05.16.2016 Library Board of Trustees Minutes - ApprovedORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
Monday, May 16, 2016; 3:30 p.m.
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92866
1. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
1.1. Roll Call: Chair Nancy Collins, Vice Chair Steve Freeman, Trustee Marva Hitchcock
Library Staff: Director Dave Curtis, Assistant Director Amy Harpster, Executive Assistant Julie Eriksen
Absent: Trustee Patti vanVoorst and Rebecca Martinez.
1.2. Approval of Meeting Minutes dated April 18, 2016
Motion: Freeman
Second: Hitchcock
Ayes: Collins
2. Library Director’s Report
2.1. Monthly Report
2.1.1 Director Curtis reported that he has started meeting with each staff member one-on-one.
2.1.2 Assistant Director Harpster reported that the library is recruiting for a part-time page. The Elks
grant program “The Reading Promise” took place on 5/15 with approximately 400 pe ople in
attendance. Staff issued sixty new library cards! The OUSD Art Exhibit takes place this Friday, as
well as an author visit by Alex Grecian. Saturday 5/21 is the final Latino Americans program,
complete with a mariachi band! The City Manager has asked staff to submit an application for the
Hub of Innovation award – the library has received this award twice: once for Show Your Library
Card and Save, and once for the Volunteer program. This year they will submit the Seed Library.
The library has not heard back from the Orange Rotary on the grant letter they sent requesting
items for the Literacy office. Staff also sent the same letter to Trustee vanVoorst (at her request) to
forward to the Kiwanis Club. Chair Collins asked if staff sent the request to the Friends because
she didn’t see it on the Wishlist. Ms. Harpster indicated that it had not gone to Friends yet as they
were waiting to see if Orange Rotary would respond. Lastly, Ms. Harpster informed Chair Collins
that staff is working on an info sheet the Board can use to assist them when giving tours of the
library.
2.2. Financial Report – the library is right on target.
3. Board Reports
3.1. Report from Chair Collins – Chair Collins recently brought in a printer for the Literacy office (it was
donated from a friend); Ms. Harpster informed Chair Collins that the power cord was missing. Chair
Collins stated that she will get a power cord for it. Director Curtis stated that it would be best to have a
printer that matches the specs of what the library already uses so that they can easily replace cartridges and
provide maintenance as needed. Chair Collins asked who would supply the paper. Director Curtis stated
that since the printing needs would be modest the Library could supply the paper. Chair Collins was very
happy that there is now a computer and a printer in the Literacy Office. She stated that she would love to
see this program expand and start recruiting volunteers.
3.2. Report from Orange Public Library Foundation Liaison – Chair Collins was happy to report that all of the
Trustees will be in attendance at the Gala and encouraged them to mingle with the guests.
3.3. Report from Friends of the Library Liaison – Marva Hitchcock reported that the Friends have been asked
to contribute towards 3rd of July for prizes $600 was requested for candy and bookmarks.
3.4. Reports from Trustees - Trustee Hitchcock stated that the Volunteer Recognition event was wonderful.
She worked with staff at the Taft Elementary Open House and said it went very well. Chair Collins would
like to have of attention-getting items to give to the families who visit the Library’s table.
Vice Chair Freeman stated he came to the Itty Bitty Garden program at the library and was impressed
when staff greeted him by name.
4. Old Business
4.1. Third of July event – Vice Chair Freeman stated it would be nice to have prizes for adults as well as the
kids. He brought an example of carabiners that have “Orange Public Library” etched on them. Vice Chair
Freeman spoke with Kathleen (Friend’s President) and she thought it was a great idea and that they would
be in favor of funding this. Chair Collins asked how long would it take to get something like this. Ms.
Eriksen stated it could take as long as six weeks; Chair Collins suggested they use a local vendor so they
could get the items faster. Trustee Hitchcock stated that they had already asked Friends for $600 and after
discussion the Board felt this was enough funds to include the adult prizes; however Chair Collins directed
Vice Chair Freeman to pick out some items and provide a list to Trustee Hitchcock to present to the
Library Board of Trustees Minutes 5/16/2016
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Friends at their June 13 meeting for their approval. The Board also discussed what the items could have
etched on them and one example given was “I love my Library.”
4.2. Serving with a Purpose recap (event date 5/12) – Vice Chair Freeman stated this one was better than the
last one they attended. He learned that they are doing a lot more than most library Boards. He said the
author who spoke was really good, and Chair Collins agreed and also said the key note speaker was good.
She mentioned that several library staff members were in attendance (besides boards & foundations).
She said she met a few people from Riverside library where LSSI has taken over, and that staff was not
happy with the changes. She was told that the pay wasn’t good and that LSSI doesn’t care about keeping
the collection up. Staff told her that they felt their library was no longer the center of the community.
VC Freeman said they talked about the role of libraries and how libraries are now becoming the
community/information center.
4.3. Policy update: Library Card Eligibility – approved as submitted. There was some discussion about the
Board issuing library cards off-site; however the library director felt that library cards should be issued by
staff because there are exceptions and rules as to who can get what type of card, and who can enter them.
Motion: Freeman
Second: Hitchcock
Ayes: Collins
5. New Business (none)
6. Library Happenings (all take place at OPL unless otherwise noted)
5/16 Booktalk! Book Club, 7pm
5/17 Tech Talk Tuesday, 7pm
5/18 Angry Birds Storytime, 4pm @ Taft
5/19 Tween Angry Birds Party, 4:30pm
5/20 Author Visit: Alex Grecian, 7pm
5/21 Celebrating Latino Life in Orange, 10am
5/23 Monday Mystery Book Club, 2pm
5/25 Anime Nights, 6pm
5/28 Ukulele SOUP, 2pm
6/3 Musical Storytime, 11am
6/8 Teen Cooking Demo (registration required), 6pm
6/11 Digital Photography for Beginners, 10:30am
6/13 Summer Floral Designs by Enchanted Florist, 6:3 0pm
6/18 Summer Reading Clubs begin (continue through July 30)
7. Public Comment (none)
8. Adjournment (4:30pm)
Motion: Freeman
Second: Hitchcock
Ayes: Collins
The next Board of Trustees meeting is Monday, June 20, 2016; 3:30 p.m.
Orange Public Library & History Center – Rotary Room