Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy Public Library Board met Dec. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting of the Quincy Public Library Board of Directors was called to order at 6:04 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, by President Jon Hoover. The roll call attendance was as follows:

Jon: present         Clairice: absent

Lena: present       Dean: present

Megan: present    Kelly: present

Cheryl: present    Harry: absent

Scott: present

Present: 7 Absent: 2

Others present: Kathleen Helsabeck, Natascha Will and Jess Givens.

I. BOARD EDUCATION

Kathleen presented Serving Our Public.

II. CONSENT AGENDA

Megan made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Cheryl seconded and the motion passed.

III. PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

There were no President’s comments at this time.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments at this time.

V. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Gerri informed the board that the bookstore brought in a total of $2,029.80 in the month of November. From the months of January-November 2024, the bookstore revenue came to $33,729.44. QPL was given $16,242 throughout the year, not including the $12,383 that was just approved at their last meeting totaling at $28,625 for the year. She also announced the new Friends of the Library Board Officers effective January 2025.

VI. RECOGNITION OF CORRESPONDENCE

Professor at Early Childhood Education, Danette Parham reached out to extend appreciation to the library when her children’s literature class met with Children’s Librarian, Bill Waters. He shared information about library resources, and it made for a very much enjoyed trip for her class.

Reference Librarian, Lauren Cunningham received two thank yous from patrons for her services and assistance, and one patron in particular suggested making time for more afternoon puppet shows.

VII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Caroline Woodward has accepted the position of Children’s Specialist following Natascha Will. Following Caroline, we hired Laney Altgilbers as a part time Children’s Clerk. A Tween Specialist position was created, and Chloe Reich has accepted, leaving vacant the Information Specialist position. Bridget Quinlivan also accepted Information Services Librarian following Caitlin McHugh, leaving vacant the YA Librarian position. The Children’s Department hosted several successful programs including Elephant and Piggy visiting the library, Family Read on December 21, the Rudolph puppet show, and Santa’s visit with cookies and cocoa topped off at 118 attendees.

IT completed the set up of four new smart boards, laptops, mobile library technology and sound system upgrades. Kathleen thanked the Friends for their help with the funding. Outreach currently has 141 patrons receiving biweekly library materials, and by the end of December, 100 Little Library visits have been completed.

The Reference Department continues to perform the essential functions that support the library's mission and community needs. The final report for the 2024 Big Read has been successfully submitted. December marks the conclusion of the Unshelved Book Club, paving the way for a new program, Cooks and Books, a cookbook discussion group launching in January. This initiative aims to attract a broader demographic and encourage new patron engagement.

In addition, staff have been actively discussing strategies to enhance circulation through improved Readers’ Advisory services. Planned changes for the new year will focus on increasing patron engagement and ensuring the library remains a vital source. At the last QPL board meeting a building assessment was discussed to learn the library’s funding priorities. Jeffrey Conte was asked if he would like to do this or if he would recommend someone. He will think on it and get back with Kathleen.

As you read in the finance committee meeting report, the library is expected to receive $284,000 less in PPRT in this current fiscal year.

Kathleen has amended the budget and included it in the board packet for review. Additionally, the L&A’s financial report provided account lines that are overspent. Those lines have been amended as well.

Letters will hopefully be mailed out the week of December 16 for the end of year MWB Campaign.

RSA December 2024 Newsletter

Resource Sharing Alliance (RSA) is our online catalog. Kathleen included a copy of their most recent newsletter to share information about the library functions.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Provided in the board packet were the Nonprofit Excellence Initiative Roadmap Pillars 6 & 7 that focus on internal monitoring for continuous improvement and external evaluation for mission effectiveness. Kathleen summarized the board’s current status indicated in the survey. After running through the operational status of the library, Kathleen informed the board that a link to take the survey would be emailed to them. Additionally in the board packet were two new updated bus wrap designs. Board members shared their thoughts on the presented designs, but Dean reiterated that the final decision is ultimately Kathleen’s, and he showed appreciation for the board being kept in the loop on the process updates.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

EXPENDITURE APPROVAL LIST - Megan made a motion to approve the expenditures for December pending the void and reissue of payment to a vendor. Dean seconded the motion, and the roll call was as follows:

Jon: yes         Clairice: absent

Lena: yes       Dean: yes

Megan: yes    Kelly: yes

Cheryl: yes     Harry: absent

Scott: yes

Yes: 7 Absent: 2

LIBRARY CARD POLICY – The Policy committee recommended a change to the library card policy to allow for studens to check out materials on a limited basis. Scott moved to approve this amendment proposed by the Mobile Library team. Megan seconded and the motion carried.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY – Kathleen provided to the board a status oN the IGA draft to review and decide upon approving as is or tabling for further discussion. She requested an addition of language stating the board has authority to choose their own levy from the city, other than that she is fine with how the language is drafted. Dean made a motion to table the discussion of approving the IGA until January’s meeting for further review. Kelly seconded and the motion carried.

FY25 BUDGET DRAFT – Megan made a motion to approve the budget draft for FY25. Kelly seconded the motion, and the roll call was as follows:

Jon: yes         Clairice: absent

Lena: yes       Dean: yes

Megan: yes    Kelly: yes

Cheryl: yes     Harry: absent

Scott: yes

Yes: 7 Absent: 2

Also included in the board packet is the 2024 RSA December Newsletter for informational purposes only.

X. PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments at this time.

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Cheryl made a motion to go into executive session to review and discuss closed minutes from the past six months meetings. Dean seconded the motion, and the board began the session at 7:28 p.m.

The board came out of executive session at 7:42 p.m.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Dean made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lena seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

https://www.quincylibrary.org/sites/default/files/content/minutes/2.%20Minutes_2.pdf