02.24.2020 Library Board of Trustees Minutes - ApprovedORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Approved 8/17/2020
MINUTES
Monday, February 24, 2020; 3:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance (3:35pm)
1.1. Roll Call
Present: Steve Freeman, Rebecca Martinez, Marva Hitchcock,
Absent: Patti vanVoorst, Peggy Calvert
1.2. Approval of Meeting Minutes dated January 27, 2020
Motion: Martinez
Second: Hitchcock
Ayes: Freeman, Martinez, Hitchcock
2. Friends of the Orange Public Library Report (Kathleen Stevens)
2.1. They have two Board positions they are recruiting: Volunteer Director & Outreach Director.
2.2. 4H volunteered to help clean out the basement.
2.3. Their Ruby’s fundraiser was successful. Upcoming fundraisers include BJ’s at the Outlets on
3/31 and Avila’s on 5/14. They plan to do six a year.
2.4. They started an Instagram page, fopl.ca.
2.5. Home Instead talked to them about a fundraising grant (matching grant that has to do with senior
citizens).
2.6. Next book sale is on Saturday 3/28 from 9-10 for members, and 10-3 for everyone. They have a
new process, $3 to fill your Friend’s bag (they have Friend’s bags for purchase) - no more plastic
bags.
2.7. Coupons redeemed (from Jan 13 - Feb 8) 61: 49 new cards, 8 Christmas, 2 Pop Up Library, 1
Treats in the Streets, and 1 Summer Reading Club.
3. Orange Public Library Foundation Report (Lynn-Marie Frediani)
3.1. Foundation Gala Committee meeting on Friday.
3.2. Film festival going well, had 58 attend RBG. Next is 3/21 Biggest Little Farm and Orange Home
Grown will be there.
3.3. Seed Library is having some trouble getting seeds, they are working on getting a new supplier.
3.4. Lynn-Marie and Linda Cundiff prepared a presentation on the Foundation to the Kiwanis Club
(at their requests).
3.5. Estate Sale was a success and raised $10,000; the Foundation will get 50% of that.
4. Public Comment (none)
5. Library Director’s Report
5.1. Updates
5.1.1. The Chamber of Commerce and SCORE are looking to partner on a monthly program for
small businesses.
5.1.2. The Library will participate in the May Day Parade (scheduled for 5/2).
5.1.3. Staff member Kevin Motes is working on moving things around in the History Center to
make the area more inviting to our patrons.
5.1.4. Staff is still discussing going fine free, in the meantime, they plan to implement auto
renewals in the near future.
5.1.5. Director Curtis met with Community Services staff to discuss the plant materials going
into the Children’s Garden area, and plan to meet with the donor Larry Tannas to discuss
further.
5.2. Financial Report – Library’s current budget is right on track. Ms. Harpster is working on the next
fiscal year budget.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting 2/24/2020
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6. Board Reports
6.1. Report from Chair Freeman
6.1.1. Chair Freeman commented that the new ballot boxes look good.
6.1.2. A meeting has been set with Kim Nichols to discuss the Grijalva Park fund raising
efforts.
6.1.3. Reminded the Board to turn in their 700 Forms.
6.1.4. Volunteer Recognition Breakfast is 3/14/20 from 8:30-10am. Chair Freeman encouraged
the Board member to attend.
6.2. Reports from Trustees
6.2.1. Trustee Hitchcock announced her resignation effective 4/1/2020. She said she enjoyed
the past 5 years serving as a trustee. Director Curtis stated he turned in her resignation to
the City Clerk’s office, which will trigger the process to fill the opening.
6.2.2. Trustee Hitchcock suggest the Board have a book purchased in David Price’s honor.
6.2.3. Vice Chair Martinez went to a GoCat meeting to learn about their fundraising efforts for
a performance art center (they hope to build at Grijalva Park). They have raised $450,000
so far, and their goal is to have funding in 3-5 years.
7. Old Business (none)
8. New Business
8.1. Serving with a Purpose attendance (5/20)
Chair Freeman asked the Board to let Ms. Eriksen know by 3/10/2020 if they can attend. If so,
then he made the motion to allow Ms. Eriksen to move forward in making the necessary
reservations. Cost is $50/pp if paid by 4/1/2020.
Motion: Freeman
Second: Martinez
Ayes: Freeman, Martinez, Hitchcock
9. Taft Branch Updates/Tour (Hannah Haase)
Site Supervisor Hannah Haase provided an update on the Taft Branch Library.
9.1. New furniture to come soon. The old Reference Desk getting removed.
9.2. New self-checkout machine and new gates installed in December.
9.3. Shifting collections to make better use of space.
9.4. Working on adding more programs, especially for adults.
9.5. Patrons continue to request Taft add a Homework Center, but space is limited.
9.5.1. Chair Freeman asked if they considered moving the collection out of the Salter Annex
room to make room for a HC or for other use. Ms. Haase stated that the problem with the
building is finding space to move the collection (it is small and has no right angles). She
also said the room is well used by patrons so she would consider further.
9.6. Ms. Loidolt stated that Ms. Haase has been the site supervisor for less than a year, and that they
still see Taft as “in transition” as far as future plans. In her little time at Taft, Ms. Haase has
made exceptional changes to the facility and space available, and continues to work on
improvements at Taft.
9.7. Chair Freeman asked how the programs are going. Ms. Haase reported that the Storytime is
getting about 45-60 in attendance each Tuesday, and that the Kids Zone is usually full after
school. The Craft programs are doing very well.
9.7.1. Ms. Loidolt stated that although Taft’s space and collection is smaller than the El
Modena Branch Library, the circulation and patron visits are actually higher.
10. Adjournment (4:32pm)
The next Board of Trustees meeting is Monday, March 16, 2020; 3:30 p.m.
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E Chapman Ave, Orange 92866