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