In attendance were Vincent Volpe, President, presiding; and Keith Savage, Vice President; John Dubinsky, Alison Ferring, Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Janet Rainford (by phone), and Tom Schlafly.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Cathy Heimberger, Liz McArthur, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Communications:
President Volpe summarized a letter he had received thanking the Library for extraordinary public service with a sophisticated technological matter.
Minutes:
Mr. Dubinsky's motion, seconded by Ms. North-Murphy, to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2022 meeting was approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Ms. Porter-Reynolds reported on the recently nationally contentious subject of objections to books and how they are handled at the St. Louis Public Library. The Library has received very few to date, but each is handled carefully and thoroughly.
Mr. Slattery reported on the Library's current fiscal condition and went over the budget and investment reports.
Mr. Struttmann reported on progress toward contracting with an HVAC service company to assist in building maintenance. One bid was received, and the company, IFS, will begin in January. Costs are where we predicted, and will be offset by not filling two of the current three positions open in Maintenance. Staff training day received positive evaluations from participants: the first all-staff event since 2018. On Wednesday at Central Library, Behavioral Health Response (BHR) will provide a clinician at Central to help provide de-escalation for active mental health crises and connect individuals to resources that will help them beyond the incident. A BHR clinician will be in the building Mondays and Wednesdays going forward at Central Library.
Ms. Reeves reported on Foundation activity. Giving Tuesday was up considerably over past years with $22,000 raised. Work is underway on the Prom event.
Unfinished Business:
Mr. McGuire presented the Board meeting schedule and the holiday closing schedule proposed for 2023. Mr. Schlafly asked whether the Library was considering closing for Juneteenth in future years; Mr. McGuire stated that it has been suggested by the Library's DEI work group, and will be investigated next year: he believes that it would need to be exchanged for another holiday.
Mr. Savage's motion, seconded by Mr. Dubinsky, to approve the 2023 Holiday Schedule was approved.
Mr. McGuire presented the Resolution, requested by the Board during the November meeting, concerning the proposed Secretary of State's administrative rule 15 CRS 30- 200.015. Mr. Dubinsky stated that it had been thoroughly discussed at the last meeting and should be approved.
Mr. Schlafly moved the Resolution Opposing 15CSR 30-200.015 be approved, seconded by Mr. Savage: the motion was approved.
New Business
Three policy changes were recommended to the Board. They will be presented for a vote at the January 2023 meeting in order to give the Board time to consider them fully.
Ms. Porter-Reynolds presented minor changes to the Collection Development Policy stating that local people would have the right to challenge materials. In her time at the Library, three challenges had been received: two were from out of state.
Ms. Porter-Reynolds presented an updated Appropriate Use of the Library policy, simplified and clarified, and reflecting a proposed new Child Safety policy.
Mr. Monahan presented a new Child Safety policy, intended to affirm the Library as a child-friendly institution while not being a childcare site, focusing on child behavior rather than age.
The Board had questions and suggestions about each proposed policy. Mr. McGuire asked that the Board submit any further questions or suggestions directly so that they could be responded to or incorporated in the documents presented for a vote in January.
Ms. Rainford asked about the methods the Library Foundation used to market to and raise funds from customers over 55: Ms. Reeves responded with information about the Foundation's methods and campaigns.
At 6:30 Mr. Dubinsky moved the Board go into executive session to discuss legal matters, seconded by Mr. Savage. The motion was approved unanimously by roll call vote.
At 6:45 the Board came out of executive session. Mr. Dubinsky moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Schlafly. The motion was approved unanimously.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on December 5, 2022, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: | that the Board approve the minutes of the November 7, 2022 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Dubinsky, and Ms. Rainford.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: | that the Board approve the 2023 Library Holiday Schedule. MOTION APPROVED (In favor, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, and Ms. Rainford.) |
| Mr. Schlalfy moved: | that the Board approve the RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY DISTRICT OPPOSING 15 CSR 30-200.015, A PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULE CHANGE SUBMITTED BY THE MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE, REGARDING LIBRARY CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS. MOTION APPROVED (In favor, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, and Ms. Rainford.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: | that the meeting go into executive session to discuss legal matters. MOTION APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE: (In favor, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, and Ms. Rainford.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: | that the meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, and Ms. Rainford.) |
