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
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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
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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
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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
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