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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 05-15-2025Thursday,REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ! CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro-Tempore Hsiuchen Chen called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. in the Library's Conference Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Trustee Barbara Delphey ROLL CALL: Chair Pro-Tempore Hsiuchen Chen, Trustees Miriam Carter, Barbara Delphey, Director Darlene Bradley, Council Liaison Paul Cheng, Library Services Managers Samantha Alba and Petra Morris ABSENT: Chair Connie Liao The motion to excuse Chair Liao from the May 15, 2025 Library Board of Trustees meeting was moved by Chair Pro-Tempore Hsiuchen Chen, seconded by Trustee Carter, and carried on a unanimous vote. AYES: Chair Pro-Tempore Chen, Trustees Carter and Delphey NOES: None ABSENT: Chair Liao PUBLIC COMMENTS: None REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Council Liaison Cheng shared about events happening throughout the City — Law Day on May 17, Rotary Club's Field of Honor on May 18, Tribute to Veterans with County Supervisor Kathryn Barger on May 24, Allied Veterans Council gathering at Live Oak Memorial Park, and Coffee with a Police Officer on May 29. Trustee Delphey inquired about Mayor Pro Tern Eileen Wang's interactions with the Federal Government. Council Liaison Cheng explained that there was no indication that Mayor Pro Tern Wang had any illegal interactions. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items Adult Services Librarian, Melissa M., provided an overview of the Library's Summer at Arcadia Public Library reading program and special events for teens and adults. Children's Services Supervisor, Amy D., provided an overview of the program for children. A summer kick-off event will be held on June 14, 2025. Director Bradley added that there is a direct correlation between children not reading well and then not excelling academically with lifelong implications. Trustee Delphey discussed the last Friends of the Library Board Meeting, the Friends' fundraising efforts, and that Financial Secretary Randy Joseph would be stepping down. Chair Pro-Tempore Chen explained that she spoke to parents active in Arcadia Unified School District about the vacant Library Board of Trustees position and asked that they spread the word about it. She expressed hope that word would get out about the vacant Library Board of Trustees position. Trustee Delphey discussed how Board of Trustees members are appointed and that at some Libraries interviews are held. Further discussion ensued about Board of Trustees appointments. Director Bradley explained that ideally the appointment would be a Friends Board Member or Library volunteer with some knowledge of the workings of the Library, but not required. Serving with a Purpose: Director Bradley announced that she attended the Serving with a Purpose event in May and emphasized its theme of connecting with community. Monthly Statistical Report: March 2025: Directly Bradley acknowledged that the gate count continues to climb. Chair Pro-Tempore Chen noted that the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year to Date comparisons for the March 2025 Statistical Report were incorrect. Director Bradley acknowledged the error and explained that it would be amended. Director Bradley said that use of the digital collection continues to increase especially as the Library is no longer purchasing books on CD and Playaways. There was a slight increase in the number of holds requests and the Interlibrary Loan service had also increased. Teen Zone continued to grow in attendance and Children's reference questions were up. Revenues also had an increase. Monthly Report Narrative: March 2025: The month listed in the statistical table for the March 2025 Monthly Report Narrative needed to be changed from February to March. Financial Report: March 2025: Director Bradley explained that some line items in the Financial Report have no entry as the data is input by another City department. The gas expenditure is over by forty-two percent due to the increase in gas costs and issues with a boiler that needs to be replaced. All other spending is on track. Monthly Statistical Report: April 2025: Director Bradley acknowledged that there was an increase in fines and fees revenues in April but that it is not a significant generator of revenue. Monthly Report Narrative: April 2025: Director Bradley said that the Arcadia Goes Green event was a great program and included a plant and clothing swap as well as Repair Cafe. Director Bradley inquired with the program coordinator, Adult Services Librarian Melissa M., if she might consider hosting a Repair Cafe at least twice a year. Trustee Delphey inquired about the website re -design project and Director Bradley explained that the new website layout will provide the best representation of the Library with buttons that provide direct links to eBooks, the My Account feature, as well as information about the Library and Museum. The Library will not take advantage of the calendar and update features, but the design will be reflective of patron perspective. Financial Report: April 2025: The April Financial Report indicates that gas is seventy-one percent overspent and Director Bradley acknowledged that the Library has no control over this. There are also unexpected building and repair expenses that occur such as the replacement of a toilet in the boy's restroom. Chair Pro-Tempore Chen questioned what will happen if funds within the Library's control are not spent and Director Bradley explained that funds can be spent to the penny but not overspent. Funds that are not spent do not roll over and are given back to the City's General Fund, with the exception of the Friends of the Library trust account. The City Manager does survey what is spent and not over a three year average. Staff Update: Library Services Manager Alba shared that seven conditional offers were made for Library Aide positions as the Library was down to five Aides. The positions were open and unable to be filled as other Library recruitments were in the process. Trustee Carter inquired if the positions were part time and what is the job description. Library Services Manager Alba explained that the Aide position is a 15-hour per week job with flexible scheduling. All Aides begin in the Shelving division and learn about the Library layout and various pocket collections. Staff start by working in Children's Services and then rotate to Adult and Teen Services and then on to Account Services. If the staff member stays for a year or longer the person benefits by acquiring additional skills. Director Bradley further added that the divisional rotation provides staff with additional skills, so that if a Library Technician position opens, a staff member from the Library Aide rank and file may be able to fill it. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: Director Bradley announced that there is currently a photography exhibit on display. The Museum will be getting two Getty Interns to help with City exhibits and other projects. A conditional offer has been extended for the 15-hour per week Museum intern position. Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: June 2025 There was a review of the June 2025 Adult and Teen Services Calendar. Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Historical Photo: Springtime in Arcadia 1952 CONSENT CALENDAR Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2025 The motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2025 was moved by Trustee Delphey, seconded by Trustee Carter, and carried on a unanimous voice vote. AYES: Chair Pro-Tempore Chen, Trustees Carter and Delphey NOES: None ABSENT: Chair Liao Note: There was no meeting in April due to lack of quorum. ADJOURNMENT Chair Pro-Tempore Chen adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. to June19, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Approved: Connie Liao, Chair e:?�= Darlene Bradley, Secretary Minutes prepared by: Petra Morris