In attendance were John Dubinsky, President, presiding; Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Keith Savage, Thomas F. Schlafly, David Sweeney, and Vince Volpe.
Also present were Executive Director Waller McGuire and staff members Barry Berry, Patty Carleton, Tiffany Davis, Diane Freiermuth, Dave Halbeck, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Tonnya Joy, Kathy Leitle, Brenda McDonald, John Newcomer, Jen Ohzourk, Carolyn Sanford, Justin Struttmann, and Ed Witkowski; Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer, and Liz Reeves, Library Foundation.
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by Mr. Dubinsky.
Mr. Dubinsky introduced David Sweeney, an attorney with Lathrop & Gage, as a new Library Board Member.
Minutes:
Mr. Schlafly's motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2016 Board meeting, seconded by Mr. Land, was approved.
Communications:
Mr. McGuire included a copy of a recent incident report from the Central Library to illustrate a type of situation that staff members encounter.
President's Report:
Mr. Dubinsky commented on three downtown concerns for the Library:
• NLEC has been served with a Cease and Desist and has thirty days to appeal.
• The work release center in the north part of downtown.
• The rash of drug overdoses in a week's time around Central Library.
Executive Director's Report:
Mr. McGuire asked the Board Members to read his report for a review of activities at the Library. Mr. Jackson presented the finance report. Ms. Reeves presented the Foundation report. Mr. McGuire reported a successful transition to the Bibliocommons version of the Library's website and catalog. Ms. Heimberger presented information about a new exhibit honoring fifty years of the Blues Hockey Team in St. Louis. The exhibit will open on December 5, 2016 and run through early 2017. St. Louis Public Library will also become the official archive for the Blues.
Unfinished Business:
Mr. McGuire reported on the progress of the tactical planning work of the Strategic Plan. He focused on three of the five tactics:
Nurture Young Minds
The Library will enact a focus called "Born to Read' that will affect newborns through age eight. It will include a Library packet for newborns and their parents, expansion of the My First Library Card program, an increase in digital resources for young children, a revamped Summer Reading Program with increased summer camp options, and increased parenting programs.
Increase St. Louis' Connection and Innovation in the Digital World
Because St. Louis ranks very low nationally for digital resources available in homes, the Library plans to help combat the digital divide with an increase in the number of computers available for use in the locations and to update and increase technology classes available for the public. The internet speed available through Library locations has already been increased and will be promoted, along with new wireless services.
New Business:
Mr. Savage's motion, seconded by Mr. Volpe, to close Library locations on Sunday, April 16, 2017, was approved.
Executive Session:
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to go into Executive Session, was approved by a unanimous roll-call vote. The regular meeting suspended at 6:28 p.m.
The regular Library Board Meeting resumed at 6:39 p.m.
New Business (continued):
Empower and Strengthen Our City Neighborhoods
Two prototype combined digital/browsing collections Neighborhood Libraries will be established at Barr Library and Walnut Park Library. Each location will focus on different digital specialties, based on work in the Creative Experience. Barr Library will have enhanced hardware and software offerings, including training workshops. Walnut Park Library will have two recording booths and post-production software.
Mr. McGuire stated that a Library Foundation Committee indicated that these facility changes would be fundable. Mr. McGuire will bring funding possibilities to enact the tactics presented to the December Board Meeting.
Mr. Savage's motion, seconded by Mr. Sweeney, to adjourn the meeting was approved. The Board Meeting ended at 7:01 p.m.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Pubic Library on November 14, 2016, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Schlafly moved | that the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2016. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Savage moved | that the Board close all locations on Sunday, April 16, 2017. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved | that the Board go into Executive Session MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
Mr. Savage moved that the meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.)
