Library Board Meeting
Present: Carolina de Ryk (CdR), Chelsea Keays (CK), Kate Lyon (KL), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Brendan Turner (BT), Dale White (DW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ, Chief Librarian)
Regrets: Nick Adey (NA), Chris Armstrong (CA)
Meeting commenced at 7:04 pm.
- Motion to accept Consent Agenda as is by BT, seconded by CK, Passed.
- Request to place two more items in Discussion Agenda:
- Mental Health concerns
- Return of Children's programming
- Discussion Agenda amended to include the above.
- Motion by SL, seconded by CK that we begin each library board meeting with a territorial acknowledgement. Passed.
- Motion that the board dedicate the first half hour of the May Library Board to consider what PR Library has already done and will do in the future to meet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations, and our own aspirations, with respect to reconciliation goals. Motion by SL and seconded KL, Passed.
- Chief Librarian Update on Library Matters.
- Ceiling repairs still undone, very recent confirmation that the delayed part has finally arrived at plumbers, we're now on their list of work to be done.
- City has begun installation of 3 computers to our heating system and it is planned that Jet Controls will shortly train staff on usage of subscription-based system-controlled software.
- Resignation of our Library Assistant-Technical staff-member has decreased the Library's technical capabilities, but so far all servers, staff workstations and technical services are working. There has not been adequate responses to our recruitment work (local Ads in newspaper, library website, social mediathus far and JZ will try other avenues recommended by trustees (talk to Vallee IT Solutions Ltd., contact CityWest technical staff, and see if UofA has a job Board).
- Discussion of the new Centennial Library card. We will consider merchandising options featuring the card art, after I get permission from the artist. One trustee recommends that we do not buy white or off-white bags as they show dirt too much. Another trustee mentioned that it's possible that SD52 (or individual parties within SD52) might purchase merchandise with indigenous art for gifts to speakers/presenters.
- Discussion of PRL Centennial waive of overdue fines. This began on April 2 and will continue until at least Dec. 31, 2022. There have been positive comments given to staff about this action.
- Informed the Board that we are near completion of the Children's Non-Fiction refresh. This will hopefully increase our circulation statistics of Juvenile/Children's Non-Fiction.
- We resumed opening Thursday evenings on April 7. This means that we are now back to our regular pre-COVID hours of operation.
- We discussed the importance of Mental Health supports for all. Specifically, we considered how to help patrons who were experiencing mental health distress while in the Library while taking the care burden off Library staff. SD52 has a 'mental health nurse outreach' program and BT will talk to one of the nurses to see if they can do something helpful at the Public Library.
- A couple of trustees wanted to know when and what childrens programming will occur at the Library. We will most likely start in-house programs (our Tales for Twos and Story Hour programs) in the Fall, assuming no COVID comeback. CK would like to see a '0-2 years old' program added to our programming. JZ, staff and CK will follow up on this and come up with something. As well, KL thought that some local Early Childhood Education workers might be able to assist us in this endeavour.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 pm. Next Meeting at 7pm (May 11, 2022). It will be a Zoom/in-person hybrid.
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