St. Mary's County, MD Library Board of Trustees for St. Mary's County, 15 Mar 2021

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From YouTube: 3/15/21 Library Board of Trustees for St. Mary's County

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A

A

Welcome to the march 15th library board of trustees, meeting.

A

And my name is jim hanley, I'm the board president and as we do we'll typically.

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We'll go around the room alphabetically and have everyone introduce themselves start off.

A

With michael dunham who'll be joining us later, so we can just continue on. I think maryland you next.

B

Good morning, I'm carolyn guy vice president of the board.

C

Good morning I'm sandy howenstein, I'm treasurer.

B

Good morning I'm tristan setlack board member.

D

A

Based on those who responded, we have a forum this morning.

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And I couldn't get ahead of my clock, so you're going to hear the background.

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First, item on the agenda is the approval of the february.

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Meeting minutes um I'll make the motion to approve.

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Any questions, comments and changes.

A

Okay, again, we'll use the voice vote all in favor of approving the minutes.

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Please indicate by saying aye: aye aye aye, okay, okay, the next item on the agenda is the els.

A

um So again I'll make the motion to approve the eals. I have a few questions, but.

A

I'll, let's get a second.

B

A second okay, thank you carol. um Any questions on the eals.

A

Yeah I just have two um and again I mentioned I try to ask about ones that are larger.

A

um Which is so much objective but um and they may be repeated, but I just don't recall.

A

So but what is um super international, which was about thirty seven hundred.

A

Do you have anybody gonna answer.

B

What's the date on that jim.

A

I'm sorry the date yeah, I don't have the els in front of me. um It's march 4th.

C

The super h t e r.

A

All right, I guess, if someone can get back to us and the other one I wasn't familiar with.

A

Was the large landing and I'm sorry? No, it's I'll take it back zones, which was about almost 6 000.

A

Yeah, I don't get another date on that. It's also march 4th. Okay,.

E

Jim this is belinda. The zones is um some I.t contracts that we have okay and the sector.

E

I'm trying to remember and I'm looking that up to see what it was.

A

All right: well, let's, let's not delay if you can just get back to us.

A

Yeah, I'm certainly there they're um expensive. It's just again. It's part of our due diligence.

A

And they're all the board, we should at least ask about um any expenses. We normally don't recognize.

F

I think that the super one is also an I.t expense. It is, I just found it it.

E

Is another it subscription that we have okay, good all right? Thank you.

A

Okay, I'll again, uh all the favorites of accepting the eils, uh please indicate by saying aye.

C

Okay, I have the march 12 report for you. um Our pnc checking account had an opening balance on.

C

February 3rd of 710 there were no deposits or withdrawals, and the current balance is as of.

C

312 was 710 dollars on our vanguard, investment accounts, the original accounts value on february.

C

3Rd was thousand dollars two hundred seventy six thousand two hundred and forty dollars and.

C

Seventy nine there were no deposits or withdrawals the share price at that time was ten dollars and.

C

Seventy four cents we owned seven thousand. Ninety eight point: seven seven shares for a yield of 1.11.

C

On march 12th, the account value was 75 739.71, the share price was 10.66, he owned 7105.038.

C

Shares a dividend of 67 was paid on february 26 and the yield was 0.81, and that was a change in.

C

Share price of minus 8 so on that account dividends paid to date in 2021, total 103.29.

C

On the rudolph account the account value on february 3rd was 18.

C

Twenty one 902.21 no deposits or withdrawals the share price again was ten dollars and seventy.

C

Four cents we owned one thousand seven hundred fifty nine point: nine eight two.

C

Shares for a yield of one point: zero, one percent. On march 12th, the account value was 18 776.52.

C

Share price was down eight cents to 10.66 shares owned 1761.400.

C

A dividend of fifteen dollars and sixteen cents was paid on february, 26, bringing dividends to.

C

Date on that account to twenty two dollars and fifty six cents. The yield is point seven. One.

C

A

Okay, I'll make the motion to accept the treasures report. Gonna get a second, no second.

A

Okay, thank you. Any questions or comments.

G

I do have a question all right question or two: are these funds in the library's foundation.

H

No they're, they are not. The foundation is a separate non-profit.

H

Entity- and my second question is: do we need this much liquid uh performing so anemically.

H

San diego, that one that way you get to answer, um but there there's a there's, a requirement that we.

H

Have a certain amount in the corpus? Yes, we have to have 55 000 in the original account value that.

C

Is a requirement on the account? um Sorry? Did you say six, five or five, five, five, five fifty-five.

I

All right, just as a note I did um I, I shared my login access with john, because the accounts have.

C

Not been performing as well as they have in the past and unfortunately, our vanguard has required a.

C

Security code, a texted security code to log in so basically sharing that with him locked me out.

C

We had to talk, I had to get my my number back in, but I would like to add john on with full access.

C

If no one has any objection to get him his own login, because I think.

C

With his background, he could provide us some insight and wisdom that I don't have.

C

That's all right, yeah. I think that it's a good idea for a couple of reasons. One.

A

um You know we tend to keep these funds in a relatively conservative fact, not relatively, but.

A

Very conservative: it's it's a trend. We typically have in other investments, primarily for retirement.

A

But is that necessary? In other words, can we diversify those funds in any way so yeah? I.

A

Think it's a good idea to have john take a look at it uh right. If it's the only way he can do it then.

A

That's great, that's fine! All right john! I would like go ahead. I'm gonna investigate that. I think I.

C

Can initiate that process online, but I'll contact you offline? If I need any additional information.

C

To make that happen, okay, and I want to be clear if access is granted. I want everybody to understand.

I

Even if the access in their minds allows me to quote operate the account that's not going.

I

To happen so I don't want any operational uh abilities. I just want to look at it. That's all.

I

Okay, yeah john. I certainly speak for the speak with the board. We have every confidence um in your.

A

uh Handling of that, so we're not we're not in any way concerned right. You know.

C

I was just going to say there were different levels of access. I was afraid if I did not.

C

Give you the full access, then it might not give you access to everything. You need to look at.

I

So a follow-up question: if I may then, if if these are not foundation, funds.

I

What is the foundation doing financially on behalf of the library.

H

um You could thank unless you're michael dunn, who's, the basically.

H

The president foundation now do you want to handle that or shall I.

J

Sure I mean the foundation is really charged with fundraising activities: um capital campaigns.

J

Events things like that, I don't recall michael blackwell, sort of how the money is stored or.

J

Like which accounts, but um the foundation is definitely more focused on the fundraising piece.

I

They have assets yes, currently there's about 35 000 in a checking account um and we.

H

We do have a treasurer who uh is uh an accountant um who serves that function um and basically, when.

H

um An expense comes up that we would like to ask the foundation to pay, for we make a request of.

H

The foundation most recently, for example, they paid for the plaque honored mary lee russell.

H

In the renaming of what used to be called the maryland room and also a large donor plaque, an.

H

Update to that to reflect some new 500 or thousand dollar donors, um they have paid for uh quite a bit.

H

Of things related to the new library, including that boat, that is there in the children's area.

H

So um basically, as I say they that the foundation works to and the friends as well have their book.

H

Sales and other fundraising work to support the library separately as separate 501c3 organizations.

I

What I'm hearing is, we don't seem to have any money that we regard as long-term endowment money.

H

um If, if you mean people donating to the library.

H

Long term or out of their wills is that what you're referring to.

I

It's not so much where it comes from as it is. What are we doing with it, so it might be a request. It.

I

Might be a current endowment gift, etc, but we we have a propensity here for super low risk. Ultra.

I

High liquidity, very low return on monies that I think could be working harder. That's my point.

A

Yeah, that's what I just mentioned. I think it's worthwhile having you look at it because you're.

A

Right, we tend to gravitate toward the low risk uh type of investments which, again in.

A

Different arenas, I believe right, michael um blackwell, that we are obligated for.

