Minutes - October 17, 2023Minutes of the Library Board Meeting
Date:10/17/2023
Time:7:00 AM
Location:Salina Public Library,Prescott Room
Board Members Present
Brendan Burke -President
Gerry Cox -Secretary
Helen Gregg -Treasurer
Crystal Stuart
Gloria Woods
Judy Nold
Mike Hoppock,Mayor
Board Members Absent
Lisa Mahler -Vice President
Library Staff Present
Melanie Hedgespeth,Director
Amy Adams,Assistant Director
Sandy Wilcox -Recorder
Mark Messenger,Head of Processing
Allyson Walker,Head of Fundraising and Development
Stefanie Knopp,Head of Information Services
Katie Zey,Head of Marketing
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Salina Public Library Board was called to order at 7:00 a.m.by President Brendan Burke.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
●Ruther Ascher,Salina,Kansas,made comments to the board about board training and individual
board member duties to make the best decisions possible.
●Sydney Soderberg,Salina,Kansas,made comments to the board about the removal of the Sandzen
collection,insurance,restoration and sharing information with the public.
During public comment time for Sydney Soderberg:Brenden Burke told Ms Soderberg that her five
for public comment had ended but she had more she wanted to say so Brenden put it to the Board for a
vote to extend her comments.
➔Motion
Motion made by:Mayor Mike Hoppock
To extend Ms.Soderberg’s public comment time allotment
Second:Gerry Cox
Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Board members are asked if there are any items they would like removed from the consent agenda.
The Board President will ask for a motion to adopt the consent agenda for all or remaining items.
a.Action Items -Approval
i.Minutes of the library board meeting -September 19,2023
ii.Minor Policy Manual Updates
b.Informational Items
i.Financial reports
General Fund,Employee Benefit Fund,GF &EBF Checks,Transactions by Account
ii.Statistical reports
➔Motion
Motion made by:Helen Gregg
to approve consent agenda as presented
Second:Judy Nold
Motion passed unanimously.
.BOARD TRAINING
●Mark Messenger,Head of Processing spoke to the Board about the duties of the processing department.
●Allyson Walker,Head of Fundraising spoke to the Board about our Giving Tuesday/End of year challenge
Snowfall of support fundraiser.
The kick off will be Nov.12 and it will run through Dec.31.Our goal is set at $5000.
.DISCUSSION /ACTION
●Director Report
○Stats -Melanie reviewed statistics with the Board
○Elevator-still waiting on parts.KONE stated it may be repaired earlier than expected.Possibly by mid
November.
○Security Gates-The new gates will be installed at the end of October.
○Lights -We are replacing lights with LED bulbs
○Manager’s Training-Attorney Larry Michaels gave a presentation on employment law.
○After school snacks -We received a grant for approx $300 to purchase snacks
○Van-The transit van is being repaired
○Boiler Pump repaired
○Ductwork has been added to fix the study room air flow
○The motor has been repaired for the air handling unit and is now being balanced.
○We have applied for the Digital Equity grant to support the hotspot lending program and youth
robotics
○Events -book discussion groups,staff at pumpkin pazoola,presented to Salina South educators,
gallery 708 continues,staff training continues with EMPAC,Officer Morland presented to staff about
active shooter response.We will have a pumpkin decorating contest.
○We have been awarded a grant by the Kansas State Historical Records board to purchase a
photograph scanner
●Overdrive
○NWKLS hosted a zoom meeting for all libraries to discuss the consortium.They have been
administering the consortium at no cost and are now requesting $50 per library.
○They will provide a contract to all libraries
●End of year staff feedback
○Questions are asked of staff at the end of year.Any suggestions can be provided at the November
meeting.
Action Items
●Employee Policy Manual
○The supervisor group did a policy manual review and the suggested changes were presented to the
Board.Crystal Stuart suggested making the leave section a bit clearer.
➔Motion
Motion made by:Judy Nold
to table a vote on the changes to the Employee Policy Manual until next month.
Second:Helen Gregg
Motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
OTHER BUSINESS &BOARD COMMENTS
The Director evaluation is in process and will be available for review in the November meeting.
Judy Nold asked what the Board would like done with emails that are received at the Board email address.Mayor
Hoppock suggested that all the Board Members should receive those emails.
Mayor Mike Hoppock spoke about the decision made on selling the artwork and he said that the Board made the
decision they thought would be best for the library with the information given to them.He explained that no
deception was intended and he does try to support the arts in the community.He suggested that Board members
need to receive more direct communication from the public;he welcomed the public to call or email with any
comments or concerns they may have.He explained that the petition was provided after the sale of the paintings.He
also voiced concern with the library statement that the Board decided to go ahead with the sale of the paintings
representing all those in the Board without giving options to the Board to go to a vote.He said there should have
been more Board discussion about options available once it was known that a citizen had offered to pay our penalty
at the auction house if the library withdrew the collection.He said decisions representing the Board should be made
at the Board level.He also apologized to the public present.
Brenden Burke stated that the Board made a decision in June to sell the paintings.He explained that the board put
out the information to the public as required by law.He also suggested that the library might look at if we should
provide minutes or agendas elsewhere than the city website.He explained that the paintings went to the auction
house July 17.He said the public is welcome to come to board meetings and listen and express concerns.Mayor
Mike Hoppock stated that he still wished there would have been a special meeting called to discuss options available
concerning the sale of the collection.
ADJOURNMENT
➔Motion
Motion made by:Helen Gregg
to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 a.m.
Second:Mayor Mike Hoppock
Motion passed unanimously.