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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 09/25/2023 - Board of Trustees Approved Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, September 25, 2023 5:30 pm Location: Boardroom – South Burlington Public Library and Virtual Members Present: Lauren Ballard Hatch, Ted Lenski, Anne Gilson LaLonde, Stacey Pape, Holly Painter, Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Penelope Tompkins, Margery Vagt Members Absent: Theresa Eiermann, Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst Staff Members & Guests Present: Jennifer Murray, Sue Meyer Friends of the Library Present: Sue Raatikainen, Merry Jones The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm Library exits were reviewed. Additions and deletions to the posted agenda Book Van Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda None Approval of regular board minutes of August 10, 2023 Upon a motion made by Trustee Anne Gilson LaLonde and seconded by Holly Painter, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the August 10, 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting. Staff Introduction – Sue Meyer, Circulation Specialist Sue was introduced to the Library Board of Trustees. Sue has worked at the SBPL for the past 2 ½ years. Prior to this she was a volunteer for the library. Sue shared all the responsibilities that she does at the library: library of things, all the billing, volunteer coordinator, annual library report and was responsible for the self-checkout machines. Sue said that she works hard to have the volunteers have meaningful work. The Trustees expressed appreciation for all that Sue does in her work. Chair’s Report The Chair thanked everyone for attending the Pride Parade and other activities in the past month. Trustees were reminded to wear their name tag when attending events and representing the library. A poll was taken to see if Trustees could attend a meeting on October 4 to discuss the Foundation’s proposed bylaws. Finally, the Chair introduced and welcomed Merry Jones the new Vice President for the Friends of the Library. Friends of the Library report (written report submitted) Introduction of Merry Jones, Vice President, to the Trustees. Bookshop ● We had a record sales month in August- the shop made $861. Prior to the price increase, our highest selling month was $538. Fall Booksale ● October 13-14, presale for Members only Oct. 12. We are still accepting FICTION donations, any copyright, in good condition. Hope to see the Trustees at the sale on Oct. 12! Committee Reports Communications Committee The chair reported successful event and trustee showings at recent South Burlington events. She expressed appreciation for Trustees willing to participate in Book Ban Week with photos/statements. The committee is still working on a planning document and the chair expressed appreciation for a great committee. Finance Committee: The chair expressed appreciation for Jennifer’s budgeting skills as he reviewed the budget statement. The library is slightly under budget due to staff vacancies. The new budget proposal will need to do some rebalancing on a few line items (DVDs, photocopies). Revenue is higher due to room rentals and participation and engagement numbers are really positive. The next Finance Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 5 at 4 pm. Governance and Nomination Committee Upon a motion made by Trustee Ted Lenski and seconded by Margery Vagt, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept with the proposed edits, the South Burlington Public Library vision statement. Upon a motion made by Trustee Margery Vagt and seconded by Penne Tompkins, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept with edits, the South Burlington Public Library Records Management Policy. Foundation Working Group Anne Gilson LaLonde presented a summary of the South Burlington Public Library’s Foundation and fundraising structure. The working group has proposed some revisions to the bylaws which will require the full participation of the Directors at the October 4th meeting. Under federal tax law, the Foundation is a “supporting organization” as it solely exists to support the library and it must have a certain relationship with the supported organization (the Library). One way to meet this requirement is to have the LBOT “regularly appoint or elect a majority of the directors of the Foundation, and that is proposed in the revised bylaws.” Director’s Report (written report submitted by Jennifer Murray) New member, Alexa, started Storytime for toddlers this week. Kelly is still out. Julia is back from her course in England. Almy is working on the next concert series, a banned book display and the artist programs that Anne wrote the successful grant for from VTCF. Natacha is starting new crafting and cooking programs and taking on other duties and questions in Kelly's absence. Sue has ordered more items for Library of Things which now includes a home tool set, virtual reality headset (to put your phone into), and a pickleball set. Performance reviews are in progress. In November, Evelyn Monje, our social work intern will attend the board meeting. She is terrific and I'm working with Evelyn and her Howard Center supervisor, on this semester's learning plan. One of our shelvers has left. I'm considering the best use of those hours. Mira is working with CVOEO on a financial literacy series of three programs and she and Amanda are planning the programs related to VT Reads title Last Night at the Telegraph Club. She is also working with a college class from St. Mikes who will tutor some of the ESL learners. Tina is working on simplifying the web page. We had two interesting events in one week: Abolition and Revolution movie (16) and the VT Symphony LGBTQ+ concert (85). I love that we are becoming more of a community vessel and stay late for these events. Jennifer is keeping track of her daily tasks in order to delegate some admin items to better focus on big pic things. Mae, a sub, is currently going through the giant folders from building the new library to organize the information for anyone who wasn't there and needs to have it! We are making some ergonomic changes to desks and need to order several chairs and moveable monitors. Jennifer brought an AP article about library boards who are turning on the American Library Association and breaking the bond with the Freedom to Read philosophy and document, and firing librarians who don't go along. The Trustees discussed several options to supporting the ALA, including purchasing a $200 institutional membership. The Vermont Library Association has written a statement in support of the ALA. Jennifer will pursue ways for the Trustees to show support with possibly a written statement along with purchasing the membership. The Trustees will discuss this again during the November board meeting. The book van was discussed by the Trustees. Paul Connor, the Planning Director approached Jennifer about some funds/grant available to support purchasing an energy efficient electric van. The board discussed the timing of these funds may not make it possible to do at this time. Future discussion and information to be provided by Jennifer at the next meeting. The South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees went into Executive Session at 6:45 pm Executive Session ended at 7:16 pm Other Business: None Adjourn Seeing no other business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:18 pm.