MINUTES
December 20, 2023 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 4:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present were: Amy Zaagman, Pamela Smith, Shawn Nicholson and Polly Synk. Trustee Ameenah Asante was absent. Also, in attendance were Friends Representative Toba Kaplowitz, Interim Library Director Angelo Moreno, and Executive Assistant to the Director Shori Teeple. Ten guests from public were present.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda as amended
Maker Studio item removed from 9.1 New Business
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.2 Approval of November 15, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Smith moved
Nicholson seconded
All in favor
4. Communications
4.1 None
5. Audience
5.1 Public Comment - limited to five minutes per person
- One attendee shared public comment.
6. Reports
6.1 City Council Liaison Report
No report
6.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Kaplowitz Reported:
- FriendShop now selling 100-year anniversary t-shirts.
- Over 200 items sold in shop for holiday sales.
- Almost all children's picture books have been sold.
- December meeting canceled.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Subcommittee Report - Permanent Director Search -- Action
Zaagman and Smith reported:
- Thanks extended to all committee members for their collaborative efforts.
- Committee met in September and October, position description determined and posted, 14 applications received with 10 eligible applicants advanced to committee.
- Committee reviewed qualified applicants, determined six for screening. Preliminary interviews (5) took place virtually with committee on December 5 with three final candidates presented to board.
- Motion to accept recommendations of subcommittee for final in-person interviews with candidates A, C and E and schedule dates for interviews.
Synk moved
Nicholson seconded
All in favor
- Motion to set $500 travel allowance per City of East Lansing overnight travel policy for reimbursement of travel expenses to be submitted by candidates.
Nicholson moved
Synk seconded
All in favor
- Nicholson expressed thanks to all committee members and Trustees for clear and transparent communication and processes during search process.
7.2 Subcommittee Report - Strategic Planning: Request for Proposals (RFP) -- Action
Nicholson and Synk reported:
- Motion to accept language in updated RFP and direct staff to move RFP forward to potential vendors.
Nicholson moved
Synk seconded
All in favor
8. Old Business
8.1 FY2024 Action Plan -- Action
- Motion to approve FY2024 Action Plan as presented
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
9. New Business
9.1 Policy Review -- Discussion
Proposed changed discussed for policies:
- Large Meeting Room
- Working from Home
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 5:36 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
