In attendance were Nina North-Murphy, President, presiding; and Vince Volpe, Vice President; John Dubinsky; Alison Ferring; Janet Rainford; Keith Savage; and Tom Schlafly.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey; Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Mary Meyer: Daisy Porter Reynolds, Liz MacArthur; Anna Strackeljahn, Joe Monahan; Justin Struttmann, and Jen Wiese, Liz Reeves, Foundation, and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Ms. North-Murphy,
Minutes:
Ms. Rainford's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2021 meeting was approved.
Public Comment:
President North-Murphy stated that a Public Comment had been received that would be discussed in Executive Session because it concerned individually identifiable personnel records.
Communications:
Mr. McGuire summarized two communications: one expressing community excitement about the Creative Experience project at Julia Davis; the second encouraging the Board to support the Library staff in their work.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. McGuire introduced Maryann Brickey, who has just begun as the Director of Central Services, The budget and revenue reports were sent out the prior week. Mr. Jackson reported that we were now in the first week of the new fiscal year; that the audit had begun today; and that revenue was coming in as budgeted.
The Library has already distributed 900 hotspots to customers and is just now beginning to advertise their availability. The units will be active through June 30th, and Julia Davis Library has been the busiest distribution site to date, with John Newcomer having suggested sending flyers out with the Urban League Thanksgiving food distribution, Ms. Porter Reynolds reported on the ongoing work of the ILS migration, with planning for data transfer and staff training, as well as work with St. Louis County Library. Ms. Porter-Remolds summarized the changes being recommended to the Circulation Policy to bring City and County practices better into alignment as the ILS project moves forward. The language of the modified policy will be distributed this week and put up for a vote in the January meeting Joe Monahan, Manager of Youth Services, explained the changes proposed to Youth Library cards by no longer offering restricted cards, recognizing caregiver's and parent's rights and responsibilities to oversee content to children, and doing away with a blunt method of doing so. The change will also make internet access available on all youth cards: internet access has become a basic utility, and Library access is filtered, making it one of the safest access points available. Staff summarized the Human Resources reports sent out to the Board the prior week. Liz Reeves reported on work towards the 2022 Foundation fundraising event and the end-of-year and direct mail fundraising projects. Justin Struttmann reported on progress on the Julia Davis Creative Experience project, showing plans and renderings and equipment, as well as the project to replace dated HVAC and lighting equipment with more effective and efficient units. Ms. Rainford asked about estimates of utility savings; Ms. Ferring asked about the placement of rooftop units and suggested making the wide variety of uses, including entrepreneurial work, underway at current Creative Experience locations be marketed. Mr. Savage asked that the work at Julia Davis be recorded for informational and marketing purposes.
New Business:
President North-Murphy asked of there were questions about the proposed Victims Economic Security and Safety Act Leave of Absence Policy. There being none, Mr. Schlafly moved the policy be adopted, seconded by Ms. Rainford. The motion was approved unanimously. President North-Murphy asked of there were questions about the proposed modification to the Holiday Policy. There being none, Ms. Ferring moved the policy be adopted, seconded by Mr. Savage. The motion was approved unanimously.
Executive Session:
President North-Murphy called for a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss individually identifiable personnel records and legal matters. Ms. Rainford moved to go into executive session, seconded by Mr. Volpe. President North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Volpe, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Dubinsky unanimously approved the motion to go into Executive Session.
At 5:55 p.m. the Board came out of Executive Session and Mr. Schafly moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Dubinsky. The motion was approved unanimously,
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on December 6, 2021, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Board approve the minutes of the October 4, 2021 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Savage; and Mr, Schlafly) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the Victims Economic Security Act Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Savage; and Mr. Schlafly) |
| Ms. Ferring moved: | that the revised Holiday Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Savage; and Mr. Schlafly) |
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss individually identifiable personnel and legal matters. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr, Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Savage; and Mr. Schlafly) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Savage; and Mr. Schlafly) |
