2019-05-14 Library Board MinutesA. CALL TO ORDER
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MEETING
EI Segundo Public Library
Rose Garden Room
111 West Mariposa Avenue
EI Segundo, CA 90245
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Board President Sara Whelan called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Board Members Present:
Carol Ericson, David Jonta, Janice Merva, Kristie Sherrill, and Sara Whelan
City Staff:
Melissa McCollum, Library Director, and Jessie LeMay, Executive Assistant
Others:
Joanne Gen, EI Segundo School District Librarian, and Michael Kreski, Arts and Culture
Advisory Committee Member
Note: David advised he had to leave no later than 7:40 p.m.
C. PRESENTATIONS
1. Cultural Development Fund
Michael Kreski, member of the City of EI Segundo Arts and Culture Advisory Committee,
presented the Committee's proposal for creation of a Cultural Development Fund to
increase public art and programming in California. He explained the goals set forth by the
Committee as well as related community benefits. He added that because the arts and
cultural programs are a major contributor to the city's quality of life, attracting and retaining
creative people and businesses will help grow the creative economy of the City of EI
Segundo [per Beacon Economics Creative Economy Report 2019). He explained the steps
involved in the proposal, i.e., (a) the development fee imposed on commercial and industrial
building projects valued at $500,000 and over, (b) the different levels of city approval, (c)
fund administration, and (d) which projects and programs will be funded. Michael, Melissa
and the Board had further discussions about the fund proposal, which will be considered by
the City Council at an upcoming meeting.
Melissa reminded the Board that she and Julie Todd, Adult Services Manager, have been
serving as liaisons for the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for a year. She said that if
this fund moves forward it will likely be created as a special expenditure account within the
Library Services Department that will be administrated in coordination with the other City
departments, including Finance, Planning, and Public Works, in addition to the Arts and
Culture Advisory Committee and the City Attorney's Office.
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D. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS —None
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Library Board Meeting of March 12, 2019:
MOTIONED by Kristie Sherrill and SECONDED by Carol Ericson to approve the minutes.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
F. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS — None
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Strateaic Planning
The Board was given a copy of the City's Strategic Plan for 2019 to 2021. This document
contains all of the goals, objectives and activities in the current strategic plan as well as the
status of each activity.
In anticipation of the upcoming 2019-2020 Strategic Planning and Budget Sessions,
Melissa asked for feedback from the Board about proposed goals and objectives of the
Library. Initial proposed goals included: (1) Expand Teen Services, (2) Expand Early
Literacy Service, (3) Create a fine -free Children's Library Card, (4) Redesign Website, (5)
Integrate Library System Upgrades, (6) "Activate" Library Park, (7) Expand Community
Outreach, (8) Upgrade Facilities, (9) Implement the Cultural Development Fund, (10)
Develop staff, and (11) Develop Multi-year Strategic Plan.
Additional initiatives suggested by the Board included: (a) Implement Self -Checkout
downstairs, (2) Add Night Programming (all ages), (3) Increase Collaboration with the
Recreation and Parks Department, and (4) Expand Library Programming.
After discussion and voting to establish priorities, the Board determined that these are their
four top priorities for FY 2019-2020: (1) Expand Community Outreach, (2) Expand Early
Literacy Services, (3) Activate Library Park, and (4) Redesign Website.
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Book to Action
Chair Sara Whelan and Library Director Melissa McCollum provided fundraising and
programming updates related to Book to Action plans for May 2019. Currently, the total
donation received is $6,000, including $2,500 received from the Kiwanis Club today but
overall still short by $2,500. The mural has been moved inside the library's Community
Room due to community input received, which was not supportive of the original location
(exterior of the library). Melissa said the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and other
partners are supportive of moving forward with the mural in the alternate location. She and
Sara shared the first draft of the mural drawing, called "Portals to Memory," and created by
Artist Nanibah Chacon. The design was developed after a community listening session and
conversations with Artist Mercedes Dorame.
In addition to the listening session, two interactive mural workshops with the artist for teens
and adults will be held on Saturday, May 25. A few spots are left. Please see Melissa if
interested. Also, a discussion of There, There by Tommy Orange with LMU professor
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Nicolas Rosenthal who specializes in Native American studies will be held on Wednesday,
May 29. Tongva artist Mercedes Dorame will create her art installation in the repurposed
copier room on Wednesday, May 15. A Mural Dedication Ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m.,
Wednesday, May 29.
A huge "thank you" was extended to Sara for her fundraising efforts.
2. Fine Foraiveness Month
Melissa said she was pleased to announce that the Fine Forgiveness Month program was
very successful. Mark Herbert, Support Services Manager, prepared a report that showed
the breakdown of accounts and fines waived for both adult and youth. To summarize, for
the month of April 2019, fines were waived for 1,628 accounts which had a total of
$7,882.58. Some 179 accounts were unblocked (29 adult and the remainder children).
The next step, according to Melissa, is to propose a fine -free library card for children. Late
fees or fines for overdue books would be waived so that every child is able to use the library
and borrow a book at any time. Since revenue is involved the proposal will have to go to
City Council for approval, preferably after the budget session in June. However, there is an
option of finding a potential donor to cover the cost of $10,000 in forgiveness fines. Sari
suggested approaching the Ed! Foundation for financial support.
