HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Minutes: 02-16-23LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023
CALL TO ORDER — Chair Miriam Carter called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m., in the Cay
Mortenson Auditorium of the Library.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chair Carter
ROLL CALL: Chair Miriam Carter; Trustees Connie Liao, Elizabeth Renfrew, Alice Wang;
Councilmember Eileen Wang (City Council Liaison); Director of Library & Museum
Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library Services Managers Samantha Alba,
Pat Smith
ABSENT — Trustee Seaver
MOTION TO EXCUSE — Trustee Renfrew moved to excuse Trustee Seaver from today's Library
Board of Trustees' meeting as he is on vacation. Chair Carter seconded the
motion, which passed on a voice vote.
AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Liao, Renfrew, Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: Trustee Seaver
PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Trustee Renfrew, liaison to the Friends of
Arcadia Public Library, reported that the Friends' recent sale made over $700; they may hold
another sale in a few weeks. The Friends will also be hosting a guitar concert on March 22, one
of the popular Classical Kaleidoscope series, and is planning another paint night in the near future.
Trustee Wang report that the Lunar New Year party was a success, but a lot of work. COVID
guidelines limited the number of people per table at the Recreation Center, so they had to turn
people away. Chair Carter discussed her involvement with Children's Services' middle -school
programming. Councilmember Wang reported on recent City Council actions and on the goal -
setting meeting held at the Library.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements I Statements I Future Agenda Items
Director's Update: Director Bradley let the Board know that Shelly Polifka, the library
administration's Office Coordinator, will be retiring on March 3 after 23 years with the Library. She
noted that it will be hard to replace her as she does so much. The recruitment will start next week.
Monthly Statistical Report: January 2023: The number of visits to the library is increasing and
the number of holds is staying steady. Circulation statistics have decreased because staff have
corrected the way check-outs are reported, resulting in a more accurate count. The number of
passports processed has decreased because we are now down to one passport clerk.
Monthly Report Narrative: January 2023: Chair Carter praised the Kid Created STEM program.
The Director noted that the library makes a special effort to provide science programming for girls.
Financial Report: January 2023: While there have been additional building costs, the budget is
currently on target.
RFID Update: Tagging and encoding is complete, although some uncataloged special collection
items will eventually be added in the future to the cataloged and tagged category. Security gates
and self -check machines are up and running; the new credit-card readers will be available next
week. The library is still waiting for the signage for the book chutes, and staff still needs
management console training. Director Bradley acknowledged that Library Services Manager
Alba was key to moving the project forward.
Budget: The budget process formally opens next week, although staff have already been working
on it. The library is preparing an RFP for building security.
Staff Reports: Building Forward Grant: The Staff Report for the grant -funded family restroom
is being prepared for the City Council. A family restroom is not required for older buildings like the
library, but customers have asked for it. The Director will present the final staff report and two
resolutions for the City Council's approval next month.
Staff Update: Ashlin Mushinskie and Mariella Fajardo are the two new Technicians in Account
Services. None of the five candidates for the Account Services Manager position interviewed for
it. This important and demanding position will remain open until filled. The library is filling the
Librarian I position in Cataloging and Acquisitions vacated when Margaret Lindstrom became the
Principal Librarian for that department. Museum Education Coordinator Brittani Alberto's last day
is March 4; the recruitment for her position begins that day and closes on March 18. Five new
aides will be starting soon, leaving two unfilled positions.
Glib Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Demand for programs for local schools and girl -scout troops
remains high. The Museum is hosting a history talk on Lucky Baldwin on March 4.
Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: March 2023: Director Bradley invited the Board
to the annual Read Across America program. Representatives from the Police and Fire
Departments will read to the kids in attendance and let them see the fire trucks and police cars
up close. The bilingual story time and Homework Help programs have started, and recruiting will
start soon for the summer teen volunteer program.
Calendar of activities for Adult and Teen Services: March 2023: The Director promoted the
Movies You Missed program and the upcoming Classical Kaleidoscope concert.
Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Director Bradley highlighted the upcoming talk by Ed
Anderson, The San Gabriel Valley in 187T Through the Lens of Carleton Watkins. Trustee
Renfrew praised the Kid Created series of programs and discussed the upcoming Serving with a
Purpose conference.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2023
Recommended action: Approve.
The motion to accept the Minutes of January 23, 2023, as written, was moved by Trustee Renfrew,
seconded by Trustee Liao, and carried on a unanimous voice vote.
AYES: Chair Carter, Trustees Liao, Renfrew, and Wang
NOES: None
ABSENT: Trustee Seaver
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carter adjourned the meeting at 5:15 pm, to March 16, 2023, 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: Pat Smith