01.27.2020 Library Board of Trustees Minutes - ApprovedORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Approved 2/24/2020
MINUTES
Monday, January 27, 2020; 3:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance (3:31pm)
1.1. Roll Call
Present: Steve Freeman, Rebecca Martinez, Patti vanVoorst, Marva Hitchcock, Peggy Calvert
1.2. Approval of Meeting Minutes dated November 18, 2019
Motion: Martinez
Second: Hitchcock
Ayes: Freeman, Martinez, vanVoorst, Hitchcock, Calvert
2. Friends of the Orange Public Library Report (Sue Huber)
2.1. Elections took place in January. Four members retired from the Board. They continue to recruit
for the Board and general membership.
2.2. Training is taking place on using the new credit card machine in the bookstore.
2.3. The Board is considering holding book sales at the Branches.
2.4. Next fundraiser at BJ’s at The Outlets on 3/31 from 11am-11pm.
2.5. The Holiday book sale on 12/7 earned $1,000 ($553 was credit card purchases).
2.6. Book donations to other locations provided by the Friends include: 4 boxes to Orangewood
Children and Family Center, 4 boxes to Olive Crest, 2 boxes to the crossing guard on Palmyra, 2
boxes to Skyview Elementary School for Homeless. Books also went to The Justice Center, and
a church in Santa Ana.
2.7. Received $217 from Discover – the company that picks up unwanted donated books at the
Library (paid by weight).
2.8. Coupons redeemed from November to December, 104 total.
2.9. Upcoming book sale dates: 3/28 and 9/26.
3. Orange Public Library Foundation Report (Lynn-Marie Frediani)
3.1. Lynn-Marie is co-Executive Director along with Linda Cundiff who is reducing her hours to 10
hours a week. This was the plan when Lynn-Marie was hired.
3.2. The Gala is scheduled for 6/7/2020 and they are working on the details. The event will be here at
the Library.
3.3. Working on getting a monetary donation for the Children’s garden.
3.4. The Documentary Series has started: January 18 Tea with the Dames, February 15 RGB, and
March 21 The Biggest Little Farm.
3.5. STEAM for Teens was a success. They received a $5,000 grant from Edison and with this they
were able to give away 4 laptops with printers and Disneyland tickets.
4. Public Comment (none)
5. Library Director’s Report
5.1. Updates
5.1.1. Lunch at the Library will take place at El Modena Branch again this year starting
Monday 6/15 through 7/30 (every Monday – Thursday during this period). The Library is
collaborating with OUSD this time and hope to see more participants. Staff also plans to
open the Library early to match the timing of the lunch.
5.1.2. Library Assistant interviews taking place and hope to select a candidate soon.
5.1.3. Space improvements in Children’s is taking place.
5.1.4. The City hired a consultant to conduct an Impact Fee Study. It was recommended to
increase the fees since they had not been updated in decades. Library fees are included in
this and they will also now be included in commercial development fees.
5.1.5. Registrar of Voters is changing up their voting system by providing central location
called voting centers and ElMo will be one of them. Another new thing you will see are
the large metal ballot boxes (like our book drops), these will be installed at each library
location for five years.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting 1/27/2020
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5.1.6. The Management Team is discussing going fine free for overdue materials. Some feel
this would alleviate the barrier for low-income families who may feel apprehensive
coming to the Library for fear of incurring late fines. Last year the Library collected
$35,000 in fines and fees, this all goes to the General Fund. There is a lot to consider in
deciding this, such as should we wipe out all fines for every patron, and do they set up an
automatic renewal on late items? If the Library did decide to go fine free, it would require
Council approval. Director Curtis asked the Board for their input. The Board is concerned
that patrons may abuse this by not returning materials at all. Director Curtis said that this
already happens now, and that patrons would have to pay for items not returned to the
Library. Board would like the Library to get feedback from libraries that have already
implemented this procedure. Some libraries that have adopted a fine free policy include:
Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and Placentia.
5.1.7. Grijalva Park space – The City plans to ping each group that was interested in raising
funds to build on the open space at Grijalva just to see where they are with regards to
fund raising. Interested groups/ideas include: aquatics, skate park, multi-generational
center, performance venue, and a new library. Director Curtis is working with Chair
Freeman to set up a meeting with Foundation President to discuss support of a new
library.
5.1.8. Staff Development Day was 1/20/20. It was a somber day learning that David Price had
passed away, but Director Curtis thanked the Board for their attendance and assistance
that day. David held a unique position at the Library and it will be difficult filling it.
5.2. Financial Report – Budget is on track. Amy is working on next year’s budget.
6. Board Reports
6.1. Report from Chair Freeman
6.1.1. Enjoyed attending the Staff Development Day
6.1.2. Spoke with Staff member Deniss Sok about the Pop-up Library and is excited to help
them with their booth/events. Requested Deniss send a list with dates for future pop-up
events. Trustee vanVoorst suggested the Pop-up Library set up for Elks Reading Promise.
6.1.3. Chair Freeman would like to have the Literacy Coordinator come and give an update in a
month or two.
6.2. Reports from Trustees
6.2.1. Trustee Martinez shared that she was impressed by Placentia Library lending out tools
and other household items. She also wanted to ask Ms. Harpster about having the Pop-up
library at the Spring Jam.
6.2.2. Trustee Hitchcock stated she enjoyed Staff Development Day and enjoyed participating
in the events from the Girl Scout leader. She thanked Mr. Curtis for inviting the Board to
attend.
6.2.3. Trustee Calvert was appreciative that she got to say thank you to the staff at the Staff
Development Day event. She truly appreciates library staff.
7. Old Business (none)
8. New Business
8.1. United For Libraries renewal (expires 2/29/2020 $80)
Motion: Martinez
Second: vanVoorst
Ayes: Freeman, Martinez, vanVoorst, Hitchcock, Calvert
Library Board of Trustees Meeting 1/27/2020
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9. El Modena Branch Updates/Tour (John Ferry)
9.1. Site Supervisor John Ferry gave an update of events taking place at the El Modena Branch
Library. The homework center continues to grow.
9.2. Changes have been ongoing with moving furniture and switching up areas, including the
Administrative/staff areas.
9.3. Upcoming programs: Dia de Los Niño’s in April, family nutrition, WIC (Women, Infants &
Children), Legos, and Lunch at the Library.
10. Adjournment (5:21pm)
The next Board of Trustees meeting is Monday, February 24, 2020; 3:30 p.m.
Taft Branch Library 740 E Taft, Orange 92865