April 12 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Prince Rupert Public Library

Library Board Meeting



April 12 , 2023

Present: Ronald Braun (RoB), Carolina de Ryk (CdR) , Kate Lyon (KL),Tiffany Prystay (TP), Brendan Turner (BT), Joe Zelwietro (JZ) Chief Librarian


Regrets: Richard Butler (RiB), Teri Forster (TF)


Meeting commenced at 7:00 pm.

• Traditional Tsimshian territorial acknowledgement by Chair Brendan Turner
• There was a mention of the possible formal policy statement about the Library collecting Prince Rupert Author's works. JZ had this in the March 8, 2023 meeting minutes but should have also had it in the April 14, 2023 agenda. JZ will place this in the May Agenda for Board to discuss.
• Motion to accept Consent agenda by RoB, seconded by BT, passed.

Truth and Reconciliation conversation

• How can we (Library Board and Library) honour National Indigenous Peoples Day in June?
• A possibility of promoting the CBC/PRL podcasts which should be ready by June.
• We'll try and do childrens/adult programming focusing on Indigenous people around the holiday
• There might be a way of integrating the theme of the BC Summer Reading Club Journey through Time
• We'll connect with various organizations in town (eg. Friendship House, SD52)

KL and TP and volunteer Library staff member will be involved with the above possibilities.

• Compliments for the Library Instagram postings. Good work. TP is willing to help out in our Instagram postings, possibly with Libby promotion.
• Discussion around recent successful children's programming during March break and upcoming May adult programming in partnership with SD52 and Prince Rupert Community Arts Council.
• Discussion about Library Funding for 2023. Our Library recently a significant increase in Prov funding that can be used immediately or over 3 years, depending on Library needs. As well the North Coast Regional District funding increased as well. A motion by RoB, seconded by TP that Board Chair BT will write our City Council representative TF to inquire about status of municipal funding of Library; passed.
• Board discussion about involving Library staff in implementation of Strategic Plan as well as gathering input for the next iteration of strategic plan. Trustees and staff will meet on the evening of May 1, 2023 at the Library for this discussion.
• Discussion about the Chief Librarian in the role of secretary of the Board. This role is designated by the BC Library Act to the Chief Librarian.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Next Meeting at 7pm (May 10, 2023) in the staff room in Library.