Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The January 11, 2022 board meeting was called to order by Eunice Johsnon Rogers at 4:31 p.m.
• Eunice Johsnon Rogers provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

• None

Presentations:

• A video was presented by Director Janine Langston to honor longtime employee William Darby. Mr. Darby retired after 21 years of service. He served as the branch manager of the East Lake and Woodlawn locations.

Approval of Agenda

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to approve the Agenda with the addition of the Nominating Committee report.
• Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the Agenda with the noted addition.
• Mona Lisa Morris 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 December 14, 2021
  Personnel Actions
  

• Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
• Kimberly Richardson motioned to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Mona Lisa Morris 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:

• No report

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.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Long Range Planning Committee:

• Kimberly Richardson reported on the meeting held with the Education Committee of the Birmingham City Council. Discussions involved concerns regarding library facilities and budget. Richardson stated that the committee is better informed and has an understanding of what our challenges are.

Nominating Committee:

• The Nominating Committee sent information out previously to see if anyone was interested in serving as the Board’s president and vice president. The deadline for nominations was January 3rd. As two-thirds of the Board are up for reelection and/or have expiring terms, Richardson recommended continuing with the current leadership until such time as the City Council takes action to reappoint or replace board members.
• Kimberly Richardson proposed a motion to continue with our current leadership with Eunice Johnson Rogers as president and Willie Davis III as vice president.
• Fatima Carter moved to accept the recommendation of the Nominating Committee.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Personnel Committee:

• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to add the Personnel Committee report to the Agenda.
• Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the recommendation to add the Personnel Committee report to the Agenda.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.
• Fatima Carter proposed a recommendation to move forward with the process of selecting Deputy Director.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

• Langston reminded Trustees that they are still able to complete the APLS Trustee training if they have not done so. The Board also discussed the process of providing the public with committee meeting minutes.

New Business:

• Damein Baity reported that two leased vehicles managed by JCLC leases will expire April 1, 2022. JCLC will no longer provide the service. The Finance Committee will discuss options on how to continue at their next meeting.
• Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion for approval to host a reception to the public and city officials to introduce Janine Langston as the new Executive Director.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin moved to accept the motion.
• Judge Scott Vowell seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.

Executive Director's Report:

• Springville Road is currently experiencing facility issues. They are currently without heat. Staff has been reassigned to work at other locations. Staff is rotating in the building to check book drops and contact patrons regarding pickup for their holds. The Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations have been made aware.
• Mayor Woodfin has issued a revised executive order in response to Covid-19. The mask ordinance has also been extended until March 31, 2022. There is also a revised return to work protocol for Covid-19. I met with the City of Birmingham Cultural Facility Director on December 31st to discuss our individual responses to the surge of Covid cases. All facilities including BPL will maintain their strict cleaning and sanitizing schedules. We will leave protective shields in place and will provide hand sanitizer and masks for guests if needed. We are currently making no adjustments to our services at this time.
• Birmingham area residents are applying for passports in record numbers. I want to recognize and express appreciation to the team members in the Citizen’s Services Department. In the past several weeks they have processed a record number of passport applications. They processed 32 passport applications on December 30th and processed 40 passport applications on last Friday.
• The Development Department is making plans for a “Novel Tasting”. We’re still moving forward with that fundraising event. Please mark your calendars for April 7, 2022. We’ll have more information coming soon about how tickets can be purchased. If you have any contact information for potential sponsorship opportunities, please let me or Catherine Frey know.
• BPL will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. But on Tuesday, January 18th, the Archives Department will host annual our “Begin the Day” program. This is the 19th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial lecture. It will feature Dr. Teneasha Washington from UAB as the guest lecturer. It will be a virtual program held via Zoom, January 18, 2022 at 3pm.

Board Member's Comments

Sandi Lee stated that the Friends Foundation will have their first board meeting of the year January 19, 2022. They will be selecting new officers and they will be presented at the next Board meeting. James Sullivan announced that this is his last board meeting. Sullivan expressed his appreciation for serving as Trustee with Birmingham Public Library.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director