HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 01/21/2021NOTE: 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 O., — Chair Barbara Delphey called the meeting to order at
ROLL CALL: Chair Barbara Delphey, Trustees Miriam Carter, Janet HasBrouck, Elizabeth
Renfrew, and Alice Wang; Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley
(Secretary); Library Services Managers Roger Hiles and Pat Smith.
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS
Trustee Carter stated that she is enjoying the Library's front -door pickup service. Trustee Wang
reported that the Arcadia Chinese Association's Installation Gala will be held on February 6, and
that the Board was invited. Chair Delphey and Trustee Carter expressed an interest in attending,
and Director Bradley stated she would forward them the invitation. Trustee Wang added that the
Library could give her a wish list for items needing financial support from the ACA again this year.
Trustee Renfrew announced that the Friends had been able to hold "pop-up" book sales outside
the library for a few weeks, but that the heightened epidemic restrictions had suspended them,
and added that she was looking forward to re -opening the sales soon. Chair Delphey reported
that book store volunteer June Colman had been honored by the City as Senior Citizen of the
Year, and Trustee HasBrouck added that an article about June had appeared in the Friend's
newsletter.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements/Statements/Reports
Director's Update: Director Bradley shared part of a PowerPoint presentation she had prepared
for the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce which outlined many activities of the Library during the
CAVI D-19 lockdown. Chair Delphey thanked her and added that the Library had been busy.
Director Bradley reported that staff is currently preparing for a mid -year budget review as well as
the new budget for the next fiscal year.
Monthly Statistical Report: November/December 2020: Director Bradley stated that circulation
numbers are hovering at about the same each month as this service is directly tied to staff and
labor involved to pull and ready holds for patrons. She added that circulation of Chinese language
eBooks had risen 200%. Chair Delphey commented that it was good to see passport services
starting up again and asked if there had been any feedback from schools about the class visits
mentioned in the report. Director Bradley stated that Principal Librarian Petra Morris had done six
virtual class visited in January. Trustee HasBrouck congratulated staff on doing a good job.
Monthly Report Narrative: November/December 2020: Chair Delphey stated that the number
of programs was impressive. Trustee HasBrouck congratulated staff on getting the State Library
grant for scanning local history' resources. Director Bradley stated that some fragile Polk's
Directories were being digitized. Trustee Renfrew asked what the "Micro -lessons" mentioned in
the report were, and Manager Smith stated they were high interest parts of learning labs that were
recorded and made available separately. Trustee Renfrew complemented Director Bradley and
the Library staff for the COVID precautions described in the report and that the Library had gone
nine months without exposures within the building.
Financial Report: November 2020: Director Bradley reported that the report dated back to
November, but that the Library's current spending was on track for the year.
COVID-19 Update: Director Bradley reported that staff was back at work following the exposure
incident in December.
Staff Update: Director Bradley reported that recruitment of a Library Technician had been
approved to help with critical staff shortages in the Account Services, and the recruitment was
under way, with potential interviews possible in mid-March.
Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported that a virtual volunteer game nig
was being planned. A virtual exhibit highlighting what the public collects is planned for March. I
Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Chair Delphey commented that she liked the
consolidated calendars for Children's and Adult programs, rather than separate ones. Trustee
Carter asked if the Children's Winter Activity kits were still being offered at the front door, and
Manager Smith stated that while that program had ended, a Spring program was being prepared.
Director Bradley added that a virtual "Art of Reading Aloud" program was being offered to parents
on January 25.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2020
Recommended action: Approve
The motion to approve the consent calendar 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
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Delphey adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m. to Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.
in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia.
Approved:
Barbara Delphey, Chair
tn n
Darlene Bradley, Secretary aL—
Minutes prepared by: Roger Hiles