2020-03-11 Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
March 11, 2020
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
The meeting was called to order at 8:38 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director, Laura Farley, President,
Kathleen Redmond, Vice President, John Camp, and Cheryl Gowing. Christine Gay, Secretary, was excused.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: Fine Arts Board re: proposed artist for April exhibit
Guests: Susan Ackley, representing the Fine Arts Board \[FAB\]
1. Approval of Minutes: Kathy Redmond motioned to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2020 meeting as
written; John Camp seconded. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: Kathy Redmond reported on the Community Alliance (CA) meeting, with a focus on
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the Mayor’s Ball to be held on Mar. 14. The CA website has been upgraded and hopes to feature photos from
member organizations.
3. Guest Presentation: Susan Ackley, Chair of the Fine Arts Board, presented the proposed artist for the April Fine
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Arts/Library Exhibit, Antonio Ugarte. The exhibit is tentatively scheduled for April 2 but may be changed due to
development with Covid-19. There should be about 20 items on exhibit; Susan was reminded to have the artist
supply titles of the exhibited works and an information sheet available for patrons. Cote Gourmet may serve as
caterer; food items would be served with gloves, rather than our usual finger-food/self-serve presentation. Susan
also noted the Fine Arts Board would like to re-invite Tina Salverson to exhibit, as her originally scheduled exhibit
had to be cancelled for personal reasons. The FAB is looking at someone to provide a sculpture exhibit for October.
John Camp motioned to approve Antonio Ugarte as the April artist; Cheryl Gowing seconded. Motion passed.
4. Financial Report: Ms. Brown reviewed the financial report, noting the increase in Repairs/Maintenance due to the
termite tenting and the increase in Operations. The latter occurred because of the lighting project which required
more lighting than expected and $2000 was taken from the operating budget to cover the additional expense.
John Camp motioned to approve the Financial Report; Kathy Redmond seconded. Motion passed.
5. Circulation Report: There were 3760 circulations in February, with 108 holds. The lower numbers are likely due
to the extension of the loan period to 1 month, therefore generating fewer renewals. The Library added 83 adult
items, 38 youth, and 46 media, and received 26 donations. Library staff repaired 70 items and weeded 603 items
from the youth, audiobook, and DVD collections. The Archives volunteer scanned 183 items, including all original
albums and the large red notebooks and attended the Historic Preservation Board Meeting. There are a total of
6434 active patrons, with 17 added in the February. There were 236 searches on Ancestry.com; a genealogy
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workshop is planned for March 19 from 6-7:30pm. Jessica Fleitas, the Village’s Communication Specialist is now
managing the Library’s Facebook presence.
6. Old Business:
a. Cortada Mangrove Exhibit: Ms. Brown spoke with Xavier Cortada who expressed interest in a “PlanT”
exhibit in Brockway. The cost would be $.50 per mangrove plant used. When the exhibit has concluded,
the Library will work with Mary Benton and the schools to plant the items in the Shores \[golf course, bay
area, etc.\]. Ms. Brown will check if Cortada would be able to do a library program tied to the exhibit
opening, ideally sometime in April for National Library Month.
7. Other Items:
a. Reading with Gracie: Liz Cowen has requested temporarily halting the reading program until the current
conditions for Covid-19 improve.
b. Covid-19 Response: Due to Covid-19, the Library is conducting intensive cleaning 3x day, wiping down
all high-touch surfaces. The Village has provided a sanitizer station for the main areas and is working to
obtain intense commercial grade cleaning products for Public Works to use in key points in all Village
buildings. Other measures taken in response to Covid-19:
i. Computers are being wiped down after each use.
ii. A sign will be posted on the front door asking patrons not to enter if they are experiencing flu-like
symptoms; Patrons arriving for library programs who appear to exhibit symptoms will be asked
to leave.
iii. A poster on the proper hand-washing technique has been posted in the restrooms.
iv. In the event of a library closure, staff will prepare for mass renewal \[adjustment of due dates\] for
library materials and services will be temporarily discontinued.
c. Census 2020: Ms. Brown spoke to Village Manager Tom Benton regarding library actions in support of
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Census completion, due April 1. Kathy Redmond motioned to extend library hours to 8 pm on
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 to allow more time for patrons without internet access/home computers to
complete the census; John Camp seconded. Motion passed.
d. Craig Skilling presentation: Craig led a motivational discussion earlier this year in partnership with OSHER.
The Library will consider working with him to moderate a discussion tied to the 2020 Florida “One
Book/One State” shared reading of Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead”. Kathy Redmond may know someone
who could co-host.
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e. Community Alliance breakfast: The Library Board is hosting the April 8 Community Alliance meeting and
will sponsor breakfast. Members of the Board will bring breakfast items, such as yogurt, coffee/tea/juice,
Clementines, granola bars, fruit cups. Assignments will be confirmed via email.
f. Library policy: Ms. Brown is developing a policy for the digitization of photos from the BML Archives, as
well as a Community Partnership policy concerning working with local business to sponsor library
programming.
g. Library Events: Author Lisa Novick Goldberg spoke on Mar. 3 to a large group of ca. 60. Edwin Culver,
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classical guitarist, gave a lecture/performance on Mar. 5 to a group of ca. 21. IPrep brought in over 150
students for a program on Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham”. Given the increasing attendance of library
events, it was recommended the Library invest in its own sound system, rather than having to borrow the
Recreation Center’s unit for each event.
8. Announcements:
a. Brenda Holsing, Youth Services Librarian, will begin an “Art of Eric Carle” series, along the lines of her “Ezra
Jack Keats” series.
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b. Treece Financial Thursday, March 12 at 6:15pm
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c. Hallo Genealogy Workshop Thursday, March 19 6-7:30pm
d. Women in Music with Michael Stock Thursday, March 26 at 6:30pm.
e. National Library Month programming
i. Apr. 2, at 6:30pm: MTC will present the PBS/ Ken Burns documentary, The Gene. The producer
will be present to answer questions.
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ii. Apr. 23: A local author will do a presentation, “21 Century Woman” on the history of the
women’s movement
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iii. Apr. 30: National storyteller Carrie Sue Ivar will recreate the lives of Florida Women Pioneers
9. Public Comment: None
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10. Adjournment: The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for April 15; depending on conditions, the meeting
may be via Zoom. The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 am.