HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 03/10/2022
Approved Minutes
South Burlington Library Board of Trustees
Thursday, March 10 2022 @ 6 p.m.
Location: Virtual Meeting Only
Members Present: Margaret Ann Cross, Lee Freeman, Lauren Ballard Hatch, Patrick Leduc,
Jay Pasackow, Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Margery Vagt, Ted
Lenski,
Members Absent: Stacey Pape
Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray
Friends of the Library
Present:
Sue Raatikainen
Call to Order
Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 6:03 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 February 10, 2021
Upon a motion made by Trustee Lee Freeman, and seconded by Trustee Margery Vagt, the Trustees
voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the February 10, 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting.
Chair’s Report
The Chair reminded everyone that the Library Board of Trustees would need to get back to the
strategic plan. There will be a small subgroup that will work with Jennifer on the plan. The plan has
been on hold as the focus has been on getting the new library facility open and functioning. We are
ready to move forward.
There was a reminder for Trustees whose tenure ends this year (end of June) to consider whether they
will return to the board as well as a request for Trustees to consider leadership positions (officer and
committee chairs).
COVID 19 Update
The library is following the direction of the city. Masks are encouraged and not required. Jennifer will
consult with Health Department for guidance around spacing for concerts and other larger public
events.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT (submitted by Sue Raatikainen)
Bookshop
● January sales $181.86, February sales $265.75
● Book donations have been steady for the past 6 weeks.
● Volunteers have graciously filled in hours for me and another regular volunteer who was away
for Jan/Feb.
Spring Concert Series
● Mar. 26 at 1230- Hungrytown (Folk Duo)
● April 9 at 1230- Eclectica(Classical)
● May 28 at 1230- Blue Sky Boys (Bluegrass and folk)
Annual Membership Drive
● We had a great month in January, above average for Feb.
● 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. 31 5-7 pm, Members only, Fri. April 1, 2-5 pm, Sat. April 2 10am-
2pm.
● If any Trustees want to help out here is the sign up link
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b45a9af22a3f49-book
Special Thanks
● To all the volunteers who have put in extra hours since my accident 5 weeks ago, especially our
VP Eileen Beckwith. The book sale is a huge project. Eileen has taken over all responsibility for it
in her usual hard working, no-nonsense style. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as our VP.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee
The city budget has been approved. April’s meeting will be rescheduled for another date.
Governance and Nomination Committee Report
The committee is making good progress on the policies and should have two more for review for April.
As the policies are implemented and used, there may be a need to revisit policies to ensure they are
providing the best guidance to staff and the public.
Advocacy Committee Report
Videos are on the way focusing on how to use the bus system to easily arrive at the new library
location. There was a suggestion for advertising the library on the interior ad space on the buses. The
committee will follow up on this idea.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT March 2022
(Submitted written report by Jennifer Murray)
Budget:
-Yay! The budget passed.
-Jennifer continues to spend the technology line in the budget now so that items arrive by June, and also
using the ARPA grant, and the Telehealth grant.
Staffing:
-Based on our budget ask, we will be making one person FT who is now PT, and be adding two 19-hour
positions. We need to survey the public to get a better sense of added hours that are most helpful to
patrons. There is no facility support on Saturdays or Sundays so I will be meeting with City employees to
figure out how to handle hours and auditorium use.
Marketing & Publicity:
-Jennifer and Mira met with Kelvin Imalenowa and he prepared a marketing proposal for us. The scope
of his proposal exceeds our interests at this time, and would cost up to $7500. Our intent is to keep the
cost between $2-3K and to focus on specific needs.
-Emily has added a Teen Instagram account. Advocacy has some good ideas for marketing pieces. We
will be looking at using Mailchimp more comprehensively and paying for that service.
Collections, Programs and Services:
-Check out timely displays. I will start listing them in the ecalendar so that people know what to look
for.
-Self checkout machines are running well and the self-checkout week was a success with over 40 entries
for the new Jodi Picoult book.
-Jennifer and Holly have spoken with the Deputy City Manager about a joint delivery vehicle Fun on the
Run/Books on the Run. We’d like to get this on the ARPA spending list, at least for partial payment and
pursue additional funds as needed with help from the Grants committee. I am fortunate to have a
library school intern who is collecting quotes and recommendations. She is starting with a Sprinter van
that comes made to order on the inside and was told that would come to $185,000 from one jobber.
After she gets those quotes, we’ll look at options for buying a vehicle and getting it up fitted locally.
-We continue to offer a wide variety of programs, smaller ones in person and larger ones virtually. I am
planning for the 3/26 concert to kick off in-person programming. There is a likelihood that Council will
move to encouraging masks vs mandating them as soon as next week.
-We are responding to a request from the Natural Resources committee liaison and offering a video
presentation next week about the Abenaki living culture. NR will speak to the group at the end and
introduce the concept of a land acknowledgement statement to get input before they recommend that
the City use one at all meetings.
-Mira has set a tentative monthly schedule for staff to speak at the end of a Senior Center lunch about
various programs and services, looking for library card sign up in April.
-JM sat in on a planning meeting for a Dec. Winter Artisans Festival put on by Ilona and Holly with grant
funds. The library will offer some indoor activities.
-Please look at our web events periodically to be awed and amazed at all that is happening at the
library! https://southburlingtonlibrary.org/events/
Administration:
-City Council has let the mandate expire so people entering the Library are only encouraged to wear
masks. Kelly has opened the Wiggle Room, food and drink is allowed again. Staff are interested in
reminding people to stay safe and keep 6 feet, so we are preparing notices. Unless we hear of an
upswing by 3/21, we will be opening for full in-person service as of the Hunger Town concert on 3/26.
-Six-month reviews have been completed for most new staff.
-Staff noted quite a few patrons who didn’t have cash for the copier/printer. I am working with Symtech
and Martha Machar to find an alternate route that doesn’t charge so much that prices are doubled.
-Auditorium rentals have started! We still have to work out staffing responsibilities between library and
other departments.
-I have been attending a Library Journal class on Creating an Anti-Racist Library. It is very interesting and
fits well with some new staff interests in taking a more proactive role with Inclusion, Diversity and
Equity. I would like to move in this direction and create a timeline for action as part of the Strategic Plan.
In a related topic, I’d like your input on a proposal regarding our library’s response to current affairs.
-Kelly and Mira are starting an ALA class on developing a diverse collection, paid for by the Dept of
Libraries.
-City committee toward equity and inclusion has had an initial meeting.
-Mira continues to work with the Natural Resources committee towards starting the conversation about
land acknowledgement following our Humanities Council video program about Abenaki culture this
month.
Upcoming:
-Strategic planning
-Onboarding/orientation plan
-Marketing plan
-JM to meet with Department heads regarding collaboration
-Determine program collaboration with Green Mt Book Festival
In addition to the submitted written report, Jennifer discussed how the strategic plan might have the
capacity to consider how to be an anti-racist library. She is recommending that diversity, inclusivity and
equity be a part of the plan.
There was discussion on how to and if the library should respond to current events. What is our role in
the community to respond? We are following guidelines from the American Library Association that we
support free and accessible information for all.
Jennifer shared an incident that occurred in the library between two patrons. There was a physical
altercation that resulted in police being contacted. The incident provided an opportunity to review
protocols for the use of panic buttons, police response and other methods of community outreach. A
future discussion with City staff and Jennifer about what level would be reached when a no trespass
order might be issued. Staff did a terrific job deescalating the situation.
There was a discussion with Jennifer and some Trustees on how the Rotary might support the book
mobile idea.
Other Business
None
Meeting Adjournment
Seeing no other Business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:08 pm
Future Item
Strategic Planning