HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 09/17/20LIBRARY
THURSDAY,SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTE)
SEPTEMBER
17,2020 1
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,
these meetings were conducted virtually, via teleconference.
CALL TO O — Chair Barbara Delphey called the Special meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- Chair Barbara Delphey
ROLL A. Chair Barbara ..,. Trustees
w Miriam Carter, Janet HasBrouck, i ,.
and Wang;Paul Cheng (City Council Liaison);
Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library
Services
... Managers ogw Hiles and
Pat
'o w
CLOSED SESSION
A closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, was held to conduct a
performance evaluation of the Director of Library and Museum Services.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Delphey adjourned the Special meeting at 4:28 p.m. to Thursday, September 17, 2020.
CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Barbara Delphey called the Regular meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- Trustee Miriam Carter
ROLL CALL: Chair Barbara Delphey, Trustees Miriam Carter, Janet HasBrouck, Elizabeth
Renfrew, and Alice Wang; Councilmember Paul Cheng (City Council Liaison);
Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library
Services Managers Roger Hiles and Pat Smith.
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS
Trustee Renfrew reported that some money continued to be raised with sales from the 25 cent
book trucks outside the front entrance to the library, although donations were down since the
closure. She added that the membership letter would be going out in two weeks, and the
newsletter in the next 2-3 weeks. Trustee Wang stated that she had been sheltering at home but
had recently visited the library to evaluate some donated books. Trustee HasBrouck said that she
wanted to thank the Friends of the Library for their support for the Summer Reading Program.
Councilmember Cheng reported that the Bobcat Fire was under control on our side, and that
thanks to increased police patrols, there had been no reported looting in the evacuated area of
the City. He also reported that Arcadia residents had organized to provide lunches for Police and
Fire staff.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements/Statements/Reports
Director's Update: Director Bradley noted that we were six months into a pandemic and
economic slowdown, and now have added civil unrest and the Bobcat fire to the world around us.
She reported that library staff was spending 80% of each day collecting books for patron reserves
and distributing them through the front -door pickup process, currently at the rate of about 500
books per day. Webcams are being added to many staff computers to allow participation in online
meetings, which have become the norm. She added that the Library would be partnering with the
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for a series of virtual small business classes, and that the Library
was promoting a new virtual anti -racism program series called -,"Be.The Change" with the Glendale
Library and the Southern California Library Cooperative. Director Bradley also stated that the
California State Library was providing a wide variety of online resources to schools and libraries
to help students learn from home, and that the State Library has produced a "Quick Action" section
for their website that includes instructional videos and other guides for parents and students. She
further reported that September would again be National Library Card Sign-up Month, and that
the In -N -Out reading program would be back in October. Director Bradley added that the strategic
plan update would be on the agenda for the next Board meeting.
Monthly Statistical Report: June 2020 (rev.), July 2020, August 2020: Director Bradley noted
that fines were up, and that the Annual Report would be on the agenda for the October Board
meeting.
Monthly Report Narrative: July/August 2020: Chair Delphey said that the veteran's program
had touched her heart. Trustee HasBrouck asked about the legal permission to produce read -
along videos being cut off, and Manager Smith stated that some publishers had extended
permission until the end of the year. Chair Delphey asked about the online credit card service and
Manager Hiles stated that problems are being addressed with the payment processor and our
library management system vendor as they occur, and far fewer problems have been encountered
this month than in August. Chair Delphey commented favorably on the new Chinese language
newsletter, and Director Bradley added that the Chinese "New Books" section had been
expanded. Chair Delphey stated that she wanted to say "Good job" to the whole staff.
Preliminary Year -End Financial Report: 2019-2020: Director Bradley reported that building
maintenance costs have increased as the 60 -year-old building ages. She added these are
preliminary numbers, and that the final numbers would be coming later in the year.
Policy Manual Update: Director Bradley reported that there were few changes this year, with just
an update to the "Library Bill of Rights" statement to reflect a change made by the American
Library Association, and the deletion of the ALA Inter -Library Loan Code from the manual, which
reflects that it is no longer used with our ILL process. Director Bradley added that drafts of the
Facility Rental Policy and Imagination Theater Rental Policy had been included in the Board
packet for review and would be discussed and voted on at the October Board meeting. Trustee
Carter stated that she thought that the requirement that a person renting the Imagination Theater
be at least 18 years old was too low. Chair Delphey asked if it could be raised to 21. Trustee
HasBrouck asked why 18 had been selected, and Director Bradley stated that it was the legal age
of adulthood, but that the draft policy could be changed. She added that this was just a preliminary
draft and had also not yet gone to. the City Attorney for review.
Staff Reports to City Council: Chair Delphey stated that the reports seemed self-explanato
Director Bradley noted that although the City Council has approved expanded hours for securit,
guard services, the added hours are not being used due to the Library being closed to the publi
Trustee Carter asked about the Library's recent experiences with homeless people. Directo
Bradley reported that after some public defecation incidents, a port -o -potty had been added in th
Library's parking lot, and she also stated that the security guard was usually stationed at the fron
door to provide enhanced safety for patrons and staff. She added that Ring security cameras ha
been placed in the West Patio, to help keep an eye on the situation there. Director Bradley als
added that additional Wi-Fi coverage would be provided in the north parking lot as part Pf th
Library's Wi-Fi replacement project, which would be starting soon.
COVI D -I 9: Director Bradley stated the Library was in a holding pattern while waiting for a change
to public health guidance from the State, County, or City.
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Staff Update: Director Bradley reported that Library Technician Elise Sagaspe resigned. Trustee
HasBrouck asked if the City's hiring freeze was still in place, Director Bradley confirmed it was.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported that the Museum staff has been
working hard to find resources for programming despite having very little money for programming
in their budget. A donation of $5,000 has been received from the Hakka Foundation for
programming supplies. Director Bradley reported that Curator's Corner videos continue to be
popular. She also reported that humidity bags had been hung in the Museum to remove moisture
from the air and help preserve the collection.
Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments:
Arcadia History Room Featured Photo: Trustee HasBrouck asked about the Library Centennial
Celebration, and Manager Smith stated we have until next July to put something together, and
the Centennial Celebration could possibly be combined with the re -opening of the building to the
public.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meetinq Minutes of July 16, 2020
Recommended action: Approve
The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Trustee Renfrew, seconded by Trustee
HasBrouck, and carried on a voice vote.
AYES: Chair Delphey, Trustees Carter, HasBrouck, Renfrew, and Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: one
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Delphey adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m. to Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 4-30 p.m. in
the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia.
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arlene Bradley, Secretapf�
Minutes prepared by: Roger Hiles