Board of Directors – April 3, 2017

In attendance were John Dubinsky, President, presiding; Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Janet Rainford, Keith Savage, Thomas F. Schlafly, David Sweeney, and Vince Volpe.

Also present were Executive Director Waller McGuire and staff members Tiffany Davis, Diane Freiermuth, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Kathy Leitle, Brenda McDonald, Sarah Parker, and Justin Struttmann; Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer; and Liz Reeves, Library Foundation.

The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Mr. Dubinsky.

Minutes:

Mr. Schlafly's motion to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2017 Board meeting, seconded by Ms. North-Murphy, was approved.

Public Comment:

Staff member Sarah Parker thanked Board Members for volunteering to be on the Library Board, noting that April includes National Library Week.

Communications:

Mr. McGuire included a report reviewing the Library Network Attack and the Library's response. A list of some of the files that were lost was also included. The Library's insurance covered $10,000 of the recovery costs. A copy of the St. Louis Business Journal article entitled "High Stakes in the Fight against Hackers" that mentions the Library attack was included in the packet.

A copy of a letter of thanks from Jim Knotts, President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was also in the packet. Mr. Knotts was thanking staff member Nancy Oliver for her help in finding photos and obituaries of every St. Louis Vietnam Veteran on the national memorial.

President's Report:

Mr. Dubinsky commented on the closing of the NLEC facility and efforts of the City to provide alternative services. Mr. McGuire mentioned several of the information resources the Library provides to anyone who needs them.

Executive Director's Report:

  • The February 2017 Executive Director's Report was included in the packets.
  • A program called "Yoga Buzz" filled the Great Hall at Central on Saturday, April l , with about 100 yoga enthusiasts.
  • Bus Shelter ads for the "World War I: My Fellow Soldiers" exhibit are installed.
  • The Manolo Valdés sculpture will be installed April I l, 2017. The Gateway Foundation is covering the cost of the installation, lighting, and insurance. The Library is planning to plant a butterfly or pollinators' garden around the sculpture next spring.
  • McGuire announced some organizational changes: l) Jon Drakesmith has been appointed as Director of Technology and he has reorganized his department and promoted two of the staff members. 2) Director of Youth Services Patty Carleton retired and Director of Branches Tiffany Davis will now oversee a reorganized Youth Services structure. 3) COO Justin Struttman has separated Public Safety from the Human Resources Department and Chiquetta Hunter is now the Manager of the Public Safety Department.
  • Louis Public Library, St. Louis County Library, and St. Charles City-County Library have agreed to work together to offer the Gale Online High School Degree Program. This online program is designed for people 22-years-old and up who want to receive high school diplomas. St. Louis Public Library is looking for donors to fund scholarships for 25 City residents.
  • The Library has been asked to work with the LENA Foundation on an early childhood initiative that works with new parents to increase the number of words a child hears at a young age.
  • The condominium agreement with Confluence Academy is progressing and they have expressed interest in leasing the first floor of the Administrative Offices.
  • Jackson presented the Financial Report and stated that the draft audit was included in the packet.
  • Reeves gave the Foundation Report stating that they have received many more RSVPs for the April 6, 2017 Friends' Reception than previous year

Unfinished Business:

Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve "A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District Authorizing and Approving a St. Louis Public Library Social Media Policy; and Approving the Actions of Certain Officers of the Library," was approved.

Ms. North-Murphy's motion, seconded by Ms. Rainford, to close Central Library at noon on November 1 8, 2017 to prepare for the Foundation Stranger than Fiction fall fundraiser, was approved.

New Business:

A draft of an updated Naming Policy is included in the packet. The update will come up for a vote at the May Board Meeting.

Mr. Savage's motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, was approved by a unanimous roll call vote.

At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Pubic Library on April 3, 2017, the following actions were taken:

Mr. Schlafly moved that the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of February 6, 2017.

MOTION APPROVED

(In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.)

Mr. Schlafly moved that the Board approve A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District Authorizing and Approving a St. Louis Public Library Social Media Policy; and Approving the Actions of Certain Officers of the Library.

MOTION APPROVED

(In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.)

Ms. North-Murphy moved   that Central Library close at noon November 1 8, 2017 for the Library Foundation Stranger than Fiction Fall Fundraiser.

MOTION APPROVED

(In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy,

Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.)

Mr. Savage moved that the Board go into Executive Session.

MOTION APPROVED

(In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Vope.)