ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20-191 I. CALL TO ORDER
President Song called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
20-192 II. ATTENDANCE
Board Present: Dharma Akmon, Victoria Green (arr. 7:05 p.m.), Molly Kleinman, Jim Leija, S. Kerene Moore, Linh Song, Jamie Vander Broek
Board Absent: None
Staff: Josie Parker, Eli Neiburger, Len Lemorie
20-193 III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Leija, supported by Trustee Kleinman, moved to approve the agenda.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-194 IV. CONSENT AGENDA
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
CA-1 Approval of Minutes of October 19, 2020
CA-2 Approval of October 2020 Disbursements
Treasurer Akmon, supported by Vice President Moore, moved to approve the consent agenda.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-195 V. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no citizens’ comments.
20-196 VI. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Josie B. Parker, Director
Director Parker reviewed the Financial Reports presented in the Board Packet. She noted that at the end of October over $17 million has been received in tax receipts which are 99% of the budgeted amount. The Fund Balance has increased to $8,400,252. Year to date revenue over expenditures is $751,065. Total cash expended through October equals $5,513,015. Actual cash receipts are at 98.46% of the budget with actual cash expended at 30.92% of the budget. Grants and memorials remain the same.
Trustee Green inquired about the amount expended in the materials line item. Director Parker noted that staff has not had time to catch up with ordering. Associate Director Neiburger also noted that the line item number reflects only what has been expensed not what has been encumbered.
20-197 VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
20-198 A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Song reported the Executive Committee met briefly before the Board meeting and discussed the Library closure and the impact on staff.
20-199 VIII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Josie B. Parker, Director
Director Parker began her report with updates:
- The new lockers installed at Westgate were shown.
- The AACHM Living Oral History Project Phase VII had a Zoom launch with 65 people joining in. Joyce Hunter was thanked for her contribution to this project.
- Tiny Expo Winter Showcase is online at tinyexpo.com with 35 artists/crafters/makers participating.
- Ongoing Black Lives Matter discussions from November 11th to December 15th were listed.
- 2nd grade Library Kits were mailed out to 1,000 students.
- Shelf Service requests are at 140 per week. This service will continue once the Library fully reopens.
- Summer Game shop has 1,700 orders yet to be filled.
- Library closure comments were viewed.
- Director Parker noted that she closed the Library due to the rising number of staff seeking testing and staff who had immediate family members who tested positive for COVID-19.
- Zoom bookable meeting rooms are still being provided. Staff will help with the first five minutes of a meeting if needed.
- A summary of public and staff comments was viewed.
- Coming soon: The Winter Game starts 1/4/21! This will not be a “Bummer Game”. More details to come.
The Board engaged in a lengthy and substantive conversation regarding the recent Library closure and the impact on access for the public. Director Parker shared her reasoning and process for the closure due to increasing exposures to COVID-19 among staff. It was the consensus of the Board to continue this conversation at the December Board meeting with Administration providing additional information on the pandemic closure decision process.
20-200 IX. OLD BUSINESS
18-049 & 19-181 A. UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Len Lemorie, Associate Director
Associate Director Lemorie reported that the lockers were installed yesterday at Westgate. Some finish work needs to be completed. Carpet installation has been finished on the second floor Downtown and staff is moving furniture back into place. The Downtown Youth restrooms have the walls up; plumbing and electrical have been roughed in. The generator project is waiting on permits and final site workups.
President Song inquired if additional lockers were being considered. Associate Director Lemorie responded that no additional space is available at branch locations. He did note that usage could be looked at and adjustments made to pick up times.
20-186 B. RESOLUTION TO ADOPT POLICY REVISIONS
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Trustee Kleinman, supported by Trustee Vander Broek, moved that the following Library Policies are revised as proposed: 4.1 Meeting Room Use; 4.4 Exhibitions at the Ann Arbor District Library; 5.1 Behavior in the Public Sectors of the Ann Arbor District Library; 5.4 Unattended Child; that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
Trustee Green inquired what was entailed in the revoking of library privileges. Director Parker responded that the patron would not be allowed into any branch location, but would have access to digital services with their library card.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-187 C. RESOLUTION TO REPEAL LIBRARY POLICY 5.3
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Vice President Moore, supported by Treasurer Akmon, moved that Policy 5.3 Patron Use of Phones at Library Service Desks is repealed; that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-113 D. BLACK LIVES MATTER
(Item of discussion)
Board members discussed IDI homework assigned. President Song recommended that Board members individually review the diversity work being implemented by Washtenaw County. Vice President Moore recommended reviewing the work being done by the United Way Equity Task Force.
20-201 X. NEW BUSINESS
20-202 A. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO VICTORIA GREEN
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Leija, supported by Vice President Moore, moved that the Ann Arbor District Library Board would like to officially thank Victoria Green for her four years of outstanding service as an Ann Arbor District Library Board Trustee; that the Ann Arbor District Library Board would like to recognize Victoria Green for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Library, community and staff; that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
Board members thanked Trustee Green for her service and for sharing her critical perspectives on issues addressed by the Board over the years.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-203 B. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO LINH SONG
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Leija, supported by Vice President Moore, moved that the Ann Arbor District Library Board would like to officially thank Linh Song for her four years of outstanding service as an Ann Arbor District Library Board Trustee; that the Ann Arbor District Library Board would like to recognize Linh Song for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Library, community and staff; that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
Board members thanked President Song for her service, leadership, and commitment to the Library and to Ann Arbor.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
20-204 C. VOTE TO CANCEL THE REGULAR DECEMBER 15, 2020 AADL BOARD MEETING
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Leija, supported by Vice President Moore, moved to cancel the December 15, 2020 AADL Board meeting.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: None
NAYS: Akmon, Green, Kleinman, Leija, Moore, Song, Vander Broek
Motion failed 0-7.
20-205 XI. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
Mylan Selvaraj
Cool.
Josie Parker spoke on behalf of the staff thanking both President Song and Trustee Green for their service. Appreciation was given to those who step up and run for the Library Board. Both departing trustees were wished well and thanked for all they have done for the Library.
20-206 XII. ADJOURNMENT
President Song adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.