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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 11/18/2021CALL TO ORDER — Chair Miriam Carter called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m., in the Conference Room of the Library. ROLL CALL: Chair Miriam Carter; Trustees Barbara Delphey, Elizabeth Renfrew, Carlton Seaver, Alice Wang; Councilmember Paul Cheng (City Council Liaison); Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library Services Managers Roger Hiles, Pat Smith REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Trustee Wang reported on a very profitable fundraising sale at the Bargain Box Thrift Store. City Councilmember Cheng reported on Councilmember Roger Chandler's passing and informed the Board that the memorial service will be private. He reported that the vacancy left by Councilmember Chandler will be discussed by City Council at the end of November; updated the Board on recent ACA, Diwali, and Arcadia High School events, and the successful Arcadia clean-up day. Councilmember Cheng also described the well -attended Veteran's Day commemoration and discussed his efforts on behalf of local veterans. Trustee Renfrew reported on the Friends' book sale in early November: the sale netted $800 or so and helped reduce the Book Store's inventory. The next sale is planned for April. She also mentioned that the Friends are receiving many donations of Chinese -language books and could use volunteers to help sort them; she asked as well for more volunteers for the Book Store. Trustee Delphey informed the Board about the new signage for the Book Store in honor of Doris and Jerry Selmer. The Friends will meet again in January. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items Director's Update: Director Bradley invited the Board to the Library's Holiday Staff Party on Thursday, December 16, and invited them to participate in the Secret Santa gift exchange. She reminded the Board that the Library will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Library staff will participate in the Downtown Arcadia Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 4. Financial Report: FY 2020-21 YE Close; October 2021: The year-end report for 2020-21 is almost complete: 90.32% of the budget was spent, which is within budget. The current report runs through the end of October, it also shows that the Library's spending is on target. Monthly Statistical Report: October 2021: Director Bradley noted the gate count has been low, but many things are still being done remotely. The number of reference questions has increased, however, as have program attendance and the number of passports processed. A discussion about the percentage of fines paid and collection procedures followed. Monthly Report Narrative: October 2021: The Director reviewed the October monthly report and discussed PressReader, the new newspaper and magazine database, staffing issues, • building repairs. Trust Account Report — Friends of the Library: Director Bradley presented the Trust Account report and explained the Friends of the Library's purpose, organization, and how the funds the Friends raise support Library programming. She went over how this year's funds were allocated and what they will be used for in detail. Staff Reports to City Council: Yamada Enterprises for Phase Two of New Furniture. The expenditure covered in this Staff Report will fund the second, and final, phase of a project to update the furniture in the Children's Room. This order will add new study carrels along the wall opposite the ones installed this past fiscal year. The new carrels will allow better sightlines for staff and offer customers charging outlets. Staff Update: The last applicant from the most recent Library Aide recruitment list was interviewed. With less than three applicants on the list, a new Aide recruitment will open in the near future. The current recruitment for two half-time Library Techs will close on November 29. Applicants who can move up through the organization as they gain experience are particularly valued. COVID-19 Updates: Director Bradley reminded the Board that the only protective measure that the County Board of Supervisors requires is that masks be worn in the building. For the time being, such other measures as social distancing or temperature checks are not required. Policy Manual Update: Fines, Renewals. Library staff presented a proposal to automatically renew items for one three-week period to decrease fines and improve customer service. A lengthy discussion followed about how the plan would work and how statistics would be collected. Holiday Celebration/Staff Cookies: The Director asked the Board if they would like to continue the long Library Board tradition of bringing cookies for Library staff before the holidays. The Board agreed to take turns providing five dozen cookies (homemade or store-bought) each day before and after the Christmas break. Chair Carter offered to updateTrustee Seaver. The schedule will be as follows: December 20 Trustee Delphey December 21 Trustee Wang December 22 Trustee Renfrew December 27 Chair Carter December 28 Trustee Seaver Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Museum staff are getting ready for the Snow Festival on December 4: they will provide materials for a snow globe craft. The Museum participated in the Recreation Department's celebration of Veterans Day: 115 guests visited the Museum to see the new veterans' kiosk. Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: December 2021: It was noted that the Calendar needs to be corrected as the Library is closed on December 24. Director Bradley noted that programming will resume in the auditorium in December. Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: December 2021: The Teen Librarian is actively recruiting for the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) Team and hoping to restart the Smart Squad in January. Chair Carter suggested the Library do more to promote Library programming at the Recreation Center, including advertising Library programs on the digital board. IF lye rs/A rtic les/Posters/Attac h me nts: The Director encouraged the Board to read the attached article on Brooklyn Public Library's successful efforts to encourage the public to return materials without resorting to fines. She also reviewed flyers promoting the Library's new online resources. Library Board Photo: The annual Board Photo was taken earlier in the meeting as Trustee Seaver needed to leave early. CONSENT • a. Approve the R,e,,qular Meeting Minutes of October 21 2021 Recommended action: Approve The motion to accept the Minutes of October 21, 2021, was moved by Trustee Renfrew, seconded by Trustee Delphey, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Delphey, Renfrew, Wang NOES: None ABSENT: Trustee Seaver ADJOURNMENT Chair Carter adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m. to January 20, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Approved: peo Darlene Bradley, Secretary Minutes prepared by: Pat Smith