2025-01-08 LB MinutesMEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 9am
Brockway Memorial Library Conference Room
The meeting was called to order at 9:02am by Christine Gay. Present were Michelle Brown, Library Director,
Christine Gay, President, Nancy Frehling, Vice President, Puja Motiani, Secretary, Marie Mennes and Barbara
Lawless.
Public Comment: Mayor Burch discussed local matters and presented the Miami Shores Village Ordinance No.
124 for review and approval by the Library Board of Trustees.
Presentation: Mary Benton and Victor Bruce presented on the Courtyard Garden Project. We discussed the
scope of work and possibly scaling down on this project based on needs vs. wants. Victor Bruce assured that he
would manage the project permitting etc. as it is considered a small project. The discussion included various
options such as having this project a.) Fully open to the public b.) Open to staff only c.) Open to staff and pop-up
programming. Mary Benton will reach out to her donors for pavers and other materials to confirm what is
donated (pavers only or pavers and labor) and what will be at a cost to the library. It was agreed that the water
feature would be scaled back to exclude the pool and would be a wall fountain. We agreed that before we can
move forward, we need an itemized budget to include costs, responsibilities and future maintenance. Mary
Benton and Victor Bruce will work on providing a budget and revise the drawings to reflect the smaller water
feature.
Approval of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes from the December 11, 2024 meeting. Marie Mennes
moved for approval of the minutes, Nancy Frehling seconded. Motion carried.
Community Alliance Report: Barbara Lawless presented the report. Pass It On Ministries is collecting for Easter
baskets and the Library has have offered 50 children's bedtime books from donations.
Financial Report: Michelle Brown presented the Financial report. The library expenses are at 16% to date. Nancy
Frehling made a motion to approve the Financial Report, Marie Mennes seconded. The financial Report was
approved.
Circulation Report:
- Library Director reported on circulation stats for both print and digital offerings.
- Archives Report: John Bachay continues with the Oral History Project. He has also finalized the
display case for the donated golf clubs from Roy Hawkins' family.
Old Business:
Rare Books Room: Work has started in the room with IT wires, cleaning up the boxes and furniture,
and electrical work has begun. Cabinetry will be measured shortly.
Positions: Youth Services Assistant has been hired. The part time employee position remains open.
Other Items:
- 2025 Summer Reading Program — approved for $20 membership for 2025
Sound System Sydow Wing — complaints that the sound is not adequate for this room. Michelle
Brown will get quotes to upgrade this system for wireless surround sound.
Board / Committee reviews — the board will meet on January 30t", 2025 to discuss the Board
responsibilities and ordinance.
Announcements:
-See January 2025 Calendar
-The next scheduled Board meeting is February 12t", 2025 at gam.
Adjournment: Christine Gay moved to adjourn, Puja Motiani seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 10:38am.
Submitted by: Puja Motiani