HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Library Board of Trustees - 04/18/2024 - Board of Trustees
Draft Minutes South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees Communications Committee
The South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees Communications Committee held a regular
meeting Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., in the Library Board Room, and by Zoom participation.
Members Present: Rebecca Stazi, Chair; Holly Painter, Stacey Pape (online), Penne Tompkins
Members Absent: N/A
Staff: Jennifer Murray, absent
Trustee Present: Teresa Eirmann
1. The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
2. Library exits were reviewed.
The Chair provided instructions on emergency exit 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
Trustee Teresa Eirmann attended as an observer and had no questions not related to the agenda.
5. Approval of meeting minutes of March 21, 2024
Upon a motion made by Trustee Penne T. and seconded by Trustee Holly P., the Trustees voted
unanimously to accept the March 21, 2024 meeting minutes of the Communications Committee.
6. Communications Projects – Amplification opportunities
• UVM social work intern article published in The Other Paper got multiple placements.
• The Illuminate VT effort to ask visitors to write and have their photos taken about why they loved
the library was well received and the photos have been uploaded to the library Canva account for
future use. Read Local stickers were popular.
• Educator Hannah Miller’s visit 2 times during National Library week were very successful. Holly
attended and the photo and caption was published in the April 18 issue of The Other Paper.
• April programs include 2 programs with Holly Painter; the first Experiments in Poetry was well
attended (20?) and the second, a joint poetry reading with Dan who supports the library poetry
group is April 29.
• May has a few programs that trustees can help spread awareness for: Lois Price’s music program
May 1, children’s author visit May 4 and the Queer Archives talk with curator Meg Tamulonis May 9.
7. Future Planning and Updates
1. Find out from Director Jennifer whether additional quantities of “Read Local” stickers are needed
2. Explore ways to support Summer Reading program which begins in June- the Foundation provided
funds to help buy bags, thinking of getting pencils and making a card to put in the bags letting
patrons know how to get a library card. Penne T will design a more kid friendly sticker for the bag in
case we want to pursue that idea. Jennifer will be asked about the pencil and card idea.
3. Library staff are revising Juneteenth program ideas, and we will see where we can help once those
are planned.
4. Will the library have dates for the SB Night out Thursdays this summer? If so, we propose that the
library, possibly with help from the Foundation, purchase a custom pop-up tent and table banner for
outreach events.
5. We will reach out to Jennifer about how to share flyers for upcoming events as waiting until monthly
trustee meetings can make timing too tight for trustees to share effectively.
6. The committee discussed ideas for Library card sign up month in September. Penne T. will reach out
to Violet Nichols about whether we might put an article in the monthly school newsletter that goes
to al parents and one of us will follow up with Jennifer to get some specific statistics about library
card sign ups to help the group set targets for the September initiative. Specifically, the group is
hoping to engage the residents moving into the recently opened South Burlington residences near
the library. Stacey and Rebecca are connecting with UVM and Medical center people who may have
ideas for reaching new residents.
7. There is no news yet about the possibility of a shared communications intern for city departments,
including the library.
8. Other Business
• Penne mentioned the upcoming partnership between the library, the SB Food Shelf and the SB
Rotary to bring the Bess O’Brien documentary film “Just Getting By” to the library for a free showing
at the end of May. One of us will also reach out to the Affordable Housing Committee to make them
aware as the movie addresses both housing and food scarcity challenges in Vermont.
• The Committee will ask Jennifer what the position description is for the digital specialist as we want
to work effectively with that person.
12. Adjourn
Seeing no other business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Penne Tompkins