Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The April 12, 2022 board meeting was called to order by Willie S. Davis III at 4:31 p.m.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Swearing in Ceremony for Officers

Judge Shera Grant administered the Oath of Office to new and reappointed library board officers.

• Willie S. Davis III, President
• Kimberly Richardson, Vice President
• Lynn Flowers-Martin, Parliamentarian

Public Voices

• No public voices

Presentations:

• Executive Director Janine Langston presented a video highlighting new employees, employees on the move, and retired employees for the month of March. Langston thanked BPL personnel technician, Tina Samuel, for putting together this monthly presentation.
• Langston informed board members of the passing of Irene Harve, BPL retiree. Board members recommended presenting a proclamation to Harve’s family to honor her 39 years of service to Birmingham Public Library.
  • Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve a proclamation presentation for Irene Harve scheduled for a later date.
  • Kimberly Richardson moved to accept the proclamation presentation.
  • Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
  • The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
  • Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.
• Langston introduced two BPL team members, Brooke Knighton, Library Assistant III in the Central Computer Commons, and Reba Williams, Titusville Library Branch Manager, to discuss programs and partnerships they are involved with. Knighton gave a brief overview of the new partnership between BPL and the UAB Community English Program (CEP). Williams gave a short presentation on multiple programs currently offered at the Titusville Branch Library.

Approval of Agenda

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda with the correction of March Finance Report replacing February Finance Report under Operational Items Requiring Board Approval.
• Mona Lisa Morris moved to accept the Agenda.
• Yawntreshia Coleman 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 March 8, 2022
  Personnel Actions
  

• There were no objections to the Consent Agenda.

Malera Wright, City Attorney:

Attorney Malera Wright called for the board to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation.

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

After a brief discussion, all attendees returned to the board meeting.

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to exit executive session.
• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept exiting executive session.
• Yolanda Hardy seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

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.
• Yolanda Hardy seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Advocacy, Fundraising and Development Committee:

Jermaine Johnson reported on the April 12th committee meeting.

Johnson congratulated BPL on hosting a successful event, A Novel Tasting. Johnson stated a preliminary discussion was had on a new proposed event for creatives that would be hosted at the

Birmingham Public Library. The committee will continue gathering ideas and comments and present to the board at a later date.

Long-Range Planning Committee:

Kimberly Richardson reported on the April 11th committee meeting.

Richardson stated the meeting was held to provide an update on the possible closures that had been recommended last year. This discussion is on hold as the city moves through the budget process. BPL has presented their 2023 budget request. The Long-Range Planning Committee was able to provide a presentation to the Education Committee and have a meeting with the mayor’s team.

Finance Committee:

Mona Lisa Morris reported on the April 11th committee meeting.

Morris discussed the performance report given by Regions Bank members regarding the Tutwiler Fund. She stated a recommendation was given to hold the funds in the income portfolio as they currently are which was approved. Morris also stated the cash equivalent funds that are currently in the account will be held and the BPL team will identify any needs of the collection and present them to the board.

Unfinished Business:

Janine Langston thanked board members for responding to the Doodle poll on their availability for the Board of Trustees retreat. Langston requested board members that hadn’t responded yet do so either through the poll or by speaking with her directly.

New Business:

Janine Langston requested that BPL be closed the morning of May 14th to allow staff to work the kick-off of the 2022 Summer Learning program being held in Avondale Park. All locations with Saturday hours would open at 2 p.m. for service on that day.

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve closing BPL the morning of May 14th for the 2022 Summer Learning program kick-off.
• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the morning closing of BPL on May 14th.
• Kimberly Richardson seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.

Executive Director's Report:

• Janine Langston thanked everyone for supporting A Novel Tasting. Langston stated a final report will be presented to the board once all financials are in.
• Langston reported that Mayor Woodfin presented a proclamation last week recognizing National Library Week in Birmingham, AL. Langston attended the city council meeting to receive the proclamation. Langston represented BPL in several television interviews promoting National Library Week and A Novel Tasting.
• Langston reported that the COB 2023 budget request documents were submitted to the COB Finance Department on March 2, 2022.
• Langston recognized the Birmingham Public Library Friends Foundation as BPL’s 2021 Library Champion. The award was presented at a virtual program held on April 11, 2022.
• Langston distributed the printed 2020-2021 Annual Report to board members.
• Langston stated BPL has scheduled a bookmobile pre-tour; 48 outreach programs are scheduled in the next 90 days. The past two Saturdays, BPL has participated in outreach events at Legion Field for UAB Health Fair and Jackie Robinson Day at the Negro Southern League Museum.
• Langston discussed the significant increases shown in the March statistics.

Board Member's Comments

Board members expressed gratitude to the staff for all their hard work during A Novel Tasting and congratulated them for a successful event. Board members mentioned multiple programs that were held at BPL locations and stated what a wonderful job staff members are doing. Kimberly Richardson praised the BPL citizens service department on their assistance with helping her nephew get a passport. She stated the process was effortless and he was very excited to have already received his passport. Willie S. Davis III invited Karyn Davis-West to speak about the Community Resource Fair being held at the Birmingham Public Library Central location on Thursday, June 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be several community-based organizations on-site providing information, services, and job opportunities.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:21 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director