MINUTES
February 16, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Large Meeting Room
950 Abbot Road
1. Call to Order 4:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present: Diane Goddeeris, Polly Synk, Amy Zaagman. Trustees Paul Cervenak and Lance Wilkinson were absent. Also, in attendance were City Council Member Liaison George Brookover via Zoom call, Friends President Maureen McCabe-Power, Director Kristin Shelley, Assistant Director/Head of Customer Experiences Brice Bush, and Executive Assistant to the Director Shori Teeple.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of December 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Zaagman moved.
Synk seconded.
All in favor.
3.2 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda
Synk moved.
Zaagman seconded.
All in favor.
4. Communications
4.1 Audience/Public Comment
- Three new staff members were introduced - STEAM Educator Eric Berling, Head of Technology Services Scott Drapalik, and Marketing/Communications Specialist Gabby Kindig.
5. Reports
5.1 City Council Liaison Report:
Brookover reported:
- Budget discussions have begun.
5.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
McCabe-Power reported:
- $7,000 in donations were received in January mostly in response to newsletters that included remittance envelopes.
- Friends look forward to donating $20,000 to the library on July 1.
- Friends Shop has been seeing more shoppers - thanks to the library for posting on the outside sign.
- Revenue enhancement ideas were shared, including display of quilts.
- Millage campaign will be organized soon.
6. Old Business
6.1 Temporary Organization Chart
- The organization chart was reviewed.
6.2 Staff Photo List
- The photo list was shared.
7. New Business
7.1 Intellectual Freedom Policy, Collection Policy and Reconsideration Form - discussion/action
- With book and content challenges increasing, libraries and collections are being challenged.
- Both policies were reviewed, and there was discussion on whether they should be combined and renamed or remain stand-alone policies.
- The Reconsideration Form was discussed.
- McCabe-Power asked whether the Friends should have the same policies. Shelley will follow-up with attorney.
7.2 ELPL Board of Trustees Bylaws Review - discussion
- Bylaws were reviewed with several items to be further reviewed and revised:
- Appointments
- Duties of President
- Attendance Policy
- Electronic participation
- Minutes and electronic postings
- Indemnification statement
- Number of meetings per year
7.3 Open board member seat in July - discussion
- Recommendation of new board members has to be approved by City Council at a June 2022 council meeting.
8. Library Reports
8.1 Financial Report
- Fund Balance Report
Shelley Reported:
- Printed financial and fund balance reports were shared.
8.2 Director's Report
- A written report was shared.
8.3 President's Report
- A Land Acknowledgement Statement has been added to the header of the agenda.
- A letter to the Board of Trustees from a patron was shared.
- On behalf of the Board, a card was sent to a staff member following her husband's passing.
- Memo of Understanding with Friends - a draft is out for committee to review.
- Board needs to manage and complete evaluation of library director.
- Next agenda should include bylaws updates, memo of understanding with Friends, Collection Policy review, evaluation of library director.
9. Announcements
9.1 Michigan Library Association Advocacy Day - March 1
- The virtual event was announced.
9.2 #DigEastLansing Twitter voting for a digital grant was shared.
10. Adjournment
Goddeeris adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m.
Board of Trustees
Diane Goddeeris, President
Polly Synk, Vice President
Paul Cervenak, Secretary
Amy Zaagman
Lance Wilkinson
City Council Liaisons
Lisa Babcock
George Brookover
Staff Liaison
Kristin Shelley
