Here's a link to today's agenda: spirit.indypl.org/boardMeetingAd…

The public is invited to view/listen to the Regular Meeting via a YouTube live stream link which will be available on the Library’s website prior to the start of the Meeting as follows: indypl.org/about-the-libr…

Meeting called to order at 6:31 PM

We have a full quorum. Pres. Hope Tribble opened the meeting with a thank you to the women as she honors Women's History Month

Pres. Tribble commends the team involved with the strategic plan development and implementation during this critical planning process.

Marion McFadden Memorial Series speaker Misty Copeland is thanked and honored for her participation in this annual event as she accepted the Vonnegut Award.

Signatures are still requested to support the IPL license plate petition and sign at the front desk of your local library.

Ms. Rhonda Oliver, Lawrence Branch Manager, is reporting on their community and services.

Fun facts: Lawrence Library started in a postal office and is managed by the city of Indianapolis not the town of Lawrence.

Renovations taking place in 2020 left the library closed during the year until November. The library underwent sweeping changes.

Lawrence Library served 81k people with the Fort Ben Library last year and serves 41k on its on

2023: 147k visitors and 494k checkouts (circulation)

Serves as 3rd hangout for LN students

Lawrence Library provides multiple language support including braille readings. They are proud of a braille text for the coming eclipse.

There are plenty of audio book options including Vox Books "Books that Talk"

Adult & Family Programs: Computer Workshops, Musical Concerts, Creative Writing for Seniors, and Culinary Book Club which is a new opportunity

Youth Programs: Story Times, PJ Story Time, Paws to Read, Romp & Stomp, & Teen Zone

Partnerships & Outreach: North Shadeland Alliance, Fort Harrison State Park, Faith Presbyterian, City of Indianapolis, Binford Farmers Market and others

Ms. Oliver credits the teen zone to an idea that comes from the Pike Library and thanks the library community for the great ideas and planning. It is important to focus on that group as they become the next group of adults per Ms. Oliver

Dr. Payne asks if there is a connection with the Heartland Film Festival as Ms. Oliver lets her know that's part of the Fort Bend footprint now since the splitting of the customer base between libraries

Dr. White asks if there are readings specifically for the teens and Ms. Oliver lets him know there is a graphic novel book club for them specifically but that their needs are unique

English Conversation Circle has been created for the world's languages program for non-native English speaking patrons

The braille collection is a point of importance for marketing as it's new and not known by many yet

Ms. Michelle Sharp, Area Resource Manager – Adult Services, will give the Presentation on the IndyPL Adult Programming and Services

Racial Community Actions plans have increased from 2 in 2023 to 8 in 2024

Digital Inclusion Team has seen much success with their digital programs trainings over programs like Photoshop

Immigrant Outreach recently put on a Lunar New Year Celebration to honor Chinese Americans

Class sizes are limited to provide the support each individual needs without leaving anyone behind

Meet Your Neighbor: Refugee 101 is a new class offering

Soulful Journey from Adult Specialist, Jill Edwards is new program as well and receiving rave reviews.

"Reframing Aging for a New Generation" invites active-agers and those serving the 50+ community to explore the concept of the "longevity dividend".

Virtual author talks occur monthly through the Library Speakers Consortium

New financial literacy programs have been introduced that handle retirement, long-term care, and estate planning

Program locations hinge on several factors. The speaker may have a zip code focus. Space is significant. Community branches are a primary destination focus. Public transportation is considered. Budgetary concerns come up too.

No public comments!

Feb. 26, 2024 Board meetings motioned, seconded, had no discussions, and carried

Finance Committee presented on Report of the Treasurer – February 2024 and Presentation on Investment Report

The first slides focused on Feb revenue before moving into expenditures

Expenditures are below Summer 2023 budget amounts for all expenditure categories to date

Updates: The 2023 Audit is underway and Crowe will start 4/29/24. Budget season is starting as well

CFO was asked why personnel service costs have increased with the current amount of vacancies. Ms. Oliver responded by noting the increase in wages and benefits for the current staff

The Report of the Treasurer is motioned, seconded, no discussion, and carries

CFO is Lolita Campbell. Ms. Oliver is Lawrence Branch Manager. Mrs. Campbell is representing the Finance Committee. My apologies.

