HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-2024 Library Board of Trustees Meeting MinutesFairhope Public Library Board of Trustees
Regularly scheduled Meeting on Monday, June 17, 2024
Giddens Conference Room
Called to Order at 4:01 by Board Chair Anne Johnson
ATTENDANCE: Anne Johnson, Debra Langham, Dan Stankoski, Randal Wright, Andy
Parvin, Jimmy Conyers, and Tamara Dean, Director of the Fairhope Public Library.
Also present for the meeting were approximately 10 observers.
MINUTES: Minutes from the regularly scheduled June 17 meeting were updated and
unanimously approved.
REPORTS: Monthly Statisticals were reviewed and Board members commented on
how good all the numbers looked. Employee Report: There is a new part-time
employee in circulation. There is one opening in the Youth Department Financial
Statement was reviewed and it was noted that the library is $30,000 ahead with its
budget for this fiscal year. Ms. Dean reported that the fiscal year 24-25’s budget
has beensubmitted to the city. 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. The furniture order for the renovated rooms upstairs has been delayed, but
Friends of the Fairhope Library and Technical Services have moved into their new
rooms. The upstairs space that will become the new Teen center has been cleared
and demolition of walls has begun. Witherington Construction continues to move
ahead with no delays.
2) Chair Anne Johnson reviewed the process for the Board of Trustees to vote on
policy changes: 1) any change must be made public before they are discussed and
voted on by including the proposed change in the meeting notice. 2) Proposed
changes are then discussed and reviewed at the meeting 3) Proposed changes are
then discussed and voted on at the next Board of Trustees meeting. A proposed
change to the Youth Services Programming policy was reviewed to change library
staff to library director. The Board will vote on this proposal at the August meeting.
3)Chair Anne Johnson shared information on the newly passed changes to the
Alabama Administrative Code for all public libraries. In order for any public library
to receive funding from the state they must revise their collection selection policy to
address how minors are safeguarded from sexually explicit material deemed
inappropriate for children or youth. The policy must outline where books will be
located or relocated if they are sexually explicit. Libraries cannot become members
of the American Library Association and displays in the library must be approved by
the Board of Trustees to ensure they do not include anything sexually explicit. The
Alabama Public Library Service Board of Directors passed these changes, but
provided no guidance on an accepted definition of sexually explicit. There is
conflicting information about when these changes are to take effect. Comments and
discussion followed the review of these changes. Ms. Dean shared some of the ways
this will impact our current policies—coding changes with the technical services
catalog, rewriting policies, possibly new library cards for youth, concerns from the
community that first amendment rights are being violated. She also shared thoughts
on the impact if we chose not to comply—No LSTD grants, No additional funds from
the state (anticipated for 24-25 fiscal year is $47,000), No participation with the
Baldwin County Library Consortium, how would this impact staff morale, would we
be targeted by the community. Feelings and thoughts on these changes are mixed
among our Board, but there was agreement that these changes are vague and
represent a knee jerk reaction to a loud minority. This issue and the possible changes
to our library’s policies and procedures will be posted with the August meeting notice.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Video Security Cameras: Director Dean reported that 15 video/audio security
cameras have been installed in the library’s downstairs areas. Comments of approval
and support for these cameras came from Board members. The new policy covering
the use of the cameras to patrons will be voted on at the next meeting.
2) Update on Baldwin County Library Cooperative (BCLC): Director Dean has been
encouraged by the support coming from the Baldwin County Commission in regard to
the fate of BCLC. County Library Directors recently met with the person the
commission has put in charge of getting the Cooperative services up and running
again. Courier service is running smoothly and patrons are able to place books on
hold. The Bookmobile is not currently in operation.
3) Update on Summer Reading Program: The Summer Reading Program, financed
by Friends of the Fairhope Library, had a fabulous kick-off on June 5th in the Single
Tax parking lot and park behind the library. Over 450 people attended which
included Mayor Sherry Sullivan. Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead was also present
with popsicles for everyone. The Youth Department works very hard to make this
program exciting, engaging and entertaining for all the children who participate.
Monday afternoon movies and Wednesday afternoon special programs are two of
the events that attracted kids to the library during summer reading.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53.
There were no requests to speak from any of the audience members.
Respectfully Submitted,
Randal H. Wright