HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 02/08/2024 - Board of TrusteesApproved Minutes South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees
The South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday,February 8
2024 at 5:30 p.m.,in the Library Board Room,and by Zoom participation.
Members Present:Theresa Eiermann,Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst,Lauren Ballard Hatch,Ted Lenski,Holly
Painter,Stacey Pape,Rebecca Stazi,Donna Swartwout,Penelope Tompkins,
Members Absent:Anne Gilson LaLonde,Margery Vagt
Staff Members &Guests Present:Jennifer Murray,Sue Raatikainen,Logan Selkirk,Thomas (member of
local Boy Scout Troop)
1.The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm
2.Library exits were reviewed.
The chair provided instructions on emergency exits from the building.
3.Additions and deletions to the posted agenda
None
4.Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda
Thomas introduced himself and explained he was there to learn about the library and any issues that
might be happening as a part of a civic community Boy Scout badge he hoped to obtain.
5. Approval of regular board minutes of January 11,2024
Upon a motion made by Trustee Ted Lenski and seconded by Trustee Penne Tompkins,the Trustees
voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the January 11,2024 Board of Trustees Meeting.
6.Staff Introduction –Logan Selkirk,Circulation Assistant
Logan has worked at the library for over a year and a half.They are responsible for interlibrary loans,the
library newsletter,and circulation desk.Logan shared the newsletter is using a new platform and
encouraged Trustees to sign up (email Logan or sign up on the Library’s website).Logan loves seeing the
children in the space and giving out new library cards as a part of their job.The library of things is an
area they could see expanding over time.
7.Report Outs
A.Chair Report
The Chair reported that the library would be closed on March 13,2024 for a staff retreat.The Chair met
with Jessie Baker and there will be an opportunity for Trustees to meet with new members of the City
Council at a later date.The Trustees were encouraged to attend the February 16 event and other events
that the library is hosting.The Chair briefly explained to Thomas how the Library Board of Trustees
functions.
B.Friends of the Library Report
Bookshop:$683.76 in December;$473 in January and they have met their membership goal.
Booksale:April 11-13,2024 (National Library Week)
Storywalk:To be installed late summer/early fall
Friends 2024 Concert Series,12-1 in the Auditorium
●Va-et-Vientiane,Franco-American Roots,Feb.24
●Evans/Asbell Jazz Duo,Mar.23
●Caribbean Rain,Jamaica folk tunes,April 20
C.Committee Reports
Communications Committee
The communications committee met in January with Amanda Brown,Library’s Teen Specialist,to discuss
how to encourage teens to use the space:Cozy Café.Trustees were encouraged to support some
upcoming events in April:National Library Week,Illuminate VT,and the Solar Eclipse.The committee is
working on an article that will highlight the work of Evelyn,the social work intern.An idea presented by
Trustee Tompkins,“I love the Library”was discussed for either Valentine’s Day or in April for National
Library Week.
Finance Committee
No meeting was held in January.The Treasurer reported that the budget season with the city went well.
The items in the budget (part-time admin/reservationist and funding for the Library of Things)still
remain in the budget that the City will present to the community for final approval.
Governance Committee
No meeting in January;no report.
South Burlington Public Library Foundation
The President reported that the strategic plan is finalized.John Simson will present the plan at the
March Trustees Meeting.An update on fundraising efforts will also be shared.
D.Director’s Report
Jennifer Murray shared fliers to be distributed (and the upcoming events posted on the fliers).The
location of the Story Walk sponsored by the Friends of the Library was discussed.Jennifer reported that
the Library budget has been presented to City Council.
A written report was submitted by the Director and is provided here:
Finishing up the budget process with a budget workshop with Council and attending a Council
meeting to answer questions.Also went before Council to introduce Evelyn and the concept of
social work in libraries.
Having received the $5700 grant from the VCF,January and February are the push to get it
done and publicized.I have been working more closely on this with staff than usual because I
really want success for this big project.Worked with the City’s Communications person on parts
of it,submitted ads,combed emails to find people who would be interested in spreading the
word.The poet,Dr.Jolivette,agreed to make her final performance part of our Illuminate VT
program.VCF also reached out to offer us $500 more to pay a photographer to take pics that
they and we could use.Meanwhile,staff are still working on programs around VT Reads and the Friends
Winter Concert Series.
Kelly and I interviewed a terrific Children’s Assistant and look forward to her starting in early
March.Most story times are cancelled until Valerie begins,but she is experienced and will step
in quickly.
We are collaborating with Tech 4 Tomorrow,giving them a space for their 10 session Google
class for non-profits,and allowing us to participate.I attended the first one.Sadly,Tina had to
miss the rest due to illness and then a family matter,so she has been out for 4 of the last 5
weeks.
Natcha in Children’s experienced the horror of having her 30-year-old son killed.She took two
weeks off,but that is just the start to grieving something so heartbreaking.She is back at work
most of the time.
Children’s will be working again with teaching artist,Jude Bond to offer another training session
for 20 adults who work with kids ages 4 to 8.They also report that the read to a dog program
twice a month is going well.
A community member,Jessie and Rec’s Adam met to talk about programming for Juneteenth.
The same person wants to plan ahead for a Kwanzaa event.She has contacts in NYC with a
music business that she hopes will lead to a hip-hop event in the auditorium.I’ve met with her a
couple of times since then.
Big time happening is the preparation for and the onset of union bargaining.The Prep required
that I go through the proposals and the existing contract so that we don’t miss anything.The
actual meetings have started and we meet for 2 hours a week.
Chittenden County libraries met to discuss homelessness and responses.I represented the
largest library in the room;many suggestions were for small libraries like Westford that creates
a bag to give folks and resources in Burlington or St.Albans since they have nothing to offer
there.
Eclipse planning continues along with Illuminate VT.I’m responsible for the 4 performers in the
living room,similar to last time.The library will show space movies Fri,Sat,and Mon.
Meeting with HR as needed for collaboration on staffing,training on new applicant/hiring
platform and soon on the new City Personnel Handbook.
Library of things has added a pressure washer!
The staff retreat day will be March 13.First half will be a focus on being safe while also being
uncomfortable.I offered to plan this day as a “gift”to staff,though Kelly and Evelyn are running
with the morning training.We hope to include a counselor from Marathon.Location TBD.
8.Other Business:
The Chair reported that the MOU with the city and a review of the Personnel Handbook is work that will
be completed.The focus at the moment is the union bargaining contract.
9.Adjourn
Seeing no other business,the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:30 pm.