Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Minutes	October 11, 2022	4:30 p.m.	Arrington Auditorium
Meeting Called By	Willie S. Davis III, President
Type of Meeting	Regular Board Meeting

Attendees

Trustees: Kimberly Richardson, Lynn Flowers-Martin, Mona Lisa Morris, Yawntreshia Coleman, Yolanda Hardy, Jermaine Johnson
Trustees Not Present: Willie S. Davis III, R. Jordan Davis, John Lyons Jr.
Staff Present:Janine Langston, Executive Director; Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer; Karyn Davis-West, Regional Manager; Bessie Miller, Regional Manager; Loretta Jones, Regional Manager; Jamilah Woods, Personnel Officer; Daniel Campbell, PC Network Technician; Caleb West, Director of Collection Management; Catherine Frey, Director of Development; Roy Williams, Public Relations Director; Rod Zeigler, Building Services Supervisor; Brooke Windham, Administration
Others Present: Yolanda Lawson, City Attorney; Sandra Lee, Advisory Member

Call To Order

The October 11, 2022, board meeting was called to order by Kimberly Richardson at 4:37 p.m.
Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

Ervin Hill spoke to board members about the Shower of Love project and about purchasing Black History 365 textbooks. Kimberly Richardson requested Mr. Hill put together a proposal and send to Executive Director Janine Langston.

Presentations:

Executive Director Janine Langston presented a short video highlighting new employees. Langston also shared a video highlighting the Personnel Board of Jefferson County (PBJC) BPL graduates at the breakfast and graduation ceremony held on September 23, 2022.

Approval of Agenda

Kimberly Richardson called for a motion to approve the Agenda.
Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the Agenda.
Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Kimberly Richardson 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 September 13, 2022
Minutes of September 21, 2022 Special Called Meeting

Personnel Actions

Kimberly Richardson called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the motion.
Jermaine Johnson seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Kimberly Richardson confirmed the motion carried.

City Attorney

No report.

Operating Items Requiring Board Approval

Finance Report:

Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial report to the board.

Kimberly Richardson called for a motion to approve the financial report.
Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the financial report.
Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Kimberly Richardson 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 October 11th committee meeting.
Johnson discussed the fundraising campaign idea he shared with committee members that will be used in 2023. He informed board members that there were some adjustments to be made and he would share more information in upcoming meetings.
Johnson reminded board members that pledge forms are due to BPL as soon as possible.
Johnson shared preliminary final numbers on the Omarion: UNBOTHERED event and informed board members to reach out to him if they would like to see the breakdown.
Johnson reminded members that Classic Cocktails will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and asked everyone to please spread the word.

Unfinished Business:

None.

New Business:

Janine Langston recommended the Birmingham Public Library Central Branch be closed on Saturday, December 31, 2022, in observance of New Year’s Eve.
- Kimberly Richardson called for a motion to approve the closure of BPL on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
- Yawntreshia Coleman moved to accept the motion.
- Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
- The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
- Kimberly Richardson confirmed the motion carried.

Executive Director's Report:

Janine Langston presented a short video remembering Mika Eatmon, Virginia (Ginger) Guthrie and Michael Gray.
Langston provided information on the Smithfield Asphalt Art Project and Block Party and shared an image of the design.
Langston shared the Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) kicked off last Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Boutwell Auditorium. Moving forward, four BPL locations will host three class sessions each.
Langston shared that next week, October 16 – 21, is National Friends of the Library Week.
Langston reminded board members that next Thursday, October 20, 2022, is the annual BPL Staff Day. She extended an invitation to all BPL Trustees and requested they let her know if they plan to attend.
Langston shared An Evening with Sean Dietrich is on Thursday, October 13, 2022, and that all 250 tickets have been sold.
Langston shared that on Sunday, October 16, 2022, BPL will host Margaret Burnham at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where she will discuss her new book, By Hands Now Know: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners.

Board Member's Comments

Board members congratulated the BPL team for their accomplishments. Members also thanked staff for all of their hard work on the Classic Cocktails and Omarion: UNBOTHERED events. Yolanda Hardy requested information on the Smithfield windows, the bookmobile and lawn service at a few of the BPL locations. Sandi Lee shared the Friends Foundation semi-annual book sale was a success. Kimberly Richardson praised staff on their social media presence and dissemination of information to the public. Richardson also shared the next board meeting would be her last.

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

Adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director