Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• Meeting called to order by President Gwendolyn B. Welch.
• The invocation was given by Georgia Blair.

Approvals

• Georgia Blair moved the approval of the agenda.
• Georgia Blair moved the approval of the consent agenda. Dora Sims seconded the motion, which passed.
• Georgia Blair moved the approval of moving the Library Board's annual meeting to the February 28, 2013 Board meeting. Dora Sims seconded the motion, which passed.

Staff Spotlight

• Chris Hare, Samuel Rumore, Karnecia Williams, and Allison Scanlan were recognized by the Library Board for earning their MLS/MLIS degrees. Each was presented with a certificate of recognition.

Terry Oglesby, City Architect

• The Pratt City Library's construction is progressing although there have been some weather delays and some equipment stolen. The City has requested extra police patrol cars for the area.
• The construction documents for the Inglenook Library renovation are close to completion. After completion, the City's project review committee must approve the documents.
• The City has requested an estimate from Schindler Elevator for the replacement of the escalators at the Central Library.
• The North Birmingham Library has been experiencing HVAC and roofing problems. Both of these have been addressed.

New Business

• The opening of the Unseen...Unforgotten Exhibition Featuring Ruth Barefield-Pendleton and book signing as well as the Local Author's Expo will be this Saturday, February 1, 2013 at the Central Library.

• Samuel Rumore suggested that the Library Board recognize former Board members. The Advocacy, Fundraising, and Development Committee will handle this request.
• Gwendolyn Welch recognized Georgia Blair for being a child Foot Soldier for the Civil Rights Movement and requested that the Advocacy, Fundraising, and Development Committee look into a way to recognize her.
• Gwendolyn Amamoo submitted an ALA Midwinter report and stated that the Birmingham Public Library had three co-chairs at the event; Gwendolyn Amamoo served as a co-chair on the Nominating Committee, Gwendolyn Welch presented a program on succession planning, and Dora Sims served as a co-chair for the United for Libraries programs.
• Dora Sims submitted an ALA Midwinter report and stated that she was a chair elect candidate for the United for Libraries Board.
• Gwendolyn Welch stated that every Library Board should have a succession plan. Mrs. Welch stated that public relations information was shared at the ALA Midwinter roundtable and that other libraries expressed interested in BPL's Eat, Drink, Read, Write and the Local Author's Expo as fundraising events. Mrs. Welch also stated that other libraries at the ALA Midwinter roundtable expressed interest in the Fashion Friday event, exercise events, and planned giving.
• Judge Vowell stated that he has received positive feedback on the 50th anniversary events planned for 2013.
• Georgia Blair stated that the cell phone editorial on al.com was erroneous and thanked Renee Blalock for the prompt response, that BPL was listed as a top ten library on twitter, and that she attended Francine Cooper's retirement party.

Submitted By

Irene S. Blalock, Secretary