St. Mary's County, MD Library Board of Trustees for St. Mary's County, 8 Feb 2021

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A

A

And we are on the air good morning, everybody on this chilly wintry morning, jim, take it away.

A

I'm afraid I can't hear anything in here.

B

B

And board treasurer ah there we go.

B

Good morning, I'm trusted setback. I'm a board member.

C

John you're next alphabetically don walters board member.

C

Chad is your next yeah. We may be having some connection difficulties with janice walthauer.

C

um But looking we have enough, really a board member. Can you hear me yeah? We can hear you.

C

Okay, in addition to the introduction and that establishes a quorum for the meeting.

C

So the first item on the agenda is the um approval of the the last meeting january meeting minutes.

C

I'll make the motion to accept the minutes. Can I get a second second.

C

Okay, before we vote, um if you look at the minutes themselves, though, the first line under.

C

The minutes really needs to be taken out. There was no vote.

C

On retaining the existing s, mcl and spiral aboard members, the this, of course, our board.

C

Is determined um through a process and not by a formal vote of the board, and secondly, we.

C

We don't normally vote on the um thriller board until march, so that's that deadline.

C

Item should be taken out. We discussed the needs for the smaller board, uh but not.

C

There was no vote conducted so jim you didn't I'll move to amend.

D

Question yeah go ahead, you didn't phyllis, you didn't. I the.

E

Ford dock systems last minutes, so all my notes, um but didn't they phyllis. We can't hear you.

C

Yeah, we can't hear your fellas didn't they vote to keep our existing members.

C

Now now we don't, we don't vote on board members. uh We did vote on the.

C

Board officers, but I think that's mentioned further in the minutes: okay hold on hold on.

E

um So did you vote? I was, I think in that reference I was talking about our members.

E

Who are on the smart board yeah and that's later on, that's later in the minutes, so that that is.

A

uh The fourth bullet point under that main heading will be kept, but the first one, the swirling.

A

Members is what we're talking about, but now we're still we're. We voted for the officers of the.

C

Library board, I asked the members of the library board to consider joining the.

C

Smerla board, but no vote was taken because um so neither case was a real vote involved.

A

um In any case, the the first bullet point you've said, needs to be removed and john has.

A

uh Voted to amend the minutes.

C

um In favor of proving the amended minutes, billions, okay, we'll do it by voice.

C

Opposed okay motion carries.

C

Okay, the second item on the agenda is the eals.

C

Again I'll make a motion to accept the eals, um and I need a second.

F

I second okay, carol in seconds um before I conduct the vote again phil. I just I always focus on.

C

The things that I have may have not have seen before they have- and I just don't recall, but.

C

There was two items, and typically I look at things that are more insulin, cost the two that stuck.

C

Out in that vein, was cagey kg incorporated, which is number 7000 and comstar tech.

C

Can you explain what those two are um comstar is the wiring we're doing for the voip.

E

Phone systems in hall and lexi and what was the other one, the kg k-a-g-e-e-t.

C

That's the hots box, okay, the hot spots are get uh re-upped and we did expand the number of them.

C

Okay, thank you. Okay. I also have I had a question about the commissioners of leonardtown.

B

What is what is that for? Okay, what they've done with the new leonardtown library is.

E

The commissioners of leonardtown, we have a separate meter for water sewer and trash.

E

But the propane which heats the building and the electric are on one meter and we split.

E

That, on a quarterly basis with the county commissioners, they invoice us.

C

Okay, any more questions, and it's good to see you here now, michael.

C

We started late, so you didn't really miss very much as you can see where we're at in terms.

C

Of the agenda, thank you for the other question, all the favor indicate say hi.

D

There's a footnote to that. Is it possible where something like that pops up irregularly or.

D

Regularly but over a long distance of time that it could be footnoted in the report.

E

I'm sorry, mr walters, I don't know what you're talking about um I'll work with belinda on that.

A

And blindly introducing herself in a moment here um moving forward um just if it's something that's.

A

An unusual expense or a one-time, relatively rare thing we can. We can make note of that.

C

Yeah and I would restrict it to things that are fairly substantial in dollars, but again I don't.

C

Want to define substantial but um but yeah, so we don't want to get into too many expenses.

C

That are relatively low sandy. Okay, before I start, if everybody could mute, that's not talking we're.

B

Getting a lot of feedback- and I don't know if that will help or not, but several of us are unmuted.

B

So our treasure report for february 3rd was run on february 3rd. Our pnc checking account opening.

B

Balance in january on january, 7th was 710 and the current balance on february 3rd was also 710.

B

So no change in that account for the vanguard, investment accounts.

B

The original account had a value on one 721 of 76 thousand dollars: 276 275 dollars and 42 cents.

B

No deposits or withdrawals with a share price of 10.75.

B

7095.388 shares owned with a yield of 1.35. The account value on february 3rd was two hundred.

B

And forty eight dollars and seventy nine cents, the share price was ten dollars and seventy four.

B

Cents shares owned. Seven thousand. Ninety eight point: seven: seven: zero: it paid a dividend of 36.29.

B

On january 29th, which that is the calendar total so far, the yield is one point one, eleven percent.

B

And the change in share price was minus one cent for the rudolph account on one seven. It was.

B

Eighteen thousand nine hundred and twelve dollars and thirty nine cents. There were no deposits or.

B

Withdrawals share price was at ten dollars and seventy five cents. The shares owned, were one.

B

Thousand seven hundred fifty nine point, two nine two for a yield of one point: two: five percent.

B

The account value on february 3rd was eighteen thousand nine hundred and two dollars and.

B

Twenty one cents share price was ten dollars and seventy four cents shares owned on february. Third.

B

Were 1759.982 a dividend of seven dollars and 40 cents was paid on january 29th. The yield was 1.01.

B

And the change in share price again was minus 1. These are the lowest dividends. I've ever seen.

B

Reported on these accounts- and I'm not savvy enough honestly to know why. But I just wanted to.

B

Call your attention to that usually we're getting at least 100 on the original account and somewhere.

B

Around 30 on the rudolph, let's ask a question: sandy: okay! No! No! No! Yes, go ahead! Okay! You! You use.

D

The word dividends: do you really mean interest payments? We get a dividend on these accounts.

B

It's reported as dividend and then it's reinvested, it's automatically reinvested, but what what are.

D

The accounts actually invested in- I honestly don't have a lot of uh information on that. I believe.

B

There are bond funds with vanguard. I honestly john, I inherited this and I've done more maintenance.

B

On it than anything else, just making sure that we have money to pay out the accounts, I don't have a.

B

Lot of the information that, with your background, you're going to be asking for okay, maybe you and.

D

I can put our heads together at some point and and see if we can sort this out a little bit.

D

G

I know I've gotta, get it off either get your john. Just as a quick point and again, you'll see that.

C

A little bit, but I don't understand all of the investments that are on in these funds, but they.

C

Are it we're really any investment that not only the libraries but also even smaller, invest in.

C

Has to be but a conservative investment so um but yeah. I appreciate, I think it's a good idea that we.

C

Look into these and then you certainly have the expertise to do so. Okay, so I'll make the motion.

C

To accept the transfers report, I need a second, I can hey john. Thank you. um Any questions, comments.

C

They're, all in favor in the cape by saying aye, aye, aye, okay,.

C

Right, the next item on the agenda is uh smurler. I'm going to take a few minutes because we.

