Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The March 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

Presentations:

• Executive Director Janine Langston introduced the new administration team, Kathy Burts and Brooke Windham, to board members. She also presented a video highlighting new employees and employees on the move for the months of January and February.

• Chief Financial Officer Damein Baity introduced the audit team from Sheppard-Harris & Associates, Connie Sheppard-Harris, president and Courtney Anderson, senior accountant. Harris presented the audit report and stated it was clean. Harris thanked the Birmingham Public Library staff for their assistance and the City of Birmingham for choosing Sheppard-Harris & Associates as their auditors. There were no questions from board members.

  • Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Audit Report.
  • Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the Audit Report.
  • 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 Agenda

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda with the addition of Finance Committee and Nominating Committee being added under Reports of Committees.
• Mona Lisa Morris moved to accept the Agenda.
• Kimberly Richardson 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 February 8, 2022
  Personnel Actions
  

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Yolanda Hardy 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.
• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the financial report.
• R. Jordan Davis seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Nominating Committee:

Kimberly Richardson reported on the February 28th committee meeting. * Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the recommendations for the nomination of Willie S. Davis III as president and Kimberly Richardson as vice president as presented by the Nominating Committee.

• Mona Lisa Morris moved to accept the recommended nominations.
• John Lyons Jr. seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.

Finance Committee:

Mona Lisa Morris reported on the March 8th committee meeting.There was a discussion on the two leased vehicles for the Birmingham Public Library executive director and deputy director positions.The Finance Committee voted to recommend the executive director vehicle be leased through the City of Birmingham and the deputy director vehicle lease to be discontinued and instead issue mileage reimbursement. * Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the recommendations presented by the Finance Committee.

• R. Jordan Davis moved to accept the recommendations.
• Yawntreshia Coleman seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.

Unfinished Business:

• Damein Baity requested an analysis from Regions Bank on the Tutwiler fund and will report the findings to the Finance Committee.
• Janine Langston thanked board members for responding to the Doodle poll on their availability for the Board of Trustees retreat. A new poll will be sent out in the coming days to recommend possible dates.

New Business:

• iPads were distributed to board members. Birmingham Public Library staff members are available to assist with any questions.
• Damein Baity to check on the Maude Davis fund and report back to the Finance Committee.
• Janine Langston reported that board members will be signed up for ALA memberships next week. She stated the 2022 ALA Annual Conference will be held June 23-28th in Washington D.C. and asked that any interested board members submit an email for consideration.
• Langston made a recommendation to the board to close the Central library at 1:00 p.m. on April 7th so staff can setup for A Novel Tasting.
  • Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve closing the central library at 1:00 p.m. on April 7th.
  • Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the recommendations.
  • Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
  • The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.

Executive Director's Report:

• Janine Langston thanked all trustees that purchased tickets to A Novel Tasting and assisted with the silent auction items. Birmingham Public Library has so far received $30,500 in sponsorship. Langston handed out flyers for the event to board members.
• Birmingham Public Library hosted 71 programs, both in person and virtual, for Black History Month. All programs can be found on the calendar located on the BPL website.
• The Birmingham Public Library staff will be visiting all Birmingham city elementary schools this week to present story times promoting early literacy.
• Langston concluded by introducing the Birmingham Public Library executive team members and providing a brief overview of their job duties.

Board Member's Comments

Board members expressed gratitude to the staff for all their hard work, especially during Black History Month, and congratulated them for their appearances on the news. Friends Foundation president Sandi Lee announced the book sale happening at the Friends Bookstore during March 22-24th. She also reported the Friends Foundation had been selected to receive the 2022 Library Champion Award presented by the Jefferson County Public Library Association (JCPLA).

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:23 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director