Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• Meeting called to order by President James Sullivan.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers provided the invocation.

Presentations

• Architect Creig Hoskins provided the board with an update of the stair replacement project. The mayor’s office raised the funds to meet the lowest bid contractor.
• Senator Linda Coleman-Madison presented checks to Springville Road Regional Library, Ensley Branch Library, Pratt City Branch Library, Inglenook Branch Library, and North Birmingham Regional Library.

Public Voices

• A group of staff members appeared before the board to address concerns in work environment. James Sullivan allowed one staff member speak for two minutes. Sullivan notified the employee when two minutes was up. Sherri Nielson moved to allow the staff member to come back and finish speaking. Fatima Carter seconded the motion, and it was approved. Staff exited the meeting when speech was concluded.

Approval of Agenda

• Sherri Nielson moved to approve the agenda. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Approval of Consent Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers moved to approve the consent agenda. Sherri Nielson seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Terry Oglesby

• Oglesby sent Council updates via email on the VOIP project and Central Branch leaks. Floyd Council reported the Powderly Branch Library roof was not fully replaced due to part of the roof not under warranty.

Attorney Malera Wright, City Attorney

• James Sullivan introduced the library’s new attorney, Assistant City Attorney Malera Wright.

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Finance Reports

• Damein Baity presented the finance report to the board. Kimberly Richardson moved to approve the finance report. Willie Davis III seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Reports of the Committees

Personnel Committee

• Attorney Malera Wright certified the Birmingham Library Board enter into executive session under Alabama State Code 36-25-A7A regarding litigation the board may be a party to.
• Gwendolyn Amamoo moved to exit executive session. Wardine Alexander seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Long-Range Planning Committee

• Chair Kimberly Richardson provided a report of the Long-Range Planning Committee meeting. The committee made the recommendation to submit the Community Engagement structure and deletion of positions to the Personnel Committee. Richardson also recommended the discussion of moving the Administrative Assistant from Administration to the Personnel Committee.

Advocacy Committee

• Chair Willie Davis of the Advocacy Committee reported that the committee is in talks about fundraising and partnering with local non-profits. Willie Davis moved to approve up to $400 towards the purchase of cakes at each library for patron appreciation. Kimberly Richardson seconded the motion, and it was approved.
• Willie Davis moved to approve contributing $120 for the purchase of plaques for select individuals at Staff Day. Wardine Alexander seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Unfinished Business

• There was no unfinished business.

New Business

• There was no new business.

Director's Report

• Floyd Council expressed his thanks to his team. The Regional Managers, CFO, Collection Management, and Sandra Lee are doing a wonderful job and have been working collaboratively to improve library services and navigating change management. Council stated they have been as sensitive as they can to all employees. Council is thankful to the board for listening to staff concerns for full clarity. Council is thankful for the opportunity to serve the community.
• Council stated there are some situations during a period of change when there are people who clearly do not want to take any level of change. Council clarified that all staff have direct supervisors. Council’s goal is to grow the library system forward. Council is always willing and ready to listen to concerns and has an open door policy. Council said out of training facilitation among the 280+ plus employees, he was able to conceive that when there are change processes, there will always be extreme outliers who will sometimes develop a coalition who want a scandal – a deflection on all the good that has been done. In leadership capacity, Council wants everyone to have their voice. Council encouraged the board to look at the public services, programs that were produced over the last year, and the historic shifts. Council is the first director is approximately 60 years who has come from outside the library system. Council thanked all the board members for the opportunity to serve.
• Sandra Lee reported on a new section of the director’s report which will highlight branches, programs, special events, patron interaction, staff highlight, or outreach opportunities.

Board Members' Comments

• Wardine Alexander thanked the staff for continuing to receive accolades on the passport program. The first patron to receive a passport was featured on social media which was well received.
• Willie Davis thanked Karyn Davis-West and Floyd Council for helping the Dannon Project kick off the Civic Wellness Fair.
• Gwendolyn Amamoo acknowledged the library employees work very hard, and the board is appreciative.
• Kimberly Richardson thanked the communication efforts on behalf of the staff. Richardson believes the activities and engagement on social media are doing well. Richardson gave special thanks to the Personnel Committee.

• Sherri Nielson thanked the staff for all they do including the recent Bards & Brews. Nielson thanked Mary Little for her work.

• James Sullivan introduced Attorney Malera Wright. Sullivan thanked the staff, Personnel Committee and board members. Sullivan stated the board will do the right thing and thanks everyone for what they do.

Submitted By

Floyd Council, Secretary