Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board Monday January 10, 2022 Minutes Hybrid Present Board: Shannon Pensa, Rubi Gonzalez, Cynthia Lizardi-Burlette, George E. Olivo, Chris Pineda Guests: Juan Guerra, James McCoy, Carlos Romero, Brenda Trevino, Josephine Balboa, Maribel De Leon. 1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. 2) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes – Minutes were not available for the August 9th, November 8th , and December 13th meetings. Items tabled till next meeting. 3) Introduction of New Members – Mrs. Pensa began with introducing herself and explained to the board that she is the out-going Chairperson, and this is her last meeting. She will be helping make the Chairperson transition as smooth as possible. Mr. Pineda then introduced himself. Ms. Gonzalez introduced herself. Olivo introduced himself. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette introduced herself. 4) Discussion and Action: Determination of Terms of New Members – Ms. De Leon began with the explanation of the board – it once consisted of 9 members and now was consists of 7. To make sure that at some point everyone will be able to serve a 3-year term, the terms must be staggered between 2- and 3-year terms. After this year all future terms should be 3 years. She then approached the new members with a tin that had the number of terms in it and each one selected one from the tin. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette pulled a 2-year term. Mr. Olivo pulled a 3-year term. Mr. Pineda pulled a 3-year term. Mrs. Pensa verified that the new board members understood the process and how long their terms. The drawing will stand. 5) Discussion and Action: Appointment of Officers – Mrs. Pensa explained to the board that the selection officers can only be done from the previous active members. Currently the only member from the previous board is Ms. Rubi Gonzalez. The board can then choose to nominate or appoint Ms. Gonzalez as Chairperson, Recording Secretary, or Vice- Chairperson. Ms. Gonzalez can then nominate herself for either position. Mrs. Pensa explained to Ms. Gonzalez what each position does. Mr. Pineda asked who the outgoing officers are. Mrs. Shannon answered that she is the outgoing Chairperson. Mr. Guerra supplied that the Vice-Chairperson resigned mid-year, and the Recording Secretary was not re-appointed therefore did not attend meeting. Mr. Pineda commented that Mrs. Shannon is only current office on the board. Mrs. Pensa clarified that she was the Chairperson and is only present to hand of the position to the new Chairperson who will then take over mediating the meeting. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette then asked for if those who were not present ever were in a role of an officer. Mrs. Pensa stated that she no they were not for this board since last year was their first year and were not eligible for an officer role. Ms. Gonzalez nominated herself for Chairperson, Mr. Olivo second. All were in favor. Ms. Gonzalez is the new Chairperson. She will take over facilitating the meeting and Mrs. Pensa will be present as a member of the public. Mr. Guerra thanked Mrs. Pensa for her years of service on the board and as Chairperson during a crucial time of the library. 6) Citizen Comment – No Comments. 7) Discussion of Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act Training for All Members – Ms. De Leon explained to the board members that City Secretary’s office has asked of all board members, starting from the commission through all the boards and committees, do the trainings for the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act. She displayed what the board members need to do. She said that the board members will need to view a video on the attached links then click on print your certificate. The board members will need to print 2 copies, one for their records and the other to be sent to Ms. De Leon. She stated that she will provide the links in an email later time. She set a deadline of the end of February for the trainings to be completed and certificates submitted. Ms. Gonzalez asked if this needs to be done every year by all members. Ms. De Leon explained that it is only once when entering a new board. Ms. De Leon reassured Ms. Gonzalez that she already had her certificates and that of the 2 board members not present. Mr. Guerra told the board that there is one more member pending that he is working on getting the contact information for her. 8) Library Report – Presented by Ms. Brenda Trevino. Ms. Trevino began telling the board members about pictures with Santa event and how that turned out. The Southmost Branch had 382 attendees for the one-day event, and Main Branch had 457 attendees. All the pictures taken those night by staff is on the library website and Facebook, so the public can look it up and download it as many times as they wish. Staff participated in the Market Square Tree Lighting, and one of the librarians was performing that night, and 2 staff members manned a table handing out promotional items and information. Southmost has been hosting pop-up COVID testing clinic. The library is only hosting, and UT Public Health is the organization doing the testing, on Tuesday to Saturday. Public Health is giving out Vaccines on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This sums up December for the Library. Staff are working diligently on the new years programming and have many plans to come, such as MakerSpace and computer classes. Mr. Guerra supplied that on January 28th the library will be having its first employee retreat at the Southmost Branch Library, from 8-12 and 2-6, and invites the board members to attend. Mr. Pineda asked how the numbers of attendees for the pictures with Santa differ from previous years due to COVID. Ms. Trevino answered that the numbers were the same from last year since the event was similar due to COVID, but that year previous to COVID the events were held for 4 nights, and the library would easily see 400+ attendees per night. Ms. Gonzalez asked when MakerSpace and the Computer Classes will begin. Ms. Trevino answered that the library is aiming for February for both Libraries. Mr. Pineda asked how long the testing for COVID will go one. Ms. Trevino stated that the library is at the disposal of the Health Department and will be doing so as long as that department needs. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette asked if there is an opportunity to promote during these events. Mr. Guerra stated that during the vaccine yes, but during testing no to keep staff safe. Mr. Pineda asked where one can find the information for this. Ms. Trevino explained that the information can be found on BTXCares website, but staff has all the information to take calls. Ms. Gonzalez asked if this is a service that can be given here at the Main Branch Library. Mr. Guerra answered that the statistics show that the Southmost area is the one with the most need, so the Health Department is focusing in that area, and have not requested to use the Main Branch. Mr. Pineda asked if other departments are offering testing. Mr. Guerra answered that yes, the Sports Park, Event Center and Port Clinic are also providing testing. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette asked if there will be agenda for the upcoming retreat. Mr. Guerra stated that the library is working on it and the topics are there and the speakers are available. 9) Discussion of Library Marquee – Mr. Guerra explained to the board that this is part of the library workplan, and changes will be made first to the Southmost marquee. The image on the left of the screen is what it looks like right now. Ms. Katie Hernandez presented to the board the 3 ideas as presented by 2 vendors. The one on the center is from one company and the 4 pictures on the right are from the other. The library is asking the board for suggestions of these ideas. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette asked what the cost is. Mr. Guerra answered about $30,000 each. Katie agreed that they range from $30,000 and $40,000. Ms. Lizardi- Burlette asked if there were any specification on height. Mr. Guerra said no. Ms. Gonzalez stated that she misses the sign all the time since it blends in with the trees. She likes the new sign A. Mr. Pineda agreed, and he only knows to turn because he remembers the other markers for the street. Mr. Olivo asked if a decision needed to be made at this time. Mr. Guerra told him no. This is only for reference to begin the discussion and purchase needs to be made in March or June. Mr. Pineda asked if there are any pros or cons on having the marquee on the top or bottom of the cabinet. No was the answer. The issue he sees is how people can touch it and possibly damage it. Ms. Katie passed around the worksheet so the member can see dimensions. Ms. Gonzalez asked if this can be brought up at the next meeting so the missing members can supply their opinion. 10) Adjournment – Mr. Olivo motions to adjourn. Ms. Lizardi-Burlette second. Meeting is adjourned at 6:08pm.