HomeMy WebLinkAboutLBMinutes_2020_12_17BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
December 17, 2020
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library met on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 12:00 pm via Zoom.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sarah Meusburger, Doug O’Neill, Deb Waltman, Kathy Miller
OTHERS PRESENT: Nita Gill, Paul Briseno, Jen Anderson
1. Call to Order
Sarah Meusburger called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of Agenda
Sarah Meusburger called for approval of the meeting agenda. Kathy Miller moved to approve the meeting agenda with the
addition of Current Library Hours under New Business. Doug O’Neill seconded. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes
Sarah Meusburger called for approval of the minutes from the November 12, 2020 meeting. Kathy Miller moved to approve the
meeting minutes. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
4. Old Business
5. New Business
5.1 Current Library Hours
Paul Briseno started by appreciating the Library Board members and thanking them for the recommendation last month about
the Library hours. Paul Briseno explained to the Library Board members about his decision-making process and his constant
contact with healthcare personnel, medical providers and other college towns on how they address COVID-19. Paul Briseno
and Ashia Gustafson had multiple conversation on the process of opening the Library back-up to serve the community. It was
mentioned that the Library tends to follow the Brookings Public School, which the schools have been open. Paul Briseno wanted
to extend hours to help working folks in the community and keep sources open for the community members; as well as putting
safety procedures in place to protect the staff. With safety procedures and keeping safety measures in place, open operations
can occur during COVID-19. Doug O’Neill disagreed with extending the Library hours when the virus was peaking, and feels the
Library is not setting a good example. Kathy Miller felt it wasn’t the best time to extend the hours. Doug O’Neill and Deb
Waltman thought the Library Board members recommendation was not considered and not involved in the decision-making
process. Sarah Meusburger agreed with the extended hours due to the schools being open and being a patron who works until
5:00 PM. Paul Briseno asked if meeting with a medical provider would help explain this decision to extend hours at the Library.
5.1 Approval of Bills
The Library Board members discussed the November 2020 bills, budgets and expenditures. Kathy Miller moved to approve the
November 2020 bills. Deb Waltman seconded. Motion carried.
6. Other Items & Reports
6.1 Financial Report
Nita Gill presented the review of the 2020 Budget through November to the Library Board members. The Library Board
members discussed the budget.
6.2 Librarian’s Report
Nita Gill presented the monthly report to the Library Board members. Nita Gill and Library Board members thanked Sarah
Meusburger for being on the Board. The new Library Board member, Stephanie Carroll will start at the January 2021 meeting.
7. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
8. Next Meeting: Thursday, January 14 at 12:00 PM
9. Adjournment
Deb Waltman moved to adjourn the meeting. Doug O’Neill seconded. The meeting adjourned at 12:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nita Gill,
Acting Director of Library Services