February 15 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Prince Rupert Public Library

Library Board Meeting



February 15, 2023


Present: Ronald Braun (RoB), Richard Butler (RiB), Teri Forster (TF), ,Carolina de Ryk, (CdR), Tiffany Prystay (TP), Brendan Turner (BT), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)


Regrets: Kate Lyon (KL)


Meeting commenced at 7:06 pm.

• Traditional territorial acknowledgement by BT
• Re: Consent Agenda: Jan. circulation report: Question to JZ about the significantly higher WiFi numbers in January 2023 then Dec. 2022 numbers. JZ will take this question back to reporting staff and return to Board with answer.
• Motion to accept Consent agenda with JZ's action to inquire about WiFi numbers difference by RiB, 2nded by RoB.
• Truth and Reconciliation Discussion, today's focus is the All-Native Basketball Tournament (ANBT) and it's impact on community and Library. Here are comments:
• CdR: T&R discussion fits our inclusivity mandate, Promote the Library by welcoming
  tourney athletes, family and fans.
• JZ: we see new faces, more WiFi (public computer users), more general foot traffic
• RoB: we could talk to the ANBT administration and see if there are archival opportunities for us or PRCity and Regional Archives
• TF: "I was volunteering at this weeks PRL book sale and I saw lots of new faces visiting the Library as well".
• RiB: We could consider coordinating Book Sale and ANBT for next year.
• TF: I want to thank the Library staff for their kind, helpfulness towards the Book Sale volunteers
• TP: We could different window decorations for the ANBT
• Question from TF about PRL accepting book donations. Simple answer is that, in general we do not accept book donations EXCEPT for certain exceptions. Primarily due to the reality that we have to send the majority of discards, un-accepted donations to the landfill. BC recycling regulations do not require recycling facilities to accept books. We are looking at two new options: 1. Book guillotine and 2. EmptyShelves Inc. book purchase possibility.
• Discussion about our trustees doing zoom/online BCLTA training. Right now trustees would like to hold off until the next two trustees are chosen so that everyone is 'on the same page'.
• Comment by RiB: I saw the PRL 2022 circulation story in The Northern View and I want to encourage us to keep doing both digital and print promotion.
• Motion by RoB, seconded by CdR:
  That the Strategic Plan committee work with JZ to finalize the document by late February. The Strategic Plan committee will distribute the final version to the full Board for review (typos correction but no new content) and then have a motion at the March Board mtg for acceptance of the plan. Concurrently have Board-staff meeting(s) to get input from PRL staff for the next iteration of the strategic plan.
• Another agenda item for March meeting: How to best roll out Strategic Plan to the community.

Motion to adjourn at 8:03 pm, by CdR, seconded by TF, passed.

Next Meeting at 7pm March 8.