Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

Library Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Monday, November 14, 2022

PRESENT:
Frank Brady, Kathleen Capelli, Carol Daggs, Terence Diggory, Jean Fei, Nancy Luther, Issac (Ike) Pulver, Eric Blackman, Catherine Brenner, Jennifer Ferriss, Don Flinton, Trevor Oakley, Jennifer Ogrodowski, Denise Feltes

ABSENT:
Heather Crocker, Kelly McCombs, Ric Taras

Meeting Called to Order at 5:02 PM

I. Call to Order at 5:02 PM

II. Approval of October Regular Meeting and Executive Session Minutes: Terry made a motion to approve the October Regular Meeting and Executive Session Minutes. Frank seconded. All in favor. Minutes are approved.

III. Approval of Expenditures: Terry made a motion to approve the October Pre-Paid Checks 70531 - 70532 totaling $388.11 and the November Warrants 70535 to 70627 totaling $175,819.32. Jean seconded. All in favor. Expenditures approved.

IV. Approval of Financial Reports: Discussion regarding Rental Income and Capital Projects. Frank made a motion to approve the October Pre-Paids, the November Warrant Summary Sheet, the Budget Report, and the Income Report. Terry seconded. All in favor. Financial Reports are approved.

V. President’s Report: Since our last board meeting, it has been a very busy month with the Book Festival, the Friends Annual Meeting, and the NYLA Conference. Katie attended a discussion about trustee education. As of January 1, 2023, trustees will be required to complete a minimum of two hours of trustee education annually. Discussion regarding what qualifies as acceptable trustee educational topics followed.

VI. Public Comment: None

VII. Correspondence and Communication: None

VIII. Director’s Report:

1. Director’s Written Report: Discussion regarding anticipated changes to exempt status will be deferred to the December Board Meeting in order for Ike to complete his proposal to update the starting full-time pay rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposal must be presented to the Personnel Committee for further review. The Book Festival requires more attention to children’s activities. Three security situations in particular required intervention within the last week. Our EAP Company held a trauma response group discussion for affected employees of a particular security situation. Permanently banning patrons is the last thing we want to do and occurs after progressive steps have failed. For the safety and security of staff and other patrons, when violence or chronic incidents occur, the decision must be followed with a letter to the offender along with a fax to the police. The Librarian’s Homelessness Training by Ryan Dowd has been extremely helpful in focusing on empathy and behavior rather than on law enforcement interventions.
2. Department Reports: Jen F attended 2 violence prevention sessions today that discussed issues surrounding this topic. A potential solution is on the horizon with the Senior Center in Saratoga becoming a Code Blue Shelter. Jen F will also organize a committee to review our Workplace and Violence Prevention Policy which should be done annually. Don reported that a Zoom/streaming meeting solution is still being sought that provides quality sound. Trevor praised the Circulation Department staff who “…stepped-in & readjusted schedules, to cover…” various staff absences and the extended Book Festival hours. The Interactive Career Exploration Expo at the City Center provided the opportunity for Trevor, Caitlin Costa, and Anna Rae Furlong to inform 8th and 9th Grade students about various Civil Service jobs that includes more than just Librarians, such as IT experts, financial wizards, engineers, and HVAC positions. Frequent changes with the Teen Librarian has created its own challenges regarding the continuity of Teen Services which has shown an increased usage. The Children’s Room will host a Pajama Day on Friday, November 25th, that will include story time, a pajama party, and pitching a tent. Jen O is grateful to Renee for jumping into the Librarian II position by taking over the madness of the holiday scheduling.

IX. Special / Committee Reports:

1. Land Acknowledgment Committee: The Land Acknowledgment Committee, consisting of Jean, Nancy, Carol, & Katie, presented a Statement and History of Land Use. Discussion led to some changes producing a final version as follows:

Statement: The Saratoga Springs Public Library respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the ancestral lands of the Mohican, the Mohawk, and the Abenaki Peoples. We thank them for their enduring stewardship of this land.

History of Land Use: By acknowledging Indigenous people, we pay respect to those who first lived here and to communities who follow in caring for this land. We honor the significance of traditional relationships to these sacred lands and waters. We recognize the ongoing impacts of colonialism and oppression, and we commit to honor truth telling and Indigenous voices as we realize the full history of our many peoples.

Links to Resources: The Library and other organizations and institutions offer many resources about our local history if you are seeking to gain a deeper perspective of the Native Americans who still live on this land.

Saratoga Springs Public Library Saratoga Room

MLK Saratoga OURStory Treasure Hunt

N’Dakinna Education Center

Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community

Syracuse Peace Council Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON)

Discussion regarding how to display the Statement and History of Land Use. Frank made a motion to approve the above referenced text incorporating the changes as discussed. Terry seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

1. Personnel Committee: Frank, Heather, and Katie have been meeting with Ike. In Heather’s absence, the committee will defer until the December meeting.

X. Old Business: Katie made a recommendation to change the agenda heading “Old Business” to “Unfinished Business,” in keeping with current recommendations in Robert’s Rules. Discussion regarding need to revise SSPL Bylaws to permit this change. Deferred until next month.

XI. New Business:

1. Request to appoint Christina Dady-Esposito, Librarian I – PT, effective November 14: Terry made a motion to appoint Christina Dady-Esposito, Librarian I – PT, effective November 14th. Frank seconded. All in favor. Appointment approved.

XII. Executive Session to Discuss a Particular Personnel Matter: Not needed at this time.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:17 pm

Respectfully submitted by:
Denise Feltes, Senior Account Clerk