MFRL Library Board Meeting
Christiansburg Public Library
January 24, 2024
Board Members Present:
Gunin Kiran, Chair
Matt Grimes, Secretary
Deanna Cox
Megan Doney
Beverly Martinkosky
Board Members Present (via zoom):
Janette Brown
Megan McKewan, Vice Chair
Board Members Absent:
VG Garg
Beth Johnson
Affiliate Liaisons Present:
Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch, Floyd County Board of Supervisors
Derek Kitts, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
Kit Haggard, Floyd Friends of the Library
Affiliate Liaisons Absent:
Susie McCrea, MFRL Foundation
Ellen Hall, President of Montgomery Friends of the Library
Staff Members Present:
Karim Khan, Director
Marissa Zrim, Recorder
Chris Elledge, Library Systems Administrator
Library Board Chair Trustee Gunin Kiran called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Ms. Gunin welcomed new Montgomery County Board of Supervisor Liaison Derek Kitts and Trustee Beverly Martinkosky.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Trustee Megan McKewan, and seconded by Trustee Deanna Cox to accept the January 24, 2024 agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 13, 2023
Trustee Megan Doney motioned to approve the minutes. This was seconded by Ms. Cox.
PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
BOARD COMMENTS
Ms. Doney relayed that a member of the public approached her to see whether the library would consider using empty Uptown Christiansburg mall space as an auxiliary library to pick up holds, similar to what was done at the Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg years ago. Director Karim Khan said to look for an exploration of that on a future agenda.
Ms. Kiran reported that the webinar she was enrolled in, Library of Virginia’s Crucial Conversations, was cancelled because of low enrollment. LVA will host another session in the fall.
DEPARTMENT REPORT: Information Technology
Mr. Khan introduced Chris Elledge, the Library Systems Administrator. Mr. Elledge’s IT department operates independently from Montgomery and Floyd counties, unlike many library systems. Mr. Elledge is assisted by two full-time employees, Frank D’Amico, Tech Services Specialist I, and Yanni Cooper, Digital Services Specialist, who has been with MFRL for 25 years.
Mr. Cooper designed MFRL’s automated patron messaging holds system which Mr. Elledge will give a presentation about at the national SIRSI conference in March.
Mr. Elledge also highlighted the work Mr. Khan has done with the HappyOrNot user feedback system and gave a shout out to Library Programs Coordinator Kerri Copus’s social media and LibCal management.
The Mobile library, a 3D door counter system installed at Blacksburg Library, and outfitting each branch with an iPad magazine station giving patrons the option to read hundreds of periodicals available through the Libby app are other projects the IT department has recently completed.
Upcoming projects include migrating accelerated reading level data into the catalog to help parents find appropriate reading levels and completing the National Institute of Standards and Technology cyber security framework.
The Board thanked Mr. Elledge for all the IT magic he and his team bring to the library system.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Information Items
- The Town of Blacksburg has asked the Library Board to approve a resolution for the Blacksburg library sidewalk easement for the Outdoor Project. It has already been approved by both the town and county.
- MFRL will be the content provider for the Floyd Storywalk along Heritage Trail in Floyd. The library will provide ten stories per year as outlined in a memo of understanding drawn up between the county and library system.
- The Floyd County Building Fund is fundraising for the pavilion project. MFRL will assist by getting the message out by creating a webpage with a donation button.
- Khan reviewed the bylaws on meeting postponement which allow the Board chair to postpone a meeting unilaterally. The Board appreciated their gratitude in postponing last week’s meeting when the temperature dipped into the single digits.
For Board Consideration
Ms. Martinkosky moved that the Board accept the Blacksburg Library Sidewalk Easement Resolution and Ms. Cox seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Information Items
Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) local instances:
- Christmas for Children in Floyd and Montgomery County Mount Tabor Ruritan Club will both be sponsoring local chapters of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
- MFRL can help patrons sign up online, share publicity, and invite DPIL representatives to events.
For Board Consideration
Ms. Martinkosky moved to approve the Board Meeting Schedule Correction of June 12, 2024 at Meadowbrook and Ms. Cox seconded. A roll call vote was taken.
AYE NAY
Brown, Cox, Doney, Grimes, Kiran, Martinkosky, McKewan None
Ms. Martinkosky moved to approve MFRL Policies 104, 205, 207, and 304, and Ms. Cox seconded.
AYE NAY
Brown, Cox, Doney, Grimes, Kiran, Martinkosky, McKewan None
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
Statistics
- HappyOrNot ratings were 93% in December 2023. Programming feedback was at 86%.
- MFRL is on track with our budget. The financials were sent to the Board previous to the meeting. We are 50% through the fiscal year.
- Circulation was at 45,631 for December.
- 15,303 downloaded media items
- 2,619 December wi-fi sessions.
- In the past two months, 105 patrons were served by the Mobile Library at 16 stops with 114 items circulated.
Grants
- PLA Digital Literacy Grant: We finished the grant.
- LTC Accessible Small and Rural Community Libraries Grant: The updated order form for the Tovertafel was sent to the county today, January, 24.
Programming
- Meadowbrook Library finished the fall round of GED classes in partnership with New River Community College.
- 2,607 pounds of produce and food were given out from the Floyd Free Fridge.
- Holiday inspired programs included Toy Swap (B), Visit with Santa (C), Wild Gardeners Holiday Plants and Decorations (F), Green Your Holidays with Sustainable Blacksburg (B), Jolabokaflod Book Exchange (C), Meet the Grinch (C), Littlest Shepherd with Puppet Kingdom (M), Cookies with Santa with Montgomery County Social Services (M), and family craft programs (all branches).
Facilities
- Blacksburg Library Community Room Dividing Wall repair
- Demolition of previous wall complete
- Installation of new wall track completed the second week of January.
- General services will schedule painting for the room soon.
- After painting the new wall installation will take place. Timeline is roughly March.
- Some roof leaks are happening at Meadowbrook and Blacksburg, in the typical places. General Services has been notified.
- A table top on an outdoor café table was replaced at Christiansburg.
- Magazine stations were rolled out at Christiansburg and Blacksburg.
Staffing
- Stable staffing this month!
- Floyd County Administration has increased the compensation for part-time Library Assistants in Floyd. Funds for this increase were from the 2023 increase in state aid.
Incidents
- 12/14 – Teen slipped in parking lot and had a skinned knee and scraped palms. Staff provided first aid and teen’s mother (who was on the way) picked up the teen.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive — None.
Development — None.
Leadership — None.
Policy — Edited policies 104, 205, 207, 304.
Montgomery Friends of the Library — None.
Floyd Friends of the Library — President Kit Haggard reported that the FFOL are in the middle of a membership renewal drive, held this week every year. They have received some $1000 lifetime membership pledges. Last year the Friends made around $3,600. Yesterday they hosted a book sale that made $368; book sale revenue last year was $2,040. They are planning on organizing a three-day book sale in April. The Friends donated $5,000 to the pavilion project and are planning a t-shirt fundraiser to further support the project. They meet next in April.
Floyd Building Fund — The pavilion property was deeded to the county.
MFRL Foundation — They will meet tomorrow, January, 25.
- ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM. The next meeting will be held at Christiansburg Library on February 21, 2024.
Approved by the Library Board
Matt Grimes, Secretary
Marissa Zrim, Recorder