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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Library Board of Trustees - 10/05/2023 - FinanceDraft Minutes South Burlington Library Board of Trustees Thursday, October 5, 2023 4:00 pm Location: Boardroom – South Burlington Public Library and Virtual online Members Present: Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst, Ted Lenski, Donna Swartwout, Members Absent: Staff Members Present: Jennifer Murray Call to Order Chair Called the Meeting to Order at 4:11 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 Previous Meeting Minutes Upon a motion made by Trustee Ted Lenski and seconded by Trustee Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst, the Trustees voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the February 23, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting. Review of FY 24 Budget The committee reviewed the FY 24 budget and a comparison of the FY 23 budget. This review helped shape the discussion for the FY 25 budget. To date, the FY 24 budget is on track and there are no concerns at this time. Review FY 25 Draft Budget The chair provided a line by line review of the FY 25 draft budget. Jennifer Murray explained the request for an increase in staff (additional hire and increasing staff hours). The budget appropriately reflects a reduction in line items that are less active (DVDs) and increase in areas that are move actively used and needed by the community. As the library staff grows, the committee feels it is important to increase staff training and development to support the leadership staff of the library. Annual fees and subscriptions have increased from third party vendors and this is reflected in the draft budget. There are some new line items in this budget draft to accurately reflect how and why the library is spending in these areas (young adult graphic novels, the library of things, and E and audio books). There is roughly a 4-6% increase in tangible supply lines to keep cost with inflation. Salaries and health benefits are line items set by the City of South Burlington. The overall budget with salaries included is a little under 9% increase from last year. Discussion on Copier/Printing Philosophy Jennifer Murray explained the process by which the public can print at the library. She reviewed what some other libraries in the state of Vermont offer to their patrons. The committee considered the equity question when charging patrons for printing against the cost of doing business and creating a tiny revenue for the library. It was a robust discussion that considered a number of factors with equity and access at the forefront of the conversation. The cost of leasing equipment, the age of machines and software required were also considered. The committee asked Jennifer to gather information about the average number of pages printed/patron. It will be the committee’s recommendation to the SBPL Board of Trustees to allow a number of free pages of printing per year to each patron. Guest passes will be managed by the staff and will monitor the cumbersomeness of that process at the midyear point. At this time, the current copy machine process will remain as is. Review Book van proposal The finance committee reviewed the budget numbers for purchasing a book mobile/van and the possibility of the city receiving a grant that might support this purchase. The finance committee concurred with the South Burlington Public Library’s Board of Trustees decision that this was not the right time given the van would need a staff person to support the endeavor. The finance committee felt when the timing was right that the Library Foundation would be able to raise the funds and other grants would be available. ALA membership The finance committee recommended that the membership be paid using the Library’s gift account. Jennifer Murray confirmed that the city had no concerns and expressed support for the membership. New Business: None Meeting Adjournment Seeing no other business, the chair adjourned the meeting at 5:17 pm.