Library Board of Trustees

MEETING MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MARY RILEY STYLES PUBLIC LIBRARY Held in the Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N. Virginia Avenue Falls Church, VA 22046 February 8, 2023 This meeting was recorded. All members of the public may view this video of this meeting on the City's website at http://www.fallschurchva.gov/webcasts 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jeff Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:01p.m. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS The following Board members attended the meeting, exceptions noted: Bizzy Bracken- electronic participation till 6:30pm Patrick Cronin Janis Johnson Jessie Labukas Jeff Peterson Molly Novotny Elise Stein - electronic participation Bizzy Bracken participated electronically from home due to a class starting at 6:30pm. Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Labukas and seconded by Ms. Novotny, the Library Board unanimously moved to allow Ms. Bracken to participate electronically in tonight's meeting for personal reasons, pursuant to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Board of Trustees Policy on Participation in Meetings through Electronic Means, as adopted by the library board's resolution of July 20, 2022. Elise Stein participated electronically from La Jolla, CA. Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Novotny and seconded by Ms. Labukas, the Library Board unanimously moved to allow Ms. Stein to participate electronically in tonight's meeting for personal reasons, pursuant to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Board of Trustees Policy on Participation in Meetings through Electronic Means, as adopted by the library board's resolution of July 20, 2022. Others present for the meeting included: Council Liaison Marybeth Connelly and Library Director Jenny Carroll. 2. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 18, 2023 MEETING MINUTES Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Johnson, the Library Board approved the January 18, 2023 Meeting Minutes. 3. LIBRARY REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS • Strategic Plan Update- The plan has been updated with the feedback from the Board. The new draft will be sent to staff and retreat participants for comment by February 24. The final draft will be presented to the Board on March 15th for adoption. • February program- Winter Read Aloud Program; for every hour read the MRSPL Foundation will match $1 to be donated to Homestretch. • The library will be closed on February 20th in observance of President's Day. • New library cards from online applications will no longer be mailed as of March 1. Applicants will receive an e-card that will expire after 30 days. New card holders will have to come in to the library before the e-card expires. • The library will be partnering with Bike Falls Church for Bike Everywhere Weekend in May. • The library will be closed for all staff training on March 1st (Harassment Training 9:00am- 1:OOpm) and March 17th (Active Shooter Drill 1:00-5: OOpm). • New publication Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries by Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre has a chapter devoted to Falls Church. 4. FY2024 COMPLETE BUDGET PRESENTATION & ADOPTION Ms. Carroll presented information regarding the FY2024 budget. The discretionary budget had a no growth directive from Mr. Shields, City Manager. All increases were absorbed by the current budget. The concerns regarding the electrical bill have hopefully been resolved and the Director is continuing to monitor. The unmet needs include proposal to increase up to 58 hours. The Board discussed and debated the proposal with additional information presented by Ms. Carroll regarding staffing. Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Stein, the Library Board unanimously approved the FY2024 budget expenditures as provided including a request to increase library hours to 58 open hours with a cost between $99,000 to $110,000. 5. LIBRARY FOUNDATION REPORT No report. 6. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Ms. Connelly reported that the Council will receive the budget at the end of March and the additional time will provide more certainty on revenue estimates. She commented on the library budget presentation providing suggestions to estimate how many people come in the 3:00-5:00pm timeframe on the weekends and to develop talking points. Ms. Connelly provided information on the Women's History Walk which will be a scavenger hunt throughout the month of March. Some of the signs will be hung at the library. Ms. Connelly also inquired about the article in the Federalist and any further responses. Ms. Carroll reported emails received from two different people. Ms. Carroll reiterated the library's position on being responsive to the community focus groups and that there is intellectual freedom. The library provides materials and patrons make the choice as to what they wish to read and they make the choices for their children. 7. SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON REPORT No report. 9. ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL REPORT Ms. Labukas attended the meeting and stated that the council reviewed the art policy. She noted that partnerships with VPIS and the Cherry Hill Farmhouse may be productive for the library. 10. ON-GOING EQUITY DISCUSSION Ms. Carroll reported that the library plans to have a program with one of the authors of Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries and a library staff member, Paula Hawkins, who has conducted research on the question of access in the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. 11. BUSINESS NOT IN THE AGENDA • Washington Post article on Winter Hill mentioned the "charming" library with an accompanying photo. • Mr. Cronin raised the possibility ofNationals tickets for the Summer Reading Program. He stated that he had attended a presentation by the Nationals Vice President for Community Engagement. Mr. Cronin brought the City to the VP's attention. • City Website noted that the old photo of the library is still in rotation. Ms. Carroll will address with the Office of Communications staff. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made by Ms. Labukas and seconded by Ms. Johnson, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:59p.m. Respectfully submitted, Approved: Copies: Board of Trustees, City Manager, Library Reference Desk, Staff Bulletin Board, City Clerk, Library Web Page. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To equest a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5032, TTY 711.