Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The July 13, 2021 board meeting was called to order by Eunice Johsnon Rogers at 4:37 p.m.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

None.

Presentations: Highlight Videos & Bookmobile Design Presentation

• Interim Director Janine Langston presented highlight videos acknowledging employees on the move and Ensley Library’s clean-up efforts performed by staff after damages from tropical storm Claudette. Tuskegee’s Architectural and Constructional Science majors presented an in-depth presentation of the bookmobile design. The presentation incorporated updated designs not included in the previous approval vote.
  • Ms. Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to adopt the design as presented with creative design flexibility.
  • Judge Scott Vowell motioned to accept the design as presented with creative design flexibility.
  • Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
  • The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
  • Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Approval of Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to approve the Agenda as presented.
• Judge Scott Vowell motioned to accept the Agenda.
• Fatima Carter 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

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

• Minutes of June 8, 2021 Board Meeting

• Personnel Actions
  

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
• Willie Davis III motioned to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Judge Scott Vowell 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

• Ms. Eunice Johnson Rogers stated that the Board has been informed that a request for services has to be made with City Hall’s administration. Ms. Rogers has sent a letter to the mayor and his staff requesting Mr. Oglesby’s attendance. She is currently awaiting a response.

Malera Wright, City Attorney:

• Malera Wright

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Finance Report

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

• Damein Baity, CFO presented the financial report.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion 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 asked to discuss the future of fundraising at the next committee meeting. Sullivan mentioned that continuous fundraising for the bookmobile is vital.
• The board further discussed budgeting for future programming and services.

Personnel Committee:

• Fatima Carter reported on the June 17th meeting.
• Carter presented on the Skillbridge Participation Agreement which is an agreement proposed between the Board and the Navy that will allow veterans to intern with Birmingham Public Library. The salaries and insurance will be covered by the Navy. The Navy will send a Human Resources Representative to assist with this process. We only have to provide them with areas of need. The agreement has been reviewed and submitted to the Board by Attorney Wright.
• Fatima Carter proposed a motion to allow veterans to work with Birmingham Public Library with all expenses paid by the Navy.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Fatima Carter also discussed the Vacation Buy-Out Initiative. The City announced that they were offering a buy-out program; however, this program did not apply to furloughed employees. The City stated that they could reinstate those furloughed employees vacation time over the 320 hours paid if approved by the Board at zero cost to BPL.
• Fatima Carter proposed a motion to reinstate furloughed employees vacation time.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Long-Range Planning Committee:

• Judge Scott Vowell reported onthe June 29th committee meeting.
• James Sullivan revisited the discussion on possible closures of branches.
• Langston reported that the branches in consideration are located near park and recreational facilities and are being investigated for partnership opportunities. The bookmobile will make stops at these locations when in service and after school programming will be provided with STEM money at these locations.

Unfinished Business

Eunice Johnson Rogers reminded Trustees that their APLS online training requirement must be completed by the end of December 2021 and to pay their dues if they have not done so. Rogers also acknowledged the recent approval vote for the $5000 one-time premium payment for full-time staff and the $2500 one-time premium payment for part-time staff.

New Business: None

Interim Director's Report:

• Interim Director Janine Langston recognized employees on the move and stated that we will be adding to the list of new hires in the upcoming weeks.
• On August 2nd we plan to extend service hours at Powderly and West End to Monday-Friday. No locations will close for lunch. East Ensley, North Avondale, Inglenook, and Titusville locations will still operate on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Hours will expand as more employees come on board.
• We saw a significant increase in all of June’s statistics, including an increase of 7000 items in circulation due to the expansion of library hours and summer learning. We hosted 187 virtual programs in June with a total view of over 18,000 and a social media reach of over 21,000. Summer Learning will conclude at the end of this week and next month we will have a presentation about activities and programs that took place.
• Catherine Frye discussed the HUD Program Award ($35,000) that is designated for the book mobile, programming, and collections. Catherine Frye recognized Bessie for the Infy Maker Award ($10,000) that will go towards after school programs in the fall and the Community Foundation Grant ($16,000) for literacy leaders’ summer tutoring program. We were one of the very few to receive the $50,000 grant from ALA Covid Relief Fund. The Friends Foundation donated $3500 to help with summer learning. That’s a total of $114, 500 for grants and donations.
• Catherine Frye further discussed new grants the Development Office has applied for.

Board Member's Comments

Board members unanimously thanked Tuskegee students for their bookmobile design presentation. Willie Davis III revealed the American Red Cross press conference that will take place to discuss a space that has been donated for a satellite library in the old American Red Cross building by Mr. Ticheli.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled August 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:47 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Interim Director