MINUTES
April 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 4:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present: Amy Zaagman, Pamela Smith, Ameenah Asante, Shawn Nicholson, and Polly Synk. Also present were City Councilmember Liaison Kerry Ebersole Singh, Friends of ELPL Representative Toba Kaplowitz, and Library Director Kevin King. Several guests were present.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.2 Approval of March 20, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Nicholson moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.3 Amended February 21, 2024 Meeting Minutes
4. Communications
4.1 None
5. Audience
5.1 Public Comment - limited to five minutes per person
- One guest shared public comment.
6. Reports
6.1 City Council Liaison Report
Singh reported:
- Books, Bites and Bids (BBB) event was a success.
- King attended recent city budget meeting.
- Meeting held with City Clerk regarding November elections. 300 staff needed for working election.
- 1.1 million shortfall in city budget.
- Smaller footprint planned for Albert el Fresco starting April 29.
6.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Kaplowitz reported:
- FriendShop earned $2,500 in sales for the month.
- BBB event was enjoyable and successful.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Subcommittee Report - Director Contract and Review -- Discussion
Synk and Smith reported:
- President requested subcommittee add staff input to evaluation tool.
- Proposed language "Future boards will receive input from staff" to clarify language going forward to inform future boards.
- 360 evaluation, Google forms, template, number ranking all discussed.
8. Old Business
8.1 Work From Home Policy -- Action
Nicholson moved
Asante seconded
All in favor
9. New Business
9.1 Unlimited Renewals Report -- Discussion
- Moved to May agenda
10. Library Reports
10.1 Conference Reports shared by staff:
- Innovative Users Group Conference - Scott Drapalik
- Michigan Library Association Spring Institute - Rheanna Reeder, Gillian Streeter
- Public Library Association Conference - Zandra Blake, Kevin King
10.2 Financial Report
- Printed financial report shared.
10.3 Director's Report
King reported:
- New Organizational Chart
- Strategic Plan Update
- Written report shared
10.4 President's Report
- None
11. Adjournment
Zaagman adjourned the meeting at 5:42 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