C

We're going to face an issue not only at smurler but also in the county board.

C

I'm sorry, I muted because of the clock going off.

C

Basically, at the last meeting I asked if anybody would.

C

On the current county board would consider joining the swirler board.

C

And and no one has really come forward now we will meet in march. The date is march, 9th.

C

So fundamentally, we will only have two members on the smerla board, but the issue runs deeper.

C

Than that and again I understand because the the problem we have, if you look at the current board,.

C

You know aqua simon smirler um carolyn's on swirly currently but she's coming off um and get a little.

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Bit of history, carolyn have been on the board for a long time um came off of it, as all of us do, but.

C

I had asked her if she would consider coming back on for the period of time. We were voting a new.

C

uh Ceo, so we'd have balance between all three counties, so she did that as a favor to me.

C

But if you look at the board, janice has been on the board for a period of time.

C

So the number of potential board members then starts to dwindle.

C

um So there are very few that that we can draw from because so many are or have been or um on.

C

The board the current brother board member or the members that will continue will be me um and beth.

C

And again, just for education purposes, the swirler board consists of three members from each county.

C

One member can be a non-library board member and that's what the role that beth assumes now.

C

Again, to further complicate this and sandy- and I talked about this, or at least had an.

C

Email about it sandy is going to be coming off the board at the end of this first term,.

C

Which is the end of the calendar year? um I was planning to share that with the group.

C

Around mid-year, so that I could really seek someone to take over the treasurer role and allow.

C

Enough time for transition, which I think, we've never seen, including sandy, who has never given.

C

Enough lead time before accepting the role so we're going to have and then to further.

C

Complicate the issue on the smurler board, I come off, I haven't told the board this.

C

But in march of 2022 I will come off the board, um so we have a real dilemma.

C

That you're going to have fundamentally two brand new members coming on in january.

C

Of 2022 and if we have still have two members representing saint mary's, jubilee down to one.

C

um So it's, but it places the burden on a relatively small number of you.

C

Because we are going to experience a significant change in the overall board makeup.

C

um By the end of 2022, but unless somebody steps up to take on a role within smirler and also the.

C

Treasurer's role we're going to have a problem in both areas so again something to think about.

C

Now we're going to work beginning this next meeting uh as a smaller board, and I just.

C

Switch back and forth, but as a smurler board to see are there things we can do.

C

That will encourage people or just make it easier to participate in the smurler board.

C

But I I don't know what we'll do yet, but obviously we haven't talked about it there so again, just to.

C

Point out we're going to run into some dilemmas uh both on our board, but also on the smerlo board.

C

And you know I have very confidence in the other counties and their representation.

C

To look to do things which promote the all three libraries equally, but you know when.

C

You have one member from a single county. um You know it does create an imbalance. So it's just.

C

Something to consider, because it's an issue that we're all facing now and will continue to face.

C

Even more so in the future, so I'm not asking for anything or, but I need you to be aware of it.

C

uh We'll continue with two members of smirlo, but eventually the issue is going to get worse. Michael.

H

Jim, can you share more about the time commitment to be on the smerla board? What time the meetings.

H

Are things like that? Well again, michael we're going to talk about some of that, but currently.

C

One you're elected for a three year period number one number: two we meet once a month.

C

um Now again, with them heading here, conveying some of the thoughts we have.

C

And we'll discuss, do we continue in the zoom forum going forward even after the crisis diminishes.

C

So because of the convenience factor- and we will talk about.

C

We have a lot of projects coming up, but at some point in time can we even reduce the.

C

Number of board meetings to maybe half so again. It makes it easier we're facing this problem now.

C

Charles county and caroline to the test charles county has faced this problem in the past.

C

Caliber to some degree, but never severely, so it's a universal problem.

C

Okay, any other questions.

C

Okay, I'll move on to the other things. um Just again as background the um in the library of the.

C

County, the thriller board really functions as the primary board.

C

But but we, but there is a corporate board. The corporate board consists of.

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The all the members of all three counties, so, in fact all of you are on the corporate board.

C

And so we do have an annual meeting in which we make presentations changes um for a decision.

C

But also for information too, um so you will receive a an email likely email. We should send a.

C

Mail by post office, but um inviting you to the corporate board, which again will be on march 9th.

C

Obviously, it'll be in the zoom format. So just let you know what you'll be receiving.

C

Okay, the other issue is that just I think in the highlights of the meetings.

C

uh Again we're one month behind because even this month, but we're meeting right after this.

C

On tuesday, but going back in some of the things we did talk about we're primarily.

C

About the corporate meeting, but also we set up a subcommittee.

C

To look at new member orientation, that was a project that was started a while ago, never fully.

C

Completed and frankly, I wasn't pleased with his uh content, so um carolyn has asked then to work with.

C

Ashley on reviewing new member orientation and that and that's a subcommittee of sorts.

C

We did change the reimbursement policy to expand the um eligibility again. I need to give you.

C

A little bit of history, basically swirling pays the tuition for employees of all three.

C

Library systems now the policy was restricted to a master's and a certain dollar amount for.

C

A library that's been eliminated and the number of academic options have been expanded because.

C

Obviously, especially in the age of technology, there are other disciplines or as much value.

C

As an mls to the operations, primarily of smurler, even the libraries themselves, so we've expanded.

C

The def we've also expanded to undergraduates programs so again to encourage education among the.

C

Library, staffs in all three counties and lastly, we've set up a trustee page under the smaller.

C

Umbrella for just for more information, information about the words, the minutes and so forth, um so.

C

That's not fully operational yet, but will be very shortly. Okay, so that's all I have on smaller again.

C

A little bit longer than normal, but any questions or okay, if not I'll, pass it over to michael.

A

All right, thank you very much jim. um We don't have a particularly full agenda this morning, but.

A

A number of things to bring to your attention. um First of all,.

A

This will be phyllis's last board meeting. She has opted to retire after 18 plus years.

A

And phyllis, I just wish to commend you for your service to st mary's, county library and.

A

Thank you for all that you have done to keep us going over the years. I think you.

A

Have a number of things to be very proud of, but certainly clean on at the last four plus years.

A

And expecting another one this upcoming year. So thank you for that anything. You wish to say.

A

And I see a head shake, so she says is saying no, um but um we we will be having some celebrations for.

A

Phyllis coming up here and again, thank you for your service to the saint mary's county library.

A

um Second, with us today is belinda lloyd, who is taking over as the office manager and uh hr.

A

Specialist and belinda, if you could please introduce yourself.

I

Hi, I'm belinda lloyd. I've actually been with the library for five years as a librarian.

I

In different areas- and I do have some hr and payroll background, any questions for belinda.

A

I see a little bit of applause there. Thank you.

A

So um moving on then yes can. Can I just jump in sure yeah yeah, please janice you go. You go ahead.

H

I'm sorry um anyways just to say, belinda welcome, aboard.

H

We're really happy to have you. You have big shoes to fill and phyllis. Thank you. So much.

H

I'm so glad in this public forum, where we can embarrass you the most uh we can just thank you.

H

For your amazing work and your incredible service to the library, so thank you so so much. Thank you.

E

Michael now, it was just a matter of looking at life after this covet and where we wanted to go.

C

And thank you again. Phyllis you've helped me too, in certain situations where I needed information.

C

I'm glad, michael by the way you said that.

C

You're replacing the position you're, not replacing phyllis, because phyllis is irreplaceable.

