2023-10-13 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 11, 2023
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 10:04 AM. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director;
Cheryl Gowing, President; Laura Farley, Vice President; Nancy Frehling, Secretary; Christine Gay
and Puja Motiani.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: None
Guests: Angela Dorney, Parks and Recreation Director
Clarissa Rodriguez, Fine Arts Chair
1. Approval of minutes of the Sept. 13, 2023 meeting: Motion to approve by Ms. Farley,
seconded by Ms. Gay. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: Puja Motiani presented the Community Alliance report.
She mentioned the following key 2024 forthcoming events in the community: the
January MTC event for Charlotte’s Web; the Mayor’s Gala on 2/24/2024; BML’s 75th
birthday party possibly on 2/10 or 4/13; the Country Day Gala on 3/2.
3. Guest Presentation: Angie Dorney shared with the Board the art pieces selected by Fine
Arts for 11/9. Clarissa Rodriguez came in and continued the presentation. The
proposed artist Max Lazega uses nails on the canvas, introducing a “rough element,”
making something “pretty” more complex. The same caterer will be used; exhibition
will be down by 12/15. Ms. Frehling made the motion to accept; it was seconded by Ms.
Farley and then approved.
4. Financial Report: Ms. Brown reviewed the financials. The fiscal year ended 9/30/2023.
The Rambling String Band received a great response and brought in $443.74; yoga
brought in $21.50 in September. Ms. Brown reported that the Adult Services Librarian
came to an equal salary with Youth Services and that all of the staff received a 4% cost
of living increase. Part-timers were brought up to current minimum wage. Motion to
approve the report was made by Laura Farley, seconded by Christine Gay and then
approved.
5. Circulation Report: Ms. Brown presented the Circulation Report. 2,753 items were
circulated in October. Additions to collection: 127 Adult titles; 18 Youth; 4 Media; 50
Donations. 14 items/ 14 items weeded from Travel Non-Fic. /39 new members/2,920
Visits/Digital Collection Stats: 176 checkouts on Overdrive; 78 digital magazines; 0
searches on Ancestry and mango Languages; 13 sessions on BrainPop, Jr. and 6 on
BrainFuse.
6. Old Business:
a. Ramp Update: The ramp is not an entrance, only an emergency exit. A sign will
be put up near the door to explain that. It will cost $4000 to install an intercom.
b. Air Conditioning- has not been working for two weeks. The system is
complicated.
c. South Garden Update: Mary Benton has a grant to install a learning garden with
native trees and plants in said space. The courtyard would stay secured. Victor
Bruce will be drawing plans to present to the Manager, after which it goes to the
Council. The inner courtyard is another project which Mary has proposed and
will underwrite. It will be a space for resting, reading, contemplation. It will
have furniture for lunch, maybe a “Never Forget” marker.
d. Main Room Furniture Update: Ms. Brown related her purchase order for 10
chairs and desire to purchase two round tables for reading; the cost would be
est. $3000 to be funded from the Trust. She also proposed removing and
resituating the five chairs in the alcoves. They block access to the books and
prevent the blinds from being more open and allowing more light into the main
reading room.
7. New Business Clark Reynolds is now chairing a History club which will meet on Saturday
mornings. In September only two people attended. The Village has a new website. As
usual on 11/11 Veterans Day, a symbolic table will be set as a tribute to the Missing
Man. John Bachay is now working with the Archives, which have already been
completely inventoried. He is trying to upload the missing pieces. He is looking to scan
about 100 oversize pages from newspapers; he has many new ideas. On 11/18 The
History Bus Tour will go to the Vagabond and then to the Hampton House.
8. Announcements:
Next scheduled Board Meeting: November 8, 2023 at 8:30AM
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted by Nancy Frehling.