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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLB Minutes: 11-21-2024ARCADIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, November 21, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Liao called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. in the Library's Conference Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Pro-Tempore Chen ROLL CALL: Chair Connie Liao, Chair Pro-Tempore Hsiuchen Chen, Trustees Miriam Carter, Barbara Delphey; Paul Cheng (City Council Liaison); Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley; Library Services Manager Petra Morris, Samantha Alba ABSENT: Trustee Pardha Akalamkam PUBLIC COMMENTS: None REPORTS FROM LIBRARY TRUSTEES / LIAISONS: Chair Liao shared information regarding the Elara project. Discussions ensued. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items Director's Update: Director Bradley reminded board members that this is the last meeting for the calendar year and wished everyone a happy holiday season. The Director reported that there have been a few incidents with teens in the teen area. Staff have been more vigilant with noise levels in the study area. Louder teens are being routed to Teen Zone in the Library Auditorium. A week and a half ago there was an incident where a student punched another student on the side of his head. Director Bradley mentioned that the room's reaction was disturbing because no one said anything. Only two girls looked up, but nothing was said or reported by them. Staff will be out on the floor a lot more to make sure everyone is behaving safely. Trustee Carter asked if Jonathan, the security guard, walks through the teen area. Director Bradley replied that Jonathan walks through every half hour, but he is not able to be stationed in one location as he patrols inside as well as outside and the responsibility falls on staff to ensure everyone is behaving appropriately throughout the Library. Trustee Carter mentioned that she walked by Teen Zone and noticed that half of the students were studying, and others were eating or sitting on the floor playing games or chatting. The Director said that it is okay for teens to do so in the Auditorium, and we are happy to accommodate that and make it a welcoming place for them. Teen Central is a study area for students who want a quieter area. Chair Liao inquired if we took any action with the student who hit the other student. Director Bradley reported that action was taken with the student who was punched. Library Services Manager Morris sat down with the student and the parent and suggested they report it to the school. The student that did the punching quickly left and has not been back. Monthly Statistical Report: October 2024: Director Bradley mentioned that "Other Questions" under Reference are higher due to the various questions asked during the elections. Passport Services numbers are down due to new staff who are still training. Monthly Report Narrative: October 2024: Over 34,000 people came through the doors in October. It was a busy month with the In-N-Out Cover to Cover reading program, which had over 1,400 participants. Trustee Delphey said she was impressed with the Sustainable Arcadia and Food Ed program. Director Bradley added that the Library has a composting station in the west parking lot and we partner with Public Works for other events such as the mulch giveaways. Trustee Delphey inquired if the Oracle system is settled in. Staff are still learning it and new internal processes are being introduced to staff to maintain the checks and balances internally. Financial Report: October 2024: Director Bradley explained the layout of the report. Each Library section is highlighted in yellow. The "Remaining_Percent" (far right column) is the remaining balance. Additionally, not everything is reflected in the financial report, such as City credit card purchases, and therefore balances are not fully accurate. Holiday Cookies: Director Bradley shared that it has been a tradition for Library Board members to bring five dozen cookies, one person per day, the week before Christmas. The Director thanked the Board for continuing with the tradition. Cookies are usually placed out at noon. • Chair Pro-Tempore Chen — Monday, December 16 • Chair Liao — Tuesday, December 17 • Trustee Delphey - Wednesday, December 18 • Trustee Carter — Thursday, December 19 • Trustee Akalamkam — Friday, December 20 Holiday Breakfast: Director Bradley invited Library Board members to the Library holiday breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Library Auditorium. There will be games, prizes, and a voluntary gift exchange with a $20 limit. The breakfast will be catered by Peacock Cafe. Staff Update: Amy Dang will be our new Principal Librarian for Children's Services. She will start on December 2. Amy comes from Los Angeles County Library system with Children's Services experience. There was a delay with her start date due to her finishing up projects at her old job. