(DRAFT) Library Board Meeting Minutes — Thursday, November 18, 2021

November 23, 2021 | gladdenk

The Chairperson, Nancy Eggenberger, called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.

Present:    N. Eggenberger, M. Farell, A. Iqbal, J. Lee, C. Spas, A. Watts
Absent:      None

Also Present:  E. Davis

CALL TO AUDIENCE   (K. Bounds, D. Ewick, L. Golden, M. Nicholson) – None      

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.

APPROVAL OF GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

The minutes were accepted by unanimous consent.

COMMUNICATIONS — None

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The library was 83% through the year, as of 10/31/2021. Accountant Debbie McHugh is still experimenting with financial reports provided by the new financial software provider, BS&A. She has put out the call to department heads for information needed to prepare the 4th Quarter Budget Amendment, which will be presented to the board at the December meeting.

In early December, Community Relations Department Head Laurie Golden will email a fundraising appeal to improve the Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin Memorial Courtyard. The renovations will be coordinated by Marian Nicholson in consultation with Rebecca’s husband Michael Coughlin and Reliable Landscaping.

Rain and high winds delayed work on the roof through Thursday, but the roofing crew was scheduled work Friday through the weekend. Then Davis received word that there will be no progress on the project until next week due to unforeseen circumstances.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS — Trustee Jasmine Lee asked about the library’s air filtration system; Davis responded that the ventilation system has been adjusted and was operating at an optimal level per pandemic guidelines.

COMMITTEE REPORTS — None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS & GENERAL ORDERS — None

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of 2022 Board Officers — Although the current slate of officers may remain in place for a second year, the other trustees are welcome to explore the possibility of stepping up to replace them. Trustees J. Lee and Claire Spas indicated that they might consider it. The nomination and election of the 2022 officers will take place at the December meeting.

Closed session for Director’s Evaluation — Director E. Davis requested that the board move into closed session for the purpose of discussing her yearly performance evaluation.

Amy Watts moved and Amina Iqbal supported a motion to move into Closed Session.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Yes: N. Eggenberger, M. Farell, A. Iqbal, J. Lee, C. Spas, A. Watts

No: None

Abstain: None

The motion passed 21/11-18-1 (6-0-0)

REGULAR MEETING RESUMED AT 8:29 PM.

CALL TO AUDIENCE – None

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM.  

Library Board Meeting Agenda — Thursday, November 18, 2021

November 10, 2021 | gladdenk
  • Call the Meeting to Order
  • Call to Audience (5 min. maximum)
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of General Meeting Minutes
  • Communications
  • Report of the Library Director
  • Trustee Comments
  • Unfinished Business & General Orders — None
  • New Business
    • Discussion of 2022 Board Officers
    • Director’s Evaluation  (closed session) — roll call vote
  • Call to Audience (5 min. maximum)
  • Adjourn

 

PDF icon 2021_November_Board_Packet.pdf

Titles to Celebrate Trans Awareness Month

November 3, 2021 | Boydl
infographic with statistics on trans issues found at Fenway Health dot com

"November is Transgender Awareness Month, a time to honor, celebrate, and advocate for our transgender and gender diverse community. Transgender Awareness Month culminates with the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Each year on November 20, LGBTQIA+ people everywhere pause to remember and mourn the lives we’ve lost to transphobic violence. This tradition began here in Boston in 1998 in response to the murder of beloved community member Rita Hester in Allston. Now, 23 years later, the TDOR is observed around the world."

Read more here from Fenway Health

Growing Up Trans : In Our Own Words by Kate (EDT) Lindsay (EDT)/ Fry Herriot

Library Board Meeting Minutes — Thursday, October 21, 2021

October 28, 2021 | gladdenk

The Chairperson, Nancy Eggenberger, called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.

Present:    N. Eggenberger, M. Farell, A. Iqbal, J. Lee, C. Spas, A. Watts                                      

Absent:      None

Also Present:  E. Davis

CALL TO AUDIENCE   (K. Bounds, D. Ewick, L. Golden, M. Nicholson, R. Noble) – None       

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.

APPROVAL OF BUDGET HEARING MINUTES

The minutes were accepted by unanimous consent.

APPROVAL OF GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

The minutes were accepted by unanimous consent.

COMMUNICATIONS — Director Eva Davis shared  Thank You cards from Debbie Mikula, Executive Director of the Michigan Library Association, who visited the library as a stop on her tour of Michigan libraries; and from Laurie Golden, thanking the library board and staff for the flowers in memory of her late father, Bill Golden.

