Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The February 8, 2022 board meeting was called to order by Willie S. Davis III at 4:31 p.m.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

• No public voices

Swearing in of New Board Members

Judge Shera Grant, Judge Shanta Owens, and Judge Debra Westin-Pickens administered the Oath of Office to new and reappointed library board members.

• Willie S. Davis III
• Yolanda Hardy
• Yawntreshia Coleman
• Jermaine Johnson
• R. Jordan Davis
• John Lyons Jr.

Presentations:

Director Janine Langston presented the 2020-21 Annual Report. The Annual Report covers July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. It will be posted on the library’s website and will be available in print at a later date. Additionally, Langston recognized team members for their collaborative efforts in compiling information for the Annual Report.

• Ellen Griffin, Avondale
• Mary Ann Ellis, Southern History
• Lisa Mitchell, Public Relations
• David Ryan, Central
• Cynthia Barnett, Catalog
• Chelsea Rodriguez, Central
• Karen Jackson, Five Points West
• Whitney Garner, Springville Road
• William Anthony, Citizen Services
• Cheyenne Trujillo, Public Relations

Approval of Agenda

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda.
• Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the Agenda.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

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 January 11, 2022
  Personnel Actions
  

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
• Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

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.

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the financial report.
• Mona Lisa Morris moved to accept the financial report.
• Kimberly Richardson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Willie S. Davis III stated that there is no outstanding business with the Long-Range Planning and Personnel Committees. There will be an update after reassigning committees. Richardson informed the Board that a Long-Range Planning meeting was not scheduled due to the anticipation of newly appointed Trustees. She mentioned there are actions needing to be completed with the City Council in reference to the proposed closings.

Unfinished Business:

No unfinished business.

New Business:

No new business

Executive Director's Report:

Executive Director Janine Langston welcomed the newest members of the Board of Trustees and provided them with brief information about Trustee training and forthcoming meetings.

• Birmingham Public Library has followed the City of Birmingham guideline for Level 3 staffing for this current pay period. Right now we have zero staff members out with Covid-19. We will start regular scheduling with full staffing next week. We have 71 programs scheduled this month alone, so staff is needed in place to continue providing excellent service.
• The Development Department is working to provide the program "A Novel Tasting:" This is a fundraising event to support Birmingham Public Library. Please mark your calendars for April 7, 2022. It will be featuring a tasting of wines, craft beers, locally distilled spirits, live music, catered foods, silent auctions, door prizes, and a VIP reception. This a joint project of the Birmingham Public Library and the Friends Foundation and all proceeds will fund BPL programming. There is information provided in your packets about sponsorships and how you can participate. If you need any information, please see Catherine Frey.
• We received notice today that Fox 6 News is offering BPL a daily 30-40 second clip highlighting black history. The segments will feature BPL team members and will be done in a "Did You Know" format. Filming will take place this week and videos will be available to start airing next week.
• Langston provided an update on the VOIP project.

Board Member's Comments

Long-standing Board members welcomed new Trustees to the team. New members provided brief introductions and expressed their eagerness to work with Birmingham Public Library. City Councilor Crystal Smitherman and Councilor Clinton Woods spoke briefly with the Board and welcomed new Board members.

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

Adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director