A

Yeah, yes, and you know, we've seen a quite a you know, a number of notable retirements.

A

This year, I think that the pandemic certainly does have something to do with it, and I'm told.

A

That this is something that's happening all across the state in libraries. Is that.

A

People who have been long-term employees just sort of we're, not necessarily planning retirement but.

A

In light of this or are are saying all right: well, what are my priorities? Moving forward.

A

So we we do thank phyllis for her great work and and belinda welcome.

A

Yes, you you, you do have big shoes to fill, um but we'll be working with you.

A

um Go ahead and take a look at the budget. There's a few areas of concern. I'd like to talk about.

A

The 58 of the year has elapsed as of this point and there's a couple of areas where we're over.

A

Budget and one area where we are under budget that I just like to address and say that.

A

We're aware of this and we're going to work on it.

A

The leonardtown salaries are at 64 and in part, that's just because of buyouts.

A

From some long-term employees, if people have a certain amount of leave built up- and it's not.

A

Sick leave that that doesn't count that's rolled over into retirement, um but of personal leave. Our.

A

Built up um uh regular leave then, when, when they leave, we do owe a certain percentage.

A

uh And we had that with a couple of people who retired in officially in december.

A

Administration at 64- and I think that may be because we are now counting.

A

I.T employees as part of administration, and not as we formally did as part of working in the branches.

A

So that would explain that one, um but we are aware of those um and that's also going to explain why.

A

Administration of health insurance is up. um We um have had uh those I.t folks now canada's part.

A

Administration and and one took health insurance uh when the person in the slot before had not so.

A

That explains those rises and we'll just have to adjust what those figures should look like.

A

For the upcoming year, of course, we have people eligible to come on if they take a new job with us.

A

But also it's hard to budget for health insurance because we pretty much um find out in.

A

May if people are going to be coming on board, and so we won't have budgeted that, for you know the.

A

The prior year, starting in july, um so it's uh it can be a difficult thing to kind of figure out. But.

A

uh Overall um personnel services at 59- and that's not you, know not sort of too far off from our.

A

Target, I think, by the end of the year, we'll be back um right about where we're supposed to be.

A

If you look at the utilities, you'll see that leonardtown electric water, sewer and trash.

A

And heating are all very much over the current target. We have asked the county for more money.

A

To put into those budget lines overall, it's not a particular high amount. The percentage makes.

A

It look worse than it is, um but, for example, we're now heating the new building with gas.

A

And the old one was heated with oil and we're finding it substantially more expensive.

A

So we did ask the county to give us money for those budget lines as part of our request. This.

A

Year and we'll see if that comes through or not, um if you look over on under total.

A

Under operating supplies, you see that circulation services, that's our materials, is at 48.

A

In part, there's a slow start there, because the publishers weren't putting out a lot.

A

And smurler was not doing some processing last july and august. We will catch that up and make.

A

Sure that we're spending our materials budget before the end of the year, accounting and audit.

A

And payroll services we pay out ahead on those and those I'm anticipating will be normal for the year.

A

um Memberships at 67 percent again, a lot of those are paid out on you know at the start,.

A

Of the year so again, I'm not anticipating there being any issues there. Overall, the total expenses.

A

Is at 57 and we're at 58 percent of the year laps, so we're we're within tolerance on our budget.

A

um Any questions about the budget and, as I said, that's kind of why we're seeing some.

A

Higher totals in some of the budget lines.

A

Speaking of the budget we've arranged for next uh board meeting in march to get a report from.

A

uh Asset services they're, the ones who administer our opeb account.

A

And so that amount is currently a little over a million dollars and they want to review where the.

A

Investments are and talk to you about those and see if you wish to make any changes in how the.

A

Investments are done so before then. I will make sure that you have a chance to see their portfolio.

A

Again, and can be informed about the conversation next month, uh so when it's asset strategies.

A

When they come to talk with you about how those investments are and and john I'm sure,.

A

You're going to be particularly interested in this and can give us some good advice on on.

A

What you think that investment portfolio is looking like, I do have a quest. Yes,.

A

I'm afraid I can't hear you.

A

You've, muted yourself, I will unmute you. I hope.

A

um Please please unm unmute yourself, john.

D

About now there we go now you're set. Okay, all right um are those funds.

D

Not a part of the consolidation that the sheriff's department and several other groups went through.

A

Ours are separate, we have a separate fund.

A

It's our own opeb, so I I would say that no, that these are all our our funds.

D

Okay, thank you. The library's finances are separate from the counties. um ah Okay, that.

D

Would explain that is there any chance that I could see any of that material prior to.

D

The meeting I'm going to make sure that everybody has a chance, but yes, I have that information.

A

And I will I will get it to you. Thank you just making a note to make sure of that. Thank you.

A

Don't have much of a way of updates from the fol or the foundation. um uh The fol is.

A

Continuing with its online sales, unfortunately, in the sorting room there, they were replacing.

A

The roof and that led to a few leaks, so some of the materials got wet and it did ruin the wi-fi.

A

Portable wi-fi device we had given them we've replaced that um so they're moving on and.

A

uh Still taking donations on monday, wednesday friday from 10 to two um so with any luck.

A

The the the leaks will be fixed as part of that roofing uh effort.

A

Jim, you already talked about board membership, so we don't need to worry.

A

About that as an item, unless you have something you want to add at this point,.

C

No nothing there. Okay,.

A

At the end of the month, we're going to have the black men in white coats program and we're working.

A

On getting a panel discussion together, this is a film that's about the fact that fewer black men.

A

Are applying to be in medical school now than did in 1967 and explores the? Why of that, and.

A

So we're going to be having that program, starting on the 26th of february, people will be able to log.

A

In at our website, get a unique code and we'll have up to 2 000 views of that movie and then.

A

We're going to conclude with the panel discussion and kelsey bush who works for saint mary's college.

A

Has agreed to be the moderator for that um he did a fantastic job, moderating the martin luther king.

A

Jr, prayer, breakfast, and so we we saw a talent and snagged it. um Thank you, kelsey uh for agreeing to.

A

Be our moderator um so right now we're trying to get um some people from the medical uh profession.

A

Around saint mary's and and southern maryland really to serve as as moderators. uh I'm sorry.

A

As panelists on that and talk about that um and so far, um we've got some help from christine ray from.

A

The hospital here in st mary's, who talked about a number of people, she thought, would be outstanding.

A

For that panel, so we're trying to finalize that this week and start to really promote this program.

A

We are working on this program with saint mary's county public schools, with the unified committee.

A

For african-american contributions with the naacp here in saint mary's, with historic sauder lee.

A

With the dismantling racism program, so it's getting quite a bit of visibility.

A

um Through partnerships and through those people sharing the word about it,.

A

I'm hopeful that we're going to have a lot of people view the film and a lot of people.

A

Participate in the discussion about that which will be in march and the final date.

A

And time for that discussion will be coming out soon. You can already sign up on our website to.

A

Do a viewing of the movie, so I encourage you to consider that.

A

Any questions ask a question. Yes, please have you thought about inviting jerome adams.

A

um If you're talking about the uh the surgeon general.

A

Formerly, yes, um we have uh somebody, he actually um was a graduate of.

A

The public schools here and his father worked for the schools and we have somebody.

A

From the schools reaching out to him and we're hoping that he will agree excellent, thank you.

A

To be on the panel, yes, um other questions about that program, uh quick legislative call, yes,.

