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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 04/13/2023 - Board of Trustees April Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, April 13, 2023 5:30 pm Location: Board room – South Burlington Public Library and Virtual online Members Present: Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst, Ted Lenski, Anne Gilson LaLonde, Holly Painter, Stacey Pape, Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Penelope Tompkins, Margery Vagt Members Absent: Lauren Ballard Hatch, Patrick Leduc Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray Friends of the Library Present: Call to Order Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 5:32 pm Review of library exits The Chair reviewed how trustees should exit the meeting when the library is closed. Additions and deletions to the posted agenda Action item Advocacy Committee Statement removed from the agenda Addition: Gift Account Purchase Action Item added to the agenda Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda None Approval of regular board minutes of March 9, 2023 ACTION Upon a motion made by Trustee Anne Gilson LaLonde and seconded by Margery Vagt, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the March 9, 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting. Chair’s report The Chair expressed appreciation for the very strong Trustees attendance at the Vermont Library Association reception. It was well received by many. Trustees were encouraged to attend the Marje Von Ohlsen Caldecott Collection on April 20 at 11:00 am. Please wear name tags if you do attend. A sign-up sheet was circulated to sign up locations across the city to post Library flyers regarding upcoming events. Please add locations as appropriate. Jennifer and Stacey met with the Jessie Baker to discuss the City Council’s application process for Library Board of Trustees. We will review the by-laws in May as the Chair is away for the April meeting. Friends of the Library report No report was given as the Friends of the Library Book Sale was in full swing at this time. Committee Reports Advocacy Committee Report The committee continued their discussion on the rack card highlighting the Library’s strategic plan. Hope to hand a draft to a graphic designer in the near future. Window clings were reviewed by the Trustees, and Jennifer was asked to share with her staff to gain their input. The library’s website domain is set to expire and it will be renewed. Finance Committee Report The third quarter budget report looks good and there are no concerns at this time. Jennifer Murray requested approval to make two purchases using the gift account. Both requests are above the $1,000 threshold. The Finance committee confirmed there was adequate funds in the gift account. Upon a motion made by Trustee Ted Lenski and seconded by Stacey Pape, the Trustees voted unanimously to approve the $1,600 to enhance the calendar system on the web page and $3,700 to purchase AWE computers. It was shared that the Vermont Board of Libraries is looking for volunteers. Governance and Nomination Committee Report The Collection Policy is being developed and needs to consider the “library of things.” The committee is working on finalizing job descriptions. Social media policy will be tabled until the digital specialist is hired and can weigh in on the policy. The committee will be ready to review Trustee applications and consider skill sets needed to complete the board make up. Foundation Working Group The Foundation will remit the final amount promised to the City by the end of this month. Ted Lenski will research where to put the remaining funds until needed. The Foundation still has naming opportunities unfilled and we are seeking grants. Next meeting: May 17 5:30 p.m. Director’s Report (submitted written report below) • Currently interviewing for substitute and digital specialist. Limited pools this time. • “Thank you” to those of you who attended the VLA Conference social. It was a lovely evening. We got $300 from VLA for it and paid around the same amount from the Gift Account. • Excellent presentation created by Kelly for VLA on our collaboration with the ESL teachers, with participation from Natacha and a teacher. • SRP planning abounds! • Working with the City Attorney and HR to change the forms that we have volunteers and programmers fill out for Criminal Background checks and liability. Also looking to avoid requiring liability forms when checking out Library of Things (LoT) items. More on that when I know. • Sue is rearranging the LoT, with new labels and signage. She has purchased a few new items as well: cake pans, a light box (for seasonal affective disorder). More on the way. • Comparing budget spreadsheets with the City in preparation for the end of the fiscal year. • Changed the masking language on programs to “Masking is welcome” as one staff wanted to make sure that those who do wear masks are not put off. • Preparing a dedication ceremony for the Marje Von Ohlsen Caldecott Collection. This will be a non-circulating collection of the winners since the first award in 1936. We are including an invitation to people to read these books with the times in mind and compare winners over the decades to justify having titles here that are no longer appropriate by today’s standards. (also, DEI) • Lots of activity around the Seed Library and Almy is arranging for monthly gardening programs into June. • Jennifer and Mira will be interviewing the social worker student for a joint library/Howard Center placement in the Fall. Sue will contribute some questions based on her experience as a social worker. • Several 6-month reviews have been presented or will be soon. We are fortunate to have such an excellent staff. • In the absence of Charlotte, Julia is putting things on Instagram and Mike, Natacha and Julia are sharing the load of room reservations and payments. • Mike and I have been talking about how to handle use of the auditorium without having a professional sound and lights person on staff. It was a real problem for the last concert. We hope to have a broader conversation at the City level. DEI • Thought provoking book discussion of She’s Not There: A life in two genders by Boylan resulting in one participant getting back to Mira after using the information in a conversation with a transgender resident. From the library mangers • Fair Housing Month has begun. See lovely display by Affordable Housing Committee -- second floor of the library next to the east elevator. CORA has done an outreach event and COTS will be here 4/12. Upcoming events: Tenant Skills workshop (CVOEO) 4/17, • Amanda has a slate of engaging programs and crafts for teens weekly 6/17 - 8/12. Includes games, community service, and incentives to keep them reading through the summer. • Don't miss the last concert of the FOL series. Trifolium is a Vermont-rooted acoustic folk trio. They play all sorts of melodies on all sorts of instruments and promise to show their audience a fabulous time at 12pm on 4/22. During the meeting, Jennifer shared that the summer reading theme is “All Together Now” focusing on community kindness and cooperation. There will be a kick off event in June with two shows featuring Elephant and Piggy. Story Time continues to be very successful with over 60 toddlers and family members in attendance. Some things from the Library of Things will be kept behind the front desk and items are in the process of being tagged. The auditorium has an excellent sound/lighting system and there are challenges for groups renting the facilities to learn how to use the technology. Discussion will continue on how to best move forward. Square payment will be the new platform to take payments. Other Business None Adjourn Seeing no other business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:34 pm.