HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-2024 Library Board of Trustees Meeting MinutesFairhope Public Library Board of Trustees
Regularly scheduled Meeting on Monday, April 15, 2024
Giddens Conference Room
Called to Order at 4:02 by Board Chair Anne Johnson
ATTENDANCE: Anne Johnson, Debra Langham, Dan Stankoski, Randal Wright, Andy Parvin, Jimmy Conyers, and Rob Gourlay, Assistant Director of the Fairhope Library. Also present for the
meeting were approximately100 observers.
MINUTES: Minutes from the regularly scheduled February19meeting were unanimously approved.
REPORTS: Monthly Statisticals were reviewed and the increase in book circulation was noted.Employee Report: Noted that for the first time in over a year the library is at full employmentFinancial
Statement was reviewed and no questions or comments were specified. A motion was made to accept the three reports, seconded and passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: 1) An update on the upstairs renovation was shared by Randal Wright and Rob Gourlay. There has been very little disruption caused by the construction; noise on a few occasions
that did not last very long. Witherington Construction has been able to follow their proposed schedule. The 3 rooms that are part of the first phase should be finished on time.
2) Chair Anne Johnson reviewed the status of the state legislative bills that would impact public libraries if passed. It appears that SB 10 passed both houses but has not been introduced
to the full legislature for a vote. HB 385 is in committee and may not get to the full legislature. HB 425 is another bill that we are watching. The Administrative Code changes proposed
by Governor Ivey and supported by the majority of the Alabama Public Library Services Board will not have a final vote until April 30. Letters to APLS have been overwhelmingly against
the changes.
NEW BUSINESS: 1) Each member of the Library Board of Trustees received a copy of the Fairhope Public Library’s Policies and Procedures at the February meeting to read and review prior
to this April Meeting. Chair Anne Johnson opened the discussion of this document by asking members if they had questions, suggestions for changes, or a need for clarifications. The
following changes were suggested: page 33 remove reference to the Foundation (dissolved in May of 2023); correct the page number references in two places. Trustees agree it is a very
thorough, well organized, complete document.
2) Election of Officers: Anne Johnson, Chairperson; Andy Parvin, Vice-Chair; Randal Wright, Secretary.
3)City Council Liaison Jimmy Conyers suggested that in light of the negative press and social media comments directed at the library that we might consider our own press release to correct
public misunderstanding. He also wondered if special signage could be created for the Youth Department that would include appropriate ages for the different areas.
4) Acting Director Rob Gourlay shared wonderful news about National Library Week and a visit from Mayor Sullivan; the purchase of AWE computers for the children’s area; the success of
an open mic poetry event; and a coming staff training activity. He also shared some recent comments from patrons—“wish I could stay all day”, “love the binge boxes” (DVD collections
of television series in one container); “really pleased with the shelf help program”.
Meeting adjourned at 4:25and was followed by public participation from 13 people who spoke in favor of our library and the first amendment of our Constitution. 4 people spoke again about
books they object to in the teen section of the library.
Each board member received a copy of a letter from Mr. Chuck Wilson demanding information about the Board of Trustees, its members, their addresses, terms of office, and their policies
and procedures.
Public Participation ended at 5:07
Respectfully Submitted,
Randal H. Wright