Library Board - BPL Minutes

Public Summary of the January 12, 2021, Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Board Meeting of Trustees Meeting Held via Zoom Conference.

Call to Order: Board meeting was called to order by President Eunice Johnson Rogers at 4:31 p.m.

Roll Call: President Eunice Johnson Rogers

Invocation: Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Board Attendance

1. Eunice Johnson Rogers Chairman Present/Zoom

2. Fatima Carter Trustee Present/Zoom

3. Judge Scott Vowell Trustee Present/Zoom

4. Mona Lisa Morris Trustee Present/Zoom

5. Lynn Flowers-Martin Trustee Present/Zoom

6. Sherri Nielson Trustee Present/Zoom

7. Kimberly Richardson Trustee Present/Zoom

8. James Sullivan Trustee Present/Zoom

9. Jamal McCaskey Advisory Present/Zoom

10. Malera Wright Assistant City Attorney Present/Zoom

Library & City Staff Attendance

1. Janine Langston Interim Executive Director Present/Zoom

2. Damein Baity Chief Financial Officer Present/Zoom

3. Catherine Frey Director of Development Present/Zoom

4. Kimberley Wiley Administration Office Present/Zoom

5. Jamilah Muhammad Interim Personnel Officer Present/Zoom

6. Karyn Davis-West Regional Manager Present/Zoom

7. Bessie Miller Regional Manager Present/Zoom

8. Roy Williams Director of Public Relations Present/Zoom

9. Richard Manoske IMS Administrator Present/Zoom

10. Terry Oglesby City Architect (COB) Absent

Public Voices:

None.

Presentations:

Jamilah Muhammand discussed the return of furloughed full-time staff and part-time staff.

There were 70 full-time staff members furloughed and 66 returned to BPL.
There were 67 part-time staff members furloughed and 50 returned to BPL. Eleven part-time staff members declined to return and 7 part-time staff members remain on furlough.

Ka'ryn Davis-West presented information and updates on public service for all BPL locations. The December Statistics Info graph flyer was featured.

Candice Hardy presented information on BPL programming and updates on the Library Bookmobile. Hardy presented information on the following programs and initiatives:

Brothers and Bow Ties: A Vision Cast scheduled for January 16, 2021 (virtual program). A special thanks was expressed to this year’s partner Mr. Taylor Culliver, founder of "The Brother Box" for his contribution of 200 boxes to be distributed to youth on Monday, January 18, 2021 for BPL’s Drive-thru Day of Service.
Begin the Day: The Eighteenth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Lecture hosted by the BPL Archives Department and scheduled for January 19, 2021 at 2 p.m. (virtual program).
BPL will be featured in the 2021 Africatown Celebration documentary. BPL staff member Christopher Reid provided professional videography service for an interview featuring Mrs. G.S. Gamble. Ms. Gamble was a guest presenter at the BPL program "The Last Slave Ship Survivor" in honor of Family History Month in October 2020.

Richard Manoske discussed the adjustments the IT department is making at all BPL locations to meet the needs for curbside service and in-person service. The IT Department is working to install 6 additional wireless access points in the Linn Henley and the East Building Library. The equipment was purchased with grant funding.

Approval of Agenda with the addition of a report from the Finance Committee to be added to item number X. of the agenda. Approval

Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed approval of the Agenda with the adding of a report from the Finance Committee.
Willie Davis III motioned to accept the Agenda with the adding of a report from the Finance Committee.
Lynn Flower-Martin seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion was carried.

Approval of the Consent Agenda: Approval

Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed approval of the Consent Agenda as presented.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the Agenda as presented.
Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the Consent Agenda was approved as printed.

Terry Ogleby, City Architect: No Report

Malera Wright, City Attorney:

Malera Wright, City Attorney discussed the 2 legal issues concerning the Birmingham Public Library.

A continuance was granted for the bench trial scheduled to begin on January 12, 2021.
The worker’s compensation claim from a BPL staff member for an incident occurring on December 31, 2020 was denied.

Operating Items Requiring Board approval: None

Finance Report: Approval

Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial report to the board.
Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to accept the financial report.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the financial report.
James A. Sullivan seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of Committee:

Personnel Committee: Approval

Fatima Carter motioned to accept the Personnel Committee report (provided in the board report) to the board.
Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion to accept the Personnel Committee report.
The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Advocacy Committee: Approval

Candice Hardy presented changing the date for Soulful Sunday (originally scheduled for January 10, 2021) to January 31, 2021.
Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to accept changing the date for Soulful Sunday to January 31, 2021.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept changing of the date.
James A. Sullivan seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Finance Committee:

Mona Lisa Morris reported the audit is complete and the Finance Committee will meet with the auditors on January 28, 2021. A report from the meeting will be presented at the February Board meeting.

Policies, Procedurs & By-Laws Committee: Approval

Janine Langston recommended adopting the revision of the Mayor’s Executive order for the COVID-19 Leave Act.
Eunice Johnson Rogers proposed a motion to accept revision of the Mayor’s Executive order for the COVID-19 Leave Act.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the motion to accept revision of the Mayor’s Executive order for the COVID-19 Leave Act.
Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business: Approval

Janine Langston shared information regarding the Trustee Training Requirements per APLS. "Short Takes for Trustees" is a series of short instructional videos. Training must be completed by December 31, 2021.

Janine Langston recommended scheduling a dedication program for the Wylam Branch Library on February 9, 2021 prior to the scheduled Board Meeting. The program may be virtual or in-person based on status of Covid-19.

Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion.
Sherri Neilson motioned to accept the date of February 9, 2021 for the Wylam dedication to be held either virtually or in person.
Fatima Carter seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

New Business:

Eunice Johnson Rogers stated according to the by-laws the February Board meeting will be the Annual Board Meeting. This will also be the time for election of officers. Lynn Flowers-Martin will serve as chair of the Nominating Committee. Committee members are James Sullivan and Fatima Carter.

Approval of the proposed Holiday Schedule: Approval

Janine Langston proposed the 2021 Birmingham Library Holiday Schedule.
Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the proposed Holiday Schedule for 2021.
Fatima Carter seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Approval of the Vacation Rollover hours for Janine Langston and Karyn Davis-West to be adjusted until March 31, 2021: Approval

Janine Langston proposed the approval of Vacation Rollover hours to be adjusted until March 31, 2021.
Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion.
Fatima Carter motioned to accept the approval of Vacation Rollover hours to be adjusted until March 31, 2021.
Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Approval of the 2021 Library Board meeting calendar: Approval

Janine Langston proposed the approval of the 2021 Library Board meeting calendar.
Eunice Johnson Rogers called for a motion.
Sherri Nielson motioned to accept the Library Board meeting calendar.
Lynn Flowers-Martin seconded the motion.
The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Eunice Johnson Rogers confirmed the motion carried.

Interim Director’s Reports: Approval

Janine Langston, Interim Director, thanked the Friends Foundation for the generous donation to the Collections Budget for BPL and the gift cards presented to returning furloughed employees.

Janine Langston shared several highlights from December 2020 including:

The return of furloughed part-time staff members
Opening all BPL locations for limited in-person service
Expansion of in-person service hours at Central to include Saturdays
Presentation of high quality virtual programs

Langston concluded with expressing appreciation to fellow co-workers and the Board of Trustees.

Board Member Comments: Presented

Next Board Meeting: February 9, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Adjournment: 5:38 p.m.