HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-03 LBOT Minutes AmendedBoard of Library Trustees Minutes: June 3, 2020 1
PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
MINUTES
Palm Springs Public Library June 3, 2020
Teleconference via Zoom
1. CALL TO ORDER
President McBride called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL PRESENT
Craig Borba Yes
David Kelly Yes
Ed McBride Yes
Kathy Weremiuk Yes
STAFF PRESENT: Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services.
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Julie Warren, Library Services and Public Relations Manager.
PUBLIC PRESENT: Grace Garner, Palm Springs City Councilmember; Nanci Morrison, Friends of the
Library; David Sidley, Palm Springs Public Library Foundation.
2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4. A. Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2020
4. B. Library Statistics
MOTION: (Borba/Kelly, 3-0) To approve the consent agenda.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
5. A. Friends of the Palm Springs Library
Nanci Morrison gave the report. The Friends received the following grants: $2,500 from the Grace
Spearman Foundation, $5,000 from US Bank, and $11,500 from the Anderson Children’s Foundation.
The Friends did a Go Fund Me account and held a fundraiser with Blaze Pizza. They approved $1,200
for PPE for the Library once it reopens.
Trustee Weremiuk arrived at this time.
5. B. Palm Springs Public Library Foundation
David Sidley gave the report. The executive committee of the Foundation met with Director Kays to
discuss the Library budget shortfalls and how the Foundation can help. The Foundation will submit a
request to the Library Board regarding the expiration of the loan. President McBride will work with
Director Kays and the City Attorney to determine what needs to be done if the Board decides to extend
the loan. The Library Board will hold a special meeting to discuss this topic on Wednesday, June 17,
2020.
Board of Library Trustees Minutes: June 3, 2020 2
5. C. Library Staff
• Library-A-Go-Go pickup service started on May 26, 2020 with 757 checkouts during those five
days. Limited to five items per person. Adapted process to improve service.
• Friends of the Library received $11,500 from Anderson Children’s Foundation to fund our Books
for Kids grant. Those books will be given away during Summer Reading Program.
• Summer Reading Program begins Monday, June 8 and is virtual through a program called
Beanstack. Every library in California received a 3-year subscription to Beanstack through a
statewide grant.
• All ages can participate in Summer Reading. There are 20 activities for each age group to
encourage STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
• Received a $5,000 grant from California State Library for Acorn TV streaming.
• Applying for an IMLS CARES Act grant for staffing and services.
• Partnering with PSUSD to help promote Summer Reading Program via texting and calling
families. Friends of the Palm Springs Library gifting a $500 prize to the school with the most
reading. Summer Reading Program and all outreach is in English and Spanish.
6. TREASURERS REPORT
Treasurer Kelly reported the Library Trust Fund balance is $1,933,101.18. Director Kays included a
memorandum in the Board packet explaining how the Friends of the Library book sale earnings are
processed through the City.
MOTION: (Weremiuk/Borba, 4-0) The Treasurer give an Annual report of the Library Endowment
every October or November.
7. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7. A. Update on Library Budget and Current Services
Directory Kays gave the report. The employee unions agreed to defer their cost of living allowance to
help save 22 positions within the City. The City Council asked the City to bring back a proposed budget
to the June 11 Council meeting for discussion. The budget will go back to City Council on June 25 for
public hearing and Council will have a final vote. In the proposed budget, going to City Council on June
11 the City saved five of the proposed cut positions the Library. The Library is expected to lose three
positions; one fulltime position and two quarter time positions. The Library’s operating budget is expected
to be impacted $170,000 with the largest cuts coming from book and media budgets. After the June 25
Council meeting the Library will have fundraising requests to help supplement the book and media
budgets. Treasurer Kelly asked if the Library Trust Fund is part of the City’s reserves.
Assistant City Manager Marcus Fuller joined at this time.
Marcus Fuller said the Library Trust Funds are set aside and are completely controlled by the Library
Board; it is not included in the general fund reserves.
MOTION: (Weremiuk/no second) that the Library Board is willing to assist the Library with
collections and programming up to the $83,000 shortfall.
Motion failed as there was no second.
MOTION: (Borba/Weremiuk, 4-0) Director Kays will come back to the Library Board with a
proposal of funds needed so the Library Board can partner with the Friends and possibly the
Foundation to assist with the shortfall.
Board of Library Trustees Minutes: June 3, 2020 3
7. B. Trust Fund Financials
Treasurer Kelly discussed the draft letter he proposed sending to Nancy Pauley the Director of Finance.
The letter requests that the Library Endowment be turned over to the Library Board. Amended to remove:
This draft was written after Treasurer Kelly wrote an email to Nancy Pauley asking if the Library
Endowment is part of the City’s reserves and he did not get a response from her. Amended to add: This
draft was written after Treasurer Kelly wrote an email to Nancy Pauley asking if the Library Endowment
is part of the City’s reserves and he did not get the assurance he was looking for.
MOTION: (Kelly/Borba, 4-0) To request via letter by President McBride that Marcus Fuller put in
writing his assurances to the Board of Trustees that the Library Endowment is indeed segregated
from other general fund monies and therefore is safe from being used to finance any budget deficits
that the City is currently experiencing.
7. C. Report of Advocacy Task Force
President McBride gave the report. The task force made up of representatives from the Library Board,
Friends, Foundation, and Palm Springs School District met. From the meeting a partnership between
the Library and School District was formed; the School District will help promote the Summer Reading
Program.
7. D. Welwood Patio update
Director Kays gave the report. Work on the patio has started; they have pulled up the pavers and are
laying the foundation for the wall around the air conditioner units. The Welwood is closed currently for
COVID and in the proposed budget the Welwood would remain closed.
7. E. PR Campaign update
Julie Warren gave the report. The Library did three weeks of radio ads to promote our online services
and Library A-Go-Go service. A proposal for an additional media campaign was included in the Board
packet. They cost of the additional media campaign is still within the original approved budget.
8. TRUSTEE/STAFF COMMENTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Special meeting on June 17 to discuss the Foundation note. Councilmember Garner thanked everyone
for what they are doing with the Library. She grew up going to the Library is willing to help out in anyway
including programming.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The June meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Jeannie Kays
Director of Library Services