November 8 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Prince Rupert Public Library

Library Board Meeting



November 8, 2023

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

Regrets: Kate Lyon (KL)

Meeting commenced at 7:02 pm.

Traditional territorial welcome: BT

• From the Discussion agenda - Dr. Rob Buchan (Prince Rupert City Manager) wished to speak to the Library Board in-camera
• Motion to go to in-camera by BT, seconded by RoB to receive information from the City Manager, passed.
• In-camera minutes attached to trustees copy of the Minutes ONLY
• Consent agenda - Motion to accept consent agenda by RiB, seconded by RoB, passed.
• JZ to distribute revised PRL policy manual, if and when policy manual is revised once Collection Policy Book challenge form is altered.

Truth and Reconciliation Discussion:

• Today is National Indigenous Veterans' Day
• PRL has been altering it's collections, specifically some 'residential schools' items that have been historically classified under DDS (Dewey Decimal System) under (education, curriculum, pedagogy) under the 390s and we've moved them to the 970s (North American and Canadian history) to better reflect the residential school system and it's impact. As well some books in the 299s (mythology) are being weeded and/or relocated to to other areas depending on their content and authenticity.
• we discussed how MT and JZ were reviewing our present book challenge policy and form.
• We are working with Sitka and the BC Co-op in replacing old subject headings with more respectful and inclusive subject headings.

Focus on Strategic Plan goal: PRL establishing more community partnerships

• PRL representatives have been working with City's Accessibility Committee
• A new project with PRGA (Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association) has begun. We are supporting the PRGA in their Northern Health funding application to create and then circulate 'Seniors Mobility kits' here at the Library.
• JZ will be meeting with the new Executive Director of the Museum of Northern British Columbia in early January.

Discussion Agenda

• City put out a RFP (Request For Proposal) for the work to be done on the Library's Heating system and the RFP closes November 8, 2023
• City is looking for a grant to fund purchase of further carpet tiles and installation of all carpet tiles as well.
• Motion to go to in-camera by re: Labour relations by BT, seconded by TF, passed.
• Capital cost concerns discussion will be on the "Matters under consideration" for the January 2024 meeting.
• The trustees offered congratulations to Council Representative TF for being awarded the Governor General's gold medal for her thesis (Environmental sustainability in health care) in her Masters' of Arts and Leadership degree from Royal Roads University.
• The costs of the Christmas party are to be distributed like this:
1. The Library will not be responsible for any alcoholic drinks for anyone.
2. The Library will pay for the Library staff-members food, drinks, their portion of the taxes and gratuity.
3. The Library will pay for the same elements for the staff-member's single guest. If the staff-member wishes to bring more than 1 guest (i.e. friends, children, etc) the other guests' food, drink, gratuity, taxes will be the responsibility of the staff-member.
4. Trustees will be responsible for their entire costs and those costs their single guest. Again, if trustees wish to bring more than 1 guest, the trustee will be responsible for that guest as well.
5. Trustee Teri Forster has stated that she will be the responsible party for all of the trustees, but not for the guests of the trustees.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:20 pm.

Next Meeting at 7pm (Jan. 10, 2023)