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Retirement funds and other areas that um to be more conservative but there's no restrictions.

A

Placed on, for example, the funds we just went over so looking at that the the library has.

H

Two basic accounts, um but the friends and the foundation are both separate entities.

H

And if one wish to um the friends does not keep a lot of money on hand, they are very.

H

um Quick to make donations to the library and that money basically sits in our unexpended fund.

H

Balance and that's one of the two accounts we have, that was some- that one is with pnc.

H

The issue with that one is that we um draw upon it. Money goes into that account.

H

When we get paid by the state or by the county, and so we draw upon that for all our expenses.

H

We could and I'm happy to have the board discuss setting aside certain amounts of that money to.

H

To earn more, but we do need that for everyday expenses and the whole amount could not be put.

H

Towards um a a any particular investment, the other large account that we have it's currently a little.

H

Over a million dollars is the opeb fund. That's the employees, retired employees, health benefit fund.

H

And we'll be talking about that a little bit later in the meeting today, as a matter of fact,.

H

um So that's the other, that's the largest fund that we have.

H

But it um it is invested um and we were supposed to have a meeting with david sanders from asset.

H

Strategies today to talk with you about how it's invested and he wished to make some changes.

H

Mr saunders was scheduled to get a coveted vaccination this morning and and obviously.

H

We're very happy that he's able to take advantage of that so he'll be with us next month, but as I.

H

Say I want to talk to you about some changes that have recently happened at the county level. There.

H

And get your take on that, so you guys did not transition over to marquette.

H

No, we did not.

H

Our our account is separate from the counties and therefore um was not connected to that transfer.

H

uh And if we could just hold off talking about that for a couple minutes, we'll talk about, maybe.

H

Possibly uh moving forward on that. Okay, thank you just just a bit yeah, also john. If your question.

A

Relates to any thought about consolidating the various sources like the foundation and um you.

A

Know the funds we have here and and the uh friends of the library we have discussed that in the past.

A

Not so much the funds that sandy manages, but the other two and and I can share with.

A

You at some point, but it takes too much time to really explain why we still keep the foundation.

A

And the friends of the library separately, um okay, all right- and I just want to close the.

C

Loop here as treasurer that um I've really been in a maintenance mode on these accounts, because.

C

They have typically been performing well enough to fund what we have historically wanted to fund.

C

Which is summer, children's performances with the original account the rudolph account. I would.

C

Assume that we need to be a little more careful on, because that was established as a memorial gift.

C

Solely for the purpose of helping to fund the summer, in turn, it was in memory.

C

Of a young woman who was killed in an automobile accident and the family donated that money so that.

C

That's the side that we have to be more careful on um it, never funds the intern fully, but it whatever.

C

Interest it earns or dividends it earns during the year it gets put towards the intern expenses. So.

C

um That's basically the caveats I was given. You know the the trustees years and years and.

C

Years ago, I guess were receiving donations and receiving um gifts and they decided that this.

C

Was the best way to manage them and I'm assuming that's where the 55 000 corpus.

C

Requirement came in so that they'd never get below a certain amount to manage. Okay. Thank you.

A

Okay, so we've basically then asked the questions about the.

A

Treasurer's fund, so I'm sorry, I'm forgetting that myself, we didn't take a vote on it. So um if.

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I can ask you, then, to indicate acceptance of the treasures report by my voice, um indicate by saying.

A

Okay, aye motion carries.

A

Okay. The next item is me: um the smirling report. um You know the swirly meeting we just had was really.

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To serve two purposes, there's a corporate meeting and just the clarification there is two two boards.

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In effect, the corporate board, which consists of all members of all three counties of the boards.

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Of all three counties, um so it's all of you, plus your equivalency in the other two counties.

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And we primarily focused on accepting two board members who were who were eligible for a second.

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Term, and that was approved, the state librarian gave a little highlight of what they're doing.

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And we also discussed the issue of a project that is being initiated to look at all the regionals.

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To see what are the roles of the region or what are the roles of the boards within the regionals.

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um So, while that's that's still ongoing, we may not have a result of that for a while, but.

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That was the other item that we talked about so after the corporate meeting, then we conducted.

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uh The regular meeting where there was a meeting of just the smurl aboard itself and uh I kept the.

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Agenda light because we, the primary focus of the meeting won, we elected the officers which.

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Were unchanged from the prior year? uh Secondly, we did want to talk about the budget. We went through.

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The budget uh extensively and approved the budget which, to be honest with you, doesn't change a lot.

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Immediately or we do make some adjustments, but um but the budget for smurl was approved.

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uh For the following of fiscal year, that's pretty much the highlights of the.

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The meeting itself, but the um ashley, who is the ceo of swirl, we'll be meeting now to map out.

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Projects for the for this year, other things that I would like to see get done uh within smurler.

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um And I'll be sharing those with you as we as we go through that we start some of these projects.

A

Any questions on smila.

A

Okay, then, if not michael I'll hand it over to you all right, thank you. Just a couple of.

H

Updates before I launch into it, that is when we look at the budget review. There's a new document.

H

We put it on board docs and in the google document folder, where you also tracked things this morning.

H

It's just got a couple of updates on it and I'll be reviewing that with you, so no need to go, find.

H

It here I want to add an agenda item. We have an update on some federal funding that may become.

H

Available to maryland libraries and that can go after reopening updates, so federal funding.

H

Update there, I do want to make another addition to the agenda of a personnel manual and that's.

H

Also been added to board docs and to that google folder, but I'll review it with you.

H

So the personal manual update can go before going fine free.

H

And so we'll start with employee recognitions and the first two are for laura boone.

H

Chasery and sarah stevenson, who put together organized our black men in white coats program.

H

And that required substantial negotiations with some partners, the ucac, the naacp, the saint mary's.

H

County public schools, dismantling racism, historic solderly with several panelists, we had four.

H

It was moderated by kelsey bush, michael dunn's colleague from st mary's college of maryland.

H

And so a substantial amount of, as I say, organization of the panel and pulling that.

H

Program together and that's a agenda item for later buzz, go ahead and cover it now.

H

What a wonderful and inspiring program that was um janice! You were there. If you want to comment on.

H

Your take on that I'd appreciate it, um but uh the panelists were um all very informative.

H

And I think people came away um seeing um what, in many cases in our county, we don't.

H

Necessarily often see which is a panel all of uh african-american people who are authorities.

H

And one of them said: if you, if you see it, you can be it. This is clearly the example.

H

Of seeing it and inspiring people to be it uh janice anything you want to say about it.

D

Yes, it was really an excellent presentation and um I guess it was very enlightening because many.

D

Of the doctors I mean there weren't a lot of doctrines. It was three on the panel, dr neal, and.

D

A doctor from the um medstar doctors, african-american men and dr joyce neal,.

D

And it was very enlightening that they had never really been invited to think about their careers.

D

And uh you know the schools or panels, so it sounded like this was a first which was wonderful.

D

So, thank you, library, uh ford and the staff for putting so much time and effort into sharing.

D

This information, it is important it does shine a light on the work that we need to do.

H

You janice and and again thanks to laura and sarah for their great work pulling that program together.

H

um Next, um we have many people to recognize: amy ford, becky, white alisa, mattingly, kimberly.

H

Fields, catherine de cristoforo, faye, palmer, katie, kolenda, gina, berry and angela angelido.

H

And they have been manning or personing on the phones.

H

People are calling in to find out about getting vaccinations, getting the coveted vaccination and.

H

We are assisting them with information and also getting them signed up to get the vaccination and.

H

We're averaging on the days that we're doing that over a hundred calls and a couple dozen people.

H

Were getting registered so for all of you, terrific teamwork, answering vaccination registration calls.

H

Your outstanding customer service and commitment to giving accurate information.

H

Has been very appreciated by citizens and by our community partners of the health department and.

H

Department of aging, thanks for bridging the digital divide and equalizing access to this.

