HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 08/11/2022
Approved Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, August 11, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m. Location: Board room – South Burlington Public Library and Virtual online
Members Present: Lee Freeman, Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst, Anne Gilson LaLonde, Patrick Leduc, Ted Lenski, Holly Painter, Stacey Pape, Rebecca Stazi, Donna Swartwout, Penelope Tompkins, Margery Vagt
Members Absent: Lauren Ballard Hatch
Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray
Friends of the Library
Present:
Call to Order
Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 5:33 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 July 14, 2022
Upon a motion made by Trustee Patrick Leduc and seconded by Trustee Ted Lenski, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the July 14, 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting with edits made to the misspellings of two trustees names. Chair’s Report
The chair recognized Patrick Leduc’s work as the outgoing chair. The Trustees noted their sincere
appreciation with applause for Patrick. The chair reported that she met with Jessie Baker, South
Burlington’s City Manager to introduce herself and express her appreciation for the partnership with the
City. The chair expressed her confidence in Jennifer Murray and said the Library staff is doing a
wonderful job. There will be ways for the Board of Trustees to become involved with the city and
referenced an email seeking input about the walking/bike bridge. Finally, the Chair said that the
orientation for the new Trustees went vey well and she is looking forward to the start of a new year with
new and returning board members.
The chair updated the Board regarding future meetings will be the second Thursday of the month with a
start time of 5:30 pm.
Friends of the Library Report (submitted by Sue Raatikainen)
Bookshop ● June bookshop sales were $387.17 ● Summer sales and book donations are strong. Little Free Libraries ● The LFLs are all painted and we are waiting for the Rec. Dept. to install them soon in SB parks (Overlook, Veteran’s, Baycrest, and Farrell). The Friends will provide free books and update the LFLs as necessary. We are excited to join the Rotary in this fun project! New officers elected at our annual meeting ● Sue Raatikainen, President ● Lorene Chickering, Vice President ● Barbara Harrison, Secretary ● Frances Williams, Treasurer ● Eileen Forrester, Asst. Treasurer
Fall Book sale ● Nov. 3-5. We are trying a slightly later date to attract holiday shoppers. Committee Reports
Finance Committee Report
The committee did not meet. Ted Lenski reported that he has taken a first pass at the budget. There
are some open items that will need information from Jennifer Murray, as well as actuals are for salaries
and other items. To cover salary adjustments and without actuals, it looks like the increase may be
around 10%. It is still early in budget process. Jennifer reported that there have been no dates provided
by the City regarding the budget process.
Governance and Nomination Committee Report
Did not meet this month
Advocacy Committee Report
A formal meeting was not held. Two members discussed publicity and articles in the Other Paper to
celebrate the community’s support of the library, perhaps an article that shares Stacey Pape’s vision as
the new chair. The committee will develop a communication plan moving forward.
Foundation charge for next 6 months
This agenda item was moved to the Library Foundation Meeting Agenda
Director’s Report (submitted written report by Jennifer Murray)
● Mira and Kelly split the duties of being in charge while I was away, helping staff with the
stressful lack of bodies and bringing treats as well as making sound recommendations. At the
last-minute Kathryn had to be out as well to take care of a family matter and one person was
home awaiting a covid test. Staff have spent many extra hours on public service desks.
● New staff, Logan Selkirk (Circulation Asst), Almy Landauer (Adult Specialist, formerly a sub),
Alyssa Jeffer (Children’s Asst) are all in place.
● Using the checklist recommended earlier by our intern, Jennifer and supervisors have revised it
for use with these new staff.
● Applications are coming in for the Teen Specialist, Cataloging Specialist. We will be posting for a
new sub.
● Circ Specialist, Sue Meyer, got some basic training in cataloging and is handling the high interest
new books until we fill that position (along with her other duties.)
● Charlotte has our display monitors near the elevator doors up and running and they look
good. Eventually they will each hold different information.
● Summer Reading program is over. In Children’s, 306 kids submitted 1,996 raffle tix for
books read and 432 people attended June and July programs. Teen and adult participation
stats to come.
● Strategic plan on hold until library is fully staffed.
● Around 100 people visited the library and shared cupcakes and good cheer on the
Saturday of our first anniversary. It was nice to give people a chance to remember to
look around the space with appreciative eyes again.
● ARPA 2 grant from the Department of Libraries paid in part for a survey of our
collection with regard to cultural diversity (race, gender, nationality, sexuality
primarily.) Results came back and we are in the 80th percentile of other libraries who
have also run this survey. I commend the selectors for their choices in FY20-22 when
they first started thinking about collection diversity by author and by character. The
report breaks the collection down by areas, fact/fiction/adult/large print/children and
gives selectors some suggestions to fill gaps. Selectors will also work with small press
selections. ARPA 2 balance will be $4600 to spend on books.
● Kelly and Jennifer have informed Marj vonOhlsen of the plan to create a Caldecott collection for
inhouse use and to name it for her in honor of her time as a Children’s Librarian and FOL
president. Part of our interest is to create a space and explanation for older picture books that
depict values that may not be commonly held now but were historically relevant. This will also
give adults a chance to share books
● Terrace has reopened.
● During the meeting, Jennifer reported that the library will be back to regular hours.
New staff continue to be trained. Trustees shared with Jennifer that if volunteers are
needed in a certain capacity, we are available. Other Business
None
Meeting Adjournment
Seeing no other Business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 5:59 pm.