CFO Campbell is doing a deep dive into the investments and relationships with investment banks and funds

The monthly bank balances are presented with their corresponding institutions. There were no questions from the board when prompted by Mrs. Campbell.

YTD interest earnings are presented from the main account with Chase on one side and the 4 other institutions on the other to show a comparison and breakdown with average interest rate figures

Pres. Tribble asked how the allocations for the 5 banks were decided. Chase holds the operating and the rest are by the yield of the account and the liquidity needs of the funds

Resolution 12 – 2024: Policy 233 Emergency Closure Changes: (1) Decision will be made by 12AM (2) More ways to communicate the closure

Recommended by the committee, seconded, and asked if it would be flexible to weather changes which was a yes, and carried

Open Positions: 30 with 17 PT and 13 FT available with new hires pending

Average 32 days to fill a position

The openings are about the average for the library and the effect is felt across the branches not just 1 or 2 branches; many report leaving for better opportunities elsewhere (PT'ers), promotions, and retirements

The library uses many channels to find applicants with LinkedIn and Indeed being the primary methods

Dr. White presents Resolution 13 – 2024 (Approval to Award a Construction Services Contract for the Central Library 4th Floor Study Rooms Renovation Project); the committee has requested a due pass, which received a 2nd and carried

Dr. White presents Resolution 17 – 2024 (Approval to Purchase Updated Hardware for Vocera System at Central Library); Vocera is VOIP communications that can be worn on a lanyard and answer calls as well as P2P and P2G communications

The old system of walkie-talkies is outdated and needs to be upgraded. The committee requested a due pass, it was seconded and carried

Dr. White presents resolutions 14 - 16 individually and simultaneously as he details them 1-by-1, but the board will take 1 vote on all 3 together.

Resolution 14 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to Providence Outdoor, Inc.) Resolution 15 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to The Davey Tree Expert Company)

Resolution 16 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to Schoolboy Landscaping and More, LLC)

Pres. Tribble requested to take a vote on these 3 together that the board approved as they are all approved by the committee, seconded in this meeting, and approved and carried by the full board

Dr. Payne is presenting the Library Foundation Updates Report

Resolution Regarding Finances, Personnel and Travel (18 – 2024) is presented by CEO Hill which was motioned, seconded and carried

He continues with CEO Report – March 2024; bilingual story time continues to be successful, Lunar New Year Celebration and Digital Inclusion were singled out in the report

Branch Program Highlights: West Indianapolis - chair yoga & Intouch Outreach; Martindale-Brightwood -Soulful Journeys of Women, Barriers & Breakthroughs; Central - Starting a 501(c)(3), Developing an Effective Board of Directors

Feb Star Award Winners announced!🏆

Active Card Holders has seen active engagement with growth from 2021 to 2023

The Goals for Qtr 1: Update is being presented on strategic planning, climate improvement, and staff engagement

Added Priorites: door counter installation, Glendale Grand Opening, customer satisfaction POS ('25 will bring new self-checkout terminals), staff opportunites

March 30 is the confirmed date for Glendale branch grand opening

Dr. Murtadha asked how the surveys will align with strategic planning. CEO Hill believes there is overlap, but it's focused on customer satisfaction

Discussion & Agenda Building: Dr. White asks that the library be thinking ahead of "what-ifs" and not take up some of the backward politics happening in other states like FL & AL where a national agenda is pushing misinformation

Senate Bill 202 is challenging tenure and trying to shut down the DEI movement, per Dr. Payne in response to Dr. White. She believes it's already an Indiana concern and needs immediate action

Dr. Murtadha gave props to the Library for their efforts in maintaining a space of learning and providing books of all forms against the national agenda that wants to strip certain information for public shelves.

Dr. Tibble followed up by saying "the urgency is evolving" and that we must continue to be strategic in our ways. Also, get your eclipse glasses ASAP 😁

The next meeting will take place Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Eagle Branch Library, 3905 Moller Road, at 6:30 PM. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM