Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The December 14, 2021 board meeting was called to order by Eunice Johsnon Rogers at 4:30 p.m.
• Eunice Johsnon Rogers provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

• Community leaders and citizens spoke in support of keeping all library branches open for service.
  • Commissioner Shelia Tyson, Jefferson County Commission
  • Evanne Gibson, West End Community President
  • Alabama State Representative John Rogers
  • Byron Lagrone

Presentations: Highlight Video

• Janine Langston presented a highlight video titled "I Am Thankful" featuring library staff sharing short messages, as well as a video highlighting new employees and employees on the move for the months of October and November.

Approval of Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to approve the Agenda as presented.
• Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the Agenda.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin 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 October 12, 2021 and November 9, 2021
  Personnel Actions October 12, 2021 and November 9, 2021
  Finance Report October 12, 2021

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

Malera Wright, City Attorney:

• Attorney Wright asked that the Board go into executive session due to potential litigation.
• Rogers proposed a motion to go into executive session.
• Fatima Carter seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously to enter executive session.

Operating 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.
• Judge Scott Vowell moved 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 Committee:

Personnel Committee:

• Lynn Flowers-Martin motioned to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to select Janine Langston as the Executive Director of Birmingham Public Library.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Advocacy, Fundraising & Development Committee:

• Catherine Frey presented information for a wine and beer tasting fund raising event titled “A Novel Tasting” to be held during Library Giving Week on April 7, 2022. The event will have multi-level sponsorship opportunities and will be held in partnership with the BPL Friends Foundation.
• Willie Davis proposed a recommendation to approve the budget of up to $10,000 for the funding of “A Novel Tasting”.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded in favor of the motion to accept with one objection.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Bookmobile update - Langston stated the cost of the exterior wrapping of the bookmobile has been communicated to Mr. Ticheli and that he has agreed to cover the expenses.

Long-Range Planning Committee:

• Richardson stated that a meeting has been scheduled with the City Council Education Committee regarding library closures. The meeting will be held Monday, December 20, 2021 at 1 pm at City Hall Council Chambers.

Unfinished Business:

• Langston reminded Trustees to complete their APLS training.

New Business:

Recommendation to accept the proposed 2022 Holiday Schedule.

• Carter moved to accept the proposed 2022 holiday schedule.
• Willie Davis III seconded the motioned.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Recommendation to accept the proposed 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule.

• Richardson moved to approve the proposed 2022 Board meeting schedule for every second Tuesday at 4:30pm.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Rogers informed Trustees that elections will be held in January. She will be making nominating committee appointments over the next few days.

Executive Director's Report:

• The Local Author’s Expo featured 20 authors and had over 350 participants. Our guest speakers Ashley Jones, Eunice Elliot, and Dr. Fred Jones were dynamic and engaging.
• As part of your packet, you'll find a card for Unwrap a Good Read: A Holiday Honorarium Gift Donation Campaign. This is an opportunity to give the gift of reading and make a donation to the Birmingham Public Library. Honorees will receive a card notifying them that a donation has been made in their honor, as well as a commemorative bookmark. Participation can be done physically or virtually on our website.
• We continue to partner with Birmingham City Schools. This week we’re providing special intersession programs and support materials.
• A number of special holiday programs have been offered to the public, including; open house events, arts and crafts activities, holiday film festivals, karaoke, game days, story times, West End Branch’s annual concert, 12-days of Grinchmas, interactive murder mysteries, and a gingerbread man contest. Several locations participated in community parades, tree lighting ceremonies, food distributions, and were collection sites for Toys for Tots.
• Tomorrow the Central Library will host a Winter Open House featuring local artist Regi Yarbrough from 11 am-1pm. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. There will also be a career fair at the same time.
• Library cards can now be processed online.

Board Member's Comments

Board members unanimously congratulated Janine Langston on her new role as the Executive Director and expressed gratitude to staff for their hard work and dedication.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled January 11, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director