Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The June 14, 2022 board meeting was called to order by Willie S. Davis III at 4:35 p.m.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

• A patron of the Five Points West Library shared information on suggested authors and titles to be added to the Five Points West collection.

Presentations:

• Executive Director Janine Langston introduced two BPL employees: Pamela Jessie and Selina Johnson.Pamela Jessie, Southside Branch Manager, discussed their new seed library. Patrons can come in and obtain a variety of seeds to grow their own vegetables and flowers. The seed library is meant to promote gardening as a hobby and to help battle food shortages and costs.
• Selina Johnson, Wylam Branch Manager, discussed two popular programs held at Wylam. One is the TGIF Craft program where patrons make items that they can use for years to come. The second is their book club which has been active for 12 years and is full of avid readers and robust conversation.

Approval of Agenda

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda.
• R. Jordan Davis 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 May 10, 2022
  Personnel Actions
  

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
• Yolanda Hardy moved to accept the motion.
• Yawntreshia Coleman 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

• Attorney Yolanda Lawson attended the board meeting and had 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.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Policy, Procedures and By-Laws CommitteeR. Jordan Davis reported on the committee meetings held on May 16th and June 14th.Davis provided an update on the possibility of live streaming board and committee meetings. He stated Janine Langston is working on creating a proposal of equipment needed to conduct live streamed meetings.The Policy, Procedures and By-Laws Committee voted to recommend the following policies for BPL Trustee and employee meeting room usage: BPL Trustees may use the conference rooms and/or auditorium twice per calendar year at no charge during normal library hours. The Trustee must attend the program if they are using their free usage. BPL employees, full or part-time, may use the conference rooms and/or auditorium twice per calendar year at 50% of the present rate during normal library hours. Employees must attend the program if they are using their discounted usage. Any Trustee or employee using the meeting place shall adhere to the outlined guidelines for meeting room usage. * Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the policies presented by the Policy, Procedures and By-Laws Committee.

• Jermaine Johnson moved to accept the motion.
• Yawntreshia Coleman seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Personnel Committee

John Lyons Jr. reported on the June 1st committee meeting.Lyons stated the meeting was held to discuss a patron complaint and the Personnel Committee was in agreement with the actions taken by staff to rectify the matter and felt it was appropriately handled.

Unfinished Business:

Executive Director Janine Langston provided a quote from Heritage Coach and RV Center to convert the donated decommissioned BJCTA paratransit bus to the BPL Mobile (bookmobile). Langston recommended the quote be accepted. * Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Heritage Coach and RV Center quote.

• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the motion.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

New Business:

Janine Langston recommended the July board meeting be postponed by one week due to the World Games and gave the option to host the meeting at either the Central Branch Library or the North Birmingham Branch Library. * Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve rescheduling the July 12th board meeting to July 19th at the North Birmingham Branch Library.

• Jermaine Johnson moved to accept the motion.
• Yawntreshia Coleman seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Executive Director's Report:

• Janine Langston acknowledged the BPL maintenance team for their dedicated work.
• Langston reported on the success of the 2022 Summer Reading Program Kickoff at the Avondale Library on May 14th.
• Langston stated the BPL Mobile pre-tour is going well and provided a list of program locations.
• Langston stated the Women’s Health Issues program at Inglenook concluded June 10th and BPL team members are preparing a highlight video to share at the next board meeting.
• Langston shared the 2022 Alabama Library Association Annual Conference will be held July 31 - August 2 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa and asked that any interested board members submit an email by Friday.
• Langston concluded by discussing the Brothers and Bowties event being held at the Central Library on June 18th.
• Sandra Lee with the Friends Foundation of Birmingham Public Library discussed attending the Summer Reading Program Kickoff and shared that the bookstore will be open during the World Games.

Board Member's Comments

Board members extended their gratitude to the BPL team for their dedication and hard work. Members thanked Janine Langston for an informative and productive board retreat. R. Jordan Davis expressed his excitement for the Brothers and Bowties event. Willie S. Davis III thanked Karyn Davis-West for putting on a well-organized and successful Citywide Resource Fair.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director