G

Michael I'm sending in the chat also dr joyce neal, who uh was born, raised educated here.

G

And has came back to be a doctor here in the county, so I'm sending that as.

G

Well, oh, okay! Great! If you make sure we we have that contact. That would be wonderful.

G

Yeah I sent it to someone, but I'm just reiterating all right. um I don't know that I've seen it so.

A

Make sure I make sure I've got it um dennis, can you email it to me yeah and and laura as well? We.

A

Need to kind of make sure that we we're got this person, because we are looking for panel members.

C

Yeah, michael, I realize again this has been started, but I I sort of look at the title of it, though I.

C

Get a little concerned black men. Yes, it is, it is specifically um that is that's. You know. That's.

A

Not our title for it, it's the title of the film yeah yeah. I know I realize that, but yeah all right.

A

All right, a quick legislative session update um the senate did vote to override governor.

A

Hogan's veto of the legislation last year that would give an increase in the capital budget.

A

um Raising it from 5 million a year to 7.5 million a year, and of course, we took advantage of that to.

A

Help build a new leonardtown library and giving some additional funding. We in st mary's look like.

A

It would be about an additional um 40 000. Should the house also vote to override that veto? um It's.

A

Important to realize that that money will not be available for the fiscal year that starts in july.

A

It will not be available until starting in july of 2022, so that's not funding we're.

A

Going to be receiving immediately again should that veto override occur and.

A

So, uh but in fiscal year 2022 that funding is um supposed to ensure that there is no fines at all.

A

For children and there'll be a little bit of work around for us on how to implement that, because.

A

Fines for us are based not on age other than our. Of course. Our special children's uh fine free card.

A

Or the school cards um they're they're, based in fact on materials, type.

A

So we'll be working to try to make sure that we're in compliance with that and.

A

At the time when the time comes, you'll have to.

A

Agree to vote on some changes in our various policies and procedures.

A

But for now that's not necessary until we sort of have final say on what's going on.

A

So that money may allow us to be completely fine free, it will simply depend on library.

A

Services right now, as you saw in the budget, we're getting very very little in terms of fines in.

A

Typically, we were expecting around 45 000. I think we've taken in about six thousand dollars in fines.

A

The pandemic has really put the hurt on that. So at this rate, that would allow us to be just go ahead.

A

And go completely fine free um in the county and uh uh 11 maryland. Libraries have now done that so.

A

I I think that we more than some others have been and needed the revenue and we'll just.

A

Have to see if this override happens and what it means for our overall budget last friday.

A

There was testimony in front of the house of delegates about hb 518, that is the e-content bill.

A

It would require any publisher who licenses content to the public in maryland to license.

A

It to the library under reasonable terms, and we think that it will get out of committee, that it.

A

Will get a favorable review when we presented, and I was one of the people giving testimony.

A

The legislators simply had no questions for us and seemed quite favorably disposed towards that.

A

Just to reiterate that this is not an anti-publisher bill, I mean we're not.

A

We're not trying to say that the publisher is not giving us reasonable prices. We are saying.

A

We are happy to negotiate with the publishers and pay what they think is a reasonable cost.

A

We're restricting the way we share the materials. It's not like this means suddenly that everybody.

A

In you know, who has a library card? Has access to anything it'll be the same terms that we have.

A

Already it's just going to prevent publishers from if there's, if they're licensing to our.

A

Citizens not giving it to libraries as well so amazon currently is not having its unique content.

A

Available in libraries um audibly the e-bombs, the audio book division for amazon basically is not.

A

Publisher called blackstone, who puts out a lot of books, works with audible and has 10 titles a month.

A

That libraries cannot get some- probably at least one publisher, the prior year, although they're.

A

Not doing it right now during the pandemic was limiting access to titles for libraries, and this.

A

Would stop them from backsliding once the pandemic is over, so we're hopeful that on thursday we'll be.

A

Presenting to that build of the senate and we're hopeful that that will also get a favorable review.

A

And that in both cases, it will pass out of those committees the ways and means committees and go.

A

Out to a full floor vote, our lobbyist tells us it can be difficult. The first year of legislation.

A

To see it pass, we are still hopeful and that will make maryland the first state that has legislation.

A

Like this, it was proposed in new york and rhode island last year, but uh those sessions were closed.

A

Due to covid- and they were not acted on and those legislations have not been reintroduced this year.

A

So I think it would make us um the first state that is looking out for library, readers that.

A

Way and provide a template for other states to take action of that kind. um Frankly, I think, if.

A

It goes into effect, we'll just have to see what the results are. It would take take effect july.

A

1St of this year- and we just have to see what the publishers then would would be doing in.

A

Response to it, but as I say, it's not really in any publisher building just trying to get.

A

Content for library readers any questions about any of those, um a uvc wands update. um These are.

A

Devices that kill the kovid virus on surfaces, non-porous surfaces and we got some.

A

There were two problems with them. Unfortunately, problem one is that the kind we got.

A

We were told you know by the by the nurse here: that's a good product, but when we got.

A

It it turns out, it was, it was slightly different than the one we had seen demoed and it does not.

A

Take effect as quickly as we would like that original one, which was much more expensive.

A

Decamontaminates a surface in a matter of seconds, and this was going to take one to two minutes.

A

So that's kind of a long time to be spending over. You know the various services we might have the.

A

Other problem is that what these things do is they cast a basically a glow on a surface and.

A

We were not aware- or I was not aware when I said hey- let's get some of these- that you could not.

A

Have anybody looking at that surface unless they were wearing protective glasses? I mean I thought.

A

Okay, fine, you don't look into the thing because it can could have caused the sort of blindness.

A

That an arc welder can cause, but it turns out that you can't have anybody looking at that.

A

Sort of square of light at all without wearing the protective glasses, and we were planning on.

A

Using these out in public areas, um so there's no way you could guarantee you could go to somebody.

A

And say all right now over there don't look at that. What's the first thing, they're going to do.

A

They're going to look at that, um so we're still thinking of getting the more expensive variants.

A

We've sent back the others and we're getting a return um that we would have staff able to use in.

A

The mornings before buildings um opened decamina and emitting various surfaces and that any staff.

A

Member out in an area where they were being used would have glasses to wear. But we're not going to.

A

Risk using something that could be potentially hazardous for people's eyesight in a public area.

A

um So unfortunately, that's didn't work out as well as we might have wished.

A

In better covert news, we are getting vaccinated as part of roll out 1b in the county. A little bit.

A

Of a mix up on that, in that we got an email from the health department saying you're part of it.

A

And it turns out that maybe that was a miscommunication in the health department.

A

And the county health administrator was actually waiting to hear where library employees might come.

A

Because library employees were never mentioned in the um plans for the vaccine, rollout at all.

A

But we said well we're part of the education um uh sort of um in maryland. That's where we are in.

A

In maryland's code is education and we're frontline employees, so one of their folks gave the.

A

Go ahead and this past friday a few people showed up to get it and they said. Well, we don't think.

A

Libraries are a part of this we've sorted that out. We are moving forward and getting the vaccination.

A

For our employees, and so quite a few- have had a first round and we'll be waiting at a second round.

A

um Obviously, quite delighted about that, although sorry about any mix-up that occurred.

A

That was, you know not our doing um so. As I say, it looks like we'll be moving forward.

A

Getting the vaccination and I apologize to the employees who showed up, they did go back and.

