Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 04/16/20LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 NOTE: As part of the City of Arcadia's COVID-19 transmission mitigation efforts, and in accordance with California Executive Order N-25-20 suspending some terms of the Brown Act, this meeting was conducted virtually, via teleconference. CALL TO ORDER — Chair Barbara Delphey called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Barbara Delphey, Trustees Miriam Carter, Janet HasBrouck, and Elizabeth Renfrew; Councilmember Peter Amundson (City Council Liaison); Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library Services Managers Roger Hiles and Pat Smith. ABSENT — Trustee Alice Wang PUBLIC COMMENTS — None REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS Chair Delphey expressed the thanks and appreciation of the Board to outgoing Council liaison Peter Amundson. Councilmember Amundson reported that the City is closely monitoring the local effects of the COVI D-1 9 pandemic, and that the planned Arcadia Patriotic Festival would probably be canceled. Trustee Renfrew stated that the Friends' Book Sale had not been held due to the Library closure, and book donations have dropped off, but that they have received some membership renewals. She added that the Friends are working in the basement to better organize books to find more storage. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR Announcements/Statements/Reports Director's Update: Director Bradley stated that March report summed up the changes the Library has been through since the onset of the pandemic. She reported that the new Spring Reading Program had started, that it was being held virtually, and that the Children's staff was exploring more ways to get the news out to students sheltering at home. Trustee Renfrew commented that the Library still was busy, with people coming to the front door to pick up books and tax forms. Director Bradley added that the staff was busy on a variety of projects, and that the Cataloging and Acquisitions team was adding labels and subject heading for a new subcategory of mystery fiction called "Cozy Mysteries". Monthly Statistical Report: February 2020: Director Bradley noted that the February statistics showed a normal month, with good attendance and circulation numbers and solid passport sales. Monthly Report Narrative: February 2020: Chair Delphey asked if the Library would be a voting center again for the Fall 2020 election, and Director Bradley reported that the Library will again be a four-day voting center. Trustee Renfrew commented that people should not wait until the last day to vote. Chair Delphey noted the police call in the report and asked how common calls to the police have become. Director Bradley stated that they occur almost weekly. She noted that in I the coming year's budget submission she is requesting the security guard contract be increased to cover all of the Library's hours of operation. Monthly Statistical Report: March 2020: Chair Delphey noted that the effects of the pandemic were plain to see in the numbers of visitors and circulation in the March report. Director Bradley reported that checkouts after the March 13 closure were for holds or the "front door pickup" program. Chair Delphey commented that this was a wonderful program. Director Bradley added that eBook circulation was up sharply after the closure. Monthly Report Narrative-, March 2020: Trustee Renfrew said the timeline provided a good summary of the events. Trustee Carter asked about what happens to books after they are weeded from the collection, and Director Bradley reported that they are offered to the Friends for potential sale in the bookstore. COVID-19: Chair Delphey asked if there was anything virus -related to add to the description in the March narrative and Director Bradley stated the Library was starting to plan for re -opening, without yet knowing the exact date or conditions for it. She also stated that no in-house programs were being planned through August. Budget Update: Director Bradley reported that the coming year's operating budget would be flat, and most requests for equipment replacement and capital projects are being delayed until the following year. Additional hours of security guard coverage are being requested for the Library and a security camera system is being requested for the Museum. Trustee Renfrew noted that the added sales tax revenue expected from Measure A was just about to start being collected when the virus shutdown closed many businesses. Library Board Field Trip: Director Bradley suggested postponing the field trip until the fall, and general agreement was expressed by the board. Staff Update: Director Bradley reported that Adult Services Librarian 11 Debbie Marks would be retiring on April 30. She has been serving as Teen Services librarian. Director Bradley also reported that there are currently two vacant Library Technician positions, and two vacant Library Aide positions. Staff Report: Director Bradley announced that the City Council had approved the renewal of the broadband services contract and continued Library participation in the State's Public Library broadband consortium. The high-speed network connection (used for public computers and the Library's public Wi-Fi system) costs about $20,000 per year, but the grant -funded reimbursements that come with consortium membership reduce the cost to about $4,000. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported that Curator Acevedo is producing "Curator's Corner" videos for patrons to view online. The video on the Riyo Sato sketch collection has been viewed over 800 times. A list of educational resources has been posted on the Museum website for student use as they shelter at home. Director Bradley also reported that the Museum's volunteers are working from home to document their lives during the pandemic. Trustee HasBrouck reported that Arcadia High School's "Apache News" channel had posted a list of activities for teens at home, and that perhaps the Museum could reach out to be included. Calendars of activities/Flyers/Articles/Attachments: Director Bradley commented that the activities on the calendars had all been canceled, but were included in the packet before that was known. Trustee Carter asked what had been decided about the Library Centennial events, and Manager Smith announced that the in-house activities had been canceled, but educational postings to social media would shortly be resumed. Trustee Carter commented that she had seen a story of teachers driving through a town so their students could see them from their homes, and that this could perhaps be used as a "contactless 7) program. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of Februa[y 20, 20-9 Recommended action: Approve I The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Trustee HasBrouck, seconded by Trustee Renfrew, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Chair Delphey, Trustees Carter, HasBrouck, Renfrew, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: Alice Wang ADJOURNMENT Chair Delphey adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m. to Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Approved: Barbara Delphey, Chal* Darlene Bradley, Secretary Minutes prepared by: Roger Hiles