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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 07-18-2024LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024 CALL TO ORDER — Trustee Connie Liao called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. in the Library's Conference Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Library Services Manager Samantha Alba ROLL CALL: Trustees, Connie Liao; Barbara Delphey; Hsiuchen Chen; Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley; Library Services Managers Petra Morris, Samantha Alba ABSENT — Trustee Miriam Carter; Pardha Akalamkam PUBLIC COMMENTS — Co -President of the Arcadia Chinese Association (ACA), Susan Guo was in attendance. She mentioned that the Arcadia Chinese Association has been in Arcadia for over 41 years. ACA donated $2300 to the Library to be used towards the English Conversation Class, Children's programs, and collections. Additionally, Susan stated that the Library is a hub for connections, friendships, and fostering learning. Checks were presented to Director Bradley. The Director thanked ACA, Susan, and Trustee Liao for their donation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTMENT OF LIAISON a. Chairperson Trustee Hsiuchen Chen nominated Trustee Connie Liao as Chairperson. It was seconded by Trustee Barbara Delphey. The motion carried on an unanimous voice vote. b. Chairperson pro tempore Chair Liao nominated Trustee Hsiuchen Chen as Chairperson pro tempore. It was second by Trustee Barbara Delphey. The motion carried on an unanimous voice vote. c. Liaison to the Friends of the Library Trustee Chen nominated Trustee Barbara Delphey as Liaison to the Friends of the Library. It was second by Chair Liao. The motion carried on an unanimous voice vote. REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Chair Liao reported that Susan Guo and Sho Tay will serve a second term as co -presidents for the Arcadia Chinese Association. She attended the City Council reorganization on Tuesday, July 16. Additionally, ACA continues to work with the City of Arcadia and Chamber of Commerce on the Moon festival. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items: Director's Update: The Director mentioned that the budget was passed and the Library received an additional $40,000 for materials. Monthly Statistical Report: June 2024: Director Bradley noted that this is also the Library's end of year report. The gate count and digital collection numbers continue to increase. Self -checkout machines are being heavily used. The number of hold requests increased. There were 2,134 holds processed in the month of June. Chair Liao inquired about the number for online programs. The Director mentioned that the Library no longer offers online programs, in an effort to encourage patrons to return to the Library. Director Bradley added that we want people to physically come back into the Library. Chair Liao also inquired about offering online workshops. The Director explained that we are here to serve the community of Arcadia and to connect with them. Manager Morris added that in Children's services they were not getting enough attendees via online programming and that was the main reason to bring back in -person programs. Trustee Delphey asked if the English Conversation Class (ECC) will return in the fall. ECC will return Monday, September 9. Monthly Narrative Report: June 2024: Over 26,000 people visited the Library in the month of June. Staff attended a live webinar on "Professionalism in the Workplace." Trustee Chen mentioned that the summer kickoff was a hit in Children's. She also reminded the Board that the Library offers Bilingual storytime. Director Bradley mentioned that the issue in the basement has been resolved and we are currently waiting for Public Works to start the renovation. Chair Liao asked if the Library is busy during the summer. Director Bradley replied yes, we are busy and explained that it is a different type of busy during the summer. It is more consistent, and Children are here all day or throughout the day. Manager Morris shared that as of the June report there were 1,190 registered patrons for the summer reading program. A conversation regarding the importance of storytime followed. Financial Report: June 2024: Director Bradley informed Board members that the financial report is not the final one for the year, since it was printed two weeks before the end of the fiscal year. We will be moving to a different financial system in October, which will hopefully reflect more accurate numbers. Trustee Delphey inquired about the vacancy rate. Director Bradley said that the Library still has a few vacancies. Our budget is on target. Chair Liao inquired where the donation from the Arcadia Chinese Association will be placed. Director Bradley responded that it will be reflected under gifts and grants. Staff Reports: Three purchase orders were approved by City Council. Anything over $30,000 must be approved by Council. Reports that were approved are OCLC for bibliographic services, Overdrive for digital collections, and Tsai Fong for international language materials. The Library is able to obtain popular books directly from China using the vendor Tsai Fong. Trustee Delphey asked how we knew where to purchase books in Chinese. Director Bradley mentioned that previous Library Boards requested that the Library purchase more books in Chinese and the Library inquired with other Libraries on where they purchased their Chinese materials. Staff Update: Library Aide interviews were held today. This recruitment will fill the five vacant positions. The Library Clerk recruitment closed on July 14 and interviews will take place soon. The recruitment for Principal Librarian for Children's Services is currently open. Next Monday Andres Garza will start as the Principal Librarian for Adult and Teen Services. Glib Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley reported that Museum Curator Stevy Acevedo had her baby and is currently out on leave. The Summer Enrichment Programs are held on Saturdays in July. Dino Day will take place on August 24. The Director will be spending a little more time with Museum staff to assist them during the interim of Stevy's leave. Chair Liao asked how many staff were in the Museum. There are only two City staff members, and currently two Getty interns. Volunteers also assist in the Museum. Chair Liao asked if the Museum only concentrates on Arcadia history. Director Bradley explained, yes it focuses on Arcadia history, but it also ties into regional and national history. The Museum had a display on the Arcadia Chinese Association and the impact that the association has made in Arcadia. It ties into local cultural history. Chair Liao mentioned that she moved here in 1998 and has seen the population and restaurants change over time. The Museum is a place to reflect and collect. Policy Manual: There will be no meeting in August. Director Bradley encourages Board members to review the policy manual as staff will bring forward any changes or updates in August to be included in the September meeting. This is a working policy manual that helps guide staff. Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: August 2024: Teens will have an ice cream social on Wednesday, August 14, which is the first day of school. A Scrapbooking program will take place on Thursday, August 15. The Memory Lab workshops are held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The International Film Program attendance is growing. The film for the August showing is The Man in the Hat. Bookish will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss L.A. Weather. The Library will have a booth at the Moon festival on Saturday, September 14. Announcements: CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2024 Recommended action: Because there was a lack of quorum from the previous meeting, the approval of Minutes for June will be deferred until the September Board Meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chair Liao adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m. to September 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Approved: C Connie Liao, Chair QCX-.L 22il� Darlene Bradley, Secretary Minutes prepared by: Samantha Alba