays. A few people have requested home visits and we have accommodated them. • Our winter theme is “Embrace Hygge”. The display includes books on crafts, cooking, DVDs , audiobooks and cozy novels. Winter Concert Series • The December concert with The Connor Young Quartet was very successful. 77 people attended in the new auditorium. • Jan. 29 concert with Eclectica has been postponed. • Feb. 19 at 12:30- Sky Blue Boys (Bluegrass and Folk) • Mar. 26 at 12:30- Hungrytown (Folk Duo) Annual Membership Drive • Started on Jan. 1, we have received some generous donations so far. • I encourage all Trustees to renew their membership at https://www.joinit.org/o/friends-of-the-south-burlington-public-library Spring Book sale • April Fools weekend/ Th. Mar. 30 5-7 pm, Members only, Fri. Mar. 31 2-5 pm, Sat. 4/1 10am- 2pm. Committee Reports Finance Committee The finance committee chair reported that presentation to City Council for the 2023 budget went very well and that Jennifer Murray did an excellent job. The meeting scheduled for January 25, 2022 will be postponed one week. Governance and Nomination Committee Report The chair reviewed the Art Wall & Exhibit Policy (formerly known as the Display & Exhibit Policy). The change in name more accurately describes the space in the library. The Board confirmed that the Director of the Library was comfortable with the policy as it was written. Upon a motion made by Trustee Lee Freeman, and seconded by Trustee Jay Pasackow, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the Art Wall & Exhibit Policy. The Chair reviewed the Collections Development Policy. The Board discussed some edits and a three- stage process for any request to review a collection item. The committee will make edits and the policy will be reviewed at the next meeting. Advocacy Committee Report It was confirmed that the Chair of the Advocacy Committee would remain as chair for the rest of the year. There is an advocacy committee meeting on January 18 at 5:00 pm. The committee is working on PSAs and videos for lesser known areas/spaces in the library. Due to some technical difficulties, the virtual connection to the meeting was interrupted and then quickly resumed. The Vice Chair, Stacey Pape presided over the remainder of the meeting. Director’s Report Jennifer Murray reported that the Library of Things is really doing quite well. The Library of Things has its own page on the Library website and the items being collected are evolving. There is hope that staff might be able to program around some of the items that are available for borrowing. Jennifer reminded the Board that the Library goals align with the City’s Goals and the beginning of the strategic plan. Library staff have identified some groups that they will be reaching out and collaborating with for the rest of the year: • Veterans • City Departments – one idea is already in process with Natural Resources and the Land Acknowledgement Statement. There will be some programs at the library to help the community become aware of the Land Acknowledgement Statement. • Middle and Highschool Providers & Youth – want the spaces in the library to be more utilized by these groups. • People/families from other countries – the Library will host dinners with three interpreters available, help people obtain a library card. The Auditorium is available for use and rental beginning on Monday. Several programs were highlighted with staff receiving kudos for their creativity and efforts: Children’s department: story time is virtual. The afternoon craft participation numbers are higher and the crafts are really beyond the glitter and felt options. Teens will be able to participate in a program called Blind Date with a Book. Finally, the budget for the end of December was reviewed. The Director is spending money on purchasing additional furniture, end panels, computers and shades for certain areas in the new space. It is nice that these additional items can be purchased after the staff has been in the space and can identify needs that weren’t known when the project was started. The director also indicated support in some aspect for the Book Festival. Other Business None Meeting Adjournment Seeing no other Business, the Vice Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:31 pm. Future Item Strategic Planning