Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Minutes	May 9, 2023	4:30 p.m.	Arrington Auditorium
Meeting Called By	Willie S. Davis III, President
Type of Meeting	Regular Board Meeting

Attendees

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

Call To Order

The May 9, 2023, board meeting was called to order by Willie S. Davis III at 4:33 p.m.
Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

None.

Presentations:

Executive Director Janine Langston expanded on the BPL Summer Reading program including the Summer Reading Kickoff hosted on May 13, 2023 and the Free Summer Enrichment program from June 12 – July 27, 2023.

Langston shared a video highlighting new employees and employees on the move.

Approval of Agenda

Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Agenda.
R. Jordan Davis 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.

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 April 11, 2023 Board Meeting
Personnel Actions
Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
John Lyons Jr. moved to accept the motion.
R. Jordan Davis seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Willie S. Davis III 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.

Willie S. Davis III called for a motion to approve the financial report.
Yolanda Hardy moved to accept the motion.
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 Committees:

No report.

Unfinished Business:

No report.

New Business:

Willie S. Davis III appointed the Nominating Committee as follows Yolanda Hardy, Chair; Lynn Flowers-Martin; R. Jordan Davis. Davis requested any board members interested in running for office submit applications to Yolanda Hardy by the next board meeting.

Executive Director's Report:

Janine Langston thanked the board members that joined BPL members at the City Council meeting to receive a proclamation from Mayor Woodfin in recognition of National Library Workers Day.

Janine Langston and Karyn Davis-West thanked board members for the Meet and Greet Reception held on April 26, 2023 honoring the Executive Director, Deputy Director and past Board Presidents.

Langston shared BPL is working with the City of Birmingham to address the BPL capital projects.

Langston announced the second annual A Novel Tasting was a great success and BPL gained a net profit of $25,000 from the event.

Langston reported on the various grants secured by the BPL Development Office.

Langston shared her experience attending the Opening Reception and Unveiling of the Bib & Tucker Sew-Op March Quilts Exhibit and encouraged board members to visit the displayed quilts located in the Grand Commons.

Langston shared 18 BPL team members read to 380 students in K5 through 5th grade classrooms at Phillips Academy in conjunction with Better Basics’ Annual Birmingham Reads initiative.

Langston reported the City of Birmingham was selected as a finalist for the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant. She stated eight finalists were selected and six will be awarded.

Langston congratulated BPL’s CFO Damein Baity on his recent graduation from Talladega College.

Board Member's Comments

Board members extended their gratitude to the BPL team for their dedication and hard work. Members stated they were excited for the upcoming Summer Reading programs. Members congratulated the BPL Development Office on the successful profit from A Novel Tasting and the multiple grants their office have secured. Members thanked the Public Relations department for their work in securing a monthly news segment for BPL. Jermaine Johnson had questions on BPL’s active shooter training and Janine Langston responded. Willie S. Davis III expressed his appreciation to City Council for reappointing Lynn Flowers-Martin and appointing new board member, Dana Woodruff. Karyn Davis-West, Deputy Director, reported on the various staff training that is being completed.

Next Board Meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 4:59 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Executive Director