HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2023 Fairhope Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Fairhope Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday February 20, 2023
Attendance: Anne Johnson, Tamara Dean, Debra Langham, Andy Parvin, Randal Wright
Absent: City Council Liaison Jimmy Conyers, Dan Stankoski
Also present: Jim Smith, President Fairhope Library Foundation
Called to order at 3:03pm.
Minutes of 12/5/2022 were unanimously approved.
Monthly Statistical Report: Tamara reported increasing numbers across the board: visitors,
circulation, and programs, almost to pre-pandemic levels. The online streaming service hoopla
has become so popular that patron use may need to be curtailed unless a funding source
becomes available. The Wall Street Journal print edition was discontinued but is available through
online resources. Tamara will meet with City Treasurer Kim Creech soon to look at the mid-year
budget. Tamara announced that the library will sponsor the showing of “Lowndes County: The
Road to Black Power” on April 4 at 5:30.
Andy mentioned that many library programs fall on Thursday evenings when there are competing
meetings and events around the city. Library programs often occur on Tuesday and Thursday
evenings when the library is open longer. Tamara will review upcoming events to see if any
adjustments could be made.
Employee Report : Longtime Assistant Youth Director Julia Gray will be leaving to take a position
at Foley library. Current part-time employee in the youth department, Casey Henderson, has been
promoted to Youth Department Head.
Financial Report: No significant discussion.
There being no further discussion, a motion was made to accept all three reports, seconded and
passed unanimously.
Old Business:
Update on the Foundation:
Jim Smith, President of the Fairhope Library Foundation gave a brief review of the Foundation’s
15year support of the library and their creation of an endowment fund with the Community
Foundation of South Alabama. The Foundation board of directors have decided to dissolve the
Foundation and on March 14 they will have their final board meeting. At this meeting they will
formally vote to dissolve the Foundation and make a gift to the library for the Capital Campaign
of all funds in the Community Foundation account and their existing bank account. The hope is
for funds in excess of $190,000. The Board of Trustees thanked Jim and the Foundation for their
support and work over the years. Jim left the meeting after this discussion.
Update on Capital Campaign:
Randal shared that since the October kick-off, the campaign has received around $13,000. Nan
Denson provided an accounting sheet that showed the current balance for the Capital Campaign.
The board then discussed ways to increase giving. Anne suggested that we might work towards
something that could happen or culminate during National Library Week. After further discussion
the board decided to challenge the community to raise $5,000 by Saturday, April 29, 2023. A
motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
Other fundraising ideas included the possible resubmission to Impact 100 this year and continued
efforts to seek Rotary donations. A discussion followed about the April 2022 fundraiser, Bay
Breeze Bash. Julie Tew, the owner of Bay Breeze was a driving force for this event that included
her contacting other local restaurants to provide food. We will ask Julie if she is willing to host
the event again this year. This needs to be decided very soon so a date in April can be chosen.
Update on C&C:
Randal shared that Friends of the Fairhope Library’s Chocolate and Champagne major fundraiser
held on February 4 in the library will have its greatest profit ever. The exact amount is not available
until all bills have been paid and they are waiting for the bank’s amount for credit card use.
New Business:
Director’s Annual Evaluation & Goals for 2023
Board of Trustees Chair Anne Johnson shared with the Board her recent meeting with library
director, Tamara Dean, to discuss Tamara’s evaluation for 2022 and her goals for 2023. Anne,
along with the entire board thanked Tamara for the excellent job she does with the many tasks
and challenges she manages throughout the year. The board received copies of Tamara’s Goals
and Achievements for 2022 and her Goals for 2023 in the areas of Personnel, Technology, Facility
and Collection Development.
Having taken the trustee training provided by the Alabama Public Library Service, the Board chair
brought up the recommendation that the Five-Year Strategic Plan be reviewed by the Board on an
annual basis. Discussion followed on the best way to review the lengthy document. The Chair will
discuss options with the library Director.
Tamara shared that at a recent Executive meeting in Montgomery the State Attorney’s office
stated that Libraries cannot ask for money. The Fairhope Library has removed the link on their
website that allowed for donations to the library, to the capital campaign, and/or memorial
donations. Tamara has been in communication with the State Attorney’s office to get clarification.
Tamara will continue to work with the city to determine the library’s Tax ID number and get
registered with the State Attorney’s office.
Randal made a recommendation that individual trustees might want to join the American Library
Association (there are no longer institutional memberships). Chair Anne Johnson said she would renew
her membership.
Meeting adjourned: 4:17pm
Respectfully Submitted: Debra Langham Secretary, DNP, FNP-BC
With additions from Randal Wright, President, Friends of the Fairhope Library