2024-05-08 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
10021 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director;
Cheryl Gowing, President; Nancy Frehling, Secretary; Laura Farley, Vice President; Christine Gay
and Puja Motiani.
Public Comment: None
Presentation: None
Guests: None
1. Approval of minutes of the April 10, 2024 meeting- Michelle Brown suggested several
changes in the previous minutes, which Nancy Frehling will make and re-submit.
2. Community Alliance Report- None
3. Financial Report- $6449.81 spent on the anniversary event. These monies came from the
General Fund. $2010. was received for the Trust via ticket sales. The overall Budget
Report does not show many expenses that have not been posted yet but the Library is on
track. Nancy Frehling moved to approve; Puja seconded. Motion approved.
4. Circulation Report- See attached.
5. Archives report for February-April, 2024- John Bachay organized house visits; met with a
representative from the Recreation Department; met with residents to discuss their
houses. He looked into a touch-screen, museum-type system for the Archives, but it
would be too expensive at this point. He continued sorting and ordering materials; Met
with MTC Victoria Rowe to look for ways to collaborate. Spoke to Council member about
donation of an antique book. We now have special forms to cover this. Bachay
represented BML at Green Day.
6. Old Business
a. Sorahya Woods was hired as Youth Services Assistant. She will be part-time
as she is starting on her Master’s. She begins May 20th.
b. Story Walk Update- Michelle Brown and Brenda Holsing went to Constitution
Park where several concerns were addressed. It was decided between all
departments to change the location to Optimist Park. ARPA Funds is paying
for the installation. Also there is a City Catalyst grant, which has been
extended.
7. Additional Items
a. The History Club has been very well received. They are requesting money for
speaker fees ($120/month or $1440. annually). This would be presented to
the Council in the fall as part of the budget. Nancy Frehling moved to include
this request; Puja seconded. Motion approved.
b. BrainFuse gets little usage; we need to get out the word better. They have
teamed up with Barron’s, who do all kinds of test prep. They are now offering
tutoring and testing materials. Michelle Brown would like to include in the
budget. The cost is $580. for a year and she would like to start now. Puja
motioned to accept; Cheryl Gowing seconded. Motion approved. Discussion
about how to get the word out. Maybe Brenda Holsing and Frances Walsh
could out to visit the schools. Also recommended is the use of email blasts. In
preparation for Veterans Day the Library will reach out to veterans via Social
Media about the new service.
c. Consideration of Heritage Quest/Newspapers.com as additional offerings- We
had decided not to continue Ancestry for which $1564. had been budgeted
but not spent. Instead Michelle Brown suggests doing Heritage Quest, which
can be done from home for $1611.08. This must be publicized. Michelle
Brown will talk to John Bachay. Puja Motiani moved to try Heritage Quest;
Nancy Frehling seconded. Motion approved.
8. Announcements
a. Laura Farley and Cheryl Gowing will end their terms this year. Nancy Frehling
will be President.
b. Youth Services Librarian Brenda Holsing and Adult Services Librarian Frances
Walsh will attend the Florida Library Association Conference.
c. June 12th meeting will start at 9:30 a.m.
Puja Motiani moved to adjourn; Nancy Frehling seconded. The motion was approved at 10:15
a.m.
Submitted by Nancy Frehling, Secretary