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Home My WebLink About2024-02-19 - Minutes -Fayetteville 40, Public Library Board of Trustees February 19, 2024 4 pm MINUTES Regular Meeting — Ziegler Reception Room 401 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.856.7000 questions@bfayllb.org faylib.org Trustees present: B. Park, S. Overbey, S. Rodgers, H. Garner, R. Qualls, A. Wilbourn Staff: D. Johnson, W. Fitzgibbon, C. Karnatz, T. Ball, C. Moody, S. Palmer, C. Dennis, J. Atha, M. Taylor, H. Robideaux, A. Taylor Legal: P. Elmore Press: S. Ryburn Public: M. Terry, M. Rice, C. Davis Our mission is to strengthen our community and empower our citizens through free and public access to knowledge. I. Call to Order: B. Park called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. II. Roll Call: C. Davis, soon -to -be Trustee, was recognized. She will be sworn in during April's meeting. III. Minutes - Approval of minutes from December 18, 2023: H. Garner moved to approve the minutes from December 18, 2023. R. Qualls seconded the motion. All voted AYE. IV. Reports A. Key Upcoming Events: "Make a Plan to Vote" event with non-profit Circles; author talk with Nate Powell; 19th year of Gathering of the Groups featuring Andrea Rogers; solar science programming to commemorate the upcoming April eclipse. B. Mission Moment: W. Fitzgibbon, Director of Library Services, demonstrated the new ILS Koha. The migration is on target, and the library will close March 2-3 to accommodate the database change. C. Library Administration 1. Management Reports a. Performance Measures: Year-end 2023, digital checkouts are higher than the record appears due to recording issues. Card holders are down because of recent purges of old accounts. New library card registrations and program attendance are up. b. Strategic Plan progress through January 2024: During Christmas break, 6 story times were held weekly and average Baby Bookworm attendance was 89. Highlights include more movement classes, a new Fayetteville Public Library 401 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.856.7000 questions@faylib.org faylib.org Maker to Market cohort, and a Fee Forgiveness tree to support juvenile accounts. 2. Financial reports: January revenue is above projections because the property tax revenue was higher than expected at $321,770. Unrestricted revenue collected was $694,734, above target by $126,933. In 2023, Food Services net sales increased $38,598, and total expenses increased by $58,634. The 2023 net loss was $122,178. Events Services showed a 2023 net operating income was $106,899, an increase of $6,941 from 2022. 3. Informational a. Bookmobile report: Insurance payout for previous bookmobile was a little over $20,000. Staff worked with the City to get an informal bid, which went to Lewis Ford. Next steps are obtaining quotes for outfitting and wrapping, and installing shelving. Hope to be road -ready by spring. b. Act 372 update: There is a May deadline for the submission of summary judgments. In the Arkansas State Library Board's first 2024 meeting, FPL was mentioned in a motion to deny state funding to lawsuit plaintiffs. The motion failed without a second. Roughly half of the raised private funding has been spent on legal fees. c. ARPA update: Added in -person Arduino training and several robots for in- depth robotics, programming, and coding classes. Over 20 new participants enrolled in the final quarter of 2023 and 14 graduates have received certification. Kitchen and Deli staff offered ServSafe programs that gave jobs to students. Year one funding ends March 31 and new lines of funding are being sought. The Mayor has committed to continuing to fund workforce development programs at FPL. d. USDA update: The first year in the planning grant explored NWA connections between farms and restaurants, and agriculture education. The fruit trees in the Gathering Glade should bloom in the spring. Staff attended an agriculture conference to learn about infrastructure. Hosted a seed swap on Saturday with 200+ attendees. e. Compensation survey project: The Administration team is reviewing job descriptions to ensure they reflect current jobs and are looking for an organization to make comparisons between other markets. Results will be presented in the August meeting, with a plan to address gaps in a late fall meeting, as it will be included in the 2025 Budget. This project was delayed by Covid but is usually completed every 3-5 years. It was noted by S. Rodgers that the Board wants to give correct pay compensation to staff, particularly in a tough economy. n U Fayetteville Public Library 401 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.856.7000 questions@fayl i b.o rg fayllb.org f. Reading the Greens: In 2023, this event raised $50,000. This year it will be held during the Masters weekend on April 13. Main sponsors returned, raising $53,000. Event information will be sent to donors and board members on Friday for early bird tickets and sponsorship opportunities. g. HVAC replacement: Bids have been received and approved for the HVAC replacement units in the Blair building. This necessitates changes to the open days and hours of FPL. Staff are working with the City, Fire, and Police to close surrounding streets to accommodate a crane for 3-5 days. Staff anticipate the HVAC replacement will happen in the fall. h. OSHA workplace safety audit: Two accidents resulted in employees needing to take time off, which triggered Arkansas OSHA attention. FPL has 180 days to create workplace safety training for all staff. Auditors will return in 300 days to check follow-up responses. i. Fayetteville adult career training: Fayetteville Adult Career Training offers ESL courses at FPL and recently launched a pharmacy technician, paraprofessional, and WAGE training classes for adults. j. Audit engagement contract: In October, the Board authorized staff to agree to a 3-5 year contract with Forvis. Auditors will be at FPL March 11 and March 18. k. Staff development & professional development: J. Curry, L. Frieden, C. Williams attended training at the Arkansas State Library in January; W. Fitzgibbon completed a Leadership Essentials Library Juice course; M. Taylor attended Milestone Leadership retreat; Clay and Chris attended a 4-day cyber training at the police station, facilitated by Homeland Security. Next week, the Finance Department will attend a five-day conference for Sage accounting software. I. New staff & recognition: J. Smith, Food Services Manager; R. Bright, Adult and Reference Librarian; A. Simon, Youth Services Generalist. D. Fayetteville Public Library Foundation - 2023 report: Unrestricted operating revenue was $290,536, including annual contributions, event, and sponsorship revenue. This is a 26% increase from 2022. Total revenue collected was $593,634. Upcoming fundraising activities include Wednesday's pint night at Puritan Coffee, Library Giving Day on April 3, and Gathering the Greens. E. Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library: Approved funds for a lit sign to replace the old one and vinyl lettering will be installed on the bookstore window. The same Friends Board slate of officers will assume their roles for 2024. V. New business A. Consent items Fayetteville 400 Public Library 401 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.856.7000 questions@faylib.org fayllb.org 1. Approve application of scholarship assistance for Emma Ellis: H. Garner moved to approve the application of scholarship assistance for Emma Ellis. S. Rodgers seconded the motion. All voted AYE. B. Discussion items 1. 2023 Budget rollover funds: $435,986 in unrestricted funds are available to roll forward to 2024. Staff recommended a portion be held back to satisfy results of salary compensation study. $859,070 in restricted funds will be distributed to sustain programs and events currently in production. R. Qualls moved to approve the 2023 budget rollover. H. Garner seconded the motion. All voted AYE. 2. Bylaws review: B. Park tabled the creation of a committee to review the Bylaws until April's meeting. VI. Public Comment: B. Park and C. Davis remarked that they were pleased she would be joining as a new Board member. Adjournment: H. Garner moved to adjourn the meeting. R. Qualls seconded the motion. All voted AYE. The meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm. Bret Pa�rpresident Date