Library Board of Commissioners

LIBRARY BOARD of COMMISSIONERS Wednesday, July 16, 7:45 am New North End Branch, Fletcher Free Library Minutes Present: Gale Batsimm, Peter Berghoef, Sally Blanchard-O’Brien, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Emily Copeland, Chol Dhoor, Sam Doherty, Samantha Donalds, Patrick Halladay, Cate MacLachlan, Amy Mellencamp, Wells Shelley, Nick Tatakis,, Mona Tolba. Approval of minutes: from May 14. Cate MacLachlan moved, Chol Dhoor seconded, approved. Approval of agenda: Patrick Halladay moved, Sally Blanchard-O’Brien seconded, approved. Public Forum: No public in attendance. Welcome to New and Returning Commissioners and Trustees: Chol Dhoor and Mona Tolba are renewing their terms as trustees, Sally Blanchard-O’Brien has accepted another term as commissioner, Becca Thompson as staff commissioner, Sam Doherty as student liaison, and Wells Shelley has joined as a new student liaison to the commission. Friends of FFL Report:. • Friends are working on MoU with the City. • Friends are not accepting books due to the construction. They are working on new fundraisers, including an outdoor pop-up book sale on July 23rd for Passeggiata. Director’s Report: • Library launched Libcal for website calendar and registration system. • Loss of Financial Assistant position has impacted various departments. • Withdrawal of NEH grant and rising costs created a funding gap for historic preservation project; impact fees and support from the Friends could fill this gap. Historic Preservation work will continue into December, work is on or ahead of schedule. Staff Update: Peter provided an update on Technical Services. Subcommittee update: • Strategic Planning Committee presented the 2025-2028 Strategic Direction document and the commission provided edits. New/Other Business: Next meeting is Wednesday, September 17, 7:45am Adjournment: Cate MacLachlan moved, Patrick Halladay seconded. Approved.