2024-02-14 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director;
Cheryl Gowing, President; Nancy Frehling, Secretary; Christine Gay and Puja Motiani. Laura
Farley was excused.
Public Comment: None
1. Approval of minutes of the January 10, 2024 meeting. Motion to approve was made by
Christine Gay, seconded by Puja Motiani. Motion passed.
2. Community Alliance Report: Conversation centered on the Gala. They are having
problems with the website. PayPal is too expensive. Neil Cantor is a new Council
member; the lawyer quit. Green Day, April 27, will probably be 3-7 p.m. John Bachay will
man the Library’s booth at the theater.
3. Financial Report: We are midway through the fiscal year. It appears all expenses are not
yet uploaded but we are still under 50%. The $9400. for the Bookshop floor was
misapplied by category. $18. came in from yoga. $16,000. is owed in uncollected fines.
Christine Gay urged attention to this. Employees need to be trained; perhaps there
should be a sign about Library policy. Cheryl Gowing proposed running a report to obtain
emails, then setting up a schedule with reminders for borrowers. Michelle Brown said
our software does not support automating the returns. Cheryl Gowing mentioned the
possibility of a periodic amnesty. Many libraries have done away with overdue fines all
together. Again it was presented that a sign be made near check-out to remind members
about overdue books. Christine Gay moved to approve; Nancy Frehling seconded.
Motion passed.
4. Circulation Report: Report attached. Cheryl Gowing proposed a gift to every 75th new
patron. Mango has low usage and is costly. The printed word is the most used resource.
5. Old Business:
a. Archives Report- John Bachay is working on a master file for the state. He gave things
to the Wolfsonian to digitalize. He also met with Beatrice Skogan at UM to discuss
oral history as an offering. John Bachay is also working with the Historic Preservation
Board. He met with Victoria Rau at MTC about presenting the Library’s history. Also
John Bachay got Rebecca Baker from FIU to come to BML to help with digitizing.
b. 75th Anniversary- Yes, we want to mail the invitation. High tops will cost $300. to rent.
Ivory cloths will be used and possibly some overlays with a pattern on some of the
tables. Music with a 1940’s theme will be played near the fireplace. Catering by Noah
will do a ‘40’s menu, costing about $3,000. Speeches will be “short and sweet.” There
will be some displays of Library history. Perhaps John Bachay can do a “loop” of
historical photos. A sponsorship letter will be done with categories for giving added,
instructions as to how to donate, a QR code. Font will be changed. Letters will go to
local businesses, past sponsors, people who have shown interest and vendors.
Recipients will be asked to respond by March 29. Invites should go out as soon as
possible.
c. Bookmarks and car magnets are being worked on.
d. Benton Garden Proposal- Mary Benton is presenting on February 20th at the Council
meeting to inform and solicit comment about the proposal. Cheryl Gowing will speak
to support.
e. Concerning the location of the Council meetings, the Library has been proposed as a
venue. Suggestion made the Rec Center would be a better place. Questions include
staffing. It would be disruptive to Library business and involves work to set up and
clear out. Concerns expressed on whether room is big enough to accommodate AV
required.
6. Additional Items:
a. The Business Clinics are being held every month. Nine people came last month.
There should be a flyer to promote this.
b. Painting of the meters- So far three schools are participating, grades five and up.
Winners will be announced in March. Meters will go out to the schools and then return.
c. Next scheduled meeting will be at 9:00 a.m.
d. Local Authors event will be February 27th.
e. Films of the ‘40’s will be shown every Saturday.
7. Adjournment: Christine Gay moved to adjourn, seconded by Puja Motiani. Adjourned
at 10:05 a.m.