HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 01-18-2024LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER — Chair Elizabeth Renfrew called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m., in the
Conference Room of the Library.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Trustee Carter
ROLL CALL: Chair Elizabeth Renfrew; Trustees Pardha Akalamkam, Miriam Carter, Connie
Liao, Carlton Seaver, Michael Cao (City Council Liaison); Director of Library &
Museum Services Darlene Bradley (Secretary); Library Services Managers
Samantha Alba, Petra Morris.
ABSENT — Trustee Pardha Akalamkam
PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES I LIAISONS: A Sympathy card was distributed to Board
members and will be provided for Trustee Akalamkam. Trustee Carter requested an update on
the homeless. Trustee Renfrew announced that the Library will serve as a voting location in the
Auditorium for an eleven -day period. During that time the Library's Bookstore will stay open until
7:00 p.m. There will also be Friends of the Library book sales in March and April. Friends of the
Library membership is down, but they continue to work on this. City Council Liaison Cao
announced that the City's Health Committee would host a seminar about concussions and brain
injuries at the Library on January 24. Registration is encouraged. Seminars are not exclusive to
seniors and topics will be open to a younger and working audience. The Health Committee will
continue to host monthly health seminars relating to disabilities and mental illness.
REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items
Director's Update: Library Services Manager Alba conducted the report as Director Bradley
was traveling back to the Library from a Southern California Library Cooperative Director's
forum in Santa Monica. Library Services Manager Alba announced that there was a correction
to the December statistical report as the circulation counts for the teen and juvenile were
transposed. Director Bradley discussed the family restroom project and explained that the
$500,000 construction cost is too high for the City to support. There is also a time constraint
with the grant as the project would need to be completed by the end of this year. She will likely
have to give back the grant to the State Library and wait until another grant opportunity is
available.
Monthly Statistical Report: November/December 2023: Trustee Seaver commented that the
report reflected numbers from the time of the pandemic but requested numbers for pre-COVID.
Library Services Manager Alba responded that the reports do not reflect pre-COVID numbers, but
the statistics have steadily increased. Library Services Manager Alba explained that Passport
Service revenue was a little down due to staffing shortages. Trustee Carter requested money for
the English Conversation Class and commented that there used to be funding for it. Library
Services Manager Alba announced that Library Services Manager Pat Smith retired on December
2, 2023, but continues to volunteer for the English Conversation Class program.
Monthly Narrative Report: November/December 2023: Trustee Seaver complimented that the
November and December narratives were good. Library Services Manager Alba acknowledged
that Director Bradley included a "Fun Fact" into the reports and acknowledged a photo of Council
Liaison Cao, in the December 2023 monthly report, "pushing in" the new fire truck at Station 107.
Financial Report: November/December 2023: Trustee Seaver commented that he cannot pull
any useful information from the financial report. Library Services Manager Alba shared that
supply and services spending is on point and staff is keeping up with spending.
Staff Update: Library Services Manager Alba announced that Children's Services Supervisor
Petra Morris will serve as Acting Library Services Manager and Maxine Morishita has been
promoted to Library Technician I in Adult and Teen Services. The Library will need to do a new
recruitment for the Adult Services Principal Librarian as a conditional offer was made during the
first recruitment but the candidate declined the offer. Trustee Seaver asked what happens to
funds from vacant positions. Dr. Cao explained that funds go back to the City's general funds.
He added that all municipalities are having difficulty recruiting employees as they are competing
with other municipalities. Library Services Manager Alba announced that six new Library Aides
were hired in October 2023 and four conditional offers were recently made. A new Passport
Clerk, Hannah Pennington, was also hired.
Glib Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley announced there will be a Textile
Preservation Workshop on February 3. There will also be a Red Envelope Exhibit in February.
The Museum's Photography contest will begin March 5.
Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: January 2024: Board members reviewed
the calendar.
Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: February 2024: Trustee Renfrew inquired
about the Book Lovers Craft Night and Director Bradley explained that there have been requests
from patrons about a return to adult crafting programs which were held pre -pandemic. Adult and
Teen Services will be trying this program in response to the requests.
Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: January 2024: Board members reviewed the
calendar.
Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: February 2024: Chair Renfrew inquired if there
would be events in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Acting Library Services Manager Morris
reviewed all upcoming Children's programs in February.
Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Board members reviewed materials.
Featured Historical Photo: I Love a Parade: Director Bradley gave a brief description of the
Arcadia float that was entered in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in 1968.
Announcements: Director Bradley announced that the Library had been granted $500 as part of
ByWater Solutions Community Giveback. $250 will be allocated for Chinese Language materials
and $250 will be used to purchase filament for the 3D printer. Trustee Carter inquired when the
Board of Trustees would go on a field to visit a Library as they had not visited a Library since the
pandemic. Trustee Renfrew commented that the Board should visit a library similar to Arcadia
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Public Library. Director Bradley suggested that this could be added to the agenda for the next
Board meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 16, 2023
Recommended action: Approve
The motion to accept the Minutes of November 16, 2023, as written, was moved by Trustee
Seaver, seconded by Trustee Carter, and carried on a unanimous voice vote.
AYES: Chair Renfrew, Trustees, Carter, Liao, and Seaver
NOES: None
ABSENT: Trustee Akalamkam
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Renfrew adjourned the meeting at 5:48 p.m. to February 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the
Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia.
Approved:
Elizabeth Renfrew, Chair t"
Darlene Bradley, Secretary
Minutes prepared by: Petra Morris