Norman Public Library Board

Norman Public Library Board Meeting Minutes June 16, 2025 The Norman Public Library Board was called to order at 4:31 p.m. at the Pioneer Library System Administration Board Room, 300 Norman Center Ct., Norman OK 73072 Roll Call: Present: Jayme Shelton (Chair), Jason Bingham (Vice-Chair), Megan Straughan (Secretary), Sue Ringus,, Debra Engel, Evan Taylor, Absent: Eric White, Laura Doughty, and Jody Foote Introduction of Staff and Guests ​ Rick Knighton, City of Norman Attorney ​ Mike Pierson, Branch Manager, Norman West ​ Caroline Dulworth, Director of Branch Services ​ Audrey, OU Daily Consider and vote to approve/ disapprove/ take other action on minutes from previous meeting Previous minutes unavailable, approval scheduled for the next Library Board meeting on Monday, September 15th Old Business - update on letter to Mayor and City Council concerning library services and facilities. Councilmember Grant responded to the board e-mail, and arranged for City Attorney Rick Knighton to attend a board meeting to give an update Guest presentation: Status update from Rick Knighton, City Attorney on the Central Library. Mitigation was attempted first with Flintco ​ Litigation in processes with Flintco, MSE, and Architectural Glazing Concepts ​ Flintco has filed a third party petition and named their subcontractors ​ ​ One subcontractor has not been served. Until all parties are served the city is unable to get a scheduling order. 8 months have elapsed since the subcontractor has been named in the third party petition City has 5 causes of action, including 3 breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranties, and negligence The city could apply for relief due to the amount of time it has taken to serve the last party, but it has not done so Status: Currently in the discovery phase ​ Interrogatories  ​ Requests for production Walkthrough June 25-26th, 2025 with all available parties Reviews of possible other locations for storage in order to increase circulation materials Completely unknown timeline of building repair Discussions on alternative locations are occurring but no location has been found Every city dept has cut their budget by 4% Board Comments and Questions regarding presentation Board members expressed concerns about the lack of communication from the city and the slowness of the process. Board members requested more information, encouraged the city to be more communicative with the community and more aggressive about expanding library services. Board members suggested that the city apply for relief wherever it is possible. Board requested quarterly updates at each board meeting. Branch updates ​ Continued searching for locations for library services ​ New 24 hour library at Reeves Park ​ Summer Learning Challenge Programs at the Well ​ STEAM classes at the Lab ​ West: Remodel with new furniture, renovating cafe space into a maker space ​ Summer Learning is going on at all branches ​ Jazz in June artists hosted at the library ​ Juneteeth hosted at The Well ​ East: 150 attended Summer Learning Kickoff, 150 at The Well, 80 at West ​ 10 Summer Interns ​ Youth Opportunity Intern Project ​ Buying more ebooks Board Comments VP Bingham asked about event calendar Member Ringus expressed interest in creative solutions for the central library ​ Comments from the Public Member of the Public spoke regarding support for the library, desire for the central library to be repaired, and the need of the central library as a public gathering space. Next Meeting: Sept. 15, 2025, 4:30 pm; Norman Library East Adjournment Secretary Straughan edto adjourn, VP Bingham seconded. Vote to adjourn was unanimous. It is the policy of the City of Norman that no person or groups of persons shall on the grounds of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, including marriage to a person of the same sex, disability, relation, or genetic information, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in employment activities or in all programs, services, or activities administered by the City, its recipients, sub-recipients, and contractors. In the event of any comments, complaints, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services regarding accessibility or inclusion, please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424, Relay Service: 711. To better serve you, five (5) business days’ advance notice is preferred.