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September 9 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present: Nick Adey (NA), Cary Dalton (CD), Carolina de Ryk (CdR), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Dale White (DW), Andrea Wilmot (AW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets: Glenn Groulx (GG)
Meeting commenced at 7:06pm
- Discussion Agenda amended to include the following matters:
- Does Library have role in supporting COVID-19 home schoolers?
- Does JZ have any succession plans for potential library staff retirees?
- JZ give details to PRL trustees about upcoming NWLF-wide Library trustees zoom meeting.
- Motion to approve Consent agenda as is and the Discussion agenda as amended by NA, seconded by CdR, passed.
- 2021 Budget discussion. There were concerns about the impact of COVID-19 for both 2020 and 2021. The Board recognizes that Library self-generated revenues were significantly reduced in 2020 and may again be in 2021. It was also recognized that the Board has to meet contractual obligations based on collective agreement as well as other increased costs. The consensus was to submit a budget request which meets the requirements and recognize that it may change depending upon the decision of City council.
- Discussion about Library levels of openness. The Board understands the concerns around COVID-19 risks and appreciates the staff work done to get Phase 3 of it’s ReOpening. The Board also hears the concerns of the public and supports greater levels of Library service provision in the near term.
- Discussion about tentative Positive COVID-19 test policy. Trustees have concern about the role of the Library management in regards to Contact tracing.
Catalouge Unavailable Sunday Night
The library catalogue will be unavailable from 9:00pm until midnight on Sunday, November 22nd, as the underlying Sitka Evergreen system will be undergoing updates. Authentication to third-party services such as Overdrive should continue to function.
August 12 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present: Carolina de Ryk (CdR), Glenn Groulx (GG), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Dale White (DW), Andrea Wilmot (AW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets: Cary Dalton (CD), Nick Adey (NA)
Meeting commenced at 7:03 pm.
- Motion to accept Consent Agenda by DW, seconded by CdR, passed
- Request to add two items to Discussion Agenda (ElectionsBC request and City of Prince Rupert Positive COVID-19 test Policy). Approved.
- Discussion about COVID-19 matters
- Library is considering the City of Prince Rupert’s Positive COVID-19 policy in development of it’s own policy.
- Library budget will be used to purchase masks for staff. Masks are still optional for staff. Masks will be purchased now, because in Phase 3 (hopefully occurring on Aug. 26, 2020) the public will be coming in and the masks will provide some protection if physical distancing can NOT be maintained and with the recently passed COVID-19 regulations passed by Provincial government, Libraries will be protected from civil liability if staff catch COVID-19 while wearing Library supplied masks and the Library’s Safety Plan includes masks usage training guides which all staff will be required to understand before using the supplied masks.
- The Library has also purchased 10 face shields for staff to wear as an option as well.
- Library Re-Opening working group is nearing completion of our Safety Plan.
- Plexiglass installation being done in-house, progressing but slowly
- Library’s goal for entering Phase 3 is August 26, 2020
- Library Budget for 2021 due date is September 18, 2020.
Reopening of Services: Masks now mandatory
The library continues to be open to the general public on a drop-in basis for visits up to 30 minutes. Masks are now mandatory. Read more details here.
Reopening of Services: Phase 4
The library is now open to the general public on a drop-in basis for visits up to 30 minutes. Read more details here.
July 8 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present: Nick Adey (NA), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Dale White (DW), Andrea Wilmot (AW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets: Glenn Groulx (GG)
Virtual Meeting (through Zoom/computer) commenced at 7:05 pm
- Motion to accept consent agenda by CK, seconded NA, passed
- Board moved onto the discussion agenda
- SL informed us that the BC government is working on legislation which will provide liability protection for some entities to litigation due to COVID-19 infection. It is hoped that libraries will be one of these entities.
- An update on the status of PR Public Library:
- The Library staff formed a Re-Opening working group in April 2020 to begin planning for the eventual re-opening of the Library. It consisted of the the Chief and Deputy Librarians, Union steward and our Health and Safety representative. A trustee asked whether the working group would wish a trustee to sit on the working group, JZ thought it was a good idea and would bring it up at the next group meeting (July 9, 2020). The committee has continually been working on a Phased Re-opening plan (mirroring the province’s phases) as well as a WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety plan.
