2023-12-13 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 13, 2023
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 AM. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director;
Cheryl Gowing, President; Nancy Frehling, Secretary; Christine Gay and Puja Motiani. Laura
Farley, excused.
Public Comment: None
1. Approval of minutes of the November 8, 2023 meeting. Motion to approve was made
by Ms. Gay and seconded by Ms. Motiani. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report- no report.
3. Financial Report: The library is about to finish its first quarter. There is a repair for
$2250. which Ms. Brown will investigate, otherwise all is well with finances. Yoga
brought in $42; a special meditation brought in $520; the November bus tour $490.; Sip
and Shop $75. Ms. Frehling moved to accept; Ms. Gay seconded.
4. Circulation Report: report attached.
5. Old Business:
a. Ms. Brown announced that the Mary Benton project has been postponed.
b. There are several new staff members at the library but the front desk position is
still unfilled. There are two applicants.
c. Discussion of salaries- With new wing there will be a part-time assistant. New
employees start at minimum wage and are on par with the Rec Center, etc.
Salary increases will be discussed again in March.
6. Additional Items:
a. Presentation of library logo for the 75th anniversary- We chose one in a circle,
making small adjustments.
b. Library Holiday hours- we approved a three-day holiday for both Christmas and
the New Year for the staff. Ms. Gay made the motion; Ms. Motiani seconded.
c. Exterior Statue- Ms. Bonaduce from Historic Preservation has discovered that
the statue in front of the library was done by an eminent Italian sculptor in 1864.
We discussed the need for insurance and also to do more research. Ms. Gowing
will check with the Lowe Museum and Preservation Library about how to
restore. Ms. Brown will go to the Village to discuss the implications of the statue,
insurance, appraisal, etc.
d. Brockway 75th Anniversary- On January 11 from 6-8 PM there will be inside
music, food and an exhibit. Ms. Gowing and John will say a few words; Ms.
Brown will give a preview of 2024 events. Outside Historic Preservation will
unveil the plaque, which will take about 20 minutes.
e. New Business--We decided to make a flyer as a Save the Date; the Gala will be
$75. per person. We will also produce a book plate which will involve a $75.
donation. A person picks a book and the plate is inserted with his/her name on
it. May will be Historic Preservation at the Library. In January-March kids will re-
do the meters.
7. Announcements: Teen Life Skills with the MSPD is coming back. January 10 is the next
meeting at 9:00 AM. On April 2 the Library will do the event at the Community Alliance
meeting. There was discussion about forming a Fund Raising Group perhaps including
ex-Library Board members. Names mentioned were Jennifer Quinton, Donna Hurtak,
Dennis Leyva and Clark Reynolds. We need a “hook.” Finally it was announced that
Mary Benton still wants to do a community garden on the south side.
8. Adjournment: Ms. Frehling moved to adjourn; Ms. Motiani seconded. Adjourned at
9:36 AM.