MINUTES
January 17, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Large Meeting Room
950 Abbot Road
The East Lansing Public Library occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg Three Fires confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
1. Call to Order 4:34 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present were: Amy Zaagman, Pamela Smith, Ameenah Asante, Shawn Nicholson and Polly Synk. Also, in attendance were Friends Board Representative Toba Kaplowitz, City Councilmember Liaison Kerry Ebersole Singh, Interim Library Director Angelo Moreno, and Executive Assistant to the Director Shori Teeple. Eleven guests were present.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.2 Approval of December 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Nicholson moved
Synk seconded
All in favor
3.3 Approval of January 9, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes
Smith moved
Synk seconded
All in favor
3.4 Approval of January 10, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.5 Approval of January 10, 2024 Closed Session Minutes
Minutes to be presented for approval at February meeting
4. Communications
4.1 None
5. Audience
5.1 Public Comment - limited to five minutes per person
- None
6. Reports
6.1 City Council Liaison Report
Singh reported:
- Greetings and introductions shared.
- MLK Luncheon event on Monday was successful.
- Council focused on evaluating safety concerns for citizens.
6.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Kaplowitz Reported:
- $3,329.27 total holiday sales in FriendShop.
- Large sales of health-themed books.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Subcommittee Report - Permanent Director Search -- Discussion
Zaagman and Smith reported:
- Following two special meetings, offer for Director extended to Kevin King.
- Background checks and contract to be finalized; start date anticipated early March.
- Thanks expressed to everyone who contributed to the successful process.
7.2 Subcommittee Report - January 11, 2023 Events and Staff Surveys - Year-End Report -- Discussion
Asante and Synk reported:
- Overviews provided of subcommittee process and report.
- Staff surveys conducted last fall with current and former library employees.
- Survey results reviewed at time of preparation of report (January 2024).
- Request for previously formed Director contract and review subcommittee to share potential changes to the director evaluation process with the Board. Subcommittee members Trustee Synk and Vice President Smith agreed to bring those items back to the February meeting and to seek input from city attorney.
- Gratitude shared from staff for report and work completed by subcommittee.
8. Old Business
8.1 FY2025 Action Plan -- Action
- Highlights of process to create plan shared.
- Suggestions for enhancements to help guide plan:
- add timelines/Gant chart and dollar amounts/percentages
- add staff names where not listed, add staff titles to all
- Changes to be made and shared in final draft at February meeting.
- Motion to approve FY2025 Action Plan with proposed additions
Nicholson moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
9. New Business
9.1 None
10. Library Reports
10.1 Financial Report
Moreno Reported:
- Printed financial report shared.
10.2 Director's Report
- Written report shared.
10.3 President's Report
- None
11. Adjournment
Zaagman adjourned the meeting at 5:34 p.m.
Board of Trustees
Amy Zaagman, President
Pamela Smith, Vice President
Ameenah Asante, Secretary
Shawn Nicholson
Polly Synk
City Council Liaison
Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ebersole Singh
Staff Liaison
Angelo Moreno, Interim Library Director
