MINUTES
March 20, 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 4:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present: Amy Zaagman, Pamela Smith, Ameenah Asante, and Shawn Nicholson. Trustee Polly Synk was absent. Also present were City Councilmember Liaison Kerry Ebersole Singh, Friends of ELPL Representative Toba Kaplowitz, Library Director Kevin King, and Executive Assistant to the Library Director Shori Teeple. Ten guests were present.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda as amended
Item 9B added to amend February 21 minutes
Asante moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.2 Approval of February 21, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Nicholson moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
4. Communications
4.1 Correspondence received from newly retired former employee.
5. Audience
5.1 Public Comment - limited to five minutes per person
- None
6. Reports
6.1 City Council Liaison Report
Singh reported:
- Attended meeting with King.
- Council finishing strategic planning process.
6.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Kaplowitz reported:
- February FriendShop sales were high.
- Art has been selling; need more book/children's book donations.
- Assisting with planning for April 12 Books, Bites and Bids fundraiser.
- Celebration planned for June 9 for Joan Faery and her 34 years of service.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Subcommittee Report - Strategic Planning Request for Proposals Award -- Action
Nicholson reported:
- Motion to select MCLS as vendor of choice for strategic planning services and authorize director to sign contract not to exceed $40,000.
Nicholson moved
Asante seconded
All in favor
7.2 Subcommittee Report - Director Contract and Review -- Action
Smith reported:
- Motion for President to create subcommittee to outline board's role and build in opportunity for staff input during evaluation process.
Zaagman moved
Nicholson seconded
All in favor
8. Old Business
8.1 FY2025 Budget -- Action
- Motion to accept FY2025 budget as presented
Nicholson moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
8.2 COEL email addresses for Library Trustees -- Discussion
- Director asked to pursue option with City IT.
8.3 Work From Home Policy -- Discussion
- Moved to April agenda.
8.4 Staff Photo List - reviewed
9. New Business
9.1 Motion to amend agenda to include item under New Business for reconsideration of February 21 minutes to amend item 7B.
Zaagman moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
9.2 Motion to amend February 21 minutes under item 7B to read: Proposal to assemble for March meeting a revised tool for improved structure and timelines for director evaluation with periodic feedback.
Zaagman moved
Nicholson seconded
All in favor
10. Library Reports
10.1 Financial Report
- Printed financial report shared.
10.2 Director's Report
King reported:
- Former Interim Director Angelo Moreno thanked for transition process.
- Written report shared.
10.3 President's Report
- None
11. Adjournment
Zaagman adjourned the meeting at 5:46 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
Kevin King, Library Director
