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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 2021.04.211 Burlingame Library Approved Board of Trustees Minutes April 20, 2021 I. Roll Call Trustees Present: Kristin Capkin, Danielle Garcia, Randi Murray, Mike Nagler, Elisabeth Ostrow Staff Present: Brad McCulley, City Librarian Sidney Poland, Recorder II. Library Board of Trustees Minutes The Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the March 16, 2021 Trustee Meeting. M/S/C (Murray/Nagler) III. Statistics A. Children's Statistics Brad emphasized all the effort that the children's staff puts into preparing the book bundles. Parents/Children request a specific theme such as books on dogs. In March 349 book bundles were assembled. which indicates how popular this service is to both the parents and the children. The Children's staff feel that because the library is closed due to COVID this is a substitute for children and parents selecting the books together. B. Adult Services Statistics • Kanopy has 400 plays which is a decent amount. If usage increases, the cost of the service will increase. • Pronounciater- Pronounciater is a PLS investment. Previously The library used Mango but it was replaced by Pronounciater due to cost. • Tutor.com - Trustee Ostrow expressed that she would like to see Tutor.com used by students more often. Only two sessions were reported for March. Brad noted that staff has tried to promote this program but for some reason it has never achieved popularity with students. The students interact with the tutor by typing questions and answers back and forth which could be a hindrance to the students. • Contracts/Usage - The library has contracts with Pronounciater and Tutor.com which have to expire before changes to a different entity can be made. • Art Programs - Art programs will be on hold for awhile, as Brenda Chavez who just retired, oversaw these programs. A recruitment for Brenda's position is underway. 2 IV. Foundation Report The Foundation found out last week that the space they were using at 240 Lorton has been rented as of June 1st. Brad thinks that it will be possible to have donations brought to the library as we are loosening restrictions and coming out of cohorts. The City is apprehensive about having extra people in the library. V. Public Comment - Connor Lundy A. Brad received a letter from Connor Lundy which he read to the Trustees. To Mr. McCulley and the Library Board of Trustees: I am writing to encourage you all to expedite the opening date of the library. The residents of Burlingame have been without a library for 13 months. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the decision to open is based on California Department of Public Health Guidelines or the San Mateo County Public Health guidelines. San Mateo County is currently in the orange tier and will likely be in the yellow tier very soon. It is a shame the library is not already open for some capacity of in-person services. Public Health guidelines should be the primary resource for guiding this decision. Mr. McCulley had corresponded with me suggesting worker's comp liability issues and OSHA guidelines were at play. What specific workers comp and OSHA issue applies only to the Burlingame library and not the other county libraries that are already open, businesses that are open, etc? It is unfortunate that the residents of Burlingame are not being provided more library services when shopping malls, movie theaters, gyms, churches and offices are allowed to open. When the pandemic began, "essential businesses" were allowed to stay open. Now, everything else is opening and the library remains closed. You all are effectively classifying the library as the least essential element in our community by staying closed. Thanks for your consideration, Sincerely, Connor Lundy B. Comments to Mr. Lundy's Letter • California State and San Mateo County Public Health Guidelines are not the only criteria under consideration that affect the Library's reopening plans. • The City Manager, City Attorney, and Human Resources Director have tangible liability concerns regarding the Library's reopening based on a State Assembly Bill passed in the early days of COVID that trigger Workman's Comp and OSHA issues. • Each City and County are interrupting the State Assembly Bill according to the guidelines of their specific entity. 3 VI. Update 0n Reopening the Library The Trustees reviewed the tentative Reopening Plan and BPL Code of Conduct. Highlights of the discussion follow. • The library is tentatively scheduled to open sometime in June. • The Fire Marshall gave us a quote of 117 people in the building at one time. 100 patrons will be allowed in the building and 17 staff. • Tentative hours will be12-6 Monday-Friday - 12-4 Sat. • HVAC is adequate for the entire building. HVAC will be updated during reopening. • Bathrooms will not be monitored. • Patrons will be required to wear masks, temperatures will be taken, and social distancing required. • Patrons will probably be given an hour to select materials. • Announcements will be made to remind patrons of their responsibilities such as social distancing etc. • Hourly staff has been contacted to determine availability for hours they are offered. • Staff is asked, if possible, to be aware of what concerns or problems libraries that have opened might be having. • Our quarantine for returned books is currently 48 hours. Probably will be reduced to zero by the time we open. San Francisco does not quarantine its return books anymore. VII. 7 Member Board of Trustees A. 7 Member Board The Trustees revisited the possibility of a 7 member board for the purpose of creating more diversity in its membership. The members continued to feel that this was not the best time to make this change based on the fact that they could not communicate effectively with the public during the pandemic. B. Advisory Council to Trustees /Town Hall Trustee Murray suggested having an Advisory Council to the Trustees maybe twice a year when the public could come to a meeting and ask questions and raise issues relating to the Library. A Town Hall meeting after the Library fully opens would be another alternative. VIII. Action Items A. Brad will contact Bill Nagle and make arrangements for him to attend the May meeting to discuss his findings regarding the Library's Portfolio with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. (Agenda Item) B. At the May Meeting the Trustees will discuss qualifications they would like to have in a Trustee. (Agenda Item) . IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm. The next meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be held on May18, 2021 at 5:30pm. 4 Respectfully Submitted /S/ Brad McCulley City Librarian Burlingame Public Library