In attendance were Nina North-Murphy, President, presiding; and Vincent Volpe, Vice President; Alison Ferring, Jacque Land, Tom Schlafly, and David Sweeney. John Dubinsky, Janet Rainford, and Keith Savage attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Cathy Heimberger, Mary Meyer, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, Lindsey Erb, John Newcomer, and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President North-Murphy.
Minutes:
Ms. Ferring's motion, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2022 meeting was approved.
Public Comment:
Michael Shipley, who operates Book Book Go, a non-profit bookmobile distributing books to children, asked the Board to consider operating a bookmobile. President Murphy thanked Mr. Shipley and asked staff to address the issue.
Fiscal Affairs:
Committee Chair Volpe reported that the committee had met to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget and asked staff to present the information reviewed by the committee. Mr. Jackson discussed projected revenue, reserve funds, and the main elements of the proposed deficit budget; Mr. Slattery discussed the major changes to expenses and the reasons behind each; Mr. Struttmann discussed proposed capital expenditures, explaining each. Mr. McGuire stated that staff was comfortable with proposing a deficit budget because the Library's reserves are adequate to address some substantial capital needs and bring additional resources to staff health insurance benefits. Over $3 million of current reserves are due to the sale of the condominium occupied by Confluence Academy: income that will only occur once. After discussion, Mr. Volpe stated that the committee had voted to recommend approval of the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget and asked for a motion. Mr. Schlafly moved the proposed budget be approved, seconded by Mr. Savage. The motion was unanimously approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Julia Davis Library is a good example of a public library as a community center, and its staff, led by John Newcomer, Dominique Newton, and Mikaela Hampton, is an example of library outreach and connecting with the community. Not only traditional library services, but meals, diaper and period supplies, and laptop and hotspot distribution have been heavily used here, and staff have kept the library open throughout renovations. The community is excited about the Creative Experience installation, The staff throughout the Library is providing a major service in notarizing documents -- over 700 in July - and passport applications - 150 in July,
32 graduates have received degrees through the Library's Career Online High School program, with more currently enrolled in classes. Over 1000 laptops have been checked out from the second round of ECF funding. 8000 hotspots have just been received and are starting to circulate. Ms. Rainford asked about the status of the proposed grant from City ARPA funds: the CDC has asked for additional information which is being provided. Digital services continue to grow, both in digitizing and providing items through Special Collections and new resources, such as Peterson's guides, made available to download. The current financial, Human Resources, and Foundation reports were summarized. Mr. Savage asked that Mr. Struttmann restate the minority participation percentages in the
Julia Davis renovation. Mr. Struttmann reported participation of over 35%, and that the Library made participation a priority and refused bids to increase participation. Mr. Savage stated the Library needed to continue and expand these efforts and publicize success.
Nominating Committee:
Committee Chair Schlafly announced that the committee recommended a slate of Vincent Volpe for President and Keith Savage for Vice-President be put forth for the October officer election. Mr. Sweeney moved that the slate be accepted, seconded by Mr. Land. The motion was unanimously approved.
New Business:
Mr. McGuire stated that a St. Louis Public Library Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement has been proposed by the DEI Change Team and was sent to the Board in the Board packet for consideration. There was a lengthy Board discussion of the terms “customer” versus “patron” and terms listed in the statement as inclusive. The Board asked staff to consider adding categories, such as religion, or avoiding them altogether and simply stating “all”. The Board referred the statement back to staff for further consideration.
Mr. McGuire invited Board members to tour the new Creative Experience facility, still in process, as well as the renovated building.
At 6:40 Mr. Schlafly moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Ms. Ferring. The motion was approved unanimously.
At the regular meeting of the Board o. Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on September 12, 2022, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. Ferring moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the July 11, 2022 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that the proposed 2022/2023 budget be approved. MOTION APPROVED ( In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