H

Life-Saving vaccine, and often these are people who do not necessarily have computer access at home.

H

And computer is the way to sign up for these. So thanks to all of you for doing great work,.

H

Getting people involved with getting vaccination and spreading accurate information about covid.

H

Finally, we've got three others of and that's robert palmer.

H

Tim beers and jeff powers. They were involved in some major projects installing the voice over.

H

Internet protocol or voip phones at lexington park they coordinated that effort with the.

H

County program, the phones did troubleshooting recorded messages and implemented training for.

H

Staff on all that, so thanks for your hard work and getting a better phone experience for all.

H

Our customers so lots of lots of great work going on your library this past month and thank you all.

H

And I will have your certificate signed and distributed out to you um any questions on that.

H

If not we'll move forward to the budget, like you, yes, michael robert palmer, um you forgot john.

H

Guadalajara um voip! Oh sorry, there is uh sorry. I ran these off by mistake on double pages john.

H

Guadalcahaller also recognized for that. Thank you very much, john for your efforts as well.

H

And I also will have a recipe to give it for him. As I say, I accidentally ran them off. Double-Sided.

H

So I've got to go back and redo them. Let's go ahead and take a look at our budget review.

H

One number will have changed: 69 of the year has elapsed and as we look at that.

H

We see that there's a couple of salary figures that are slightly above again.

H

Those are due to long-term and fairly high paid employees being paid out.

H

Upon retiring and we've, you know we're just having another with anne aldi retiring.

H

So you know three employees who between them had 145 years of service um when they go and they get.

H

Paid out we are, um we do, you know, owe them their their personal time. um We, um however, are looking.

H

Fairly good overall in that category, with 67 spent down um the um telephone services are going to.

H

Be a bit more expensive and we're going to have to adjust for our budget for next year. For that.

H

um Part of that's just the transfer over to a new system. It is a lot more efficient.

H

Slightly ahead of schedule is the leonardtown electric.

H

And we're going to have to we've asked the county um to make an adjustment for.

H

That uh in the upcoming fiscal year, uh we'll see how we do with that.

H

Looks like lexington's, water and sewer expenses are also ahead, so.

H

Again, we need to be looking at that. The heating is very much ahead and it's not.

H

Been a particularly cold year, so we've asked the county to make an adjustment.

H

For us there, fortunately, the amounts aren't really particularly high in terms of our overall expenses.

H

Everything else is looking pretty darn good. I draw your attention to one figure on page three.

H

Under charges and fees and that's the figure for fines, which also includes lost and damaged items.

H

And you'll see we had budgeted for fifty thousand dollars this year and so far this.

H

Year, we've got about 11 000. Well, we've got exactly 11 566 dollars collected there. So.

H

Very much uh and in some ways not surprising, but we're going to be talking about fines later on.

H

Today, so I want to draw your attention to that figure as to what we have taken in this year.

H

Any questions or concerns about the budget as presented.

J

Michael, can I ask right above the fines? What is that services income? What does that refer.

J

To that's going to be um photocopying fees for faxes, it formerly included meeting room.

H

Rentals but we no longer rent out the meeting room, so it's basically small charges that we do for.

H

And it's going to be way down because we've not been open all that much in many instances for.

H

Some of these services and people have also been being more conservative.

H

About coming into the library but more details about opening later.

H

All right: well, let's move on to some foln foundation updates the friends.

H

Of the library are not going to be able to have their annual book sale this year, it.

H

Would have been at the end of this month on, obviously covent restrictions are still not.

H

Yet that will allow that larger greeting when their spaces, where they are selling, are.

H

Inside they are doing very well with some online book sales and they've ramped. Those up.

H

They're still taking donations and they've had to get a separate rental.

H

Space because they've got so much on hand, but they are planning for a fall event.

H

And then next year, obviously we're all hoping we can have that big annual book sale again.

H

um The foundation is thinking about a fall event. We do not have firm plans on.

H

That yet, but again we're hoping that the pandemic will be eased enough, that we can.

H

Have in-person events at the new library, possibly an author visit or some other.

H

Some other event that might involve refreshments as well and we'll just have to see how that goes.

H

But any event that we have this fall is going to have to have a virtual element as well. So.

H

Stay tuned for more details on that in may. We plan to start thinking about how that will look.

H

We've already done the black men in white coats recap again: a very I'd call a successful program.

H

We had nice online attendance and so we'll move into the legislative session update.

H

The override of the governor's veto of the lifelong learning act.

H

And we'll be discussing a ramification of that later, so I'll put off that um kind of.

H

The other one, that's really affecting saint mary's county will be the e-book bill. It has now passed.

H

Both the full house and senate unanimously, there was not a single, nay vote, um which.

H

In a time of some division in the country and in the state seems quite remarkable to me.

H

So it now has to have a reconciliation so that the same language in both is moved forward.

H

The one amendment to it was to add uh digital audio books to it.

H

And it will then go to the governor for signature.

H

I've shared with you several articles that mention that legislation, one from the washington post.

H

One from publishers, weekly.

H

I'm told by a colleague in rhode island that they had introduced similar legislation last year.

H

It did not ever get considered because the legislation was closed of the pandemic, but.

H

They have reintroduced that or are reintroducing that with sponsors, so expect rhode island to do.

H

Similar legislation, it's drawing quite a bit of attention um in libraries um so once the.

H

Governor signs it- and I I'm assuming he's going to, although I'm not counting any chickens just yet.

H

We intend to have a celebration in which we thank the governor and our legislators for.

H

Their pioneering work in legislation like this.

H

We don't yet have any sense. Obviously, since it hasn't passed.

H

About what the reactions in the publishing world are going to be, um we are told um by mr fowler.

H

Who, with the washington post article that he asked amazon about it and they're, not commenting.

H

So there could be five possible outcomes. Obviously the best would be compliance. The.

H

Publishers just say: hey, okay, good. What's what we're going to do um very unlikely would be.

H

That the publishers will stop selling e-books to consumers in maryland and rhode island.

H

Rather doubt that's going to happen, but it's a possibility.

H

Another possible outcome will simply be delay that they'll say this is a big change and we need time.

H

To work with libraries to have this happen and simply never come to the table, they could simply.

H

Ignore the legislation and say in effect, all right: we're not going to do it. You'll have to sue us.

H

Or they could um seek a legal injunction to have the uh law not enforced until such time.

H

As legalities could be sorted out, um but as I say, this is drawing quite a bit of attention.

H

In the library community, so we'll just have to see what comes of this particular legislation.

H

So any questions about that one- michael yes, michael yes, for the public implication is this. In.

D

A nutshell, so you just let them know how it will benefit the public sure. um Sorry, we had talked.

H

About this last time, but perhaps somebody will be following this time- he wasn't following last time.

H

This bill will require any publisher who, who puts out content to.

H

Private citizens, or to residents in maryland, to also make it available to libraries.

H

On reasonable terms, so there are some large publishers who.

H

Are not currently doing that and you've as I've shared the articles with you, amazon is one of them.

H

One of the amazon divisions audibles, which says audiobooks, is another. Another is blackstone a.

H

Major producer of audiobooks, which releases 10 titles a month through audible, none of those.

H

Are currently available to libraries and they do include important content by important authors.

H

Our basic position on this, as for library readers is, you shouldn't, have to have a.

H

Credit card to be an informed resident of maryland that libraries should have access to this content.

H

Should be able to share, it should be able to work to preserve it.

H

And it would seem like maryland, legislators have agreed with that position.

H

So thank you to them for their strong support of maryland libraries, readers.

H

Yes, john you've mentioned rhode island how closely aligned or is the legislative language between.

I

Maryland and rhode island and are there any other states who are trying to do the same thing.

I

On a state level, the legislative language is very similar um and again, um I think quite deliberately.

H

Crafted we're not asking the legislator to get involved with sorting out prices, for example, or.

