HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 04/14/2022
Approved Minutes
South Burlington Library Board of Trustees
Thursday, April 14, 2022 @ 6 p.m. Location: South Burlington Public Library
Members Present: Lauren Ballard Hatch, Patrick Leduc, Ted Lenski, Stacey Pape, Jay Pasackow,
Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Margery Vagt
Members Absent: Lee Freeman
Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray
Friends of the Library
Present:
Call to Order
Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 6:09 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 March 10, 2022
Upon a motion made by Trustee Jay Pasackow, and seconded by Trustee Ted Lenski, the Trustees voted
unanimously to accept the minutes of the March 10, 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting.
Chair’s Report
The May 12th Board meeting will be rescheduled.
There is strategic planning subcommittee that consists of Patrick Leduc, Ted Lenski, Stacey Pape, Donna
Swartwout, Margery Vagt and Jennifer Murray. The group will meet on April 19 to discuss next steps and
proposing a plan for staff and public engagements. Reports will be made back to the Board.
The Chair provided clarification on the recent decision by South Burlington City Council to have youth serve on
some boards. The Library Board of Trustees may have youth as volunteers, but full members of the board must
be 18 years or older to serve on the Library Board because of the statutory nature of our Board.
The Chair has accepted the resignation of Margaret Ann Cross. The Board has a potential of 1-3 seats available.
COVID 19 Update
The numbers of COVID 19 positive cases are slowly increasing in Chittenden County. Signage in the South
Burlington Public Library encourages everyone to wear a mask because of rising rates. Programs are continuing
and patrons are asked to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. There is no oversight of this request.
Masks are still available for both adults and children.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT (submitted by Sue Raatikainen)
Bookshop
● March sales totaled $466.31, our best month since the August grand opening.
● Book donations have resumed.
Spring Book Sale
● Very successful, busy turnout, great selection and setup.
● Sales slightly higher than the fall sale, exact # will be shared in May.
● We heard constant positive comments about the library. The community is really embracing the
new space.
Spring Concert Series
● Mar. 26 at 1230- Hungrytown (Folk Duo). Had 42 attendees.
● April 9 at 1230- Eclectica (Classical) Had 72 attendees.
● Both were excellent bands. Yitzi should be commended for the diverse, outstanding music he
has organized for the concert series.
● May 28 at 1230- Blue Sky Boys (Bluegrass and folk)
Fall Book sale
● Nov.3-5. We are trying a slightly later date to attract holiday shoppers.
Committee Reports
At 6:25 Chair Leduc departed the meeting and Vice Chair Pape took over the role of facilitator
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee did not meet. The budget has been approved and at this time no support is needed by
the Director of the Library.
Governance and Nomination Committee Report
The Trustees reviewed the two policies (Library Program Policy and the Recording Studio Usage Policy) put forth
by the Governance and Nomination Committee.
Upon a motion made by Trustee Margery Vagt and seconded by Trustee Rebecca Stazi, the Trustees voted
unanimously to adopt with edits the Library Program Policy.
Upon a motion made by Trustee Margery Vagt and seconded by Trustee Ted Lenski, the Trustees voted
unanimously to adopt with edits the Recording Studio Usage Policy.
The committee reminded those whose terms end to reapply using the form that may be found on the library’s
web site.
Advocacy Committee Report
The new video – Take the Bus - was widely viewed as a success. Suggestions were made to share it on other
social media platforms. Information was shared with Jennifer on how to advertise on all the buses in Chittenden
County. There was a discussion on how and where the Board might provide funding to the Advocacy Committee
if appropriate (Foundation and Friends of the Library).
Director’s Report
Jennifer is spending time with staff and helping to develop her leadership team. With new staff there are lots of
meetings and check-ins and the leadership team really has a feeling of we are in this together. The leadership
team continues to focus on performance and planning using a book to guide their discussions.
COVID 19 and difficult patrons continue to be a challenge for Jennifer and staff. Howard Center and the South
Burlington Police were called for an incident in early April. These circumstances are unsettling for all, and
Jennifer is continuing with staff training.
Positive notes: Emily went to the high school for outreach and has seen students she issued library cards to
during her time at the high school. There were 71 attendees at the last concert. The library is now providing
Mango on the website (study from your choice of over 70 world languages and dialects through courses crafted
using conversational methodology). There will be two programs by and about Veterans and Jennifer is
particularly pleased to be offering these services. Jennifer and library staff continue to take anti-racism training
to ensure we have a diverse collection. The staff is beginning conversation on gender identity awareness to
ensure we are inclusive of all patrons.
Other Business
Rebecca Stazi shared information about Leadership Champlain and the opportunity for the library to be a
potential service project site if interested.
Meeting Adjournment
Seeing no other business, the Vice Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:15 pm.
Future Item
Strategic Planning