MOTIONED by Kristie to propose a fine -free children's card. SECONDED by Janice.
Motion carried 4/0.
REPORTS — LIBRARY DIRECTOR (No Board Action Required)
1. Discussion of Library Programs. Services. Budaet. Material Collections. Facility
Maintenance. Personnel Chanaes. and Other Items Related to the Administration of
the El Sequndo Public Library.
Melissa reminded the Board to submit Form 700 and the upcoming Strategic Planning
Surveys to the City Clerk's office. She announced that the terms of two Board members are
ending on June 30, 2019. To reapply, please submit your applications to Mishia Jennings at
City Hall as soon as possible, Melissa said. Interviews will be held on May 21 and June 4.
Melissa announced that the City's Strategic Planning Session will be held on Tuesday, June
11, at 11 a.m. in the Joslyn Center, and the first budget session with the City Council will be
held on Friday, June 14, at 8 a.m. in the Council Chambers.
Melissa reported on the following updates:
Staffing —Adult Services Librarian Kristina Kora-Beckman was selected as the City of EI
Segundo Employee of the Year. She will be recognized at a Rotary luncheon in June.
Melissa highlighted Kristina's accomplishments from last year. A new children's librarian,
Kristen Morrell, joined the library in April, She's known for her innovative library
programming, including Baby Storytime and STEAM activities, Melissa said.
Teen/Adult Services — Registration for the Adult Summer Reading Program will begin on
June 14 while the Teen Summer Reading Program registration is in development. The
popular Literary Tea program will be held on June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Library Art Walk — Several events are beina olanned:
June 20: Nanibah Chacon's Book to Action Mural, ESMoA's Experience 41:OZ in Reading
Lounge, and the Mercedes Dorame installation in new "Room of Requirement."
July 18: Derrick Anderson, current bassist for The Bangles and a photographer, will have
his photos on display. He will also perform some of his songs.
August 15: Songwriters in the round featuring Manda Mosher, formerly in Calico, as well as
other songwriter/musicians, will perform their songs and discuss their musical processes.
Partnership with Recreation and Parks and Park Vista — A series of 10 topics related to
aging mastery will begin on Thursday, May 30, and finish in July. The same series will be
offered at the main library beginning in August. Adult Librarians Julie Todd and Kristina
Kora-Beckman will lead this program.
Tech Trouble Shootina at Joslvn Center — iPhone/iPad basics for seniors will be on
Saturday, June 15, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Rose Garden Room — Drop-in art activities for high school teens ongoing. A sofa was
added to existing furniture in the room. More enhancements are planned for the Rose
Garden Room and the Teen Zone.
Youth Services — Plans for the Summer Reading Program, including recruiting sponsors
and designing program materials, are ongoing. This year's theme is "It's Showtime at Your
Library." A children's art activity will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, during the mural
dedication in the Sue Carter Community Room.
Melissa shared a copy of the library's June 2019 programming calendar.
J. REPORTS – SCHOOL DISTRICT (No Board Action Required)
1. Report on the School Libraries. Includina those at EI Segundo Hiqh School, Center
Street Elementary School. Richmond Street Elementary School. and the Middle
School.
a. Library Director's Report
Melissa reported on the following updates:
Class visits in the elementary schools are slowing down as the end of the school year
nears. May 17 will be the last day for checkouts at the elementary and middle schools.
Checkouts will continue at the High School Library through summer school.
Special thank you to school library staff for helping students and families take advantage
of Fine Forgiveness Month. Together they waived overdue fees on 857 children's
accounts and unblocked 103. The main library waived overdue fees on an additional
771 accounts and unblocked 76 more.
b. School District Librarian's Report
Joanne reported that the Ed! Foundation and the EI Segundo Community Band each
held an event this past weekend to raise money for the EI Segundo Unified School
District. Both organizations are involved in fundraising to support the school's various
academic programs as well as the arts (band classes).
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K. REPORTS — PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (No Board Action Required)
1. Resort on Book Sates, Donations. Historical Committee Activities. Soecial Events.
and Other Matters Related to Friends of the Library Business.
a. President's Report
On behalf of Friends President Brenda Ross, Sari Brann reported that the Friends
participated in the Hometown Fair and sold CDs, DVDs and books. They will be at the
Farmer's Market this Thursday and on another date in July. The Friends Membership
Drive begins in June and Sari encouraged everyone to join or renew. Renewal notices
will be mailed in the beginning of June.
b. History Committee Resort
Sari Brann, History Committee Chair, thanked everyone who came by and supported the
photo sale. She said they sold all but 15 pieces. Sally Martin of Studio Antiques agreed
to sell the remaining photographs for the History Committee. They made approximately
$400, which will go back to the History Committee. Sari also said that she is pleased
with the newly -painted history room.
Sara requested that Sari thank the Friends of the Library Board on her behalf for being
supportive of the mural, managing donations for the project, and facilitating payments to
the artists.
L. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Carol Ericsson reported that she will be attending the 3m Annual Romance Author Day on
Saturday, May 18, in Anaheim. There will be book signings, panels and readings. Carol said
she will report back about the event. She also mentioned that she just published a new book.
M. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to adiourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in the Rose Garden Room,
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