- JZ informed the Board as to what services were being provided by the Library:
- The Library began home delivery of items to patrons in Phase 1 on April 27, 2020
- The Library began adding digital resources to our website and social media in early April. This includes improved access to digital books, audio books, digital book cover browsing, a public zoom author event, and virtual book club meetings.
April 08 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present by email: Nick Adey (NA), Glenn Groulx (GG), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL),
Dale White (DW), Andrea Wilmot (AW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets:
Meeting occured through email.
- As per the motion during the online virtual meeting of the Prince Rupert Library Board of March 30, 2020:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is difficult for the Library Board to meet, and as it is important that the Board make a decision in a timely manner the Board agrees to accept an email vote regarding the Library Board's wage policy . For the vote to be valid there must be a quorum of trustees. The result of the vote will be determined by a majority of said quorum. Mtion by AW, Seconded by CK; passed.
During April 7, 2020 the Board did vote on the COVID-19 policy (full Policy attached) via email.
Quorum was met. The Motion was made by Chelsea Keays, seconded by Stephanie Lysyk. Motion
passed.
March 30 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present: Nick Adey (NA), Carolina de Ryk (CdR), Glenn Groulx (GG), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Dale White (DW), Andrea Wilmot (AW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets:
Meeting commenced at 7:00 pm.
- Discussion CUPE-105 Letter of Understanding and the City of Prince Rupert COVID-19 memo. JZ will communicate with City CFO to see if the Library can match the City policy and then send the Library Board one or more options for the Board to decide upon.
- JZ updated the Board on what was happening at the Library, even though the Library is closed to the public.
- The Board made the following motion:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is difficult for the Library Board to meet, and as it is important that the Board make a decision in a timely manner the Board agrees to accept an email vote regarding the Library Board's wage policy. For the vote to be valid there must be a quorum of trustees. The result of the vote will be determined by a majority of said quorum. Motion by AW, Seconded by CK; passed.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 pm.
February 12 2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes
Library Board Meeting
Present: Nick Adey (NA), Cary Dalton (CD), Carolina de Ryk (CdR), Glenn Groulx (GG), Chelsea Keays (CK), Stephanie Lysyk (SL), Dale White (DW), Joe Zelwietro (JZ-Chief Librarian)
Regrets: Andrea Wilmot (AW)
Meeting commenced at 7:05 pm.
- Motion to accept consent agenda by NA, seconded by SL; passed.
- One City Relationship committee matter and two event notices added to Discussion agenda.
- Discussion about the Board contracting a consultant to assist with the Strategic Plan, all trustees will review the present draft of the Strategic plan and the Strategic Planning Cmte will meet on March 3, 7pm.
- Discussion about possible fall NWLF conference here in Prince Rupert. The hiring of a new NWLF coordinator is happening now and that person might not be ready to assist JZ and Rupert Library staff in planning the event. JZ will talk to LDAG and the new coordinator in early March, we would need to know whether or not it's practical by middle June.
- Discussion about iPad proposal by trustee. JZ will discuss the iPad experience with the Librarians of Smithers and Terrace Public Libraries.
- Discussion re: Community Enhancement grant. NA stated that City of Prince Rupert Council recognizes that the Library funding is not an discretionary grant, but a legislative requirement and will produce a grant confirmation letter in 2021 that reflects this reality.
- Discussion about recent water test on the Library fountain. The tests reveal that the new, filtered fountain dispenses water that is below the latest (2019) Health Canada Drinking water regulations MAC (Maximum Allowable Concentration) levels for both lead and copper.
- SL briefly reviewed what the City Relationship cmte is working on with JZ.
Curbside Pick-up
Curbside Pick-up Procedure at the Prince Rupert Library
As of Monday, June 1st 2020, the Library will be offering Curbside Pick-Up Services, while continuing to deliver to those that need home delivery.
As of June 1st 2020, we will also be re-opening our blue Book Bin, and ask that patrons start returning all of those materials they’ve been kindly keeping at home. The book bin will be open during the day, as well as during the evenings, so please return all of your library materials to the book bin, regardless of the time of day.
Here’s how you can participate in our Curbside Pick-up Program:
Accessibility at Your Library
The Prince Rupert Library is part of the Prince Rupert and Area Accessibility Committee, working to improve inclusion across our community.
Read our 2024 Accessibility Plan (PDF) to learn more about what's planned for the Library and beyond.
Visit our Accessibility Services page to explore available services and supports.