2023-09-13 LB Minutes
Board of Trustees Michelle Brown, Library Director
Cheryl Gowing, President
Laura Farley, Vice President
Nancy Frehling, Secretary
Christine Gay
Puja Motiani
Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
The meeting called to order at 8:34 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director, Cheryl
Gowing, President, Laura Farley, Vice President, Nancy Frehling, Secretary (via phone), Christine
Gay and Puja Motiani.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: None
Guests: Kathryn Mason, who discussed the possibility of mahjong at the Library.
1. Approval of minutes of the June 14, 2023 meeting: Motion to approve as amended by
Ms. Farley, seconded by Ms. Gay, motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: Ms. Motiani reported on the meeting.
3. Financial Report: The Library’s fiscal year ends September 30th. The Library brought
in $57 in June, $67 in July, and $57 in August for yoga classes, and $500 for the
mediation/sound bath event. Ms. Gay moved to accept the report, Ms. Farley seconded,
motion passed.
4. Circulation Report: For the period of June 2023 to August 2023, the Library circulated
8,970 items and 244 holds were placed. The Library added 234 adult items, 114 youth
items and 59 media items. The Library added 127 total patrons over the summer, and there
were 2,840 in person visits. There were 557 eBooks/eAudio checkouts on Overdrive, and
54 digital magazine checkouts. There were 103 unique searches on Ancestry.com. For
BrainPop, Jr. there were 159 sessions, 3 sessions for VetNow and 4 sessions for Homework
Help.
5. Old Business:
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o Ramp on south side of Library – The ramp has been poured and the railing is in
progress. The door to the Library at the top of the ramp will also be replaced.
This should be completed by end of September.
North parking lot/new signage will be installed this week.
The Library has enough money in the current budget to replace the floor
of the bookshop to match the entrance floor.
o Library Courtyard Garden Update – The Girl Scouts are unable to take on this
project. Mary Benton has a grant which may be able to be used for the Library
garden. Ms. Benton is meeting with the Village.
o StoryW alk – Will be installed at Constitution Park. The design is currently in
progress.
6. Other items:
o Library Summer Program – 20 programs were offered and there were 1,228 total
patrons who participated.
o Shores Pride Event – Sunday, October 22 – Library Board agreed to participate and
work at the table.
o Harry Potter Event – Ms. Brown requested to close the Library at 1pm on October
28, 2023 to prepare for the event. Ms. Gowing moved to approve, Ms. Gay
seconded, motion passed.
o BML 75th anniversary – The Library has $5,000 in budget for celebrations. Ms.
Brown proposed a February fundraising event with 1949/1950s theme murder
mystery. The Library is considering other events as well during 2024 to celebrate
the anniversary, including a history event and an event with the Miami Art League.
Potential vendors for the murder mystery include:
The Jest Murder Mystery, costs $980 for up to 50 guests and $16pp each
additional
Murder Mystery Company, costs $1599 for up to 49 guests, or classic
event – 3 actors, $2000 up to 99 guests.
7. Announcements:
o Next scheduled Board Meeting: October 11, 2023 at 8:30am
o New Library Program: Brigadiers History Club starts October 11th at 11am.
o Library Artisan Fair: Saturday, October 7th 10am-2pm
o Harry Potter 2023 Event: October 28th 6-8pm
o Brockway selected a 2023 Neighborhood Fave on NextDoor!
Public Comment: None.
Adjournment – Ms. Gowing moved to adjourn, Ms. Gay seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:05
a.m.