Library Board

Radford Public Library Board Meeting Monday, May 6, 2019 at 5:00 pm I. Old Business A. Review meeting minutes from February 2019. Minutes were approved. II. New Business A. Feeding America Southwest Virginia has been providing food for the teens. Food has been ordered, inventoried, distributed and logged by Youth Services Librarians Fae and Banker. In April, 347 free meals were distributed to our Radford teens after school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Board member Nicely inquired about the source of funding and was answered that funding is federally provided, so it is at no cost to the library. Nicely asked if all teens receive food and if the meal provisions are different in comparison to the Summer Reading Club lunches that were previously provided. Food provided is shelf stable and so therefore doesn’t require refrigeration/cooking, and in this way it is different from the Summer Reading Club lunches of last year. Any teen seeking food may take food. According to the Feeding America guidelines, the whole bag must be taken by a teen when distributed, but teens can then put food in the ‘share’ box and leave it for someone else to take. The food in the share box can be consumed by any patron of any age. Board member Levy asked how library staff knew the participants’ ages. Youth Librarians are familiar with the teens and often will know the teen on-sight. However, youth aren’t carded or asked for any specific identification. Youth in the teen area during the Super Snack distribution time are trusted to be teens. RPL Staff Crenshaw has also been involved in the teen lunches as she has provided staff support when one of the Youth Services staff needs to be away during teen time. Planning for the fall semester has RPL Staff Fae a bit concerned for the high number of teens and the possible need to pull more staff for assistance during the feeding time. Levy also asked how many days the teens would be fed at the library in the fall. At this time, that number hasn’t been determined. B. Planning for the Summer Reading Club (SRC) is coming to a close. The SRC will begin May 31 and continue through July 14, 2019. The focus of SRC is to encourage daily reading and frequent visits to the library! Professional performers, including a petting zoo, drama camp with Joelle, Movement Playground, the Balloon Guy and more have been scheduled. The Lamplighters have provided the funding for all of these events! An early version of the SRC brochure was distributed for Board input and feedback. Board member Jones commented favorably about the design and explanations provided for the process of participation. She inquired as to whether the SRC would have two distinct beginning and endings as it was designed last year. She commented favorably  on this design. Claudia suggested that the log be available as a printable version and/or that the calendar online be a printable PDF. C. Pulaski Library Director Sally Warburton is offering an open meeting to other Southwest Virginia Library staff. She has scheduled a supportive training and collaboration between Lamplighters/Friends with the Library of Virginia Public Library Consultant, Kim Armentrout. Because our Lamplighter Board members have considered a variety of changes, such as not seeking a membership fund, or putting out a donation jar at library programs, etc. this may be an excellent opportunity for our Lamplighters to share and receive ideas. Lamplighter memberships decreased between 2018 and 2019, and good ideas would be appreciated for increasing donations and Lamplighter support. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM. Additionally, volunteer assistance is needed at the Lamplighter Book Sales. It has been challenging for Barbara Ames to schedule volunteers to work the weekend, and more volunteer support would be greatly appreciated. D. Radford Public Library was the recipient of three Virginia Public Library Directors Association Awards! RPL won the following: Outstanding Cooperative Program for Radford Reads with Cece Bell and Radford University; Outstanding Young Adult Program for Friday After Five Teen Program; and Outstanding Public Relations Project for the Stormwater Troopers in partnership with the GIS Department and the Engineering Department of the City of Radford. E. Miscellaneous  Board member Nicely commented favorably on the neat and clean appearance of the library foyer.  Board member Rankin asked about the salary increase for part-time staff. No increases had been given at this time.  Board member Levy suggested inviting City Council for a meal at the Library.  Board members suggested increasing the Lamplighters’ visibility by attending local festivals, offering a canvas bag to sell at book sales, and children’s bags for books. III. Board Updates Review Board Updates were provided to the Board for February, March, and April of 2019. IV. Staffing/Hiring Savannah E. is our new Library clerk. We have tentatively offered another candidate a position which is contingent upon a successful drug and background check. V. Budget A. We are on track with our budget for FY2019 and are in the process of applying for State Aid for FY 2020.