HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 06/13/2024 - Board of Trustees
Approved June Minutes South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees
The South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2024
at 5:30p.m., in the Library Board Room, and by Zoom participation.
Members Present: Theresa Eiermann, Lauren Ballard Hatch, Anne Gilson LaLonde, Stacey Pape, Donna
Swartwout, Penelope Tompkins, Margery Vagt
Members Absent: Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst, Ted Lenski, Holly Painter, Rebecca Stazi
Staff Members & Guests Present: Jennifer Murray
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
6. Staff Introduction deleted
7. Friends of the Library Report deleted
4. Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda
None
5. Approval of regular board meeting minutes of May 9, 2024
Upon a motion made by Trustee Anne LaLonde and seconded by Trustee Margery Vagt, the Trustees
voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the May 9, 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting.
6. Staff Introduction (Deleted from Agenda)
7. Friends of the Library Report (Deleted from Agenda)
8. Overview of the S.220 “act relating to Vermont’s public libraries”
Trustee Anne LaLonde provided an overview and highlights of S.220 which is an act relating to Vermont
Public Libraries. This new bill will go into effect July 1, 2024. The governance & nominating committee
will review policies to ensure SBPL is in compliance and updates will be made as appropriate. Link to
S.220
9. Report Outs
A. Chair Report
The chair acknowledged and recognized the dedication and commitment of outgoing Trustee Penne
Tompkins. The Trustees applauded Penne’s work with the SBPL Board of Trustees and her ongoing work
with the SBPL Foundation. Penne will serve as the President of the Foundation beginning July 1. She will
be missed as member of the Board of Trustees.
The library is hosting or sponsoring/supporting a number of events in the next few weeks and Trustees
were encouraged to attend, and bring family and friends.
The chair shared that the City and City Council are working on a FY’25 Work Plan. Director Jennifer
Murray, with input from library staff, has submitted the library’s plan which will be incorporated into the
City’s FY ‘25 work plan. The Trustees will review this document along with the SBPL Strategic Plan at the
July board meeting to create our goals for the year. The chair asked the Trustees to share with her any
events they attended in the past year in support of the library.
B. Committee Reports
Governance & Nomination Committee
Upon a motion made by Trustee Margery Vagt and seconded by Trustee Donna Swartwout, the Trustees
voted unanimously to accept proposed changes to the printing fee structure patron use.
Communications Committee
The committee supported the Children’s Summer read program with stickers sponsored by the SBPL
Foundation. Members are promoting the events in celebration of Juneteenth and focusing on the
September Library Card sign up drive. There was discussion that clarity between the Foundation
Marketing & PR committee and Board of Trustees communications is needed.
Finance Committee
No Meeting; no report
South Burlington Public Library Foundation (given by Anne LaLonde)
Foundation Director Anne LaLonde in her new role as liaison to the Trustees and Foundation (effective
July 1, 2024), provided the Trustees with the slate of Directors for the upcoming year. Two Directors:
John Simson and Donna Swartwout’s terms have ended. If approved, both will return to the Foundation
for a new three-year term. The board will vote on this during the July meeting. Anne shared the new
officers effective July 1:
Penne Tompkins, President; Penrose Jackson, Vice President; Ted Lenski, Treasure; Anne LaLonde,
Secretary.
The Foundation expressed its sincere appreciation for outgoing President Stacey Pape’s work with the
Foundation.
C. Director’s Report (Jennifer Murray)
Jennifer Murray reported how the library staff was working on the FY ‘25 work plan with the city. She
will share with the trustees at the next meeting.
Jennifer shared how the S.220 bill will affect the library procedures. Staff are working to implement
these changes. The process is a bit more complex than originally considered. Jennifer and staff are
thoughtfully considering all the appropriate communication and changes needed.
It is a busy month for the library with lots of programming happening and Trustees were encouraged to
attend and participate when possible. Book groups are on pause for summer months; the final library
substitute was hired and the library is now fully staffed.
The summer reading program for adults has already run out of bags (a good thing!). Jennifer thanked
the SBPL Foundation for their support of stickers and bags for the summer reading program.
The Juneteenth programs are a collaboration with Parks and Recreation. A grant was received to
support the programming efforts.
Jennifer will be out for three weeks in July and there is a good plan in place during her absence.
Finally, Jennifer noted that Trustees that reapplied for another term on the board will be notified as of
July 1, 2024. The City Council will also have selected a new member for the board.
10. Other Business:
None
11. Adjourn
Seeing no other business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:42 pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
Donna Swartwout, Secretary