September 22, 2020 | gladdenk
The Chairperson, Amy Watts, called the meeting to order at 7:37 PM.
Present: N. Eggenberger, J. Lee, J. Pandit, D. Turner, A. Watts
Absent: M. Farell
Also Present: E. Davis, K. Gladden
CALL TO AUDIENCE (L. Golden, D. McHugh, M. Nicholson, J. Parij, D. Skopczynski, C. Spas,
C. Swanberg ) – None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted by unanimous consent.
APPROVAL OF GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were accepted by unanimous consent.
COMMUNICATIONS — None
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
As of August 31, the library was 2/3 of the way through the fiscal year. There will be a 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment in October, and likely another one in December. Because of the pandemic shutdown, some major capital item projects had been put on hold. Some of those items may be completed in 2020 as planned but, rather than rush to try to complete them, some may be pulled out and put into 2021. These items have already been planned for and approved and so would be budget-neutral.
Under Expenditures, Insurance is still trending high, as these yearly expenses were paid out in the first quarter of 2020. It will fall into line by the end of the year.
Librarian Carol Kuchta is retiring at the end of September after 38 years with the library. In anticipation of limited browsing being phased in, substitute librarians and on-call pages and circulation assistants have been re-activated; some have declined recall. Page Tim Schoening and on-call Circulation Assistant Diane Miner have proffered their resignations. On-call Page Salam Habhab has also resigned in order to accept a full-time position elsewhere.
Director of the Library Network (TLN) Jim Pletz is retiring; finalists for his position are Steven Bowers, Associate Dean of the the Wayne State University Libraries; and Cathy Russ, the Troy Public Library director.
Legislation regarding changes to the Library Privacy Act (regarding the release of library records when a crime has been committed) was put forth before the COVID-19 pandemic. A substitute bill has now been taken up by the Michigan legislature. Director Eva Davis will inform the board when any changes are made.
There were not many responses to the 62 Days of Summer survey. Respondents were generally positive about the program. Community Relations Department Head Laurie Golden said that the librarians were amazing; each was responsible for fleshing out resources correlating to squares on the 62 Days map. Golden herself delivered the Prize Patrol swag bags. In all, the sense was that the program helped participants feel more engaged with the library and the community.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS — None
COMMITTEE REPORTS — None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS & GENERAL ORDERS
Update on Phased Reopening — Limited (30 minute) browsing of materials begins on Thursday, October 1st. Patrons will be required to observe physical distancing; properly wear masks at all times; and stay out of certain areas, which will be blocked off by stanchions and ropes. The Friends’ Activity Room, the Internet Lab and all study and tutor rooms are being used for furniture and equipment storage. The Community Room is still being used to stage Holds pickups by appointment, and the main lobby will be blocked off to allow use of the vending machine area and the lobby restrooms by staff members only. (Patrons will use the family restrooms in the Children’s area.) Otherwise, patrons may browse the collections available in the public spaces. Toys; puppets; manipulatives; story kits; newspapers and magazines have been pulled, to discourage lingering and because they would be difficult to keep disinfected.
The door counter has been upgraded with a thermal sensor which allows for setting a maximum occupancy number. The digital LED signs in the self-service and Children’s department will be programmed with slides reminding patrons to observe pandemic mitigation techniques and displaying the current occupancy percentage. 25% building occupancy is roughly 184 people (including staff, visitors, volunteers and patrons). Limited browsing will allow a maximum of 50 patrons to start; the top patron maximum will be 140.
Browsing hours will mirror pickups and technology appointments. Secondhand Prose will also reopen on October 1st, and will also have a 30-minute limit on browsing. They are currently contacting their volunteers for recall.
The library’s janitorial service will continue to do overnight cleaning and sanitizing. A free-standing hand sanitizer station has been purchased and will be placed in the lobby entry
L. Golden is working on signage; the next newsletter will inform the public of this latest phase in the library reopening.
Board Chair Amy Watts questioned how the staff feels about opening for limited browsing. E. Davis said that the staff misses our patrons and are concerned about keeping them safe. Staff overall is both excited and committed to being cautious during this new phase.
Davis praised Circulation Services Interim Department Head Denise Skopczynski and the Circulation Services staff for the stellar job they did on the Tuesday after Labor Day, when over 300 emails requesting new library cards were received over the holiday closure. (Plymouth-Canton Community Schools had informed parents and students that a library card would be necessary to access certain materials for the new school year.) Staff members from all departments assisted in preparing Holds by appointment items, in order to free Circulation Services employees to process the new card requests.
2021 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures (2nd reading) — Trustee Nancy Eggenberger moved and Trustee Jane Pandit supported a motion to approve the 2021 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures as presented.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Yes: N. Eggenberger, J. Lee, J. Pandit, D. Turner, A. Watts
No: None
Abstain: None
The motion passed 20/9-17-1 (5-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
Rescind October 12, 2020 Library Staff Day Closure —N. Eggenberger moved and Vice-Chair Jasmine Lee supported a motion to rescind the closure date as presented.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Yes: N. Eggenberger, J. Lee, J. Pandit, D. Turner, A. Watts
No: None
Abstain: None
The motion passed 20/9-17-2 (5-0-0)
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.
J. Lee moved and N. Eggenberger supported a motion to move into Closed Session.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Yes: N. Eggenberger, J. Lee, J. Pandit, D. Turner, A. Watts
No: None
Abstain: None
The motion passed 20/9-17-3 (5-0-0)
REGULAR MEETING RESUMED AT 8:41 PM.
CALL TO AUDIENCE – None
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 PM.