2021-07-28 LB MinutesBoard of Trustees Michelle Brown, Library Director
Christine Gay, President
John Camp, Vice President
Cheryl Gowing, Secretary
Laura Farley
Nancy Frehling
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 8:30am
Brockway Memorial Library Reference Room
Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:31 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director, Christine
Gay, President, John Camp, Vice President, Laura Farley, and Cheryl Gowing, Secretary. Nancy Frehling, excused.
GUESTS: John Bachay
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
PRESENTATION: John Bachay, Historic Preservation Board Member, presented a proposal to place a Historical Marker
for the anniversary of the Village’s incorporation at Brockway Library. The Historic Preservation Board [HPB] is pursuing
a Historical Marker program. The Village currently has one such marker on the Bay from the South Florida Historic
Society. The program is now run by the State, as the State Historical Marker program with a uniform design. There are
currently state markers at the Lemon City Library.
The Historic Preservation Board must submit an application in August after meeting with applicable Boards.
January 2nd is the anniversary of MS Village.
The application must include the proposed location of the marker. The HPB thought a marker placed in front of
Brockway Library would have more visibility than at Village Hall. A placement along the sidewalk in front of the
Library was suggested. The markers have a 4ft exposure above ground and are ca. 42” wide. There is a
character limit on the marker text.
It was noted that Ms. Brown has already confirmed that the Brockway Library could be a future marker
designee.
After discussion and review of the proposed marker location(s), Christine Gay moved to deny the request to
place a ‘Village-focused’ historical marker on Library property; seconded by John Camp. Motion passed
unanimously. The Library Board wishes to convey to the Historical Preservation Board that the Library Board is
supportive of the historical marker program and hope to work with them in the future to secure a marker for
the Library.
1. Other Items:
Extended Saturday Hours: Per the request of Village Council, the Library Board has been asked to
consider extending the Library’s Saturday hours past 1 pm as an important initiative to provide service
to working adults and families. Ms. Brown discussed options with the Village Manager from closing
early one weeknight, to increased funding to cover the additional staffing costs. The Village Manager
indicated that increased staff funding would be provided so that no curtailment of other hours would be
necessary. Ms. Brown determined that full-time library staff would work in rotation one Saturday per
month, with the rest of the extended coverage provided by part-time staff.
Motion to approve a pilot to extend Saturday hours to 9am – 4 pm beginning on Saturday, August 7,
2021 through Dec. 18, 2021 made by John Camp; seconded by Cheryl Gowing. Motion passed. Staff
will record hourly usage during the pilot period for Board consideration in January 2022.
2. Announcements:
Scholastic Pop-Up Book Fair to be held at Brockway August 5th – 7th, organized by Liangy Fernandez-Calli
as a fundraiser for the Children’s Wing. She has organized volunteers and setup with all proceeds going
to the Library Building project. The Book Fair will be held in the Brockway Library Main Room from 10-5
on Thursday & Friday, 9-1 on Saturday.
New Staff: In the last 3 months, Brockway has lost 4 out of 8 staff as part-time staff have gone on to
full-time positions elsewhere in better alignment with their long-term career goals. Three new staff for
the media center and evenings will start shortly. The search continues for the daytime position.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by Christine Gay; seconded by John Camp. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 a.m.