Davis also shared a letter from the President Emeritus of the Citizens for Peace, Colleen Mills, who expressed her appreciation for the spotlight shone by the library on the organization during the 62 Days of Summer.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Davis indicated that Accountant Debbie McHugh had supplied two sets of financial reports for September: the familiar documents from Quickbooks, and another set from the library’s new financial software provider, BS&A. This should be the last set of QuickBooks financials that the board will see, as McHugh will cease using that software effective with September 30.

The 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment later in the meeting would help bring the financials into line. Supply chain issues may mean that some budgeted items will be removed from 2021 and added into the 2022 budget, necessitating larger than normal budget amendments in the new year.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS — None

COMMITTEE REPORTS — None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS & GENERAL ORDERS

2022 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures — M. Farell moved and A. Watts supported a motion to approve the 2022 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures as presented.

The motion passed unanimously 21/10-21-1

NEW BUSINESS

Introduction of the New BiblioCommons Website — Circulation Services Department Head Kat Bounds walked the board through the various patron-oriented aspects of the library’s new website. The website, which is curated by BiblioCommons, is set to debut with a sneak peek on Monday, October 25, with the public invited to test it out and submit feedback. The official switchover to the new website will be on Monday, November 29.

Approval of 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment — A. Watts moved and J. Lee supported a motion to approve the 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment as presented.

The motion passed unanimously 21/10-21-2

CALL TO AUDIENCE – None

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.  

Sneak Peek: New Library Website

October 25, 2021 | goldenl

Get a sneak peek of our new website, which is set to launch on November 29, 2021. Our new site has an improved search function and catalog to help you find the things you want. It's also full of engaging content for different age groups and interests. Best of all, you can personalize your library dashboard to follow lists and blogs, and get notices for things you are interested in.

We hope you take a look, and please let us know of any feedback, suggestions or questions using this form.

New Program Listing and Registration Site

October 25, 2021 | goldenl

Beginning October 25, 2021, the library will be switching program listings and registration to our new website. To see the list of current programs or to register for a program, click here. You can also view a guide to help you find and register for programs. If you need help, please call 734-397-0999 or ask on your next visit to the library.

We are interested in your feedback on this new events page, as well as the rest of our new website. Please use this link for feedback, questions or suggestions. 

Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021)

October 21, 2021 | jonesw

In a career that spanned almost sixty years, Jerry Pinkney wrote and illustrated over a hundred books and book covers, primarily for children. His many accolades include a Caldecott Medal, five Coretta Scott King Awards, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Pinkney left an indelible mark on the world of children's literature and continues to inspire readers of all ages. 

The lion & the mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Little Red Riding-Hood by Jerry Pinkney

October is Filipino American History Month

October 18, 2021 | Boydl

Filipino American History Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of October. Each year, Filipino American History Month is recognized with a special theme. The 2021 theme is “50 Years Since the First Young Filipino People's Far West Convention.” More than 300 young Filipino Americans participated in the first Young Filipino People's Far West Convention at Seattle University in 1971, sparking the beginning of the Filipino American Movement. To learn more about Filipino American History Month or to find other ways to celebrate Filipino American people, history and culture year-round, visit the FANHS website.

Cora cooks pancit by Dorina K Lazo Gilmore

Gary Paulsen (1939-2021)

October 14, 2021 | strande

Well-known for his wildlife and survival writing, Gary Paulsen was a titan in middle grade literature, but also wrote for teens and adults. Read more about his legacy and how he affected his readers, or celebrate his life and work with one of the following titles.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Also available in: e-book | audiobook | e-audiobook | large print
Six kids and a stuffed cat by Gary Paulsen
Also available in: e-book | e-audiobook

Library Board Meeting Agenda — Thursday, October 21, 2021

October 12, 2021 | gladdenk
  • Call the Meeting to Order
  • Call to Audience (5 min. maximum)
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Budget Hearing Minutes
  • Approval of General Meeting Minutes
  • Administrative Reports
    • Communications
    • Report of the Library Director
    • Trustee Comments
  • Unfinished Business & General Orders
    • 2022 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures
  • New Business
    • Introduction of new BiblioCommons website (K. Bounds)
    • Approval of 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment
    • Director’s Evaluation Process
  • Call to Audience (5 min. maximum)
  • Adjourn

 

PDF icon 2021_October_Board_Meeting_Packet.pdf

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