H

The terms of licensing, we just say we'll work with the publishers to make that reasonable for both.

H

And obviously, we're hoping in light of the fact that we're paying quite a bit for.

H

Digital content now.

H

To have them give a little bit on their prices.

H

In their negotiations with libraries, but again we're not asking the legislators to consider this.

H

The other state which has last year introduced legislation to this effect is new york.

H

And to my knowledge that has not yet been reintroduced as legislation. Of course, new.

H

York is where most of the major publishers are located, so they would certainly have a.

H

Very strong voice in that state I so I don't know if that legislation will get reintroduced.

H

But um our hope is through working with various stakeholders. The urban library council.

H

The american library association to promote knowledge of this bill.

H

And consider two things having other states work on it, so we could pursue a 50-state strategy where.

H

Basically, there be no state ultimately where this law would not be in effect, but possibly.

H

Also something at a federal level where the federal government might weigh in.

H

If you're, following in the news, you know, there's been substantial sort of antitrust interest in.

H

In amazon, uh in in some of the other big tech companies and possibly as something related.

H

To this, if you ask me what a reasonable price would be, I don't know that the publishers are.

H

Going to agree to this, I would say: let us pay the same price for an e-book that we pay for.

H

A hard cover call it thirty dollars, not not the library discount price, we're usually paying.

H

About fifteen sixteen dollars for a hardcover, because libraries get substantial discounts.

H

Through jobbers um call it 30 for 40 circulations, and then that would expire. It's not going to be.

H

An eternal license, because that's a point of concern for publishers is that if it never expires.

H

And you're only paying hardcover price. You know a book might wear out. This will never wear out.

H

We'd also like for the publishers to consider giving us perpetual access to a title, but.

H

That would be, I think, reasonable at a much higher price um call it even a hundred dollars we'd like.

H

All those options to be available so that when we go to get a best-selling book, we might get one of.

H

Those perpetual access licenses, or maybe two so that when you know people are still reading.

H

Bestsellers, especially in series from 20 30 years ago, they still like those books, they're still.

H

Important they're still considered essential in libraries. There might be some titles that we look.

H

At that are less well-known and we just say that's an important one. It's a record of history um so.

H

For example, a title: that's popular right now how to be an anti-racist we'd like that permanently.

H

So what we'd want to do in these instances is say all right: we're going to buy.

H

One of those that we'll have permanent access to and we can keep it in the historical record and.

H

Make sure it's preserved and also because we anticipate it being read for years.

H

And then we're also going to get several of these other licenses that, after the high demand, goes.

H

um We could basically get them at a lower cost and the pandemic has served as a catalyst. We knew that.

H

Digital was going to become more important. We just didn't know what happened quite so fast as it has.

H

So that's kind of in a nutshell, what we're hoping to get from the publishers.

H

Obviously, we've got a lot of negotiations ahead of us.

I

You think that the effort to maybe elevate this to the federal level ought to get a little more.

I

Horsepower now, even as you're trying to corral different states into the effort.

H

Well, um we're talking.

H

With some stakeholders about that, yes, I think that we do want to accelerate this, and we think that.

H

There's several representatives in the house um who will who would be supportive, um one name.

H

Particularly comes to mind in rhode, island uh representative, cicciolini,.

H

Has already weighed in on this, and we think he would be supportive, but we also think that.

H

Some of our maryland legislators in the house would be interested in moving forward. We also.

H

Think that senators, cardin and van hollen would be interested in possibly seeing this past in.

H

Maryland in moving forward on a federal level, but we'll have to see what appetite there is for that.

H

Right now it could become part of a larger consideration of the tech of the.

H

Big tech companies, which are in some cases being investigated right now for anti-trust practices.

A

Michael, I have no unique insight, although some some insight perhaps, but um there are also a.

A

Lot of mid-sized and small publishers that will be impacted. I don't think they've been attuned.

A

To these efforts, but I guarantee that if this ever goes to a national level, they're going to.

A

Hang together in fighting this, um so it'll be interesting, see to see what happens well,.

H

Actually, we have a really good working relation with many small and medium-sized publishers.

H

A lot of them are all on board and view libraries as a very important market, so.

H

Abrams publishers, for example, is already offering these multiple models.

H

Through the digital public library of america- and we think that that's not going to be.

H

A major source of dissension for us in many cases, smaller publishers.

H

Often their biggest customers are libraries um and they, you know, they're not going to have in many.

H

Cases too much trouble, but I'm not going to speak for every small publisher other than the fact that.

H

Many of the ones that we know already work with overdrive, already work with biblioteca or.

H

Baker and taylor sort of the three major public library providers of e-books and.

H

Digital audio books, I already work with the digital public library of america.

H

And again, we're not this legislation does not say here's what's reasonable, it does just say.

H

Publishers talk with libraries, so we'll we'll have to see where it goes, but I don't anticipate.

H

A lot of pushback from publishers who are eager to sell the libraries.

H

Well, if there's no other questions, let's move into our reopening update as of today.

H

St mary's county public libraries are no longer capping. The number of visitors in the library.

H

um That's the major change from last week, um we're still requiring masks. uh We strongly encourage.

H

Social distancing, um we are still quarantining materials. We do not have our meeting rooms open.

H

At this point in time, because in many cases they are being used for that quarantine of materials.

H

In april we are going to open at lexington park and leonard town, some small.

H

Conference rooms that will hold two to four people socially distanced.

H

We don't yet have a date for opening the meeting rooms. It's going to depend on. You know the.

H

Development of the pandemic, but with the governor releasing or easing some restrictions, including.

H

Many retail establishments and restaurants being able to operate at 100 capacity and with the.

H

Decline in the county in the number of cases, we thought it was safe to go ahead with this step.

H

We're not anticipating a major jump in attendance at this point because we think people are still.

H

Being careful, we will be monitoring, you know. If we start to have problems, we will reconsider.

H

This, but for right now we're just really pleased that we can be back we're not going to expand our.

H

Hours just yet, we are going to continue curbside services and drive through at leonardtown as well.

H

And we encourage uh people to uh get digital content to attend our programs virtually uh when.

H

You come to the library. Please do recognize that you are out in public during a pandemic and should.

H

Be taking every precaution, including using hand sanitizer, which we have throughout our buildings,.

H

But we are having six programs coming up that will be in person but they'll all.

H

Be outside with some partners, so there'll be one at the pax.

H

River museum naval air museum there'll be one at greenwell.

H

So we are starting to get back to in-person programming. We don't have definite plans for.

H

Summer programming, yet those are being worked on, we'll probably mostly still be virtual for summer.

H

But again it's going to depend on the pandemic situation.

H

All of our staff, who want a vaccine, have had the opportunity to get at least one and many.

H

Of our employees have now had both of the pfizer vaccinations so for staff. We're thinking we're.

H

Fairly safe from severe infection, we have had some staff members have family members, contract.

H

The virus, and so they have had to quarantine even if they've got vaccinations just because.

H

The science is not yet certain on whether or not a vaccinated person.

H

Can carry the virus, we think that's still possible, so we're still.

H

Following every travel precaution for employees, we're not really authorizing travel.

H

By employees for the library outside of state on inside state, it's having to be.

H

Very careful it's mostly just in county, it's not like. We can restrict our employees from going.

H

To one branch to another, often they have to so any questions about where we are with reopening.

I

I have one marianne, I wasn't going to mention this, but marianne just said in the chat that.

H

Her husband has, in fact um contracted the um the coveted virus and and since you're.

H

Willing to share that I will. I will share it too. Chris, your husband is doing well still. I hope.

F

He is he's, he's got relatively mild symptoms.

H

So uh marianne will be I'm stuck at home. Yeah marianne will be quarantining at home for two.

H

Weeks um and uh michael says in chad, if people aren't looking that he he wishes.

H

All best for your husband and your family, but there was a question. Yes, questions.

