Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• James A. Sullivan called the meeting to order.
• Georgia Morgan Blair provided the invocation.

Public Voices

• Natalie Mays brought up the issue of patrons having accessibility to the library parking lot. Mays pays to rent a room at the library and frequently runs into parking issues. Mays rents rooms on Tuesdays and sees empty spots in the lot, however, security will not let patrons in the lot. Mays said able bodied employees take up many spots that should be available for patrons. Mays suggest the board look into parking solutions such as patrons parking at the Boutwell Auditorium deck without charge. James Sullivan agreed and will look into the matter. Kimberly Richardson, Chair of Long-Range Planning Committee stated the committee discussed the parking policy, and it will be referred to the Policy Committee. The board thanked Mays for sharing her concerns.

Presentations

• Dora Sims, Chair of the Advocacy Committee presented Innovative Cool Awards and I am BPL Awards. June Lacanski was awarded an Innovative Cool Award for her idea of having educational games available at the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library. Janine Langston, Regional Manager accepted the award on her behalf. Patricia Douglas and Christina Zink of East Lake Branch Library received Innovative Cool Awards for a fiber arts group at their branch.

• Officer Norman Griffin and Karyn Davis-West were nominated for an I am BPL Award by Floyd Council for their work with patrons experiencing homelessness. Melvia Walton was nominated for an I am BPL Award by Gwendolyn Amamoo for her quick event planning with the UniverSoul Circus mini show at the Central Library.

• Board President James Sullivan presented certificates of appreciation for the following retirees: Lisa Bradley, 37 years of service; Karen Clark, 36 years of service; Don Griffith, 36 years of service; Joe Evans, 27 years of service.

Approval of Agenda

• Georgia Morgan Blair moved to approve the agenda. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Approval of Consent Agenda

• Georgia Morgan Blair moved to approve the consent agenda. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Terry Oglesby, City Architect

• Creig Hoskins, Studio 2H Architect designing the monumental stairs to replace the escalators, presented drawings of the design to the board before it goes out for bid. Funds in the amount of $750,000 have been allocated for the production of the stair, and Hoskins is confident it can be done for than amount. Hoskins recommends not replacing the cold cathode light fixtures when they are removed during installation and recommends using fluorescent lights instead. The estimated time for the stairs to be completed is four months or sooner. Patrons will be able to move around the sealed construction area. Regarding the noise from construction, Kimberly Richardson recommended the library internally consider summer programs.

Veronica Merritt, City Attorney

• Attorney Merritt certified there were matters to discuss in executive session citing Alabama state code 35-26-A-1 to review a formal written complaint against an individual who the board governs.
• Judge Scott Vowell moved for the board to exit executive session. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved. The board announced there will be a Personnel Committee meeting on Thursday, April 12, at 9 a.m. in the first floor conference room.

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Finance Reports

• Damein Baity presented the financial report to the board. Georgia Morgan Blair made a motion to accept the finance reports as presented. Dora Sims seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Learning Culture and Digital Inclusion Spending

• Floyd Council stated the prep work for the spending plan was completed. The city determined the spending plan for the Learning Culture and Digital Inclusion Spending project would not move forward stating they were not authorized to spend the money. Floyd Council recommends the board leadership make communication with the mayor’s leadership team.
• Council reported the Springville Road project was completed. Gwendolyn Guster Welch challenged managers to utilize donated funds on items that were advocated for.

Reports of Committees

Long Range Planning Committee Report

• The committee recommended asking the board president to engage with the mayor’s leadership regarding the city’s plan around Wylam Branch Library. Georgia Morgan Blair stated Councilor Hilliard is looking into the Wylam project funds.
• Regarding the Eastwood lease, the committee recommended Floyd Council engage in conversations with the leasing company and bring options back to the board.
• The committee recommended Floyd Council continue to explore options with parking at East Lake Branch Library to bring back to the board. Another recommendation was inviting Council Hunter Williams to the library which is in his district.
• The group who proposed the mural project at the Five Points West Regional Branch Library has decided to forego the library.
• The committee asked Floyd Council to provide summary updates of the strategic plan in written form to potentially come before the board on a monthly basis.
• The city attorney is currently reviewing vending contracts.
• Ideas were brought to Floyd Council for potentially putting a Starbucks in the library. The committee approved to continue exploring revenue generating ideas in line with the strategic plan.
• The parking lot discussion has been referred to the Policy Committee.
• Gwendolyn B. Guster Welch moved to approve the demolition of the escalators and the installation of the stairs as presented by Creig Hoskins. Dora Sims seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Advocacy Committee

• Judge Scott Vowell made a motion to transfer $175 from the board fund ($50 to Eastwood, Innovative Cool Award; $50 to North Birmingham, Innovative Cool Award; $75 for I Am BPL Award recipients). Georgia Morgan Blair seconded the motion, and it was approved.
• Dora Sims, Chair reported Floyd Council made it a goal to open passport services at two library locations within thirty days. The library would receive $25 for each passport processed.
• Sims announced all board members contributed to the board fund for 2017. Georgia Morgan Blair moved new board members be assigned a board mentor. Willie Davis III seconded the motion, and it was approved.
• Attorney Veronica Merritt will ask the status on the library’s M.O.U. review.

Unfinished Business

• There was no unfinished business.

New Business

• James Sullivan shared a thank you card from Lorraine Walker’s husband and family.

Director's Report

• Janine Langston gave a presentation on the timeline for summer reading planning. This year’s theme is “Libraries Rock.” The family summer reading kick-off event will take place on June 1st. This year, minutes will be logged instead of books read. Floyd Council gave special thanks to Langston for project management on summer reading.
• Council reported he had a wonderful experience meeting ten staff members in the 10-to-1 meeting.
• All library staff were required to complete the first phase of the mayor’s customer service training.
• Large groups of staff were able to access the virtual Public Library Association conference. Council is thankful to Sandra Lee, regional managers, Damein Baity, and Edith Major for meeting deadlines.

Board Member's Comments

• Kimberly Richardson commented the UniverSoul Circus presentation at the library was awesome. Council added Melvia Walton and Tiffanie Jeter did an excellent job planning the event.

Next Board Meeting is Tuesday, May 8, 2018

• Kimberly Richardson moved to adjourn the meeting. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Submitted By

Floyd Council, Secretary