2024-01-10 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 10, 2024
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director;
Cheryl Gowing, President; Laura Farley, Vice President; Nancy Frehling, Secretary; Christine Gay
and Puja Motiani.
Public Comment: None
1. Approval of minutes of the December 13, 2023 meeting. Motion to approve was made
by Ms. Frehling, seconded by Ms. Motiani. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report- No report because trustees were all there.
3. Financial Report: Nothing very new to report. “We are on point.” The $2,250 item was
for painting the south side by the ramp. There will be an increased Training and
Education budget for next year. New windows are on that budget. Ms. Brown is
applying to the Village for a grant; Ms. Gay motioned to approve; Ms. Farley seconded.
It was mentioned that the Library is not appropriate for private calls and Zoom. Also,
the Children’s Wing will be locked in the future.
4. Circulation Report: Report attached.
a. The archivist made great progress in December. An application for the historical
marker was made to the state, which considers it quarterly. John Bachay and
Frances Walsh met with an archivist who made several recommendations
concerning storing, archiving, cataloguing. John arranged for four films to be
shown in March. He also met with Planning and Zoning to do a master site file.
The Wolfsonian will digitize old VHS tapes and would like us to donate the
originals.
5. Old Business:
a. Bookshop floor to be done this weekend. Painting is next.
b. An appraisal of the statue outside was done by Bianca Gonzalez. The original
was marble. Her estimate is about $16,000. She’d like to contact the Milan
gallery and Sotheby’s. Her fee is $700. We would pay from basic operating
expenses. Ms. Frehling moved to approve the expenditure, Ms. Farley seconded;
approved.
c. Grant Opportunities- John Bachay is being encouraged to apply for the SEFLIN
grant. We have used almost all the first grant for digital archive storage. We will
ask for $5,000 more. We will also ask the Community Alliance for monies for
Summer Programming and for equipment for Archives (such as a specific
camera).
d. Black History Month- We will be showing a film called, “Stamped from the
Beginning” on 2/10. The screening and discussion will take place in the new
wing.
e. Goals- They are “intergenerational,” like Senior Tech. A survey of the community
will be done in February with several simple questions. Ms. Brown will present
the results in April. Topics will include social media, the Front Desk, email, the
Rec Center, etc. Are you aware of our offerings? Would you like us to do
something specific? Have you had problems with our systems? Age? Resident?
Library Card?
f. Photo Book- It was suggested that some of the old photos be printed and hung in
the Library.
g. Women’s Club to host a meeting in May.
h. Historic Preservation designation- On 1/11 Patrizia Bonaduce, George Burch and
Cheryl Gowing will speak. Sanda will talk about the exhibit from the Miami Art
League. Bob Bourne is coming; Noah Catering will do the food. Pebble and Vine
will be asked to loan two orchids.
6. Additional Items:
a. Great programming coming- On Feb. 7 there will be a marionette show for 5
years and up at 4:00 p.m.
b. There are “fantastic” new hires at the Library, including two sisters Belinda and
Beverly. Brockway is at full staff now except for Assistant for Youth Services,
which is a new position.
c. April Gala- Will ask Noah for catering. Looking for someone for 40’s music. Will
ask Bob to make a special cocktail. The Library needs sponsors. The ticket price
is $75.00 per person.
d. The BML 75th Anniversary logo has been finalized and will be printed soon.
7. Adjournment: Ms. Gay moved to adjourn; Ms. Motiani seconded. Adjourned at 10:20
a.m.