Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• The June 8, 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: Highlight Videos & Grants Awarded

• Interim Director Janine Langston presented highlight videos for the Freedom Rides Tour and the Summer Learning Kick-Off Celebration. Bessie Miller reported that BPL was the winner of the Infy Maker Award. This $10,000 grant will allow BPL to expand STEM programs for grade levels K-6. Project managers’ Caitlin Jackson and Angela Brooks will attend a virtual conference on June 23, 2021 where they will reveal the winning video filmed by Chris Reed. BPL is also the recipient of a $16,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. This grant will provide free reading and math tutoring for second and third grade students in the Birmingham City School System. The tutoring sessions will be housed at Five Points West, Central, Avondale, North Birmingham, and Springville Road. The programs will be held from June 14th-July 22nd. This grant will also allow support for Birmingham City Schools by providing 65 in- person programs this summer. The program managers are Chelsea Rodriguez, Candice Hardy, Pamela Gordon, Karnecia Williams, and Caitlin Jackson.

Approval of Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to approve the Agenda as presented.
• Judge Scott Vowell motioned to accept the Agenda.
• Sherri Nielson 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 May 11 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.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin 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

• Janine Langston spoke with Oglesby. There was no update regarding the skylight. A fee proposal was solicited in June 2020 of $24,000 to provide testing services for cause of leaks. A funding source needs to be identified.
• Trustees discussed the need for representation from the City Architect to be present at Board meetings.Malera Wright, Assistant City Attorney

Malera Wright, City Attorney:

• Malera Wright reported she is filing a response to Mr. Council’s action. The response is due Thursday, June 9th.

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Finance Report

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

• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to accept the financial report.
• Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the financial report.
• James Sullivan 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 June 3rd committee meeting.
• Still waiting on the agreement to be signed for the bookmobile. There are issues with the insurance.
• Janine Langston received correspondence that a committee meeting will take place next week to finalize the agreement.
• Willie Davis reported that Soulful Sunday had a successful turnout despite the rain. The Library also received donations.

Finance Committee:

• Mona Lisa Morris reported on the June 4th committee meeting.
• An update was received on the City budget.
• There was no action to be taken.

Policies, Procedures & By-Laws Committee:

• Judge Scott Vowell reported on several items from the June 7th committee meeting.
• West End Library received a multifunction copier that allows for scanning. Vowell asked for authorization to allow the Library to charge the public $.50 per page for this service.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to approve the charging of $.50 for public scanning at West End Library.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin motioned to accept the fee.
• Sherri Nielson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried..
• Judge Vowell requested that the Board consider suspending the Covid-19 operating policies and implementing a policy that requires children under the age of 8 to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
• Judge Vowell proposed a motion to approve the suspension of the Covid-19 Policy and also add the policy to have children under the age of 8 be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
• Sherri seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Janine Langston recommends extending public service hours beginning June 14th. Public service hours would be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Regional libraries would be Monday- Saturday. Branches would continue to alternate days and locations.
• Curbside service will remain plus Southern History and Archives will require an appointment.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to approve the changing of public service hours.
• Fatima Carter moved to accept the proposed motion.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Judge Scott Vowell presented a new meeting room policy and fee schedule.
• Janine Langston reported on the proposed fee schedule change.
• Trustees discussed various issues with the fee schedule.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to adopt the new meeting room policy and new fee schedule.
• Judge Scott Vowell motioned to accept the meeting room policy and new fee schedule.
• Sherrie Nielson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business

Janine Langston reminded Trustees that their APLS online training requirement must be completed by the end of December 2021.

New Business

• Janine Langston reported on a request from KQ Communications, a public relations digital marketing & branding firm, to host a job fair contracted by Birmingham City Schools. They would like to host it at the Central Library. They are requesting to use the Grand Reading Room and auditorium. The proposed fee schedule will be used. It will take place on Saturday, June 26th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. We request Central library close that day for in-person service. Three other libraries will be open for public service that day to compensate.

• The board further discussed the possible fee and the closing of the library.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to close library on June 26th.
• Willie Davis motioned to accept the motion to close the library on June 26th.
• Kimberly Richardson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Kimberly Richardson asked where we are in our strategic plan process.
• Janine Langston spoke with an APLS representative. A plan should be in place by October 1.

Interim Director's Report:

No new report.

Board Member's Comments

Board members thanked library staff for continuing great service. A recommendation was made to have the next meeting in person.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled July 13, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Interim Director