Minutes - January 9 2019Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 9 AM
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
Minutes
The meeting of the Board of Trustees of Brockway Memorial Library was called to order at 9:05 AM by President, Cheryl
Gowing. Present: Michelle Brown, Library Director; Board Members: Cheryl Gowing, President; Laura Farley, Vice
President; Kathleen Redmond, Secretary; Donna Hurtak, Christine Gay.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: A Community Art Project to be placed on the library construction fences once construction has begun
was proposed by the Plaza 98 organizers and the Chamber of Commerce. No one presented at this time.
Guests: None
1. Minutes - It was noted that since no meeting was held in December, updates and reports for both November
and December would be provided at this meeting. Minutes from the November Meeting were
reviewed. Donna Hurtak moved to approve; Christine Gay seconded. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: Donna Hurtak reported that there were four (4) checks received since September
and that the Treasurer noted $17,500 remains in reserve for Community Center and $7,770.20 is earmarked for
the Mayor’s Gala. There was no Mayor’s Report as he was not present; no Village Council report since the
Village Manager was not present. The Community Alliance Chair reported that the 2019 Gala will offer two
prices: regular admission is $150 per ticket and a VIP ticket at $200 each will include a pre-gala reception. Also
the Chair reported that Grant Applications will be available in advance of the March Meeting. No update was
provided to the plan to offer a Marketing Training for non-profits. Doctors Charter announced a 5K run/walk
scheduled for February 2 is a fund raiser for their athletics department. Fine Arts announced 3 upcoming
concerts on Jan 11, Feb 08 and Mar 10 in Miami Shores. Heide Hewes Chapter announced their “Grape
Therapy” on Jan 25 at 6 PM and “Silver Angel Brunch” featuring music by Joe Donato on Feb 10 at the Country
Club for a $75 per person donation. Free shuttle at 6, 7, and 8 AM with return at 6 PM between the Community
Center and the Brightline Station in downtown Miami begins Jan 14th and is grant funded. Next meeting is
February 6.
3. Financial Report through November 30 was reviewed with no clarifications or changes needed. Laura Farley
moved to approve; Donna Hurtak seconded. Motion passed. Michelle also reported that $116 worth of books
were sold and the tip jar received $151 in donations from the Harry Potter event. Financial Report though
December 31 was reviewed. Michelle clarified that item 54 appears “high” because memberships are annual
and payable all at once. Also, item 55 includes Frances Walsh’s last tuition reimbursement for her MLS in
Library Science. Michelle also reported that $202.22 was collected from the parking meters and $157.88 was
collected from the copier. Donna Hurtak moved to approve the December report; Christine Gay
seconded. Motion passed.
4. Circulation Report Total circulations for November were 3,969 + 236 digital; holds placed totaled 125 for the
month. Patrons added totaled 23, however total patrons declined to 7,945 due to the patron update project
which is ongoing. Total circulations for December were 3,865 + 213 digital; holds placed totaled 82. There
were 26 patrons added, however total patrons again declined to 7,907 due to the ongoing patron inventory
project.
5. Old Business: The Lizama art piece was reviewed and a decision was made not to make any decision for the
time being. Jason Pizzo, our new State Representative, has already met with the Village Manager and staff to
be briefed on projects and priorities. Thus, there is no need for a separate meeting with the Library Board;
Construction update was provided by Michelle. Final submissions by Stobs Brothers and State Engineering
will be submitted by Friday, Jan 11th and then will be presented to the Village Council during the first meeting
in February. Ground-breaking event will be scheduled and finalized during the February Library Board Meeting;
The Parking Meter project has received 1 entry from St Rose of Lima and 20 entries from Miami Shores
Elementary. It was suggested that the project be opened to the public for Grades 5 (or younger) and up. The
entry packet could be put in pdf form on the web site with a possible deadline for entries so the winning
designs can be announced during National Library Week in April.
6. Other items: The Computer Use Policy was reviewed and the following addition was agreed: “Library staff
will not assist patrons with computer use.” All other information remains unchanged; Donation Policy was
reviewed and two changes were agreed. In the line beginning “Gifts become the property…”, the next sentence
will be amended as follows: “Materials may be added or discarded, sold or auctioned without consulting the
original donor.” Under “Appraisal” heading, delete the second sentence. Under “Receipts” heading, delete the
first two words: “Upon request”; Michelle suggested a change in the Movie Policy to permit 5 movies to be
taken out for a week long period (in place of 3 days). This change was agreed by all in attendance.
7. Announcements: The grant-funded program, “The Art of Ezra Jack Keats”, designed for 12 kids, ages 7 - 12
years, will run for 6 weeks starting in March; An Author Event featuring Thomas Sanger on his book, “Without
Warning: The Forgotten Story of WWII” is being offered on Sat, Jan 19 at 10 AM in conjunction with Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute/FIU; South Florida People of Color will kick off February Black History Month with
an event Feb 9th; Unity Day will be the First Saturday in March and Brockway will host a booth.
There being no further business, Kathy Redmond moved to adjourn; Laura Farley seconded. The meeting adjourned
at 10:12 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Redmond
Secretary