Minutes - November 13 2019
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
The meeting was called to order at 8:38 a.m. by Kathleen Redmond. Present were Michelle Brown, Library
Director, Kathleen Redmond, Vice President, Cheryl Gowing, John Camp and Christine Gay, Secretary. Laura
Farley was excused.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: None
Guests: None
1. Approval of Minutes: Cheryl Gowing moved to approve the October 9, 2019 meeting minutes, Kathy
Redmond seconded. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: John Camp attended the November Community Alliance meeting. The
Friendly Villagers Fashion Show will take place on December 3rd at the Miami Shores Country Club,
featuring a fashion show by Trina Turk and a silent auction. Silent auction items are needed. The
Community Alliance moved its bank account to Bank of America in Miami Shores. The Mayor discussed
recent Council Meeting action, including a proclamation for Miami Country Day School for its Cancer
Walk which this year raised $60,000. The Miami Shores Police have been monitoring the speed of drivers
and have tripled the number of officers assigned to speeding enforcement. Between August 2019 and
October 2019, there were zero reported home break-ins. The Miami Shores Code was amended to address
operational equipment, the pool, generator, and other items. The Mayor addressed the Airbnb on NE 115th
street, and the Village has assigned residential parking tags for the area around the Airbnb rental. The
Miami Shores Farmer’s Market started back on Sundays from 9a.m. – 2p.m. The 5K race will take place
on November 24th. Winterfest will take place on December 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the Field House. The
Community Alliance is working to increase its social media presence and is working on uploading its
marketing materials online. The Mayor’s Ball will take place on March 14th and items are needed for the
silent auction. Stacy Levy from Ellie’s Army Foundation, a non-profit that used to be known as Reach
for the Stars (cystic fibrosis) spoke at the Community Alliance Meeting and stated that they have expanded
their mission to provide services to any child with a life threatening illness. Miami Shores Caroling will
take place on December 18th. Heidi Hewes Holiday Walk will take place on December 15th. The OSHER
Explorations of Generations program is going well.
3. Financial Report: Line 31 of the Budget reflects that the Library needed to spend a good portion (35%)
of the professional services technology money to do a firewall upgrade. This expense was budgeted and
expected. The Budget also reflects an encumbrance for $6,400 for tenting that was carried over from last
year. The Village has approved the termite tenting contract with Ehrlich. The Library paid for its required
annual memberships that are due at the beginning of October 1 fiscal year. The Library made $47 from
the October 2019 front desk book raffles. The Miami Shores trolley tour was a success, and we received
rave reviews from those who attended. Cheryl Gowing moved to accept the Financial Report and Kathy
Redmond seconded. Motion passed.
4. Circulation Report: In October 2019, the Library circulated 5,246 items, and had 139 total holds placed.
There were a total of 98 adult materials added, 51 youth materials added and 42 media materials added.
The Library received 22 donations of books and media items in October. A total of 38 new patrons were
added in the month of October.
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5. Old Business:
a. Stobbs completed the Library Expansion plans and went before the Planning and Zoning Board.
The plans were not accepted and discussion was tabled until the next meeting. Cheryl Gowing,
Michelle Brown and Stobbs will attend the next meeting November 21, at 6:30pm to answer
questions.
b. Termite tenting will be scheduled likely in January.
6. Other Items
a. Seed Share Program: Corinne Mariposa runs Miami Seed Share that works with other libraries
and public schools. It is a local, community seed share that is for heirloom, non-GMO, and organic
seeds. We have decided to partner with her for a Seed Share. Mariposa brought the library several
packets of seeds to begin with that will be kept in the old card catalog. There will be a system put
in place to check out the seeds. It is a completely free program. More details to come.
b. Checkout Period for Books: The Library previously extended the checkout period for DVDs to
one week and the patrons were very appreciative. The Board approved extending the book
checkout period from 14 days to 30 days. New books will continue to be 7 day checkouts.
c. Eco Art installation for mangroves: At every Miami Dade County Public Library there is a
mangrove art installation, designed by Xavier Cortada. The Library is considering participating
by having an installation on the window near the newspapers, which would be installed by a local
student group. Cheryl Gowing will reach out to the student group about doing installation.
d. Michelle Brown flexible scheduling: Cheryl Gowing moved to make permanent Michelle Brown’s
flexible scheduling and work hours, seconded by Kathy Redmond. Motion passed.
e. Next meeting is December 11th: We will host our annual breakfast for the Library staff beginning
at 8:30 a.m., and start the Board meeting at 9:15 am.
f. Winterfest: Volunteers needed to bring juice and cookies for Winterfest, taking place on
December 6th. The Library is a collection site for Toys for Tots.
7. Announcements:
a. Estate Planning 101, is scheduled for November 14th from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
b. On November 18th at 6:30 p.m. local author Lee Williams will present his circular novel,
Memoirs of a Thin Man.
c. DINGGIN choral group concert will take place on Friday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m.
8. Public Comment: None
9. Adjournment: Kathy Redmond moved to adjourn, Christine Gay seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:46
a.m.