Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• Meeting called to order by President Kimberly Richardson.
• The invocation was given by Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch.

Approvals

• Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch moved the approval of the agenda. Dora Sims seconded the motion, which passed.
• Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch moved the approval of the consent agenda with corrections to the minutes. Dora Sims seconded the motion, which passed.

Terry Oglesby, City Architect

• A presentation was given by CMH Architects on the new building plans for the Wylam Library. After some discussion, Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch moved to place a hold on the Wylam Library project and send to the Long Range Planning Committee for further discussion. Gwendolyn Amamoo seconded the motion, which passed.

Installation of Officers

• Kimberly Richardson and Gwendolyn Amamoo were sworn in by Judge Scott Vowell as President and Vice-President, respectively.

Nicole King, City Attorney

• Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch moved to enter into executive session to discuss pending litigation. Gwendolyn Amamoo seconded the motion, which passed.

Director's Report

Overview of Activities for this Period

• Staff and I have been extremely busy collecting requested information from City Hall regarding our branch libraries. Additionally, on Monday, March 16, 2015, all City departments were asked to prepare their budget requests and have them turned in by close of business on Monday, March 23, 2015.
• Our own Miss Iwate will make an appearance this weekend at the Botanical Gardens' Cherry Blossom Festival. Please check out website for event time and exact location.
• Staff in our Southern History Department are getting ready for their annual partnership program—Birmingham Cultural Alliance Partnership (BCAP). This partnership with Birmingham City Schools and several area cultural organizations has been in existence since 2000.
• Our new Teen Librarian Lance Simpson, in our Central Youth Department, has started a teen advisory group and has already received great feedback concerning new program ideas.
• I attended a program on last week along with Karyn Davis at A.H. Parker High School regarding their Urban Educator's Academy. I've asked Karyn and at least two additional staff to attend meetings on a regular basis and identify ways we can engage the students in educational programs created for use in libraries.
• Work on our Ecoscape at Springville Road continues. An update on additional grant funding can be found in our Development Report.
• Our libraries are participating in The Big Library Read from March 17-31. Participants are encouraged to read the book Shakespeare Saved My Life by Laura Bates.

PR Report

• Will be provided at the Board Meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2015.

Update of Library Services

• In February, our cataloging staff created 2,605 new bib records for BPL items and 1,596 new bib records for municipal libraries. Cataloging processed 3,707 new items and acquisitions placed orders for 2,363 new items and received 2,678 new items.

Facilities Management

• As I prepare for the next budget cycle, I have been asked by Andre Bittas to prepare Capital Project documents for several items listed on the buildings need report shared with Public Works and Planning Engineering and Public Works.
• The monument outside of the Smithfield Branch Library has been repaired. Everyone is very happy to have the piece restored and the fencing removed.
• The escalators in our East Building have been locked out (or condemned) by the elevator inspector for the State. There is one escalator still running. Once it stops, it will not be repaired. This update was shared at the Foundation Board meeting and inspired the Foundation Board to talk about our renovation project once again.
• Staff at our Wylam Branch Library are very excited about the upcoming project. The architects will attend the Board meeting on March 26 to share floor plans and a design for the building's exterior.

Accomplishment of Objectives Set Forth in Strategic Plan

• I would like the board's permission to move forward with getting quotes to complete a new Strategic Plan for the Birmingham Public Library. The current plan expires in January 2016.

Financial Report and Grants

• All of our financial reports are included in your board packet. Once you review them, please let me know if you have questions.
• Our budget work session on Thursday, March 19 was well attended and great information was shared. I will work with staff to have updated information prepared for the called board meeting on Monday, March 23, 2015 to approve the budget request.

Where I Need Your Assistance

• Approval with moving forward in getting quotes for a new Strategic Plan.
• Approval on our budget request for FY2016 and feedback on the special assignment given regarding our branch locations.
• Our staff works extremely hard to plan exciting programs for the public we serve. I would welcome, when and where possible, more board attendance at our public programs.

New Business

• Patty A. Pilkerton moved to excuse Samuel Rumore from the February 26, 2015 Library Board meeting. Gwendolyn Amamoo seconded the motion, which passed.
• The Executive Director Search Committee will meet on Friday, March 27, 2015 to conduct interviews.
• Board President, Kimberly Richardson, read assignments for the 2015 Library Board Committees. The chairs of each committee will remain the same as 2014.

Unfinished Business

• Dora Sims moved to approve the Library Board's Freedom to Read renewal for 2015 to be taken from the Trustee Board Fund. Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion, which passed.
• Gwendolyn Amamoo moved the approval for her to attend the 2015 American Library Association's Annual Conference in San Francisco, California. Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch seconded the motion, which passed with a 6-1 vote. Patty A. Pilkerton opposed.

Comments

• Kimberly Richardson thanked the Library Board for their commitment to the Library and also stated her goals for 2015 as the Library Board President. Those goals will be to visit each library, increase focus on the strategic plan, work with staff on a fundraising plan, and also ongoing growth and development.

Submitted By

Angela Fisher Hall, Secretary