2023-01-13 LB MinutesBoard of Trustees Michelle Brown, Library Director
Kathy Redmond, President
Cheryl Gowing, Vice President
Laura Farley, Secretary
Nancy Frehling
Christine Gay
MEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Friday January 13, 2023 at 8:30am
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 8:30 am
ROLL CALL Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director, Kathleen Redmond, President; Cheryl Gowing, Vice
President; Christine Gay, and Nancy Frehling; Laura Farley, excused
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION:
GUESTS: Susan Ackley, Fine Arts Commission
Susan Ackley, Chair of the Fine Arts Commission, attended to review the Fine Arts Exhibition program in the
Library with the Board. She reiterated the Commission was still interested in organizing library exhibits. As per
the Library’s Fine Arts Exhibit policy, the Commission presents their recommended artist exhibition proposal for
Library Board approval. The Board recommended the Commission be prepared with a backup recommendation
in the event the initial recommendation does not work out.
1. Approval of minutes of the November 9, 2022 Meeting: motion to approve as revised by Cheryl Gowing,
seconded by Kathy Redmond; motion passed. Motion to approve the December 5, 2022 Special Meeting
minutes as revised by Kathy Redmond, seconded by Cheryl Gowing; motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report – Christine Gay
The Mayor’s Brunch will be held on March 5th at the Miami Shores Country Club. Community Alliance
organizations are asked to pull together a basket, etc. for auction. The Library could consider doing
something like a private story time with Ms. Holsing, admittance to a paid event, etc. Director Brown
will put together the Library’s basket. The Village is getting an emotional support dog, a doodle named
“Troy” that will help comfort crime victims in difficult situations. The Library will still host the April
Alliance meeting on April 5th. The Library Board is asked to attend in support, but we do not need to do
an elaborate breakfast, just something simple.
>>> Plan for Harry Potter B Day July 31.
3. Financial Report
Director Brown reported that mold remediation was performed in some areas of the stacks. The Sip and
Shop event was a big success and the Library’s holiday booth with book bundles on offer very popular.
The Library earned $338 in sales of used book bundles. The November and December yoga classes
earned $17.50 and $55.50 respectively. The yoga program will continue at the Community Center in the
mornings, while doing Library classes on the weekends. Motion to approve the financial report by Kathy
Redmond, seconded by Christine Gay; motion passed.
4. Circulation Report
See attached for circulation details. Director Brown reported that December acquisitions were lower
than usual due to a processing back up with the Library’s major supplier, Baker & Taylor. She is
reviewing Adult Fiction for weeding. Materials selected for withdrawal are sent to Better World Books
or Sustainable Shelves, with a financial cut returned to the Library when titles sell through their
marketplaces. In general, donated books go first into the Library’s Used Book ‘Store’ and weeded
copies go to Sustainable Shelves through Baker & Taylor. Any funds earned through the sales of books
in that program are applied to the purchase of new books for the Library. Director Brown has noted
usage statistics for DVDs and audio books continue to drop. Loaning portable DVD players might help
increase circulation but could bring additional challenges with supporting the players. Social Media
stats are not currently available. Shamaika Regis, a sophomore from DCS, has been hired as a
page/shelver. The Library expects to open the Archives position shortly. There were 25 patrons added
in December, for a total of 7080.
5. Old Business
o Grand Opening Update: Director Brown met with the Village Manager, Public Works, and Mr. Stobs
who was confident the project would be finished by Feb. 14th. Ms. Brown was asked to begin
preparations for the Grand Opening but is having a challenge finding an event planner. She will
consult with Bob Bourne for a recommendation. The furniture is being assembled; the water lines
installed, with the plumber and County inspector expected today. The new Wing should have
running water by next week, so the application for a TCO can then be submitted and final
inspections scheduled. The front of the Library will need refreshed landscaping before the
opening. The South Ramp has an assigned contractor, R2 Builders, and a P.O. for $32K has been
created. The exterior door may need to be changed and an auto-opener installed using finds from
the Trust Fund. The tentative date for the Grand Opening, contingent on the TCO, will be Friday,
March 10, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres.
o The Library is considering selling library t shirts online. Various services are being investigated to see
what each provider might return in profits to the Library.
o Indoor Plant Project Update: The Board reviewed a proposal from Pebble & Vine to supply potted
plants and planters in various locations throughout the library. The proposal does not include
maintenance and would be funded from the Library’s Trust Fund. The Board raised several
questions as to the cost and selection of plants, which Director Brown will address with Pebble &
Vine.
o Ancestry.com Update on Remote Access: Ancestry is no longer offering Libraries an option to
provide remote database access to libraries; the service is in-library use only.
6. Other Items : None
7. Announcements
o Next scheduled Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 8:30am
o Pulitzer Series begins Tuesday, January 17th
o Benton-Heise Exhibit and Seed Share – January 28
o Modern Shakespeare Series begins February 2 (Thursdays in February)
o Black History Month at the Library – Saturdays in February
o Genealogy for March
PUBLIC COMMENT : None
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:55
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Gowing