HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 10/21/2021CALL TO ORDER — Chair Miriam Carter called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Trustee Alice Wang
ROLL CALL: Chair Miriam Carter, Trustees Barbara Delphey, Elizabeth Renfrew, Carlton
Seaver, and Alice Wang; Councilmember Paul Cheng (City Council Liaison);
(Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library
Services Manager Roger Hiles.
REPORTS LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS
Chair Carter reported that the American Library Association's United for Libraries group has
declared the week of October 17-23 to be National Friends of the Library Week. Director Bradley
stated she would ask City Council to honor the Arcadia Friends group at this time next year.
Trustee Delphey reported that the Friends held several successful book sales and made good
money. Trustee Renfrew added that Bookstore volunteers really stepped up to support the sales.
She also reported there would be a half-price book sale from November 1-6. Trustee Wang and
Chair Carter reported they attended the Museum's 20t" anniversary, and Mayor Tay and many
others also attended. Trustee Delphey reported she attended as well, saying the Museum was a
real treasure for the community. Councilmember Cheng described ongoing efforts to honor and
recognize the City's military veterans and announced that the new Anita Baldwin statue at the
new Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia Hotel would be unveiled on Monday, October 25.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements/Statements/Reports
Director's Update: Director Bradley reported she had no general report to make this month.
FinancialReport: September 2021: Director Bradley reported the final financial report for the
last fiscal year has still not been completed. The current reporting for this fiscal year has begun
and the September report shows that spending is on track.
Monthly Statistical Report: September 202: Director Bradley noted the "Fines & Fees" number
for September is very high because a $15,100 grant received by the Library to reimburse internet
costs is deposited in the general fund rather than the "Gift & Grants" fund since these Internet
costs are paid Out of the general fund.
Monthly Report arrative: September 2 1: Chair Carter noted the National Library Card
Month and another new bench had been added.
Staff Reports: Director Bradley stated the Council approved receiving $2,000 for a memorial
bench, and the HR Commission approved abolishing the eligibility list for the Library Technician
position since none of the remaining candidates were interested in the currently vacant part-time
positions. A new recruitment will begin, highlighting the "part-time" nature of current vacancies.
Staff ate: Director Bradley stated she had no staff update beyond what she reported about
the staff report to the HR Commission.
Policy Manual Update: The Trustees resumed their discussion of the proposed Policy Manual
revisions continued from last month. They requested a comma be added to page 11, in the
sentence reading "Library Aides are responsible for the shelving of all library material, following
established filing rules..." They also asked that the reference to the "Library Bill of Rights" in the
last paragraph of page 36 describe the document as "the American Library Association's Library
Bill of Rights."
Trustee Seaver moved to accept the revised Policy Manual Revision, as corrected. The motion
was seconded by Trustee Wang and carried by a voice vote.
AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Delphey, Renfrew, Seaver, and Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Internet Services Policy revision: Director Bradley reviewed the history of the Internet Services
policy, and the Library's filtering practices, as described in the Staff Report. She added that while
the staff recommends continuing to filter pornography from the Library's public computers and
Wi-Fi system (subject to appeal and potential whitelisting), should dedicated equipment be
needed for the public to access pornography in the future, potential future hardware updates to
the Library's network equipment might permit that without additional cost.
Trustee Seaver moved to accept the revised Internet Services Policy. The motion was seconded
by Trustee Delphey and carried by a voice vote.
AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Delphey, Renfrew, Seaver, and Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Informational Report of Fines and Renewals: Pursuant to a directive from the Board at the last
meeting, Director Bradley reviewed research about fine and renewal policies of nearby libraries
that she has conducted. As noted in the supporting document, many local libraries offer similar or
more renewals than we do, and relatively few nearby stand-alone city libraries have gone "fine -
free", although the two largest libraries in the County (County of Los Angeles Library with 86
branches and the Los Angeles Public Library with 72 branches) have done so. Chair Carter stated
that she personally would not support going fine -free because she believes in requiring patrons
to be accountable for their actions. Director Bradley recommended continuing to charge fees until
further research can be done to determine the effects of such a policy on a library our size. She
also proposed waiting until the November meeting before taking any action, as Library Services
Manager Smith would be able to be present.
Correspondence: Director Bradley described the recent incidents involving Mr. Arrogant
Hollywood, who has currently been banned from the Library building and grounds for 30 days due
to his disruptive behavior.
it Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported the Museum had celebrated its
2 oth anniversary. Chair Carter said that the Museum is doing great things.
Arcadia History Room Featured Historical Picture: Director Bradley commented that the
historical photo for the month showed the original signage for the Museum when it opened 20
years ago. 11
Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: November 2021: Director Bradley reported the
In-N-Out Burgers Cover -To -Cover reading program had started and continues to be very popular.
Calendar of Activities for Adult & Teen Services: October 2021 -. Director Bradley reported th
next Bookish Book Discussion was coming up on Tuesday the October 26. 1
Flyers/articleslattachments: Director Bradley discussed the Value of Libraries article and said
it was long but contained good information.
Library Board Photo: By general agreement, this was again deferred to the next Board meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of Se tember 16, 2021
Recommended action: Approve
Trustee Delphey noticed that word "largely" was missing a "g" in the section on the Policy Manual
Update. She asked that this be corrected and moved to approve the minutes as corrected, which
was seconded by Trustee Seaver, and carried on a voice vote.
AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Delphey, Renfrew, Seaver, and Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carter adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m. to Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. in
the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia.
Approved:
Miriam Carter, Chair Darlene Bradley, Secretary
Minutes prepared by: Roger Hiles