A

John, you had a question first and then michael okay. We touched on this in our last meeting that.

I

Has there been any change in the staff numbers who have indicated they will not be getting the.

I

Vaccine and if that's still out there, how are you going to handle that with regard to their.

I

Interaction with visitors, other staff, members etc. Well, um it would have been. I can update on that.

G

Sorry I can give a little bit of an update on that. Please do um one of our branches.

F

That had quite a few people that were not getting vaccinated have now.

F

Gotten vaccinated, so they only have two people that are waiting at this point.

F

So that's good news, so so fewer so fewer staff are now saying they don't wish to be vaccinated.

H

We we did have one employee who had such a severe reaction to the vaccine, and this can happen.

H

To any vaccination, not just the covet, um um therefore not get the second one, based on a a.

H

Doctor recommendation, um so you know we could have made it a condition of employment to be vaccinated.

H

But knowing that even getting vaccinated wouldn't stop people from necessarily spreading the virus.

H

We did not opt to go that route. um Those people are aware that they are putting themselves at risk.

H

And we do have you know the air filtration units in all our branches.

H

We're cleaning we're taking every precaution. We do not think that the library as sites go is.

H

Particularly unsafe, but everybody in the public and in our employees need to realize that.

H

If you go into a public space without being vaccinated, you are putting your health at risk.

I

Okay, michael did you have a question? I wanted to ask um how foot traffic has been uh if people.

J

Are complying with the safety measures and how the staff is feeling about the reopening.

H

We are keeping um greeters at the door, they they don't have little aprons on, unlike at walmart.

H

To ensure compliance, um people who are not wearing masks are told they may not enter the building.

H

And um since today is the first day, I can't really answer the question about foot traffic.

H

Now that we're we're taking the cap off um foot traffic uh since we reopened um with.

H

uh You know we went away from appointments, for computers only has still been relatively sparse.

H

um We're seeing more people, but there is a two hour cap on staying in the library. At this point.

H

You know we're not giving somebody a little sip of paper that says here's! Here's when this expires.

H

We're trusting people um to do this, but we still have you know: half the computers blocked off.

H

A lot of the comfy chairs have been removed or taped off. um We were concerned about.

H

Teen areas and and teams being more willing to you know uh not socially.

H

Distance without making the libraries unattractive we're trying to make them.

H

Let's just say not the welcoming place that they normally are.

H

Marianne comments in the chat on the first day we allowed people in the building. We had over a.

H

Hundred in each one, but compared to our normal traffic, when that could be in the thousands.

H

So, yes, we are seeing an increase, but so far it's not unmanageable.

H

And we'll know better starting today, I still think that most residents in in the county are being.

H

Careful, um as I say, if we started to run into issues with overcrowding or people, not social.

H

Distancing, we will reconsider, but we're hopeful that that this is going to be a good trend for us.

H

And marianne comments that the customers are very happy, my observation to staff, but you were in the.

H

First day, michael, so why don't you share what you had uh what what your experience was? Our staff.

H

Are by and large very happy to have people back in the building, I think they've all been missing.

H

Working with the public, we have a very outward facing staff. I think that for the most part, we're.

H

Really glad- and I think in part it's just a you know today's basically a one-year anniversary.

H

uh We're really glad that people are back um yeah, but you were in the first day, so I went.

J

There on the first day- and uh I think I think the leonardtown library was the happiest place in st.

J

Mary's the facilities looked incredible. The staff was super friendly and professional greeting.

J

People some by name, I walked out with a stack of books. I was really excited to read. It was great.

J

And people were being very respectful, everyone was wearing masks appropriately, keeping distance.

J

It was a very positive experience, so kudos to the entire library staff. Everyone did an amazing job.

A

Yeah, it's michael. I think we all certainly support the degree of caution and the procedures that.

A

Have been put in place and for the year people are happy, but it can't please everyone are you.

A

Getting any emails and prompt roles or people who think the library is doing too much or too little.

H

You know I'm not getting much emails either way. At this point um we had one person.

H

Call while I was in a um zoom, a statewide zoom meeting wanting to ask why we had gone from seven.

H

To to um two days on our quarantine- and I um I did not take that call because I was in zoom but.

H

Then the person um didn't leave me a phone message but then called the library and said I tried to.

H

Call the director and- and he didn't pick up but but why is that? I want him to call me but didn't.

H

Leave a phone number for me to get back to that person so that person, if you are listening the.

H

Reason why is based on a recommendation from the maryland department of health looking at.

H

The various studies that have been done, suggesting that most of the risk on nearly all materials will.

H

Be over after two days of quarantining, and so we moved from our more cautious seven days down to a.

H

Full two and that matched our partners in calvert and charles as well. It speeds up getting materials.

H

Through the system, to my knowledge, nobody's been able to say, I got covert from a library book.

H

Nobody has indicated any concern about moving too fast other than that as far as moving too slow.

H

I've not heard um when I met with the county commissioners in february they were encouraging.

H

The library to expand its capacity and and uh we're happy to report to the commissioners that.

H

We have but other than their wanting just to make sure that the library was serving as many.

H

People as possible as safely as possible, I've not heard anybody encouraging us to do more, and I.

H

um You know we get the occasional email that says the virus is a hoax or you know you're.

H

Saying very rude things about the governor, for example, um and.

H

Basically, I just let those roll on off there's not much sense in engaging in that.

H

So no I'm not hearing a lot either way. I'm I'm kind of surprised. uh Earlier we were hearing.

H

More concerns about getting the library open. I I think now people are just happy that we are.

H

So, um as I say I, we don't yet have a firm date for those meeting rooms, but.

H

It's all going to depend on on how the pandemic goes, and you know, there's new variants that are.

H

More contagious going around if we have a if we have another pandemic situation in county.

H

Or state we may have to roll back again, I'm hopeful that most people in the county are.

H

Going to be responsible in the immediate time, meaning maybe possibly by fall, we could all be.

H

Exercising normal caution and not the kinds of of caution, we've had to exercise the last year.

H

One update for you that has just come in late on friday. This is from state librarian, irene, padilla,.

H

As you know, the american rescue plan act of 2021 was signed by president biden on march 11 2021.

H

The imls, that's, the institute of museum and library services has announced that.

H

They received 200 million in the american rescue plan, act for libraries and museums.

H

Maryland's portion of this funding is 3.3 million and that's more than we typically receive in.

H

Funding from the federal government for libraries in an entire year.

H

There's um no match requirement for these funds and the ims sees this funding.

H

Opportunity as a logical extension on the rapid and intentional rollout of cares x funds last year,.

H

So we have two years to use these now we're waiting for more guidance at the state level.

H

From the imls on spending this money, but we're going to pass along more information as it becomes.

H

Our state librarian says so um we're going to schedule meetings statewide to discuss what we're.

H

Already doing and develop statewide plans, this may give saint mary's county library the possibility.

H

Of getting grant funding for additional services and exactly what that funding could be for.

H

We don't yet know, I don't know if it will allow us to expand our digital collection, for example,.

H

But certainly it could expand the number of wi-fi hotspots we have. It could.

H

Allow us to circulate laptops, you know, I'm not saying we're going to do any.

H

Of this, just so much as we're going to look really carefully at the availability of some funds that might allow us to deliver more services.

H

The other sort of federal update is that this, I'm sorry this one's from the state.

H

The state broadband deployment and broadband connectivity grants.

H

To bridge the digital divide- or this does call ultimate federal government- is 7.17 billion.

H

For the e-rate program for emergency educational connections and devices.

H

So that's another place where we might be able to expand our wi-fi capacity.

H

um So eligible equipment means wi-fi hotspots, modems routers devices that combine a modem and.

H

Router and connected devices so we'll be looking at ways once we have more information from the.

H

State about how st mary's county library could take advantage of this grant funding.

H

Any questions on that one.

