HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 11/16/17CALL TO ORDER – Chair Elizabeth Renfrew called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the
Library Conference room.
ROLL CALL: Chair Elizabeth Renfrew, Trustees Barbara Delphey, Janet HasBrouck, Joanna
Liang, and Alice Wang; Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley
(Secretary); Library Services Managers Roger Hiles and Pat Smith.
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REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES I LIAISONS
Trustee Wang reported that Peter Ulrich, of the Foundation has passed, as has Ruth Gilb;
Director Bradley also informed the Board that Betty Harris has passed as well.
Chair Renfrew reported that she and Trustee Delphey went to the Library's Halloween
celebration. She noted how positive it was and how well the Library provides for children.
Councilman Beck reported the results of a recent poll showing that residents have a positive
impression of City; crime is the only blemish. The City has allocated $100,000 for overtime for
Police: burglaries have dropped 28 percent. He also discussed the coyote issue. Arcadia won
an award for the most business -friendly city. He updated the Board on development and
economic issues, including the Las Tunas project.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements/Statements/Reports
a. Director's Update: Director Bradley reported that the Friends of the Library met in early
November, after meeting for the first time in September. They will be sponsoring the
"Classical Kaleidoscope" on March 27 and a jazz concert in June. There are also two
new members of the Friends of the Library Board: Karen Shepherd and Emmanuelle
Oddenino, who will serve as Co -Membership Chairs. Director Bradley also reported that
the Library is tightening volunteer security, requiring fingerprinting and a background
check that will be done through the Police Department. She will seek clarification from
the City Manager about whether the Board of Trustees will need to go through
screening. Director Bradley reported that the Passport Service is moving forward: offers
will be made soon to the successful applicants. Staff must be in place before application
can be submitted and approved. The recruitment for the Principal Librarian attracted
nine applicants, of which only six were qualified. The recruitment for Library Aides just
closed and the list was certified—there are two vacancies. The Senior Tech position in
Technical Services will be filled next: Human Resources is short-staffed and is taking
things slowly. The furniture for the silent room was re -bid and one bid was received. It
will go to City Council next month. Staff attended active -shooter training and was led on
a walk-through of the building by Officer Ortiz. Director Bradley gave a presentation at
the City Managers' Association in La Jolla as part of a panel discussion on changing
demographics in local cities.. She also gave presentations to a joint -use meeting with
Arcadia Unified School District and to the City's Leadership Academy. Early in
November, she attended the State Library Directors' Meeting. Monthly Report Statistics
(October 2017): Chair Renfrew asked about the curbside delivery program. Library
Services Manager Hiles reported that it had generated very little interest and did not
seem like a good fit for the Library. Chair Renfrew also noted that circulation statistics
had fluctuated: Director Bradley discussed the affect that the large number of in-house
use items had on Library statistics.
b. Monthly Report Narrative: Trustee Delphey asked how the new English Conversation
Class tutors were trained: Director Bradley explained that they observe current tutors
and are mentored until they are up to speed. Trustee HasBrouck commented positively
about the Learning Labs this fall. Director Bradley discussed the new Novelist K through
8 and Tumblebook databases. Chair Renfrew pointed out that the Robotics class
sounded like fun. Director Bradley discussed how children's programming had changed
over the past 20 years; how children's Services offers creative programming; and tries
to keep in touch with local schools, anticipating their needs.
c. Financial Report: This was the first report for the new fiscal year. Director Bradley
reported that the Library is on target. The line item for contract services is often higher
because paid up front. Children's lags behind because Summer Reading Program and
the start of the school year delays the start of their spending for the year.
d. Tech Center Update: The remodeling project has started beginning with painting. This
should be a four-week project: the Center may open at the end of December with a
ribbon -cutting event in January and an open -house in April. Director Bradley reported
that the bulk of the spending has been on updating the electrical system. Some of the
wiring dates from the early 1960s. All the equipment and furniture have been ordered.
e. Holiday Breakfast: The annual Library Holiday Breakfast and gift exchange is
scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, from 8-10 am. The Board of Trustees is cordially
invited. Please RSVP to Shelly.
f. Staff Training Day: The annual Staff Training Day is scheduled for January 15, from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Mandatory training is incorporated into the day, specifically hands-on fire-
extinguisher training and blood-borne pathogen training. There will be an early lunch and
break-out sessions in the afternoon. The Board of Trustees is invited.
g. Annual Cookies: Traditionally, the Board provides cookies on a daily basis to the
Library staff during one week prior to Christmas. This year's cookie event is scheduled
for the week of December 18. Each day, a member of the Board will bring five dozen
cookies. Monday: Trustee Renfrew; Tuesday: Trustee HasBrouck; Wednesday: Trustee
Wang; Thursday: Trustee Liang; Friday: Trustee Delphey.
h. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported on Laura Henneforth's
talk about Famous Arcadians, which was fascinating and informative. In response to a
question from Trustee HasBrouck, the Director responded that she has talked to the
Museum Curator, Dana Hicks, about filming the Coffee Talks. City Councilman Beck
recommended asking City Council for a camera as these presentations should be
captured. Trustee HasBrouck pointed out that increasing awareness of the Museum and
interest in Arcadia history will attract more participation. Director Bradley also mentioned
that the 100th anniversary of Ross Field is coming up and will be the subject of a
symposium in May 2018. She also reported that Ruth Gilb had passed and that
donations were being collected by the Museum in her honor.
Ii. Calendar of activities in the Auditorium: Trustee Delphey asked about the turnout for
the Health Care workshops. Director Bradley said it had been low, but the dates have
been changed and the numbers are expected to increase.
Calendar of activities in Adult/Teen Services: Chair Renfrew asked about the
Currently Reading Program; Director Bradley noted that this is part of an effort to attract
millennials. She also discussed the Random Acts of Music, which is scheduled for
December 2, from 1-3 pm.
k. Calendar of Activities in Children's Services: Chair Renfrew observed how busy
Children's will be in December.
1. Flyers/Articles/Attachments: Trustee HasBrouck noted that the flyer for the book -
discussion group for 2018 looks interesting, with a wide variety of selections, and
Director Bradley responded that several staff members are involved in choosing the
books and leading the discussion. The official copy of the Annual Report was handed
out. The Trustees commented that it is easy to read and very impressive. The Director
added that the statistics show that people do still use the library and that 84 percent of
our circulation is books.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2017
Recommended action: Approve.
The motion was moved by Trustee HasBrouck, seconded by Trustee Delphey, and carried on a
voice vote.
AYES: Chair Renfrew, Trustees Delphey, HasBrouck, Liang, and Wang
NOES: None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Renfrew adjourned this meeting at 5:40 p.m. to Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.
in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia.
Approved:
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Eliz8vbeth Renfrew; Chair
Darlene Bradley, Secretiri4o,
Minutes prepared by: Pat Smith