In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; and attending remotely were Keith Savage, Vice President, Jacque Land; Nina North-Murphy, Tom Schlafly; and David Sweeney..
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Amber Gorden, Adele Heagney, Cathy Heimberger, Liz McArthur, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, Jen Wiese, and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes
Mr. Land's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2023 meeting was approved.
Fiscal Affairs Committee
Chairman Sweeney reported that the committee met on January 24, 2024, and summarized the items discussed, referring to the committee minutes which were sent to the Board. He asked CFO Jim Slattery to briefly recap his report to the committee. Mr Slattery reported that the Library has a current balance of $28 million in what we have been referring to as reserves, and outlined how he has been investing the funds as required by state statute. He reported on his projections of revenue and expenses, and summarized his report as the Library, while needing to control expenditures, is currently in solid financial shape.
Chief Executive Officer's Report
The Literacy in the Lou event held in Central Library on Saturday, January 27, was nearly overwhelming, with almost 4000 people in the building through the day. The crowds did overwhelm the elevators, and far exceeded the St. Louis Public School System's estimate of who might attend. The Library's Youth Services and Central Services staff had worked extensively at the last minute with SLPS to make the event successful, and deserved enormous credit.
A bill requiring all public library boards in Missouri to be elected by popular vote has been assigned to the Missouri House Government Efficiency and Downsizing Committee. Public Libraries throughout the state are submitting fiscal notes on the cost of these proposed elections, which in the case of SLPL could be as high as $500,000 every second year. The bill is being tracked and will be reported to the Board. Mr. Savage wanted to note that the Library should use his contacts in Jefferson City and investigate lobbying.
Mr. McGuire reminded the board that their financial filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission could be completed at any time, and that no Board members had a financial relationship with the Library outside of personal philanthropy.
Mr. Slattery summarized the financial reports that had been distributed to the Board the prior week.
Ms. Wiese and Mr. Struttmann summarized the Human Resources and Public Safety reports.
New Business
Mr. McGuire stated that proposed modifications to the Public Posting Policy, the Reference Policy, and the Technology Use Policy had been distributed to the Board showing the proposed changes and the finished policy being proposed for Board approval. One policy, the 3-D Printing Policy, is to be included within the Technology Policy and is proposed to be rescinded. Each Policy needs to be considered and approved separately. Mr. Schlafly asked about the Genealogy Departments inclusion in the Reference Policy. Ms. Porter-Reynolds responded that language prevented staff from doing in-depth research for individuals, but rather allied them to guide customers through the collection.
Mr Savage's motion and Mr. Schlafly's second that the St. Louis Public Library 3-D Printing Policy be rescinded was unanimously approved.
Mr. Land's motion and Mr. Schlafly's second that the St. Louis Public library Public Posting Policy be adopted was unanimously approved.
Ms. North-Murphy's motion and Mr. Savage's second that the St. Louis Public Library Reference Policy be approved was unanimously adopted.
Ms. North-Murphy's motion and Mr. Schlafly's second that the St. Louis Public Library Technology Use Policy be approved was unanimously adopted.
Executive Session
President Volpe stated that since the majority of the Board was attending virtually, the Executive Session to discuss legal matters would be postponed for a later meeting of the Board.
Adjournment
Mr. Schlafly's motion and Mr. Savage's second that the meeting be adjourned was unanimously approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:20.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on February 5, 2024, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Land moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the November 6, 2023 meeting. MOTION APPROVED ( In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: |
that the 3-D Printing Policy be rescinded. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Land moved: |
that the Public Posting Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms. North-Murphy moved |
that the Reference Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: |
that the Technology Use Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved |
that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