H

We don't yet, as I say, they're, not a lot of information other than that there's going to be money there and we intend to go for it.

H

All right we're going to move on to um action items um uh returning to something.

H

Yes, janice michael yes, this is janice he's, probably in your report. I do want to take.

D

A point of personal favorite privilege to once again thank the library for the.

D

Their support of the college and career, fair, featuring historical colleges and universities.

D

And it was held on february 26th and uh we really couldn't have done it without the library.

D

uh Sarah stevenson was, I tell you, disney barton working with adrian de la hunt.

D

Who coordinated the fair, and uh we just appreciate what they did? We were able to.

D

uh Use the loans we were able to um pre-record uh presenters and we have pre-recorded.

D

Sessions that are available to people that registered, uh we did presentations and by being.

D

Virtual, we were able to actually do educational presentations and panels uh when you have a lot of.

D

Fair, like that, the students just ran from table to table this time. They went from zoom room to.

D

Well, platform, the rooms that wanted the platform to run that they were able to tune in, and students.

D

And parents were able to come in discussions like that transitioning from the uh iep students and.

D

Seniors and preparing for college and uh people see some track loans, and it was really.

D

A collaborative event and, as I said, we even had moderators uh the library moderators were.

D

Michael reports, sarah jill and marianne and amy- and I could not pass this.

D

Opportunity up to say thanks again and uh they were partners, the library we usually partnered.

D

With the school system and we still partnered with the school system and now the library.

D

Signed on with us all, trying on literally but work with us and this partnership so.

D

Kudos and thank you thank you and thank you for letting me uh add this in.

H

Well, well, janice, thank you so much and and sarah um uh all kudos to you. Although.

H

um A number of people who are staff who are are on the in the meeting now uh also.

H

uh Worked with that um and hosted uh breakout sessions- and you know, admitted people and and.

H

Served as tech help, but yes, sarah was our our maestro there. So um again, sarah thank you for.

H

That and and janice we're just always delighted to partner. um uh Thank you for your kind words.

H

To return to a question john asked earlier, the county, I I asked.

H

Miss prattson the head of county hr, all right. So so why did you change vendors? The county has three.

H

Large accounts and opeb and two others, and they were looking for a vendor, to manage all three and.

H

They did an rfp. um This was not um not in any way an expression of disappointment, asset strategies.

H

And you know our our funds have certainly had its ups and downs with the market um under.

H

Asset strategies, but it has grown substantially um through the investments that are made there so.

H

I don't have any reason to express dissatisfaction with asset strategies either, but um the county did.

H

Not you know alert us that they were doing that specifically alert us that they were doing that.

H

Change and our account is separate from the counties um so that wasn't necessarily on their.

H

Part, um but my question to you is the board: is the arrangement with asset strategies predates me.

H

It was made sort of under the aegis of the county.

H

Now that the county is no longer with asset strategies, did you also wish to do an rfp to.

H

Consider other vendors and we don't have to choose the one the county did.

H

Would you just prefer to leave, as is, but since the county has made this change.

H

It's a time we might think about this, so I open up for your consideration.

A

My suggestion we haven't met with with asset management for quite a while. We have someone.

A

On board now, who could look at this based on his background? Is it better to have some asset.

A

Management come in talk about the investment, so we can feel for how they're performing.

A

Then we can make a determination that we want to move out from the top.

H

um And and mr mr sanders, the rep was supposed to be with us today but as I say he he could.

H

Get a covered vaccination today, so he he opted to do that, but he is scheduled to.

H

Be at our board meeting in april and um basically we were gonna.

H

You know have him web x in and you'd be able to ask him questions and any questions you wish to.

H

Have sent to him ahead of time, I will happily share with him, so we can have that meeting in.

H

April that would be my recommendation to have the meeting. Then we can.

A

Decide if we want to go elsewhere or issue an rfp and so forth,.

B

I agree all right, I'm seeing everybody sort of nod here. So um yes, john.

I

Based on my experience with another retirement plan here in the county.

I

um I would suspect that the board is not as informed as it probably should be.

I

With what the overall costs are and whether or not the individual investments down inside the account.

I

Are actually appropriate for who you are and what you're trying to do.

I

And I would suggest, therefore, that in anticipation of that meeting next month,.

I

If there could be some sharing or some access of materials, so we could see uh the same kind of.

I

Thing that should be reported on regularly. What's in the account, how are the individual pieces doing.

I

And more importantly, what is it costing to do? What you're doing now, both on an individual asset.

I

Basis, and also on the basis of who you're using as your advisor on the whole thing.

H

um I did send a report from um last the the most recent quarter. He.

H

Mr sanders has sent me another one, um and I shared that with you via email.

H

um I will share the most recent one he sent as well. um If that wasn't information enough, then.

H

John, may I please have you, send questions that you would like to have answered um sure and um I.

H

Will put you directly in touch with mr sanders um and he um perhaps you'd be willing to serve as a.

H

Liaison to the board with asset strategies so that we could get the most informed opinion and.

H

Then still have mr sanders come in april and have you discuss your concerns and considerations then.

I

Yeah sure I'd be happy to help there. When did you send that report out michael the most recent.

H

The the the one I sent from, I think it was the.

H

Third quarter of last year was about two weeks ago, but I've got since then. I've got one from.

H

The fourth quarter of last year that I can also send perfect if I could see that one.

H

All sure I don't think we need to have an emotional continuing mind.

H

Yes, yes, would you remind us again, a win that needs to be fully funded and how we are? Oh.

H

H

I did send you um previously.

H

And we had a discussion before as a board the report from bolton.

H

Which looks at specifically at the opeb account and in order to be fully funded.

H

It's going to take a couple million more and how we're going to get there. I have no.

H

Idea bolton suggests we try to do what the county is doing, which is funded at 75 percent.

H

um The idea, of course, is that the investments coming in or the the growth coming in from the.

H

Account will pay for the costs that we're currently mostly paying on a pay-go basis.

H

For our retirees health care benefits, but how we get that fully funded, I without.

H

So this past year, for example, fiscal year on a pay, go, we did more than we were.

H

You know we have a budget line for this. We paid in paygo more than we were getting as it were,.

H

From the county for that budget line, I've asked for increases in the past and we've never got any.

H

What we have done in the past is when we have any kind of a budget surplus for.

H

The year as we put it into that account this past year, we did not have a budget surplus so.

H

By and large, we've been dependent upon, paygo and on investments and.

H

Getting a more aggressive funding of that is going to be a challenge for us. I'll, be honest.

D

H

um I had sent you a it's really more an addition and not a big change to our dress code. um It.

H

Adds athletic leggings as something that we'll ask not to be worn just because they, you know they're.

H

They're, wonderful for athletic purposes, but maybe not so professional. um We took away the words long.

H

Shirt and substituted the word dress over leggings and then finally, we just added some information.

H

About face mask asking that they're the same rules of clothing, no athletic, wear, no political.

H

Or social messages, no graphics with a branded character such as dc or marvel comics. um That's.

H

Just you know, we, we don't promote commercial entities in the library for several reasons.

H

One of them being that if we promote one, it could look like a product endorsement and two.

H

It could mean that people with competing products said well. We want equal time and.

H

How would we say? No, I will tell you that we are getting some branded face masks. um They are the.

H

Double face: masks that will have the library logo on them and we're getting.

H

Enough to share with you, should you decide you need yet another face mask, it will say.

H

Saint mary's got a library on it, be nice dark blue, so we will provide you with masks as well.

H

Should you want one, so I do ask that you please approve these updates to the dress code.

I

J

H

And jim, I think it's time to call the vote.

H

um Jim, I think, you're on mute. You are on mute, gym.

H

B

We can't hear you jim you're on mute, gym, yeah, I'm sorry yeah yeah, I am but the clock went.

A

Off and I went to you because um yeah what I said was I didn't even hear in a second so.