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage: The Museum Curator, Stevy Acevedo is back from maternity leave. The Museum staff completed the military banner program for the City with veteran banners displayed east and west bound on Huntington Drive. Banners are for all living veterans in Arcadia. Director Bradley thanked Councilmember Cheng for continuing to provide veteran names. The program will continue next year, and another list has already been started, to add in those names that haven't already been included. The banners will come down in the first or second week of December and stored by the vendor. They will be displayed again next year along with any new banners. Chair Liao inquired about who qualifies for the program. Director Bradley explained that anyone who is a living military veteran that lives in Arcadia. The program is free, veterans only need to fill out an application and show they had an honorable discharge. A Trustee inquired if active military members are okay. Director Bradley responded that it is absolutely okay. Snow Globe Day is on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. until the snow globes are all given out. Five - hundred snow globes have been prepared. Director Bradley invited Library Board members to come out for the event. Calendar of Activities for Adult and Teen Services: December: Director Bradley reported that staff are hosting a Makerspace program tonight to make a tote. Using an iPad maker to design and the Cricut to print them. 3D printing samples were shared with Board members. The Director added that while the Library does not have a traditional makerspace room, we do have all the components for one, such as the 3D printer and Cricut. We are trying to get our community comfortable with different kinds of technology. Chair Liao inquired if 3D prints are free. Library Services Manager Alba responded, yes, 3D prints are free. Director Bradley explained that you submit your design(s) and then staff print them for you. There is a website where you can download some of the designs, which is called Thingiverse or you can design your own. De -Stress Fest for our Teens will be on December 12. Unfortunately, staff were not able to find any dogs this time, but there will be a cat present for the event. The Winter Break Reading Challenge encourages Adults and Teens to participate. This is the first time Gingerbread Decorating, a free event, has been offered for Adults and it filled up very quickly. Calendar of Activities for Children's Services: December: We are wrapping up storytimes. They will end the second week in December. Children's will be having a Unicorn and Dragon BookParty for ages 5 to 9 as well as Book Buddies, a read -a -loud program, in partnership with the Arcadia Assistance League. Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Director Bradley distributed additional flyers including the Bookish Book Club. January's book is The Last Russian Doll. A historical fiction book from the early 1900's. An adult book discussion will be held in the evenings for our younger crowd, 20s to 30s, called Bookmarked. Director Bradley mentioned that 20 and 30 something's are looking for ways to connect to the community. They want to meet other people but in a safe environment. During the pandemic people didn't get a chance to meet each other. Chair Pro-Tempore Chen asked if it is okay if other people who are not in this age group can join. Director Bradley explained that anyone can come to it, but Melissa is targeting that specific age group. Additionally, there will be a Teen Graphic Design Club program, Vinyl Workshop. Teens will be using the Cricut. The Friends of the Library will have another concert on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. It is free to the community and the musicians will be playing holiday music. The Friends of the Library will also be having a book sale on Friday, December 6 and 7. The fundraising from the book sales is what helps fund the Library's Summer Reading program. Flyers/Articles/Posters/Attachments: Library Board members reviewed materials. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2024 Recommended action: Approve The motion to accept the Minutes of July 18, 2024, as written, was moved by Chair Pro-Tempore Chen, seconded by Trustee Delphey and carried on a unanimous voice vote. AYES: Chair Liao, Trustees, Chen, Delphey NOES: None ABSENT: Trustee Pardha Akalamkam b. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2024 Recommended action: Approve The motion to accept the Minutes of October 17, 2024, as written, was moved by Chair Pro- Tempore Chen, seconded by Trustee Carter, and carried on a unanimous voice vote. AYES: Trustees Carter, Chen, Delphey NOES: None ABSENT: Trustee Pardha Akalamkam c. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2024 — postponed to January Recommended action: Due to a lack of a quorum, the approval of Minutes for June will be deferred until January 16, 2025, Library Board meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chair Liao adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m. to January 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Approved: Connie Liao, Chair , Darlene Bradley, Secretary Minutes prepared by: Samantha Alba