A

Get their vaccinations and that kind of leads us into a discussion. I just wanted to have you.

A

Ask any questions or raise any concerns, or just basically talk about moving forward um within.

A

You know all of our employees the first week weren't able to get the vaccination.

A

So it could be six weeks perhaps before we have just about everybody vaccinated.

A

So far nobody has you can get an exemption for medical reasons or for religious reasons, from.

A

Being vaccinated so far, none of our employees have requested that so it's possible that within six.

A

Weeks or so we might have everybody vaccinated in the library now that will not mean that we.

A

Cannot you know that we we let down any precautions, ppe still required in the.

A

Library social distancing still required in the library not going to open the meeting rooms yet.

A

Just because of concerns about the pandemic cases are going down in the county, though, and I think in.

A

Six weeks, um possibly slightly more, we are going to be looking at going back to the at least the.

A

Level of service that we gave before we restricted it again, this past december.

A

So that we will be open for walk-ins for people to come into the stacks.

A

And we'll limit the total number of people in the building to try to ensure social distancing. But.

A

We'll be going back to at least that level of service is my thinking on this.

A

Still taking all adequate precautions for staff, we have had one positive case now.

A

Among an employee, it was not an in-library transmission, it was a family uh situation.

A

So we've been fortunate in that way, but I just wanted to know what questions or concerns you.

A

Might have about reintroducing service which I'd say, staff are nervous about it still.

A

But I think by and large excited about it and determined to do it.

A

So any questions or concerns or uh thoughts about moving forward. Yes, michael.

H

uh Michael thank you for that update. I would share that. From my perspective, I'm hearing.

H

A lot of frustration from kind of people in my orbit about the library not being open right now,.

H

Considering that you know, people can go to target and do shopping and pick up food, and all these.

H

Other things, and so I'm happy to hear that there's conversation about the library, reopening and.

H

In the limited capacity it was before, um I am concerned, though, that that that might.

H

Not happen for another six weeks, especially considering that students are returning to.

H

Schools in two or four weeks- and so I'm wondering you know if it's possible to reopen the libraries.

H

Sooner um under those kind of very limited and reasonable conditions requiring ppe having a.

H

Set time period when people can be in there for a short period of time limiting capacity, I think.

H

It would be really helpful for the community to restore those services as soon as we can.

A

I I'd say the the thing that um has me concerned is staff, morale and staff um response.

A

A

We do have people concerned, but I will not say that it's impossible to do that.

A

What I'd really like to look at is the transmission rate in the county and get advice.

A

From the county health department on whether that's going up, whether that's going down.

A

But I believe me I I I there's no more any more disappointed than me in the county.

A

That we are not more open than we are. I you know we were opening that beautiful new library and.

A

I just wanted to throw the doors open and have thousands of people there for a groundbreaking.

A

And it's been a big disappointment that you know: we've been prevented from giving more services.

A

I, if the rate of transmission goes down and- and you know, there's talk of the super bowl.

A

How many people said I'm going to a super bowl party, 25 percent of americans in polls.

A

Said I'm gonna go to a super bowl party um and what happens after something like.

A

That or the holidays, it wasn't as bad for christmas as it was for thanksgiving, but.

A

About two weeks later, the transmission rate just skyrockets, because people simply were not careful.

A

So I want to look at that and see where we are in the overall transmission rate and get some sense.

A

Too, of what the county might be doing currently, the county buildings are open by appointment. Only.

A

So I I view library services as essential and I'd like to see us open more. But let's.

A

Try to balance all these factors out as my response to that, but I'm not saying no.

A

And you as a board, if you tell me that we're going to do that, you know uh I I will make it happen.

H

Thank you michael. I I think you know, obviously, that I agree with the with the emphasis on safety.

H

And we have to be prudent and responsible. I think, though, that if the schools are open.

H

And the library is not, I think we need to have a good explanation, ready to explain.

H

That discrepancy to our community members um and the schools will be on a hybrid model.

A

And so you know, I I think that's a source of great joy for many people and it will actually.

A

Help the library, because we have a lot of people who do have school-age children in the library.

A

And so this will allow that will allow us to free up some of the scheduling that you know.

A

Issues we face with people having to you know not not having daycare not having child care.

A

It may make things a little easier for our scheduling as well.

A

Other questions or concerns yes, carolyn or please go ahead, um not a question, but I.

F

Would just like to say, um I think, they're premature to open the schools, but I am not.

F

An expert in that field, obviously um whatever it takes to keep our staff.

F

Safe um if it takes another six weeks and that's very unfortunate, we all want.

F

The libraries, the schools, the stores and everything to be open, but I think six weeks.

F

If that's what it's going to take, that's what we need to do, I'm not in favor of opening the.

F

Libraries at this point, um I think we should just stick it out, but that's just my opinion.

A

Jim you had a hand up too oh hi janice go ahead, help yeah. I just I I agree with uh carolyn, because.

G

I know with the school system, they they move the goalposts and they you know it was infection rate.

G

And spread, and now it's it doesn't count or that's my word for it, and so I think the more consistent.

G

We are with the with the policies and procedures. If we look at the numbers in the building and we.

G

Open based on that, like we had started with that, but we need to look at our state half standard set.

G

The standards for the building and when we open, we can say we're following the cdc guidelines.

G

We're looking at you know the the issues that confront us in terms of staff, but we just need to.

G

Be consistent about what we're doing and safety is first and that's uh my response. Thank you.

C

Yeah, michael, I brought up this issue and even with smarla again and not so much the immediate.

C

Future, but once this infection is completely eliminated or largely eliminated, um we don't know.

C

How this pandemic courage has changed the needs and the requirements of people.

C

We normally support you know. For example, many more people had transitioned over to online resources.

C

Which is good and certainly happened before the covet situation, but will that change or.

C

Increase, or will people go back to preferring hard copy once they're more available? They.

C

Can come into the library um we don't know what needs will be, how people have changed? That's one.

C

um And again, some of my opinions are based on word limited input or in some cases not.

C

So much unlimited, but a broader understanding and exposure. um There's no question in my mind that.

C

The covet and it's really focused on online methods um from acquiring information to enrolling.

C

In programs like vaccination, has frustrated the more senior population of the county.

C

And is worsened or increased the digital divide.

C

And thirdly, um and again not certainly not judging the quality of education within our.

C

School system because I have no direct experience there, but I can tell you that from other parts.

C

Of the country and likely here, students have been set back a little bit in terms of their.

C

Learning in terms of their development because of covet, so what can the library.

C

Do, for example, in conjunction with the educational community, to help that that gap help eliminate.

C

Some of the things that this virus has caused, so I think, there's a lot of things that we don't.

C

Know yet and a lot of things we need to think ahead. Well, where can we, what can we do to help.

C

Some of these problems that, in some cases, have been worsened by um the pandemic.

C

So all I'm saying is nothing right now, but it's something that as we get closer and.

C

Closer to freedom from this infection that we need to think about. Okay, what's changed.

C

And how does that impact the services and that we can provide currently and maybe in new areas,.

C

That have developed well well, jim you're, absolutely right to be looking forward to that and.

A

There's been a lot of conversation in the library community and and inside our library itself,.

A

You know we're learning some things. um Some of our virtual programs have been extremely well attended.

A

um So that may be something that we're going to have to look at continuing.

A

So you know our art programs, for example. We were having a hundred people come to them, so.

A

That's not something we see when we have just a regular program, and so we may be having to look at.