A

We've trouble with the audio michael michael done any other questions or comments. Okay, again,.

A

Not again because of the audio issue, sorry people like me who viewed too long. um I asked you to.

A

Indicate you're in favor by by raising your hand, okay, we're all raising our hands, so motion carries.

H

Late breaking addition, we did want to add something to our personal manual under 7.5 work.

H

Rules- um and I did not get this to you- it has been put in board docs. um I did put it in the google.

H

Folder I'll just read it to you, I don't think there's anything to be concerned about with it.

H

Employees should be alert to customers while working. They should be aware of their surroundings.

H

Acknowledge customers and be approachable reading a book intently watching a computer and reading.

H

Or scanning a cell phone while on work time, and especially where working your service.

H

Desk is prohibited. Professional reading and online learning should be conducted out of the customer.

H

Area personal reading and scanning reading on a phone or tablet should be conducted on breaks.

H

And we're not having any particular issue with that, but it's just something that we've been.

H

Trying to inculcate his behavior, we just want to formalize it.

H

As part of our work rules, so I will ask that you can please consider approving that move, to adopt.

A

Any uh do I get a second second okay, thank you. Any questions or comments. Okay, again I'll.

A

Ask you to indicate by raising the hand if the proof changes okay, so everyone motion carries.

H

uh One more thing and it's the big one.

H

We talked earlier about how both house and senate had overridden the governor's.

H

Veto last year of the lifelong learners act that provides funds for libraries.

H

And in st mary's, I think we'll be getting about an additional 40 000 to go completely fine free.

H

For children well, many of our children's materials were already fine free, but this.

H

Is going to require some major changes in how we do that.

H

Because polaris makes it easier to do materials all right, so these picture books will be fine.

H

Free other than our special children's cards and the cards we have with the um with the.

H

Schools, which are basically the same but they're limited in what people can do with them. We don't.

H

Have a fine free children's card and we're going to have to implement a whole new system.

H

In response to this doing, some rather complicated things, charles county board, recently voted to go.

H

Completely fine free, I drew your attention to that fine collected number we had earlier now granted.

H

For the first, maybe month of this fiscal year- and we have been- you know in many cases.

H

Not doing as much business that number also included, lost and damages we'll still be able.

H

To have lost and damaged collection- that's not necessarily going to be out, although.

H

There's a delay in the time that we can charge for lost or damaged items for anybody who's, a child.

H

Basically, we're not going to really be collecting a whole lot in fines in the future.

H

As more and more people are going virtual, um so what we would like to do is follow charles's lead.

H

It's going to be much easier for us to manage this transition if we are simply fine free as a system.

H

Going fine free has been something that half maryland libraries have now done.

H

They are finding that materials come back if anything better. It's not that the fines are.

H

An incentive to get things back on time, often they're a disincentive once a family, especially.

H

Who might be struggling economically get a fine, they simply never come back to the library. The.

H

Materials don't come back to the library um for people who are out of work because of covid fines.

H

Or disincentive to use the libraries, we know that it's an economic barrier, especially for.

H

Families with young children, who may not have a lot of money, but we also know that this is not.

H

Causing materials not to come back, if anything as they say they come back sooner and better.

H

So we are going to be getting from the state for fiscal year 22 starting in july.

H

That money that we'll be getting under the repeal isn't going to come in for a year from this july,.

H

That 40 thousand dollars- and incidentally, we don't have.

H

An inc increase scheduled for that year other than that, but we're getting about an additional 18 000.

H

From the state for this upcoming year, I would propose using that funds just to.

H

Have us go completely fine, free as a system, and I would like you to consider approving.

B

I that that we uh adopt the policy of going fine free.

B

I'll, second, that.

A

Yeah super clarification so we're talking about fine free for everyone.

H

Everybody, yes, um basically, we would not be charging fines, we'd still be charging for.

H

Lost or damaged items items that you know if somebody's, not bringing things back their car is.

H

Going to get blocked, it's not that they're going to get a free pass um there. There are things in.

H

Place to make sure we're getting our materials back, but no people would not be paying fines.

J

Okay, yeah and you know mike. I look supportive of that in the beginning, because it's the library.

A

Should not be a money maker in a sense, but um my only concern is the impact on our budget. um You.

A

Know because again, it's hard to know because of what's going on now um in terms of proven, my only.

A

Suggestion would be to make sure that the county commissioners are aware that we're moving in that.

A

Direction, obviously, part of that is because the children were sort of mandated to do that, and but.

A

You know we operate with such a tight tight budget and if we see a decrease in the funding source.

A

That means, ultimately, we need to rely on security funding to offset that, depending on the amount.

A

So I think it's important to let them know that they do provide the funding.

A

That this is an issue that we're preparing to do um so that they're not put off guard.

A

And eventually, you have to increase the funding. uh Well, fines have been going down for quite.

H

Some time- and we were considering doing this anyway- and we we have discussed that with them.

H

Previously, but if that's your wish that I will communicate with them to that effect,.

A

I think michael's done it first and then john, if you can, then you can follow janice.

D

Okay, uh given the express the concerns jim raised about some of the budget issues, I wonder and given.

J

How weird the timing is now given the pandemic? Was there any thought or any interest in doing.

J

This as like a one or two year pilot, so that we could sort of see how this goes and evaluate.

J

Would it be helpful to do this on, like a shorter term basis, before making a permanent change.

H

The difficulty with that is that that, if you put fines back into effect,.

H

You have a rather uh unpleasant public relations situation on your hand,.

H

Yeah people don't really like you to bring it back. um Okay, I just don't want us to be in a situation.

J

Where we need to bring it back down the road- and you know I don't know mike- that's my two cents.

H

Yeah my recommendation would be then, if that's a concern that that we not move forward with it.

H

Because, as I say, if you, if you take them away and then put them back in, it seems punitive.

A

Johnny other question: um I'm a little bit concerned and maybe this can be overcome by.

I

A good education effort, but um given the long history across multiple.

I

Years of the relationship between the library and the commissioners, I would hate for them to.

I

Come up with the notion that says well, look. You all have turned your back on.

I

X, number of dollars um and now you're turning to the taxpayers and throwing it on their shoulders.

I

To make that up, I think they've got to be brought in earlier rather than later, so they know why.

I

We're doing it what the long-term trend has been, what the trend in the library industry has been.

I

Etc, so that they're not gobsmacked by saying oh, you turned your back on. Let's say: 50 000.

I

And now you want what us to put it up. I don't think we need that fight.

H

Well, um in calvert and charles, the commissioners have gone ahead and done that. um I guess.

H

uh Unfortunately, that's calvert yeah, I guess um what I'd say is the reason why.

H

We're bringing it forward fairly quickly here is we are. We are required to comply with that.

H

um That with the new law now- um and this just would have eased the path for um getting this.

H

In place, rather than having to migrate to a new type of card for thousands of people, which I.

H

I'm but we'll have to investigate how we're going to do that. If we don't move.

H

Forward but if you know I um I will report back to smirlo that we are still charging.

H

Fines, if that is your, will until such time as we can move forward with that, um the.

H

It will require smuggler to make some changes for st mary's county library alone. Here's the thing.

I

Michael, I just don't want to be on the wrong end of the power curve with the commissioners.

I

I can go with no fines. That's that's not the problem with me. It's giving them an opportunity.

I

To say why didn't you tell us this that we were headed in this direction? Now we have to think.

I

About how we're going to accommodate you to the tune of x, number of lost dollars all right? Well,.

H

If that is, if that is your will, then that is how it will be no wait. We still have more than just.

A

Yeah yeah. uh Well, I think uh in comments what uh janja said: the uh taxpayers did the time when.

D

You leave taxpayers of additional funds, and uh so that that is something we're thinking about.

D

And if we're charging for lost and stolen, then we're still dealing with people that are.

D

Being so, uh that's just my comment on that, so it works both ways for taxpayers.

