Board of Trustees Regular Session Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Present: Sage Fitch, Traci Black, Vicki Matsumori, Pepper Pehrson, Brent Gardner, Dustin Lewis, Nick Skene
Excused:
Others: Kim Fong, Murray Library Director; Julia Pehrson, Murray Library Assistant Director; Brittney Casad, Murray Library Staff
- Call to Order:
President Black called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
- Approval of Minutes:
The minutes for the August 2019 meeting were approved, as written, on a motion made by Vicki Matsumori and seconded by Vice President Pehrson. Voting was unanimous in favor.
- Public Comment:
None
- Financial Reports:
20% of the year has lapsed. Director Fong reported that the library is keeping on or below budget. President Black asked if there were any unexpected building expenses over the summer. Assistant Director Pehrson responded that the curbs got painted, but otherwise no major costs. Vice President Pehrson inquired as to whether the construction next door has caused any problems and the answer was just some minor shaking. A motion to receive and file the financial reports was made by Vice President Pehrson and seconded by Brent Gardner. Voting was unanimous in favor.
- New Library Report:
Director Fong stated that the Library Board has been scheduled to be on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole City Council Meeting on October 1, 2019. The tentative time will be at 5:15 p.m. The Mayor has asked to speak with Director Fong, President Black and Vice President Pehrson on September 27, 2019 to discuss what will be brought up at the City Council meeting. Director Fong said that both meetings will be a discussion, not a presentation. Dustin Lewis had a question about if there is some time to explore other options for a building site selection. Director Fong responded that the City Council wants the Library on land that doesn’t belong to someone else and would prefer a decision to be made within 5 years.
- Board Reports:
None
- Director’s Report:
Director Fong reported that the entire month of October will be Amnesty Month. If patrons with lost items on their account bring back the items in usable condition, then they will have all fines and fees related to that item waived. Patrons must bring the items to the front desk. Director Fong stated that this will be advertised in the Murray Journal and on Murray Library’s social media. President Black had a question about expanding the scope of advertising, such as with KUER or flyers through the school district. Director Fong responded that more options would be considered. Dustin Lewis asked if there were any statistics about how many people don’t come back to the library because of their fines. Assistant Director Pehrson stated that there were some from a prior board meeting.
Director Fong commented that the Golden Library Card program started on September 16, 2019. In order to receive the special gold card, patrons must read 50 books in one year. Privileges for completing this program are being able to check out 75 items and put 20 items on hold at a time. Vice President Pehrson asked if the program is for adults only and the answer was yes. Director Fong stated that she would like to also have quarterly celebrations for the patrons who complete the program. President Black asked if patrons get to keep the golden library card forever once completed. Assistant Director Pehrson responded that patrons can keep the special card, but the privileges go away unless 50 books are read by the patron every year.
Director Fong also reported that automatic renewal is arriving in the next couple of weeks. Only one auto-renewal will be made by the system. Vice President Pehrson had a question about if the system will send a notice to the patron saying that the item has renewed and the answer was yes.
- Old Business:
The City Attorney will give a presentation on Murray Library’s lease with Murray School District on October 1, 2019 at the Committee of the Whole City Council Meeting.
- New Business:
- Halloween Early Closure
Director Fong stated that Murray Library has closed early the past couple of years because very few patrons come into the library on Halloween. The Library would close at 6 p.m. President Black made a motion to approve the early closure of the library. This was seconded by Sage Fitch and voting was unanimous in favor.
- Change of Date for October Board Meeting
President Black stated that the October meeting set for October 16 is during Fall Break, which causes scheduling conflicts for a majority on the Library Board. Vice President Pehrson made a motion to move the meeting from October 16 to October 23. This was seconded by Vicki Matsumori and voting was unanimous in favor.
- Executive Session
A motion to close the meeting to discuss the character and competency of an individual was made by Vice President Pehrson and seconded by Sage Fitch. Voting was unanimous in favor. The meeting was closed at 6:24 p.m.
A motion to reopen the meeting was made by Dustin Lewis and seconded by Vice President Pehrson. Voting was unanimous in favor. The meeting was reopened at 7:19 p.m.
- Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn was made by Sage Fitch and seconded by Nick Skene. Voting was unanimous in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.