HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 11/12/2020
Approved Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, November 12th, 2020 @ 5 p.m. Location: Zoom meeting Members Present: Margaret Ann Cross, Lee Freeman, Patrick Leduc, Ted Lenski,
Stacey Pape, Penne Tompkins, Margery Vagt, Lauren Ballard,
Diane Bugbee, Jay Pasackow
Members Absent: Sonya Krakoff
Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray
Friends of the Library
Present:
Chair Patrick Leduc called the meeting to order at 5:03pm, and a quorum was established.
Additions or deletions to the posted agenda:
There were no additions and deletions to the posted agenda.
Comments and questions from the public not related to the items on the agenda:
None
Consent Agenda: Approval of regular board minutes of October 8, 2020
Upon a motion made by Trustee Lee Freeman and seconded by Trustee Penne Tompkins, the
Trustees voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda.
Chair’s Report
An appointed trustee member has been unable to attend any meetings. City Council Chair, Helen Riehle, emailed the member and received no response and as such we are assuming the
individual has resigned. Helen Riehle will now bring the applicant Alicia Lamonda forward to the city council for potential appointment to the Library Board of Trustees.
Patrick then asked Jennifer to provide an update on library closing to the trustees.
Jennifer stated that in response to the spike in local COVID-19 cases, on November 12th, South Burlington City decided to close all offices beginning Monday, November 16th. City Manager Kevin Dorn recommended the library close to the public and move to curbside service. Jennifer
Murray made clear the library trustees have options but that she and Chair Patrick Leduc agreed to close the library on Monday, November 16th. Jennifer Murray was told of the city’s decision at 1:00, and spoke with Patrick Leduc directly due to the need for a quick decision. Jennifer then shared further details. Curbside service will continue to be offered Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:00 PM to 6:00
PM. Requests will be left on a cart just outside of the library, as the University Mall remains open. Jay Pasackow asked if library staff will be able to maintain their hours. Jennifer Murray said there are no furloughs. The three full time staff will work a full schedule. Subs will not be
guaranteed hours, and the hours for the 19 hour staff position are less certain. Jennifer Murray will continue with hiring for the circulation position.
Penne Tompkins asked if staff will be able to work onsite. Jennifer Murray said the staff will have to work on site to perform certain functions. Everyone will work onsite and one day a week from home. Diane Bugbee asked if the new staff member is a full time position and might we
lose this person in light of this news. Jennifer Murray responded that the circulation position is a 19 hour position with no benefits and the new hire seems happy with the position.
Lee Freeman asked Jennifer if she had spoken with the staff and wondered if they have strong feelings about closing. Jennifer Murray says she spoke to some in person and will send emails to the rest of the staff. Jennifer Murray says the staff was surprised and relieved the city was
taking this step. The staff is happy to be “thought of and safe.” Diane Bugbee asked how the public will be informed of the change. Jennifer Murray was waiting until after she has discussed this with the board and will then ask Katherine Plageman to post it on Facebook. They are working on wording and will post on Front Porch Forum and Mailchimp. Lauren Ballard asked if it will be on the South Burlington city newsletter and Jennifer
Murray said probably. Friends of the Library Report:
No Report
Committee Reports
Governance and Nomination
Stacey Pape reported that the committee met last week. She gave an overview and discussed
updating policies. The committee members will reach out to other libraries in the state with
regards to policies and procedures. The committee is looking for consistency with other
libraries as they will update policies and procedures once they have that and can review them.
Stacey Pape said they are also looking at COVID reopening plans and hope to bring policy
recommendations to the board. Stacey Pape also noted the Montpelier library is closing for
curbside service only.
Finance Committee
Ted Lenski said the committee hasn’t met. However, the Blanchette fund total is $421,000. $157,000 CD and Ted Lenski is going to ask a financial advisor RE rollover. Patrick Leduc asked if there is $55,000 in cash. Ted Lenski confirmed it is sitting in a money market. Penne Tompkins asked if the city would need money from us soon. Patrick Leduc said $436,000 was the number voted for in the bond, and that ideally we would like more time to
minimize the gap. Ted Lenski said if we have to keep in cash, we will not be able to close the gap. Ted Lenski will meet with the city soon to discuss staffing for the new library. He plans on asking for full staffing following Jennifer Murray’s recommendations. Margaret Ann Cross pointed out that some of the reason that the original Blanchette fund balance is no $436,000 is that we, by designed used some of that funding to seed the fundraising effort.
Advocacy Committee
Lee Freeman shared that he is hoping to get a chance to make the video, and said the script will have to be rewritten to accommodate the library closing. The original script is about the library reopening, but he might change it to a PSA. Jennifer Murray suggested the writing about
curbside service, as that will not be going away and the video will not become dated. Diane Bugbee suggested another meeting with the advocacy committee to discuss options for the video, and Lee Freeman asked that the google docs be shared. Patrick Leduc asked about the SBPL’s connection with the principal at RMCS, and Diane Bugbee asked if the principal had toured the new library. Jennifer Murray reached out to the
principal, but had not received a response. Margery Vagt suggested given the current state of the COVID crisis, now might not be the best time. Stacey Pape suggested contacting the members of the RMCS PTO: Holly Young, president and Mary Stuessy, treasurer. Jennifer Murray said she can bring one person with her to tour the new library every Thursday morning at 8:00. Lee Freeman asked if all members of the public are eligible and Jennifer
Murray said, “technically yes but there should be a valid reason for their visit”
Director’s Report
Jennifer Murray said the SBPL received three air purifiers through the UVM Extension Services grant, valued at $1800. Jennifer Murray said they will need to purchase HEPA filters for the air purifiers. She also met with OnLogic to discuss their in-kind donation. They will be focusing on the desktop computers in public areas, valued at $10,000. There have been donations of sanitizers and wipes from both members of the public and the Department of Libraries. Stacey Pape suggested sending thank you notes for the in-kind donations. Jennifer Murray is thanking by email, but agrees it’s a good idea. Jennifer Murray said the ceiling is beginning to go in at the new library and it gives a better sense of the space. Artist, Katie Barritt, toured the site and suggested a concept for the mural
in the children’s space. Jay Pasackow asked about the size of the mural, and Jennifer said it will take up one wall.
Penne Tompkins gave an update on other art for the library and said the stained glass art is proceeding well.
Jennifer Murray is also working on planning the move to the new space. Penne Tompkins said the annual appeal letter was mailed to 8000 people, and Jay Pasackow said the Foundation is conducting a tour for potential donors next week.
Other Business
None
Adjourn
Hearing no other business Chair Leduc adjourned the meeting at 6:00pm
Respectfully submitted,
Margery Vagt, Secretary