Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – November 9, 2015

In attendance were John Dubinsky, President, presiding; Jacque Land, Keith Savage, Thomas F. Scholarly, and Vince Volpe.

Also present were Deputy Director Diane Freiermuth and staff members Barry Berry, Gerald Brooks, Erin Guss, Dave Halbeck, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Lori Lakebrink, Kathy Leitle, Scott Morris,  Jim Moses, John Newcomber, Sarah Parker, Michelle Toohey, and Lisa Wolfe; John Fox Arnold, Lashly & Baer; and Liz Reeves, Library Foundation.

Mr. Dubinsky called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. without a quorum.

Committee Report:

Fiscal Affairs chair Vince Volpe reported on the committee's last meeting, held October 27, 2015. Representatives from Brown Smith Wallace attended the meeting to begin their work as consultants to help implement the McGladrey report recommendations.

President's Report:

Mr. Dubinsky gave a review of the McGladrey report and Brown Smith Wallace's proposal for working through the process.

Communications: 

Ms. Freiermuth presented a copy of a thank you note the lIbrary received from a child and a grandmother who attended one of the Monster Breakfasts held during the Maurice Sendak exhibit.

Jacque Land arrived at 5:42 p.m. to give the Board a quorum.

Minutes: 

Mr. Savage's motion to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2015 Board meeting, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, was approved.

Committee Report (continued):

Mr. Schlafly's motion to approve "A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District Ratifying, Authorizing, and Approving the Engagement of Brown Smith Wallace and Approving the Actions of Certain Officers of the Library," seconded by Mr. Savage, was approved.

Executive Director's Report:

Ms. Freiermuth reported that the gate count for the Central Library for the beginning of the Maurice Sendak exhibit was 50,000. This is a third more than the average count.

ProPay was launched on October 1 and allows patrons to use credit and debit cards to pay fees and fines at circulation desks and on-line. there is a $.50 per transaction fee if the payment is done on-line, but not if the patron pays in a Library location.

Mr. Berry presented the HR report.

Mr. Jackson presented the Finance report.

Ms. Reeves presented the Foundation report stating that they are getting closer to the completion of the capital campaign, that the donor signage is in production and may be installed before the Gala, and that there are still tickets for the November 21, 2015 Gala event.

Unfinished Business:

Ms. Freiermuth and Ms. Heimberger presented documents that gave the results of the Board members' responses to the Strategic Planning SWOT analysis from the previous meeting. After discussion, Mr. Dubinsky asked that the Library staff come back with a plan that includes items listed in priority order and budget required. Library staff will present a draft at the January meeting wi th the final plan presented in February. Because the Board Meeting calendar has not yet been finalized, the January meeting was set for January 11, 2016.

New Business: 

Ms. Freiermuth presented a "Proposed Amnesty Period for SLPL Patrons" for December 21 - 31, 2015. This will be a one-time event to close out the 150th Anniversary Year. This will also give patrons a chance to return overdue and long overdue items and get them off their records because the Library is not working with the collection agency Unique Management.

Mr. Schladly's motion to approve the amnesty period, seconded by Mr. Volpe, was approved.

Mr. Schlafly's motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Land, was approved. The regular meeting ended at 6:30 p.m.

At the regular meeting oaf the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on November 9, 2015, the following actions were taken: