Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• The May 11, 2021 board meeting was called to order by Eunice Johsnon Rogers at 4:30 p.m.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

None.

Presentations

Promotional Video

Janine Langston presented a promotional video for the library. Board comments followed.

Approval of Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to approve the Agenda as presented.
• Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the Agenda.
• James Sullivan seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the Agenda was approved as printed.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda: Approval

All items designated as "consent" are considered to be routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion.

Minutes of March 9, 2021 Board Meeting
Personnel Actions

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
• Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Fatima Carter seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the Consent Agenda was approved as printed.

Terry Oglesby, City Architect: Not Present

• James Sullivan asked about the leaking skylight. Damein Baity responded Oglesby previously asked about funding source. Discussion followed. Baity will ask Oglesby to attend a future meeting to answer Board questions.

Malera Wright, Assistant City Attorney

• Received a notice today of a charge of an EEOC discrimination lawsuit against the Birmingham Public Library Board by previous Executive Director Floyd Council. The legal office is looking into it.

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Damein Baity, Finance Report

Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial report to the board.

• The Library expects to hear from the City about the 2021/2022 budget by the end of next week.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to accept the financial report.
• Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the financial report.
• Willie Davis III seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of the Committees

Advocacy, Fundraising & Development Committee

• James Sullivan reported on the May 2nd committee meeting.
• Still waiting on the bookmobile MOU. There was a concern about insurance requirements.
• The committee hopes to have a meeting with a representative from the Friends Foundation soon.
• BPL is partnering with the BJCTA on Taste of Birmingham Street and Food Festival Fundraising event. The event of the date is early fall. The event will be on Morris Ave. BPL will provide 75% of proceeds to bookmobile and 25% to materials budget.
• Sullivan asked for Board consideration of the event.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to move forward with planning the event in partnership with the BJCTA.
• Fatima Carter motioned to accept the proposal.
• Willie Davis III seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Committee would like Board approval for the event Soulful Sunday on June 6, 2021. Candice Hardy reports this event is in collaboration with the City of Birmingham for the 150th anniversary. Theme: Built to Last. Need Board approval for payment of a noise permit of $25 from the bookmobile fund.
• Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the proposal.
• Willie Davis III seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Personnel Committee

• Fatima Carter reported on the April 29th committee meeting.
• Funding had to be identified for the IMS Administrator (IT position). No action taken at this time.
• The committee proposed the Board moves forward with the search process for a new Executive Director as outlined in the Personnel Policy.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to move forward with the search process for a new Executive Director.
• Willie Davis III motioned to accept the proposal.
• Sherri Nielson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

None.

Interim Director's Report:

Janine Langston reported several items including:

• There has been an increase in circulation and views of online programs. We have also experienced success with grab-and-go craft kits.
• BPL is reestablishing a partnership with Better Basics and enrolling young children in the Imagination Library program again.
• The auditorium has new acoustic panels thanks to funds from Covid relief.
• Collection Management (CM) continues to order and catalog items. Statistics are gathered via CM and Books by Mail is now operating out of CM.
• The iPush magazine partnership is in full swing.The Freedom Riders bus will be at BPL on Wednesday, May 18th. The program is scheduled for 5 p.m.Working on programs for the City of Birmingham’s 150th anniversary.

Board Member's Comments

Presented.

Next Board Meeting is Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:28 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Interim Director