A

How we do our programming and be very strategic about what will be in person we. You know that the.

A

Children's story times, I think, are such a great experience that those may not end up having a.

A

Virtual element, for any number of reasons um you know, you'd have to have the permission of.

A

Of the people attending um for that kind of program to go online, uh we could do it separately.

A

um But when we're we're finding that the kind of as it were, pre-made children's programming.

A

Isn't nearly as well attended as the um when we're we're sort of broadcasting in person.

A

So you know we're gonna have to look at that. um I don't think curbside services are going to be.

A

Going away, we were doing it informally before the pandemic. You know if somebody had limited mobility.

A

Or kids in a car they could call us up and say: will you please bring my stuff out? We always did.

A

um That just may be something that the public never wants to see, go away.

A

um I wish we had a drive through at all three of our libraries, because that's proving to be.

A

um Extremely popular at leonard town, so much so that we're actually having to open a.

A

um A way for people who simply want to walk up or come on a bicycle that they don't have to.

A

Go through the drive through because we're not able to serve everybody who wants to.

A

So um it's uh it's going to be a big challenge. You know, I think that library services will.

A

Change, I think that we're going to have even more demand for job help and for computer use.

A

Once um we're able to open more fully as people kind of get back into the economy,.

A

um I I think that the digital divide you speak of is a serious issue and libraries can be part of.

A

The solution, but not the solution, we simply don't have the resources to be an internet provider for.

A

You know the county, I I wish we could, you know expanding our wi-fi and the parking lots which.

A

We've done with the county will be helpful. We'll have wi-fi devices that right now we.

A

Have some just sitting there because they're not all being checked out? I think that how we.

A

How we use or how we provide services are going to have to be looked at very carefully.

A

I do think there's a future for libraries and that future will be increasingly digital, but we also.

A

Know that there are a lot of people who simply want to come in our door and get a good book.

A

And how we respond to this, um I I don't know to what extent people are simply going to say.

A

All right it's largely over, but I still am not comfortable going out into public places. This.

A

May change people's behavior long term and how we help work with children who are behind in their.

A

Educational development, you know as good a job as our schools did making things virtual that digital.

A

Divide would still be there in part, and simply the socialization of children has been set back um so.

A

You know there might be even more demand for in-person programming and for kids just to.

A

Be able to come in the library and talk to each other over a program or something so.

A

It's something that we're going to have to address and.

A

And probably with no, maybe even fewer resources than we've had before.

A

In terms of our budgeting, you know that's going to be a challenge.

A

What we're hearing right now is that next fiscal year, 22.

A

Starting this july may not be so bad for libraries, but fiscal year 23 there might be budget hits.

C

Yeah- and I would encourage them again as you're doing- is, to talk to the your own staffs and.

C

Again, I will continue to push this issue at a smaller level, because I think, if you draw upon.

C

The collective experiences of all three county systems, because I would think they're all facing.

C

The same problem, and maybe even involving at some points on the state librarian to really.

C

Address this whole issue: what is the future of the library is going to be host pandemic?.

A

We've been talking a little bit at the smurler level with directors, deputy directors as well.

A

And thinking about are there some ways we can increase interoperability of programming, so a.

A

Great program happens at calvert, rather than reinvent it at st mary's. We'll do a staff.

A

Exchange or just have them visit they'll give the program for us too same thing. For us, we've got a.

A

Great program going: hey, we'll, send it up up the road to charles county. um They have more staff.

A

Than we do and more resources than we do, which gives them a great ability to develop programming.

A

I mean I'm immensely proud of our programming and what our people do. It's creative, but they.

A

Simply have more staff able to do it. We've all been also been talking a little bit about.

A

At the smyrna level of equity, um previously, um what we, what we saw were.

A

It had to be equal for all three counties to get smurlett to operate and.

A

What we're kind of hearing from charles and calvert since calvert has a million more a.

A

Year than we do, and charles has two million more a year than we do is just say all right,.

A

What would be equitable saint mary's is the poor cousin. Does it always just have to be a three-way.

A

Split or could we say all right, st mary's is going to get a larger share of something.

A

And they I've not been driving that conversation it has. It has come from kenneth wayne and it's.

A

Come from kerry and it's come from the new smyrla executive director, um ashley saying you know.

A

What is equity here um so I think that we're we're looking at a lot of changes coming forward.

A

And some of those may be beneficial for saint mary's county in terms of regional funding.

A

um Certainly, um how we respond to this is going to be crucial for continuing library.

A

Services effectively in the future, and we are going to be looking at it very carefully.

C

Yeah, well, I can address that because, fundamentally, the smallest charter is that it provides.

C

Services to all three counties- and I think we historically adhere to that very faithfully. But.

C

I'm not convinced we, it closes off supporting to varying degrees among the libraries, so I think the.

C

Climate is such that it's a more open issue than perhaps in prior times yeah. I think so too. So.

A

But um thank you for your input on, you know are moving forward. Michael. I just go ahead.

G

Michael, just one more as you talk about equity uh and looking at the lexington park area uh at.

G

The covet and you know all the issues with the communities. You know the ymca and you know not.

G

Having the money and always wanting the private partnership and fundraising and all uh so, if the.

G

Libraries once again will uh until something is sorted out with that or uh the library once again.

G

Will be the uh teen center and the uh folks that will be taking care of the tweens and the youth.

G

uh In the communities, so you know we need to consider that too. uh We need to look at. You know.

G

I don't know what what the county government does in terms of community coordination, because if it's.

G

Going to be digital, looking at the um the churches and having some that have facilities to support.

G

Some of the uh you know, tutoring and and and and all of that so there's a lot to consider.

G

But when we talk about equity, we really need to uh address the lunartown. I mean the lexington.

G

Park library, in terms of what it actually can do, I know they all they want to do so much. But what can.

G

Actually be done is having the funding, I mean if we're going to cut funding and all those.

G

Issues that are coming up, we need to really sit and bring people together as a as a community.

A

Well, I I think that something like the program we're doing for um black men in white coats.

A

Involving numerous community partners is something that the library does very well. I mean we reach.

A

Out- and we say how can we, how can we get people involved with this to expand our reach to make it.

A

Even more effective, um I think that's something that we'll continue to do um possibly some work.

A

With the literacy council, um you know I, I know that um you've been involved with volunteer.

A

Reading with young people in lexington park, um that's something that the library might be able to.

A

um Expand upon when we're able to open our meeting facilities again.

A

So that's an area of special interest and concern. I know the lexington park.

A

Library does a fantastic job serving that community, but reaching all those people is.

A

Going to be something that we need, we will be paying a lot of attention to.

A

I I've always wanted to try a homework help center, where it does require staff for the.

A

Library, basically, one person is in charge of getting volunteers and getting supplies, but.

A

Young people show up, they can have in-person. You know homework help. It's not really tutoring per se.

A

That's you know professional level. Tutoring is something that we probably couldn't.

A

Get done, but we could arrange with volunteers to help young folks with their homework.

A

And give out school supplies, that's something I'd love to try and it's never.

A

I've never given up on the idea, so it's still something I think that's worth considering.

A

And that might help with some of the issues that you're talking about in the meantime,.

A

Staffers saying no michael, don't talk about that! um I've never given up on the idea, so we'll we're.

A

I I think we we have to be creative at the same time recognize that funding is.

A

Going to be a challenge for us as well so interesting time to be in libraries.

