MINUTES
October 11, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Large Meeting Room
950 Abbot Road
The East Lansing Public Library occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg Three Fires confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
1. Call to Order 4:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Trustees present were: Amy Zaagman, Pamela Smith, Ameenah Asante, Shawn Nicholson, and Polly Synk. Also, in attendance were Councilmember Liaison George Brookover, Friends President Liesel Carlson, Interim Library Director Angelo Moreno, and Executive Assistant to the Director Shori Teeple. Thirteen guests from public were present.
3. Opening
3.1 Approval of Current Meeting Agenda as Amended
Item 10 Library Reports moved to become new Item 7.
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
3.2 Approval of September 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Synk moved
Nicholson seconded
All in favor
4. Communications
4.1 Correspondence received from resident regarding student behavior at East Lansing Public Library.
5. Audience
5.1 Public Comment - limited to five minutes per person
- None
6. Reports
6.1 City Council Liaison Report
Brookover reported:
- Possible vote at next meeting for low to moderate income housing on Albert Ave.
6.2 Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Carlson Reported:
- Friends last board meeting held on Monday September 18. Next meeting scheduled for October 16 at 5pm in 3/4 room with hybrid option.
- BookPage subscription paid for library.
- Meeting attended with Asante to discuss library funding needs.
- New fundraising event promotes $100 donations in honor of 100 year celebration of library.
- November 8 Friends will partner with library to host scholar/author from Wayne State University to speak about her book and Reconstruction.
7. Library Reports
7.1 Financial Report
Moreno Reported:
- Printed financial report was shared.
- November meeting planned for City finance staff to share budget presentation.
7.2 Director's Report
- Three new library staff introduced.
- Written report was shared.
7.3 President's Report
- None
8. Committee Reports
8.1 Subcommittee report - Permanent Director Search
- Zaagman and Smith reported on committee work. Timeline is on schedule.
- Draft position description (PD) for New Director completed and ready for input, review and approval.
- Questions asked, statements clarified and updates proposed.
- Need stated for diversity, equity and inclusion statement to be included in PD.
- Motion to authorize Search Committee to post updated Position Description including proposed board updates.
Synk moved
Asante seconded
All in favor
- Additional discussion regarding Asante's assertion that addendum be added to previous motion for language be added to PD for preferred experience to include work with and supervision/management of diverse teams/cultures.
- Motion to reconsider previous motion to add additional proposed language to PD for preferred experience to include work with and supervision/management of diverse teams/cultures.
Synk moved
Smith seconded
All in favor
9. Old Business
9.1 Strategic Plan
- Options pursued for boilerplate templates for Request for Proposals (RFPs).
- Subcommittee members Nicholson and Synk drafted RFP.
- Draft RFP to be shared with full board for action at November meeting.
9.2 Interim Director - Evaluation
- Zaagman and Synk will schedule evaluation of Interim Director.
10. New Business
10.1 Resident concerns - after school safety at library
- Overviews provided of current library climate and recent challenges with teens.
- Library staff and invited East Lansing Middle School and High School personnel shared newly approved Code of Conduct policy with teens at library assembly.
- Community forum needed for further discussion.
- Survey will be sent soon to library staff in reference to January 11 events. Responses will help inform subcommittee members and final report.
10.2 Hours of Service during MLA Conference
- Recommendation by Moreno for library to close to patrons during peak times during three days in October for staff professional development purposes.
- Questions asked to clarify rationale and details, alternative options discussed.
- Motion to close library 10/18 and 10/19 from 2-5pm and 10/20 from 2-6pm for staff professional development.
Smith moved
Asante seconded
All in favor
10.3 October - Michigan Library Appreciation Month
- Governor Whitmer signed a proclamation declaring October Michigan Library Appreciation Month.
11. Adjournment
Zaagman adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Board of Trustees
Amy Zaagman, President
Pamela Smith, Vice President
Ameenah Asante, Secretary
Shawn Nicholson
Polly Synk
City Council Liaison
George Brookover
Staff Liaison
Angelo Moreno, Interim Library Director
