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04.19.2021 LBOT MINUTES - APPROVEDCity of Orange Orange Public Library Board of Trustees April 19, 2021 MINUTES - FINAL 1.OPENING 1.1 CALL TO ORDER Chair Freeman called the meeting to order at 3:27 p.m. 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Freeman. 1.3 ROLL CALL Trustee Calvert arrived at 3:37 p.m. Present:Freeman, Martinez, van Voorst, Calvert, and Huber Absent:None 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of meeting minutes of the Orange Public Library Board of Trustees for the March 15, 2021 Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Martinez, seconded by Trustee van Voorst, to approve minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following vote: Freeman, Martinez, van Voorst, Calvert, and HuberAyes: NoneNoes: NoneAbsent: 3.PUBLIC COMMENTS None 4.FRIENDS OF THE ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT Reported by Friends Vice-President Christine Huard-Spencer Thanked Trustee Calvert for her help with the book sale. Made $1,100 in sales and signed-up a new lifetime member (cost $250), and made $46 in people saying "keep the change." Also thanked the Library Director for allowing them to have the book sale in the parking lot, it was a huge success. Next book sale will be in the fall. Donations are picking up. Book store re -opened on 3/29/2021, and Ms. Huard-Spencer wanted to thank Volunteer Coordinator Linda Groscost for all her work in bringing back the Page 1 of 4 APPROVED 05/17/2021 Orange Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes - Final April 19, 2021 volunteers. Director Curtis thanked the Friends for all of their continued efforts and support, and for helping to keep the library safe by following COVID protocols and Library guidelines. Vice Chair Martinez asked if they have enough volunteers. Ms. Huard-Spencer stated they have just enough at the time. Chair Freeman asked how the daily sales were going. Ms. Huard-Spencer will provide that information at the next Trustee meeting. 5.ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION REPORT Reported by Director Dave Curtis The Foundation has a new Board Member, Lucy Richardson. Trustee Calvert asked if there was any further information from the Tannis Family . Director Curtis reported that the library is planning to do a grand opening for the Children's Courtyard and will work with the Foundation on selecting an appropriate date following COVID protocol. 6.LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT Reported by Library Director Dave Curtis 6.1 Updates The Library updated Local History hours to Monday through Thursday 2-5pm. Library Managers are working on strategies to re -open El Modena on 6/14/2021. Inventory is currently taking place at Elmo. The City will be receiving funds in the amount of $30,000,000 from the American Rescue Plan. Discussions to re-open Taft are in the works; however, there is a lot of work that needs to take place before that can happen, most notably on -boarding new staff team members. All library vacancies have been approved to fill; recruitments will take some time. Services will slowly return (based on COVID protocol), including phasing back seating and computers. Adult and Branch Services Manager Keisha Loidolt added that the greeter desk (located as you walk in) will also phase out at some point. Materials in quarantine have changed from 7 days to 5 days and it's anticipated this will phase out in June. Trustee van Voorst asked if all [other] libraries will re -open at the same time. Director Curtis said that it's unlikely they will all open at the same time. He stated that some libraries haven't re-opened or offered any in -person services during the pandemic, and that he's proud that Orange has been able to do this safely for its patrons. She also asked what the hours would be at the Branches. Director Curtis said he would like to have them on the same schedule as Main Library, which is currently Monday through Saturday from 10am-5pm. Chair Freeman asked if the Library ever reached capacity and if they will be expanding time limits. Director Curtis stated they have never reached capacity, but the numbers are increasing and the Library's pace is matching the communities pace for returning. Many staff have been vaccinated. Received letter from law firm representing the estate of Laurie Marine who left the Library a collection of books and $10,000. Also, Orange County Parents & Teachers Together is defunct and their board gave the Library a donation of $83,000 via the Page 2 of 4 Orange Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes - Final April 19, 2021 Library Foundation. They requested that some of the funds be used to support under-served children in the El Modena community. Adult Services was awarded a $5,000 humanities/cultural history grant; this will allow staff to participate in 10 courses related to local history, in particular the El Modena area. The Library was awarded a grant from the State Library to provide 3 chrome books (for staff use), and 26 mobile hotspots (for public use). The State budget proposal will include a funding request for infrastructure and connectivity needs for libraries. Director Curtis would like to focus on the Library's building needs. 6.2 Financial Report Financial Report July 2020 - March 2021 Due to several vacancies (which equates to salary savings ), the numbers appear to be lower than usual. Chair Freeman asked if the Library was expecting any budget changes for the upcoming fiscal year. Director Curtis stated that they are not expecting any budget cuts. Assistant Library Director Amy Harpster stated that this is the latest year in 5 years that the City has asked Departments to reduce their budget. The Financial Report July 2020 - March 2021 was received and filed. 7.BOARD REPORTS 7.1 Reports from Chair Freeman As mentioned at the last Board meeting, the City Council is recruiting to fill Trustee van Voorst's seat as she has reached her term limit. No appointment has been made at this time and Trustee van Voorst will continue to serve on the Board until a new person has been sworn in. The City Council confirmed at their last meeting that they are planning some type of a Third of July event. Chair Freeman wanted to know how the Trustees feel about returning to these events and providing support to the Library. Council Members Monaco and Barrios stated they would like to attend a Trustee meeting. Grijalva site is going to be developed, and Chair Freeman wants the Trustees to think about how they can make sure the library is in the mix. Where do the Trustees see libraries headed in the future? What would having a library at Grijalva mean to the community? Director Curtis stated that the City made it clear they don't have the money to build there, that is why they put it out to the community to see who was interested in raising funds for a project. This was prior to COVID, and it's unclear what the City is going to do now. Director Curtis thinks it's a great idea to get on board with a multi -generational center that includes a library, one that focuses on the needs of the community. Vice Chair Martinez would like to set up a behind the scenes tour of the Anaheim Community Center that houses a full library, a community center and a PD sub /training station, along with meeting space for the public. She reminded the Trustees that there is an El Modena Community Center run by a non -profit, it's small and has minimal Page 3 of 4 Orange Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes - Final April 19, 2021 funding. Trustee Calvert stated the importance of gathering information and connecting with these groups/organizations to share information to see what would be a good fit; this is going to be critical work. Director Curtis believes being in contact with the City Council is key and stated that there is going to be a new Parks Commission so it would be a good idea to make those connections as well. Chair Freeman asked the Trustees to send any ideas to Director Curtis and/or himself. Chair Freeman would like to invite Marva Hitchcock to the May board meeting to thank her for her service to the Library Board. 7.2 Reports from Trustees Trustee Martinez reiterated that she would like to set up a tour of the Anaheim Hills Community Center and asked those interested to let her know. Trustee Huber would like to attend. Trustee Calvert reported that Ukulele Soup is returning to the Library on 6/26/2021, space will be limited but they are working out the logistics. Beginners will have an extra half hour at the beginning to go over chords. Trustee van Voorst assisted the Foundation with the Seed Library at the Farmer's Market Saturday and plans to continue to help them as needed. 8.OLD BUSINESS None 9.NEW BUSINESS None 10.EL MODENA BRANCH UPDATES Presented by Adult and Branch Services Manager Keisha Loidolt, and Librarian /Site Supervisor for El Modena Branch Hannah Haase Ms. Loidolt stated that staff has been working hard cleaning and organizing materials/collection, workflows, and office/room spaces. Ms. Haase gave a tour of the facility and highlighted the changes they have made in preparation for re-opening on 6/14/2021. 11.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m. The next Regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. at the El Modena Branch Library located at 380 S. Hewes Street, Orange, CA 92869 Page 4 of 4