In attendance were Nina North-Murphy, President, presiding; John Dubinsky, Alison Ferring, Jacque Land, Janet Rainford, Keith Savage, Thomas Schlafly, David Sweeney, and Vince Volpe.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Amanda Bahr-Evola, Amy Brown, Joan Cooksey, Jon Drakesmith, Mary Kate Gliedt, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Tonnya Joy, Kathy Leitle, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Angie Miraflor, John Newcomer, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Anna Strackeljahn, Justin Struttmann, Megan Temple, Lisa Thorp, 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: Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2020 meeting was approved.
Communications: Ms. North-Murphy referenced a letter from the organization Jobs for Justice. Her recommendation was to allow Library staff to respond to the organization's inquiry.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
- Mr. McGuire announced that Shirley Cantrell-Jones would be out for at least six weeks for cancer surgery.
- Mr. McGuire reported that the system was closed to the public Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, but that staff did work in the buildings getting ready to go to an all-curbside model.
- Ms. Porter-Reynolds reported that the Board of Elections stated the official number of people who voted at Library locations on November 3, 2020 was 4,979. She also gave an overview of the services staff are providing at curbside. While staff are delivering items curbside that customers have placed on hold, they are also collecting items from the buildings that customers who arrive in vehicles or on foot request. Staff are answering reference and reader's advisory questions, making and renewing Library cards, and delivering print jobs (including paper prints, 3D prints, and large format prints). Electronic resources are also continuing to be popular including eBooks, audiobooks, films, and music. Staff are presenting a number of virtual programs each month and continue to keep a strong social media presence. Customers can get technology help with Tech Connect appointments over the phone or in a virtual session. The staff in Genealogy, the St. Louis Room, and Rare Books and Special Collections are also setting up phone and virtual sessions.
- Ms. Porter-Reynolds stated that in the first week of returning to curbside services, 1,949 customers had used the services with 12,176 items checked out and 351 Library card made or renewed. This usage is more than double the usage of the original curbside service in early June 2020.
- Mr. McGuire stated that because the COVID situation has not yet improved, the Library would not re-open buildings again next week. Administrative staff are closely monitoring conditions, including positivity rates of the virus and hospitalizations, as well as other factors. He discussed that the technology needs of Library customers are a concern.
- The Library has ordered an additional 260 Chromebooks that will be paired with Hotspots and will be made available for checkout as soon as they arrive.
- Mr. Jackson presented the financial report and stated that the annual audit began December 7, 2020.
- Ms. Wiese presented the HR report and stated that the switch to the ADP payroll system isgoing well.
- Mr. McGuire stated that he will be taking vacation before the end of the year, and will let the Board know what days he will be gone.
- Mr. McGuire announced that several staff members were retiring, including Kathy Leitle.
New Business: Mr. McGuire presented the proposed holiday closing schedule for 2021. The two days that required a vote were April 4, 2021, Easter Sunday and October 11, 2021, a floating holiday. Mr. McGuire is requesting that the Library close on October 11 for a staff-training day.
Mr. Savage's motion, seconded by Ms. Ferring, to approve the holiday schedule for 2021 was
approved.
Mr. Savage's motion, seconded by Ms. Rainford, to adjourn the meeting was approved.
The meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on December 7, 2020, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the November 2, 2020 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: |
that the Board approved the Holiday Schedule for 2021. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: |
that the meeting adjourn. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
