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 October 18, 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 Claire McCray, Board Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. 2. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS The following Board members attended the meeting, and exceptions were noted: Janis Johnson Jessie Labukas Robert Leopold Claire McCray Steve Morse - Tardy Molly Novotny -Tardy Elise Stein - Absent excused Others present for the meeting: Council Liaison Mary beth Connelly, School Liaison Sue Dimock, Library Acting Director Marshall Webster and Sr. Administrative Assistant Claudia Gutierrez. 3.- RECEIPT OF PETITIONS No Petitions 4. APPROVAL OF UPDATED AUGUST 16,2023 MEETING MINUTES Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Leopold and seconded by Ms. Labukas, the Library Board approved the August 16, 2023 Meeting Minutes as updated. 5. APPROVAL OF UPDATED SEPTEMBER 20,2023 MEETING MINUTES Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Morse and seconded by Ms. Labukas, the Library Board approved the September 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes as presented. 6. LIBRARY REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Upcoming Library Programs • A Classical/Flamenco Guitar Concert will be held on October 28. • A new Page Turners Book Club for Grades 4-5 will start meeting monthly. • National Novel Writers Month is in November and the library is encouraging youth participation by holding a kick-off party for Grades 6-12 on November 2. • An Easy Bead Jewelry Program for Adults and Teens will occur on November 5. • Saturday November 4, local author Charlie Clarke will discuss his new book, The Life and Times of the Falls Church News Press by Charlie Clarke. • Edwin Henderson II will be releasing his new book, The Grandfather of Black Basketball: The Life and Times of Dr. E. B. Henderson in February 2024. The library is in contact with Mr. Henderson about a possible author talk in early 2024. Building Updates • The parts for the out of order globe lights have been ordered. Once they arrive, installation will be scheduled. The stairwell will need to be closed for a day or two during the installation. • Dispensers for menstrual products are being installed in the library women's and family bathrooms. Products will be free for patrons. Jemily donation for tech items • New 24" monitors have been installed on 12 public terminals. • Ongoing work continues on ordering and assembling STEM cart materials. • New large touch screens catalog stations will be installed soon. One of the new stations will be ADA accessible. • About half of the money from the donation is being held for new digital collection software for the Falls Church Local History Room. And RFQ is currently underway to select a vendor. MSRPL 125 Anniversary • Library staff is working on brainstorming ideas and developing a plan to celebrate throughout 2024. The celebration includes a kick-off event on Saturday January 13, with a Council proclamation, unveiling of a new Mary Riley Styles framed portrait, and a reception. There will also be displays, anniversary branding, programs, and a 125 1h webpage to celebrate all year. • Board Member Robert Leopold will be volunteering along with Mr. Don Camp from the MRSPL Foundation and a VIP AS member who is yet to be determined. They meet in November with the library's 1251h team to hear details on what is being planned. Mr. . Leopold will then report back to the Library Board at the December meeting. ' Other Items • Three new Library Pages have been hired and the paging pool is now fully staffed. • Library statistics from September continue to show increased activity. • The library (and all City Buildings) will be closed on Friday, November 10, for Veterans Day (Observed). The library will also be closed Saturday, November 11 for Veterans Day (official). • As part of an effort to increase staff familiarity with the Library Board, the library's internal Staff newsletter will run a profile each month of a Board Members and Liaisons in The Staff Scoop (the library's internal staff newsletter). The profiles will begin in January 2024 and Circulation Supervisor Lisa Chavez will start reaching out to individual Library Board members in the coming weeks. • The MRSPL Foundation is soliciting nominations from MSRPL staff and the Library Board for the Fourth Annual Chet De Long Award for Outstanding Service. Nominations must be submitted by November 1. • Mr. Webster attended the annual Virginia Public Library Directors Meeting at the Library of Virginia (VLA) in Richmond on September 28 and 29. Dr. Sandy Treadway, the Librarian of Virginia since 2007, is retiring and the selection process to replace her is in progress. At the meeting there were presentations on library security and aging trends in Virginia (the 65+ population increased by 48% from 201 0 - 2021 ). Continued concern was also expressed about book censorship and the Virginia Library Association is providing support whenever possible for libraries. • The two new Interim Deputy City Managers- Jennifer Carrol and Andy Young- are scheduling meetings with all City Departments to provide more information about their roles and to answer staff questions. They will come to the library on Tuesday October 24. Some items for November Board Meeting • Reagan Thalacker from the Library ofVirginia's Library Development & Networking Division will provide a virtual presentation about advisory board responsibilities and advocacy. • The 2024 Legislative Agenda will be reviewed for submission to Cindy Mester, the City's Director of Community Relations & Legislative Affairs, and then Council. • A Draft for an updated Computer & Internet Use Policy will receive a first reading (pending a completed review by the City Attorney). 7. LIBRARY FOUNDATION REPORT • The Foundation had modest fundraising at their stand during the Falls Church Festival, but there was good public exposure. They have been asked to return as the non-profit participant at next year' s festival. • The Chet DeLong Award nominations will be accepted through November 1. MRSPL staff and Library Board members are encouraged to submit names. • • The annual campaign letter, which generates 95% contributions, will go out soon. Board members were encouraged when possible to provide referrals for potential donors. • For FY24, the Foundation has donated a record amount to the library. 8. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT • The Quinn/Homestretch Project will be reviewed again in November. Council will likely reach out again to Boards & Commissions for comment. • The City's 75th Anniversary celebration is underway and will continue through August 2024. A logo has been unveiled and is available on the City' s 75th website for community groups and businesses who would like to share in the celebration. • Falls Church Community Television (FCCTV) renovated their studio. When needed, it can be used by City staff and for people who have cable access including corporations. • A new "20 is Plenty" campaign has been launched in many residential neighborhoods throughout the City and new 20 mph speed limit signs are being rolled out • Election Day is November 7. Four people are running for three seats fon City Council. 9. SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON REPORT • Three people are running for seats for the School Board. • Townhall Meetings are continuing regarding early Wednesday release. There is one meeting on Sunday October 22 at the Community Center, and another one at the Mustang' s Club at the Secondary Campus to hear students' input. • School staff are currently in collective bargaining negotiations. 10. ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL REPORT This council is preparing for the watch night celebration. They are also working on a public art administration document. 11. ON-GOING EQUITY DISCUSSION No discussion 12. BUSINESS NOT ON THE AGENDA None 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon a motion duly made by Ms. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Morse, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marshall Webster Acting Library Director Approved: Claire McCray Vice hairperson 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 ofthe Americans with Disabilities Act. To equest a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5032, TTY 711.