Library Board of Trustees Minutes – April 24, 2019

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MINUTES
April 24, 2019 at 4:30pm
East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
3/4 Room
950 Abbot Road

1) Call to Order
Cervenak called the meeting to order at 4:31pm.

2) Roll Call

All trustees were present except Diane Goddeeris. Also in attendance were City Council Liaison Erik Altmann, Friends Representative Toba Kaplowitz, Assistant Director/Head of Customer Experiences Brice Bush and Director Kristin Shelley. Trustee Diane Goddeeris arrived at 4:36 p.m.

3) Opening
A) Approval of March 20, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Zaagman moved.
Wilkinson seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

B) Approval of Current Meeting Agenda
Dodgson moved.
Zaagman seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

4) Communications
A) Audience: None

B) Written Correspondence:
Shelley shared a letter she received from a patron which commended the Library for its exemplary service to its patrons.

5) Reports
A) City Council Liaison Report:
Altmann reported:

  • Council approved the 4th medical marijuana provisioning center for the south side of Grand River between Bogue and Hagadorn and another located at the old DPW site.
  • The City is interested in transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy for city operations similar to Lansing.
  • Library after school program. There was some discussion regarding the Library’s after school program and school partnership efforts. Shelley shared that the school has opened its cafeteria to students after school. The school also plans to add a bank of 30 computers in the fall which may generate more interest. After further discussion, the Board recommended that a joint meeting between representatives from the City of East Lansing, Library, Library Board, school and school Board be scheduled to discuss collaboration regarding teen related after school issues that impact the Library and its patrons. Participants to include Cervenak, Zaagman, Shelley, Leyko, Graham, Altmann and Lahanas.

B) Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Kaplowitz reported:

  • The Friends revenue for March was approximately $3,800.
  • The Friends promotion on Facebook has been very successful.
  • Material donations continue to be strong. Items that do not sell are picked-up by the MSU Recycling Center.
  • Shelley thanked the Friends for sponsoring the beer for the Books, Bites and Bids fundraiser.

6) Old Business

A) Update on Library Trustee Search

Zaagman reported that she and Cervenak interviewed four candidates for the upcoming vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees. On behalf of Cervenak and herself, they recommended Polly Synk for appointment to City Council.  

Goddeeris moved to recommend to the City Council the appointment of Polly Synk to the Library Board of Trustees for a full term beginning July 1, 2019.
Zaagman seconded.
All in favor.
Motion passed.

B) Staffing Update
Shelley Reported

  • A candidate has been selected for the Youth Services Librarian position. If the candidate accepts the position, she will be hired as a regular part-time employee and work part-time until completion of her MLS degree in December, 2019 at which time she would convert to full-time.
  • A candidate will be chosen by the end of the week for the 20+ hour Customer Service Associate position.

C) November 2018 Incident Report Follow-up

  • Shelley informed the Board that she reached out to the City’s TPA regarding the November 2018 incident and he indicated that the Library bears no liability. Cervenak will inform the patron involved in the incident of this conclusion. Shelley will draft a response for Cervenak to email to the patron.

7) New Business:  None

8) Library Reports
A) Financial Report
Shelley provided a written Financial Report.  Discussion included:

  • Revenue is up $8,000.
  • ADA compliant handrails will be installed on both sides of the ramp at the front of the Library. In addition, handrails will be installed on both sides of the entrance steps and the middle one replaced so that it is ADA compliant.
  • Several other facility maintenance issues include sidewalk leveling, parking lot replacement and two boiler replacements.
  • The Energy Management System components are being replaced. Cost is $17,000.

B) Director's Report
Shelley provided a written Director's Report.  Highlights included:

  • Women’s History Month and March Reading Month activities were the focus of programs in March.
  • ELPL hosted storytime’s with Taco Dragon and Llama, Llama Red Pajamas.
  • The Library partnered with the Early Childhood Literacy Coalition for the March is Reading Month Family Literacy Event at the Hannah Community Center.
  • Potter Park Zoo visited the Library and 175 people participated.
  • STEAM nights were held at Marble Elementary School

C) President’s Report: none

9) Announcements
Shelley announced:

  • Books, Bites and Bids raised a little over $18,000.
  • Tom Meyer and Susan Ahrens donate $3,500 every year for snacks for the teen after school program and recently added another $1,000.
  • Shelley was unanimously voted to the MLK, Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan.
  • Shelley is testifying tomorrow at the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee regarding the Narcan legislation.

10) Adjournment
Zaagman moved.
Wilkinson seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

Cervenak adjourned the meeting at 5:37pm.