HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-21 - Minutes -Fayetteville Fa Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Public Library 479.856.7000
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Board of Trustees
October 21, 2024 4 pm
MINUTES
Regular Meeting —Zeigler Reception Room
Trustees: S. Overbey, S. Rodgers, A. Wilbourn, B. Bryan, C. Davis, R. Qualls
Trustees Absent: B. Park
Staff: D. Johnson, W. Fitzgibbon, T. Ball, C. Karnatz, C. Moody, S. Palmer, H. Robideaux, K.
Bailey, S. Walker, K. Lehman, M. Taylor, G. Allen, S. Herrera, K. Von Rembow, J. Curry, L.
Husband, B. Lee, M. Hurley, A. Easley, S. Allison, S. Isbell, K. Dodge, S. Landers, N. Burgess, K.
Rolf, E. Ellis, A. Sherman, RJ Jermain, D. Wright, A. Taylor
Attorney: P. Elwood
Public: M. Rice, B. Hollender, N. Linn, M. Scharfenberg, R. Wu
Press: S. Ryburn
Our mission is to strengthen our community and empower our citizens through free and public
access to knowledge.
I. Call to Order: S. Overbey called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
II. Roll Call
III. Minutes - approval of minutes from September 20, 2024: R. Qualls moved to approve
the minutes from September 20. S. Rodgers seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
IV. Reports
A. Key Upcoming Events: Ghost Tour at the Square led by Fayetteville Haunts, 4tn
annual Be(A)ware Allergy -Friendly Halloween event with BigBox Karaoke, NWA
Fashion Week, and Maker to Market Fall Reception.
B. Mission Moment: S. McClure, Manager of Youth Services, discussed lesser -
known programs/events: Teen Advisory Board, Wordplay Writers' Club,
Boundless Book Society, Teen Cuisine, Dungeons & Dragons, Homework Helpers,
Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School, Passionate About Literacy,
and Reading Dragons.
C. Library Administration
1. Management Reports
a. Performance Measures: Circulation was down due to the HVAC
closure. Cardholders and digital checkout numbers remained steady.
b. Strategic Plan progress through September 2024: During the HVAC
closure, Youth Services held story times in a few parks. Maker Faire
had 1000+ attendees. Candidate forums were held for upcoming City
Fayetteville
Public Library
401 W Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.856.7000
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elections. A walkie talkie was added to Arsaga's, and online
newsletters have been updated.
2. Financial reports: 59% of the projected budget has been collected, which is
below expected amounts due to insurance proceeds. FPL has spent 70% of
the budget, largely due to less spending in services and charges. Food
Services ceased operations October 15 with a loss of $76,507. Events
continued to perform well, with a net income of $102,008 by September's
end.
3. Informational
a. Bookmobile report: Started regular routes to housing authority
apartments, parks, the NWA Mall, and Boys and Girls Glub. Wheeled
shelving was added for ease of browsing. C. Dennis and J. Settje attended
the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Conference.
b. Act 372 update: Judge Brooks moved the trial date to December 16-18,
2024. In Crawford County, all library books that had been sequestered
based on subject matter were commanded to return to the shelves by
judge order.
c. HVAC replacement: Replaced 2 rooftop package units and replaced a split
system, which is half indoor, half outdoor. These control humidity
differently, which is better for the books.
d. 2025 Budget progress: Staff are in the final stages of consolidating the
budget and hope to have it ready to send to the Board in mid -November.
e. Deli update: Originally meant to be self-sustaining, the 641.Deli
continually lost money. Changes to food and prices in the 2nd year did not
compensate for decreased sales and increasing operating expenses. Mid -
August, it was determined that the Deli would close and worked with
FPL's legal team to obtain severance packages for the Deli employees.
Leftover product will be used to cook meals for staff and future rental
opportunities will be considered.
f. Staff In -Service: The library will close November 7 for annual in-service
training. In preparation, staff did a color personality test and a pulse
query. LifeWork will facilitate the training.
g. True Lit: 2,900 people attended the week-long collection of author/writer
events. N. Stone, G. Ned and M. Stewart spoke to Fayetteville public
school students of all ages. Saturday writing and publishing event
attendees got individualized attention, with a special appearance by the
University of Arkansas's Distinguished Reader A. Cohen.
