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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 77 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