Library Board of Trustees Agenda and Packet 2020 09 10

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A. Little Library update. President Gurganis proposed that all Board members adopt an individual library to maintain rather than the rotating schedule of maintenance that had been previously used. This policy was adopted by general consensus. B. Library Staff Appreciation. The Library staff have excelled in a difficult situation under the COVID-19 restrictions. President Gurganis proposed a recognition of Library staff, which was accepted. Jeannie Shuman agreed to be the point of contact for that effort. C. Policy Suggestion. Phase out use of Facebook. Board member Chamberlin proposed a policy change that the Library cease the use of Facebook, due to Facebook's consistent failure to stop the spread of hate speech and speech which promotes the infringement of human rights. He proposed that the Library shift its outreach methods to other outlets, including email. The Board discussed this issue, and weighed the current strength of Facebook as an outreach tool for the Library in the context of the isolation caused by COVID-19 against the identified issues. While acknowledging the issues identified by member Chamberlin, the Board felt that the current situation meant that the Library should not close communication lines. Director Nemechek proposed that the Library may review their social media approach and strategy in the fall after the launch of the new Library website, and that this review should consider questions of what outlets work best to reach different demographics as well as whether current outlets fit with the Library's needs and strategies. IX. Ongoing Business A. Superior Board of Trustees Update. Trustee Shah updated the board on the developing Superior Community Space. Director Nemechek flagged a need to coordinate with the Superior Board due to changes in the planned library pickup lockers. Trustee Shah updated the Board on decisions made by the Superior Board on planning decisions made around the 88th street connection between Louisville and Superior B. Library Foundation Liason Report. President Gurganus reported on the financial health of the Foundation, which due to diversified investments had performed well in the midyear downtown. The Foundation has been the recipient of a publicly organized and led donation drive focused on increasing collections to respond to current community issues, build cultural familiarity and an appreciation of diversity, and extend the number of high -demand cases. The Foundation is setting up an account in Colorado Gives to participate in Colorado Gives Day. All Read Baby Read packets distributed in early 2020 have been given out, and the first pickup of the board book took place. The Foundation has also launched a community haiku project designed to capture a record in poetry of Louisville's COVID-19 experience. X. Directors Report A. Staffing and budget: the library furloughed 14 in April but as of July were able to bring back 2 senior clerks. Two Adult Service Librarian positions are frozen, but one candidate has taken another position. The overall Library budget has been reduced by 20% with a collection reduction of 30%. Budget planning for 2021 starts with this reduced number but Director Nemecheck would like to prioritize a slow increase in staff. Trustee Shah pointed out that budget cuts by Louisville had implications for the relative budget distribution between Superior and Louisville. Director Nemechek referred to the IGA, which identifies municipal contributions on the basis of mill levies. This issue was referred to further discussion between city managers.