V
Fayetteville
Public Library
401 W. Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.856.7000
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faylib.org
h. Fayetteville Adult Career Training: The Fayetteville Public School System
provides adult education classes such as ESL and paraprofessional pro
training at the library.
Staff & professional development: S. McClure, H. Robideaux attended the
NWA Environmental Education Partnership; during HVAC closure, several
staff attended Mandatory Reporting and Child Maltreatment training
with the Children's Safety Center; IT staff went to HB Innovates
Cybersecurity Conference and ARLA to present a session on
cybersecurity.
New staff & recognition: 8 new staff have joined since August's meeting —
2 in YS, 1 in the CFI, 1 in Community Engagement, 1 in Reference, 2 in
Facilities, and 1 in Development.
D. Fayetteville Public Library Foundation - monthly report: Year-end mailers are in
the works, with hopes to raise $50,000. The 20th anniversary of the Blair Building
was October 9 and includes partnerships with Urban Cellar Winery, Guisinger
Cocktail Club and Crisis Brewery. The Capital Campaign still has $2 million left to
raise. On November 1, a working session with the Foundation will look at new
software and prospects.
E. Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library: September's meeting was cancelled
due to the HVAC closure. A December 14 premium book sale is planned.
F. Art Committee: Current art on display comes via Banned Book art winners, D.
Gentle, T. Colwin, Fenix Arts, and J. Youngdahl.
New business
A. Discussion items
1. November and December meetings: A draft of the 2025 Budget will be sent
to the Board in November. It was suggested to move December's meeting to
the first Monday of the month. S. Rodgers made a motion for the 2nd. R.
Qualls seconded the motion. All voted AYE. The next Board of Trustees will
be on December 2.
2. 2023 Audit: Forvis Mazars, the auditors, issued an unmodified opinion of
both the audit and reporting controls. R. Qualls moved to accept the audited
financial statements for 2023. S. Rodgers seconded the motion. All voted
AYE. The motion to accept the audit carried.
3. Campus Curfew Policy: FPL modeled this policy after the one the City has for
public parks: for safety, security and health reasons, there will be a curfew
from 10pm to 6am. FPL+ is not affected, as its hours are the same. R. Qualls
moved to adopt the Curfew Policy. A. Wilbourn seconded the motion. All
voted AYE. The motion carried.
VI.
VII
Fayetteville
Public Library
401 W. Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.856.7000
questions@faylib org
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4. Bees: There was a request to bring the bees back to the library with a new
battery -powered smudge pot. This would include two changes in protocol:
when the volunteer beekeeper is on the roof, he is accompanied by a
Facilities staff member, and he will not be allowed to bring flammable
materials. A. Wilbourn motioned to allow the bees to return on the
condition that the policies suggested be implemented. C. Davis seconded
the motion. Discussion followed with emphasis on the April damage and
concern for the bees' return. A written fire control policy was requested, and
further discussion was deferred.
Public Comment: N. Linn expressed her frustration that the deli was closed without
public input and suggested that tax money go towards personnel.
M. Scharfenberg stated her concerns about staff salary compensation and voiced her
support of the bees.
K. Agee, former Trustee and volunteer, wrote a letter in support of FPL and the staff.
M. Rice requested donations to the Capital Campaign and recalled that 74% of voters in
the millage campaign voted to support the library expansion.
Executive Session: S. Overbey called for a motion to enter Executive Session. R. Qualls
motioned for the Board to enter Executive Session and B. Bryan seconded the motion.
The Executive Session began at 5:30 pm. A. Wilbourn moved to resume the regular
session. C. Davis seconded the motion. Executive Session ended at 5:44 pm. A decision
was made.
Adjournment: R. Qualls motioned to adjourn the meeting. C. Davis seconded the motion. All
voted AYE. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Sallie Overbey, President
Date