D

The other thing is um the forty thousand dollars for children financing for children.

D

Is that not available, if that's only for children, it's it's their way to find out? If that can be.

D

Added and is that just for this year, because there's extra money.

H

That money will not be available um until the um july 1 of 2022.

H

That money specifically earmarked for this.

H

So that that money and it.

H

The the bill has only to do with making materials for children fine, free, so.

H

So uh you know it's not like we're going to be able to change the law or get the money earlier.

H

Unfortunately, no yeah 18 000.. What was that? That's the additional money we're going to get from the.

H

State this year, um over the amount we got last year, there was a a 20 cent per capita increase.

H

In funding for libraries, and although the budget has not finally been passed.

H

There has not been any move to strip that out so we're looking at having from the state.

H

About 18 000 more than we did last year, starting on july 1st of 2021 this july.

A

Let me address, I think, michael died again from my standpoint of hr um when you put a program in.

A

Place or, and if people expect it to continue, it is, I agree with tend to agree with michael blackwell.

A

It would be hard to reverse it, so we need to continue, but I think a lot of our feelings and.

A

Opinions that really thoughts have been um in one direction that we are of course looking at the.

A

Benefit of our uh the residents of this county and so forth, the commissioners have a different.

A

Mindset they look at numbers, they care about cost. So I think what we need to do is to come up with.

A

A um the summary of what's: what's changing, what we want to change and as fast as we can, I realize.

A

It's a challenge to estimate the financial impact impact based on this terrible day and this year.

A

Has been a tough one to utilize I'll, we can send it to the commissioners I'll, be glad to talk to.

A

uh Commissioner, guy and said I need to talk to you about this, but I agree if we we have to go.

A

Back and I share john's opinion, if we have to go back to them and some future um budget requests.

A

And said we need to make up for this. I think it's going to run into some issues, so I think we need.

A

To before we institute this, we need to uh alert the county commissioners. This is where we're going.

A

The reasons why you know what other organizations are doing things like that to support the logic.

A

Especially once I have a financial implication that directly impacts the budget.

H

All right! Well, um I will pull together um a michael go ahead. If I could jump in.

D

Yeah go ahead carolyn, um and this is this- is actually um a little bit going with what jim.

B

Was saying we are going to save some money in some respects, not a lot, but we're going to save.

B

Some because we will not, if we go, find free, um we're not going to have to send any any money to.

B

A collection agency- oh yes, we've often we offset that with what we get back as far as collections.

B

But those are usually not necessarily large fines. Those are usually materials to my understanding.

B

The other thing is printing the new cards. If we go find free now, that's not an issue, but we will have.

B

To if we stick with just the children's card that understood michael correctly, so yes, we will have.

B

Some offsets and I think it's an excellent idea. I was going to suggest, like jim said.

B

We do a breakdown of costs versus savings, etc, um but this is going to be the wave of the future.

B

Whether we do it this year, whether we do it next year or it's going to happen, that we're going to.

B

Go find free, the question is: is it going to be the next fiscal year or the future fiscal years? So I.

B

Think if we get in our ducks in a row, um yes, the commissioners look at money, and that is there. You.

B

Know and as well, they should, um but they have to look at the big picture as well, which also.

B

It is our responsibility as well as there, so um that's my my thoughts on it.

H

Janice, you wanted to say something or agree with caroline on that, because once we alert them, then.

D

The decision is ours, I just kind of wondered what we would do if they would look at it, but.

H

Well, I will communicate. We've been appointed to look out for the best interests of the library.

B

And the citizens who use this service and going fine free, if that's in our best destination,.

B

The library and the citizens, then we will put our case forward to the to the commissioners.

B

And hope that they understand and see what we are doing I mean that's all we can do.

H

I don't think you need to vote on it. I um at all. um I I think that uh this discussion is enough and.

H

Moving forward, we do for our next meeting is april. 19Th.

H

Our county budget hearing is march 23rd a week from tomorrow, so I will be here.

H

In this very room, I'm sure uh listening to that um we did not, and you know.

H

When we prepared our budget, there was not yet any sense of overwriting the governor's veto and.

H

We did not include anything in our budget request about this particular issue, so.

H

We will not have that in front of them on the 23rd. It.

H

I will say that if we put this off, it's probably going to have to be.

H

Probably going to have to be a year before we would have that in a budget request in.

H

Front of them, but I will try to bring it up next week as something to consider.

H

um I will try to put together something that will be a cost benefit analysis on this.

H

uh Most immediately, I'm going to have to go to smurla and indicate that, because we.

H

Are now required to be in compliance with this law? What we're doing right.

H

Now is we're just on a case-by-case basis for giving fines for young folks.

H

We will have to continue that, but it ultimately is going to require some changes to polaris.

H

um To make this automatic and be in full compliance with this law, so we will. um We will.

H

Work with smurler to make those changes, and I will update you next month on where we are with those.

H

Yes, uh michael I or and jim, I guess I had made a motion. Do you want me to withdraw that motion.

H

uh I'll leave it up to you.

A

Would you rate the motion then, to accept the um to find free policy.

B

Yes, yeah, then I need you to withdraw the motion, okay, uh so so withdrawn. Thank you.

A

Yeah again, my suggestion is it's hard to bring this down to the commissioners.

A

In anticipation of its impact on the budget, which is too far along, uh I suggest some.

A

Number one: this is the main implication, though, carrying forward in all the years after the.

A

Current year, so um I I still feel the best alternative reason to put together the logic and.

A

The financial implication in a single document um looking forward to the entire county commissioners.

A

um Or again you and I can meet with commissioner and we've got to be careful, as some of you.

A

Know that if we have too many of the award involved- and it constitutes a meeting um and.

A

And talk to them about it, but learn if this is what we're looking to do.

A

um But I think trying to suddenly ship it into discussions on the current budget. You're not going.

A

To be able to satisfy all the things you typically, they focus on which are launching financial.

A

So I think it should be separate from that in a separate meeting with at least.

A

The commission, as president or others that they like to talk about what we're doing, why we're.

A

Doing it or what are the financial interpretations without worry about getting into discussions on.

A

The current budget cycle, okay, um that being the case, uh that's uh I have my my instructions.

H

And, as I say, I'll go to smirula and we will begin to work on implementing changes as necessary.

H

They they will be for saint mary's county, um since uh the other systems are now going to be fine, free.

H

um In addition to our budget hearing on 323 dates to remember, coming up.

H

The maryland library, association and delaware library association, a joint conference.

H

That's may 3rd through may 7th. It will be virtual. um There are lots of presentations about what's.

H

Happening in libraries and we have a grant to have attendance and since it's virtual, it's really just.

H

Signing up mostly for the there's a small fee, if any of you trustees would like to attend any of.

H

The conference- please let me know I can get you a schedule. um Oh yes, mary ann, says and chad, and I.

H

Will be made president marianne is our incoming president for the maryland library association.

H

um So if any of you would like to attend that, yes applause, absolutely, um please let me know.

H

And we will get you registered to attend and it will mostly be via zoom and not in person.

H

I'm doing two presentations, but you have enough of me on a daily basis.

H

And don't need to listen to me anymore, I'll, be co-presenting with alan inouye who's. The ala.

H

Head of ala, digital strategy.

H

On digital content, what a surprise- and I'm I'm also doing uh something on library, futures so.

H

uh But others of our staff will also be presenting and, as I say, there's just a lot of interesting.

H

Sort of um sessions at that conference, so, if you want to attend, please let us know.

H

Other than that I have no other business today.

A

Any other issues from the board.

A

Okay, michael, I I sort of lost you, I'm still we're done so nothing else on the majority.

A

Of the children's services division as well jill from our staff jill hutchinson, so yes, we we have.

H

um Folks, making an impact statewide here, that's good, that's great! Okay! So if nothing else then.

A

The meeting is adjourned. Thank you all, as always for all you do, for the library.