A

Well, I do have two action. Yes, john. Please go ahead.

D

Back to the future of the library, I will probably always be in the camp of I like to go in and.

D

Look for a good book, but I realized that the young people don't see it that way.

D

It might be interesting as the pandemic trails off and then eventually disappears for us to.

D

Host a seminar on the library of the future and find out what the community thinks it is.

A

We've we've done community surveys, but and and the last one for our marketing report was done.

A

um And we kept trying to tell people all right. Think of the library not during pandemic times.

A

And we'll be sharing that marketing report with you next month once it gets finalized. Lord did.

A

Great work on that um and we're sort of waiting for the final um go ahead from the state uh who.

A

Provided the funding forward to say, yeah all right that looks good to us.

A

But um we did a survey of what people want the library to be, and we try to say you know. Don't.

A

Look at it during pandemic times, but we still think it may have skewed the results. A little bit.

A

But I don't think we're ever going to get to a time during my library career, which I hope will be.

A

Some years yet, where a lot of people don't want to come in the library and pick up a good book.

A

We've gone more digital, but I think there's still plenty of people and there are plenty.

A

Of young people, um I I point to a pew survey that uh was only about a year and a half ago.

A

That talked about library, use and young people were not so digitally driven. Many millennials.

A

Preferred and younger people preferred still picking up a physical copy of a book.

A

I don't think that's going to go away um and well I don't think so either. That's the, but I.

D

Think, yeah, yeah being so immersed in the situation that we're in now.

D

I think there is going to be a bias toward people, particularly the young crowd, learning.

D

How to get access to the library without actually going there? In other words, we're going to have to.

D

Market ourselves and back in physically, if that's what we want to do, I think we need to.

D

Be prepared for them to say, hey, uh I got along just fine doing it. The other way pandemic. Hell.

D

I, like it I'll, keep doing it and they're the next wave of of patrons. It's not us here on this call.

D

It's going to be them well and and that's why we have this bill in front of maryland. Legislation to.

A

Try to make sure we're getting access to quality content that we're shut out of now and why we're.

A

Negotiating with the publishers to try to get better licensing terms and working with.

A

The library vendors to make sure that they can support those licensing terms. This is.

A

You know I you're absolutely right that.

A

Increasingly, digital services are going to be important for us and in our programming as well.

A

Michael did you have something else yeah? I would just say you know, as a parent of school-age.

H

Children, um you know, obviously this has been a real slog and, uh despite the most valiant.

H

Efforts of teachers and school administrators- you know our students. Education has greatly.

H

Suffered their socialization has greatly suffered a lot of students disappear into.

H

A digital black hole all day as their parents are trying to work, and, uh and I think that you.

H

Know a lot of young folks are really hungry for socialization and in-person interactions.

H

And- and I think that you know moving forward michael, I would ask that we really keep a close.

H

Eye on what is happening with the schools phase, one starts today: phase two starts on february: 16th.

H

And phase three starts on march 1st and mindful that we need to look to see if the super bowl.

H

Is going to be a super spreader event, I think it would be really valuable for us to look closely in.

H

Two weeks as we're in the middle of phase two of the of the schools reopening to look.

H

At the metrics they are using and to look at the metrics we are using and to make sure that we're.

H

Meeting the needs of the community and that as educators, library, staff and school staff that.

H

There's a level of consistency in terms of how we're operating to meet the needs of the community.

H

And so I just hope, especially during the next few weeks, we can be really responsive to what's.

H

Going on whether that's in a positive or negative direction, um we'll be able to make a much better.

A

Call at our march 15th board meeting. I think um I should say that our youth services department is.

A

Eager to get back to it so much so that we have scheduled.

A

uh Six or seven outdoor programs coming up once the weather's turned a little bit better.

A

And we're you know: leonard town is fairly easy place to have it, but but other places might not be.

A

Quite so easy to do it um our other locations, but we are. We are looking at partners on that. So we're.

A

Planning on you know they they're eager to get back to it, um so that will at least be a start and.

A

Then we'll just have to see how quickly we can get young people back in the building. um It's really.

A

Frustrating for youth services staff who love to do programming that yeah the online is good.

A

But it's sort of like I call them the library rock stars they like performing they like being.

A

In front of a crowd um and I've been able to do a little bit of youth programming.

A

Myself- and it's just a great experience to see young people getting thrilled about.

A

Things related to their education, and so I know they want to get back to it.

A

We will be following pretty closely what the schools are doing. um You know the school.

A

Superintendent's in my rotary club- and we asked for regular updates from him about what's going on.

A

um So we have kind of an inside track there, so we'll we'll be watching and.

A

You know I it's just going to be interesting. You see, as the pandemic does.

A

Recede and thankfully, all these variants that are coming out now are not going to.

A

Overwhelm the vaccination efforts but to see how quickly people want to get back to.

A

What were what you know, traditional behaviors and, what's going to change.

A

um I do have two action items for you today. um The first is a change, and this is in.

A

Part in response to the pandemic, but in part because this policy was written before we had.

A

Personal time off, pto for our part-time employees, and so they were not really even.

A

Factored into the policy originally and the changes I've asked for basically are going to.

A

Address that in part, we did have a part-time employee who.

A

Tested positive for covid and is recovering nicely, but it's a tough slog back for some.

A

You know some people are totally asymptomatic and it's no issue for them. For those who, who you know.

A

As it were display the virus have the symptoms, it can be a tough road back and so.

A

You know he, as in a part-time employee, you have relatively limited um part-time off and.

A

And so I wanted a policy that might be a little bit freer for somebody in a situation like that.

A

To be able to benefit from this policy, which was previously only benefiting primarily full-time.

A

Employees um so the changes I've asked for are in blue or either crossed out um employment accrued.

A

Personal, sick or annual leave that we were already doing that. It's just that the policy didn't say it.

A

So we basically as full-timers as benefit employees, get personal, sick or annual leave.

A

um That's the amounts are set out in the personnel manual, so.

A

I just wanted to say: okay, since we're already doing it. Let's include that in the policy.

A

While we're primarily aiming this at people who are in need, I don't think it's absolutely.

A

Necessary that they have totally exhausted all their sick leave, so I ask that that be taken out.

A

We add any annual leave will be converted sickly for exempt employees.

A

Or pto for non-exempt employees, and that adds them into this policy um and the other things.

A

Are just I didn't like the wording of the first one I did. I thought it was a little ambiguous, so.

A

I tried to set out a little more directly exactly what I thought that was trying to get at.

A

So you see the new policy, as I would like to see um you consider it, and- and I ask you to do so-.

A

Yes, I have a question: um why do you not think it's um why? Why did you take out the exhausting.

B

Of us pickley, you said you didn't think that was necessary. Can you kind of give me your rationale.

B

Why you would donate leave to someone who still has leave on the books? Well, it's because of the.

A

Limits on our part-time employees, who are not benefited in the same way that everybody else is.

A

So part-time, basically- and this is a policy you approved maybe three years ago-.

A

Although I've been here longer than I think, maybe it was four years ago um did come from.

A

The employees who were part-time, you know that they had no leave, so they had a choice.

A

When they wanted to take off of either, you know making up the time some other time or simply not.

A

Getting paid and we gave them pto, it is accrued annually and at the start of each year they get.

A

Twice their weekly hours in pto. So if you're a 21 hour employee, you get 42.

A

Pto hours, which is basically seven days during the during the year, um we couldn't really do more.

