Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

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Call To Order

• The September 13, 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

• None.

Presentations:

• Executive Director Janine Langston presented a video highlighting new employees and employees on the move. Langston thanked the Birmingham Public Library Personnel Office for putting together this video every month. Langston also shared a video highlighting BirminghamPublic Library team members greeting students and teachers at several schools and Back to School events that were held at multiple Birmingham Public Library locations.

Approval of Agenda

• Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda.
• Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the Agenda.
• R. Jordan Davis 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 August 9, 2022
  Personnel Actions
  

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

City Attorney

• City Attorney Malera Wright shared there is one pending litigation that is unresolved.

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.
• Jermaine Johnson 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

John Lyons, Jr. reported on the August 3rd committee meeting. Lyons shared the committee decided to reopen the job posting for the Deputy Director position for 14 days.

• Jermaine Johnson reported on the August 22nd committee meeting.

• Johnson shared details about Omarion: UNBOTHERED, being held on Friday, September 16th, and thanked BPL team members for all their hard work on setting up for a successful event.

• Johnson requested that any board members interested in doing interviews to promote Omarion: UNBOTHERED please let him know.
• Johnson informed the board that he had locked down sponsorships for both Omarion: UNBOTHERED and Classic Cocktails.
• Johnson stated the date for Classic Cocktails may be moved from Monday, October 24 to Tuesday, October 25. He will inform the board once the decision has been made.

Personnel Committee

John Lyons Jr. reported on the August 24th, September 6th and September 13th committee meetings. * Lyons shared details on a proposed plan to change job classifications at the Birmingham Public Library to be more closely aligned with the City of Birmingham.

• The Personnel Committee voted to recommend the approval of authorizing Janine Langston and Jamilah Woods to work with the City of Birmingham on changing the classifications at the Birmingham Public Library.
  • John Lyons Jr. moved to approve the authorization of BPL team members to work on getting classifications changed.
  • R. Jordan Davis seconded the motion.
  • The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
  • John Lyons, Jr. confirmed the motion carried.
• Lyons provided an update on the process of selecting and hiring a new Deputy Director for the Birmingham Public Library.
  • Lynn Flowers-Martin moved that the board go into executive session to discuss Deputy Director applications.
  • R. Jordan Davis seconded the motion.
  • Attorney Malera Wright declared an executive session was in order and roll was called.
  • After a brief discussion, all attendees returned to the board meeting and roll was called.
• The Personnel Committee voted to recommend the approval of hiring the person selected by the Personnel Committee to fill the Deputy Director position.
  • John Lyons Jr. moved to authorize BPL Personnel Officer to move forward with extending a job offer to the individual recommended by the Personnel Committee.
  • R. Jordan Davis seconded the motion.
  • Six board members responded in favor to approve the motion. Two board members were opposed.
  • Willie S. Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

None.

New Business:

• Janine Langston recommended the Birmingham Public Library Central Branch be closed for public service on the day of Classic Cocktails.
  • Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the closure of BPL for public service on the day of Classic Cocktails.
  • Yolanda Hardy moved to accept the motion.
  • John Lyons Jr. 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 shared information on several grants that were awarded to Birmingham Public Library.
• Langston stated there was a signification increase in system-wide statistics in August.
• Langston expressed her appreciation to the BPL Development Office, Regional Service Managers and project managers that prepared and submitted all grants and all the public service staff that are always meeting the needs of the public.
• Langston commented on the Save the Date card that was given to board members and touched on a few of the events BPL will be offering.
• Langston shared a story about a gentleman from Wylam, Northumberland contacting and visiting the Wylam Branch Library.

Board Member's Comments

Board members extended their gratitude to the BPL team for their dedication and hard work. John Lyons Jr. requested BPL get an update on the Central Branch 3rd floor ceilings and report back at the next board meeting. Yolanda Hardy praised Books-by-Mail for all their great work. Mona Lisa Morris thanked BPL for the Save the Date card that was given to each board member. Willie S. Davis III thanked Jermaine Johnson and BPL team members for putting together the event, Omarion: UNBOTHERED.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:34 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director