A

Because we're bare bones staffed- and you know so giving lots of time off meant would would be.

A

Challenged for our managers to staff the libraries adequately, but they don't get a lot of time off so.

A

You know um I I just like them in certain circumstances, and I don't see this happening.

A

Very frequently that we're going to donate leave but under special circumstances that.

A

Those people be allowed to have a little bit more of a break, and I consider getting covered.

A

You know it's not that the person wasn't being careful, but you know if you're living with a.

A

Family and somebody gets exposed, it could be an issue um well just a little bit more opportunity.

A

To take advantage of of this policy- um and you note at the end- it's still safe, it's you know.

A

If, if we think it's being abused or you know it's a problem, we can still say.

A

No, you can't do that um that that is still in place, but that that was the. Why it's just.

A

Could there be people who have certain special needs.

A

And if recovering from covid, they might have to use all their leave in in the first three weeks.

A

um So, just a little bit more opportunity later in the year to maybe take some time.

A

For a holiday or something like that, your second question.

A

You you said you had two.

B

Oh no, that was just my question. That was it. Thank you. Thank you.

A

You're, muted, jim.

A

Jim jim you're, muted, I'm sorry.

C

Yeah I um yeah again with action items. I think we do need to conduct a hand raising vote.

C

Even though the changes here are relatively minor, but it's a good idea to keep all action items in.

C

The same way, I'm gonna suggest one change if it's grammatical and we don't want to vote on.

C

It and then go back and amend it and so forth. But in the last sentence where you took out.

C

um The directive, who feels that the following word should be if and.

C

Capitalized, um so what it would now read is if the library director determines that the.

A

Use of donating leave is jeopardizing the library's best interest. The director may.

A

Curtail the donation of leave is what it it say. If, though, it says.

A

Mine says: if that is mine: it it's the right way director who feels that that's crossed out.

A

And now it starts with if the library director, okay, um maybe I need new glasses all right, then.

C

I hit it looks like an it to me, but okay, um so I'll make the motion to accept the changes to.

C

The policy, um actually um you you were right in the original version, um it did say it and.

A

I've since corrected it, so if you got the first version which was originally put online, I replaced.

A

That second one but the board dock may still say it, but you're absolutely right. It shouldn't say.

A

If very good, now I've got, I talked about the word now. I've now I've got you understood.

A

Marianne, looked at that and saw the same thing so so thank you, mary and making that correction.

C

Okay uh questions comments: if not all in favor of approving the.

C

Changes to the employee manual indicate by raising your hand, okay, motion, campus.

A

Okay, the second one um calvert and charles- have gone all jeans all the time they they let their.

A

Employees wear jeans, um I'm still an old stick in the mud. I'd like to see you know we allow it.

A

On friday, saturdays and sundays, um when we're open on sunday, so I'd still like to see a slightly more.

A

Professional level of dress than I think jeans is or it could just be, that I never wear jeans myself.

A

um But so right now we have under very cold conditions, people sitting in front of doors.

A

Letting people in and out of the library or people going out to deliver a curbside, and I had.

A

A request when this is happening you know, may we please wear jeans, I didn't think I'd say all right.

A

Right now, during pandemic conditions, you can do that because I didn't know if next year we might.

A

Not still be doing curbside and not necessarily because of pandemic, but just because it becomes a.

A

Regular part of our operations, although we haven't determined that yet so um I just said: okay, when.

A

We're having people outside denim is a pretty good insulator against cold weather. People are running.

A

In and out that, we would loosen this policy just a little bit. So that's kind of what that is asking.

A

You to do it lengthens the policy considerably, but basically, during the winter months.

A

If you're doing doorway, curbside or other outside service for the library, you could wear jeans.

A

You can wear jeans off-site to trainings or conferences, but shouldn't wear them when you're.

A

Officially, representing the library as a presenter at a conference or when appearing before elected.

A

Officials wait a little bit more dressy for those particular circumstances. So that's the.

A

The change policy I'd like to see- and I promise you you're, going to.

A

Be heroes among the library staff, if you agree to this one yeah john you're, muted,.

C

Yeah I'll make the motion to accept the chain to employee manual 7.2, as worded.

C

Can I get a second second? Oh there we go. Thank you john's. Second, any questions or comments.

C

Okay, all in favor indicate am, I raising your hand opposed okay. The motion carries.

A

And thank you amy ford, for bringing this suggestion from staff forward to us. um Our.

A

Next meeting is march 15th and that will either be virtually or here in the chesapeake building.

A

The some dates to remember presentation of the commissioners is tomorrow.

A

And I don't have an exact time for that, but their meeting starts at nine, so I'll be out here in the.

A

Lobby and when they are ready for the presentation I'm going to come on in, I did send out a document.

A

If did I get that document to all of you yeah, I got it okay, good, I'm pretty sure I sent it out.

A

And, um rather than do a powerpoint, which I struggle with doing virtually in this environment,.

A

And having it be, I think particularly effective. I'm just going to talk about.

A

Basically, our open hours during the pandemic, some of the main things we've done, the last six.

A

Seven months since we last presented to them and start looking ahead at the future and a.

A

Little bit of conversation like we just had about what our library services are going to look like.

A

They have given us 10, 15 minutes um was allotted and then time for them to ask questions. So um it.

A

Could be 9 30, it could be 10 15. I it shouldn't be too late in the day and you can um the board.

A

Members, you received invitations to attend that virtually um and you're certainly welcome to do.

A

So, although a couple of you have told me that tomorrow just isn't going to work for you, it's.

A

Certainly not required, um but if you want to um log in and make comments or just watch the.

A

And and library staff you can simply watch it on on youtube, it'll be carried, live.

A

um On thursday, testimony for senate bill 432, that's the digital uh content bill.

A

Which we're hoping we'll make out of ways and means in the senate um I'll be testifying, then.

A

um Black men in white coats will be roughly february 26 through march 3rd, with the.

A

Starts of viewing on the 26th and the the panel on the third roughly.

A

At some point, we're going to see the I'm sorry I take. This is different. um There's a virtual.

A

Ribbon cutting for the electric vehicle charging stations um in a commissioner meeting coming up.

A

So I will let you know exactly when that happens. I don't have a date yet.

A

And finally, our county budget hearing on the 23rd of march, the commissioners will hear from state.

A

And other agencies, which is us, they're, consider our budget submission and we'll have an initial.

A

Sense of what they are going to be thinking about the library's budget, um they do have.

A

About 1.5 percent, it's 1.45 to be precise, um more of a budget than they thought they might, um which.

A

Is about five or six million? As you're aware, we've asked for about 140 000 additional funding.

A

um Some of it, for you, know the increase in minimum wage, some of it for additional.

A

Utilities at the leonard town location, uh some of it, for um our employees to be considered for.

A

um A a little bit more money, so we'll we'll have an initial sense of how they respond to that.

A

And that will be followed by a public hearing where we can appeal if we wish to so we'll just.

A

See how this year's budget cycle goes any questions about any of those moving forward.

A

Well, phyllis, thank you again for your service to the board and to the library to the board.

A

As always, I say thank you so very much for all you're doing for st mary's county library. It is.

A

Deeply appreciated and everybody have a great uh cold day here: okay and before we close up.

C

Anything else that any other board member wants to bring up. If not the meeting is adjourned.

C

Michael, do you need me to stay on now for this? The dedication component.

C