CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 16, 2016-4 p.m. Center for Museum Education Guyaux Classroom Present: Russell Ayres Carolina Beyers Kim Berkeley Clark (phone) Patrick Dowd (phone) Tom Galante Cindy Gerber (phone) Mary Alice Gorman Bruce Kraus Jacqui Fiske Lazo (phone) Lafe Metz Alice Mitinger Matthew Mohn Diane Powell (phone) Carol Robinson Raymond Robinson (phone) Pat Siger Thomas Sumpter Gregory Zovko Absent: Henry Beukema John DeFazio Paul Harper Barbara Logan Natalia Rudiak Percy Simpson Roy Dorrance Ramayya Krishnan R. Daniel Lavelle Lou Testoni Jay Costa Samuel DeMarco Deborah Gross Randy Vulakovich Stephen Perkins Eric Kratsa Community Committee Members Present: Judy Gumash Trustee Emeriti Present: Frank Lucchino Betsy Watkins (phone) Present by Invitation: Linda Barsevich Molly Bennett Lisa Boyd Mary Frances Cooper Toby Greenwalt Sheila Jackson Tina LaMark Carolyn Marks Paul Vanderwiel Karlyn Voss Pat Winter Gabe Smith Carly Neal
The meeting was opened by the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Carol Robinson. I. Welcome and Call to Order Ms. Robinson welcomed the Board of Trustees. II. Chair s Report The Board welcomed Community Committee Member Judy Gumash. III. Approval of the February 15, 2016 Minutes On a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes from the February 15, 2016 meeting were approved unanimously by the Board. IV. President and Director s Report Ms. Cooper introduced Mr. Toby Greenwalt, Director of Digital Strategy and Technology Integration, who shared a brief overview of the Library s new website. He described the limitations of the old website and highlighted the process used to identify user needs and benefits of the new website, emphasizing that the launch of the new site is just the start of an active and ongoing user engagement process. Ms. Carly Neal, the Online Engagement Manager for the library, shared with the board the process used to evaluate and redevelop site content, informed by user needs. Mr. Gabe Smith, Web Specialist for the library, discussed the new website s design cohesion and improved access, with an emphasis on staff empowerment and the ability to grow and adapt. Trustees were encouraged to visit the new board page on the site and contact the Executive Assistant with any edits or changes. Ms. Cooper acknowledged the service of Sheila Jackson (42 yrs), Assistant Director for Main Library, and Mae Carlisle (17 yrs), Manager of Security, both of whom are retiring in the coming month. Ms. Cooper presented the 2016 first quarter statistics with a special focus on the contributions and impact of library volunteers. Ms. Cooper also updated the board on the library s participation in Remake Learning Days, the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon, and the success of the most recent After Hours: London Calling event. She closed her report with a brief discussion of the Strategic Plan, which runs through 2017, touching on progress and achievements and the need to begin assessing changing community needs and laying the foundation for the next Strategic Plan. V. Committee Reports A. Trusteeship Committee The Board reviewed the slate of candidates for election and re-election. The following slate was sent to the Board in advance of the meeting: For Re-Election as Term Trustees, Term Expiring at the Annual Meeting 2019 Lafe Metz Matt Mohn Ray Robinson
For Election as Term Trustees, Term Expiring at the Annual Meeting 2019 Carolyn Hess Abraham Mary Murrin LaShawnda Thomas For Election as Officers, Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2018 Percy Simson, Vice Chair Gregory Zovko, Vice Chair Cindy Gerber, Treasurer For Election as Members of Executive Committee, Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2017 Carol Robinson, Chair Greg Zovko, Vice Chair, Chair of Finance Committee Percy Simpson, Vice Chair, Chair of External Relations Committee Bruce Kraus, Secretary Cindy Gerber, Treasurer Pat Siger, Chair of Development Committee Lafe Metz, Chair of Facilities Committee Patrick Dowd, Co-Chair of Trusteeship Committee Tom Galante, Co-Chair of Trusteeship Committee Alice Mitinger, At Large Ex Officio: Lou Testoni The following Officers are continuing in their second year of two-year terms expiring May 2017: Carol Robinson, Chair Linda Barsevich, Assistant Treasurer Karlyn Voss, Assistant Secretary For Election as Members of the Audit Committee, Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2017 Mary Alice Gorman, Chair Paul Harper Barbara Logan LaShawnda Thomas Thomas Sumpter Elected as New Life Trustee by the Life Trustees per the Trust Agreement Patricia Siger Gregory Zovko candidates for re-election as Term Trustees. candidates for election as Term Trustees, first term. candidates for election as officers.
candidates for election to the Executive Committee. candidates for election to the Audit Committee. Life Trustee Appointments: The Chair announced the appointment of two new Life Trustees, Patricia Siger and Gregory Zovko, elected by the Life Trustees as per the Trust Agreement. The Trusteeship Committee was thanked for its cultivation of new trustees. B. Audit Committee The committee reported on the Library s 2015 Financial Statements. Auditing firm, Maher Duessel, issued CLP an unmodified audit opinion. The 2015 Audit and the IRS Form 990 were sent to the Board in advance of the meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously approved the 2015 Audit. The Board reviewed the IRS 990, noting that there were no changes to the form this year. Trustees were reminded by the committee Chair, Ms. Gorman, to complete their 2016 Conflict of Interest forms by June 14, 2016. C. External Relations Committee The committee shared a report on the March 15, 2016, Annual Public Meeting at CLP-East Liberty. The meeting included a State of the Library report, question and answer section and presentation of awards. Officer David Shifren received the Adult Community Advocate of the Year award. The Alternative Teen Homecoming Committee received the Teen Community Advocate of the Year award. Bat s Barber Shop was awarded the Outstanding Partner of the Year. Changes to the format for the 2017 meeting were discussed, including shortening the committee reports and giving award recipients a chance to share remarks. The committee reported on the Library s March Harrisburg Advocacy trip and on upcoming community engagement opportunities. Board members were encouraged to sign up to volunteer at the Library s summer reading kick-off event, Extravaganza, on June 6 and to attend re-opening events for CLP-Knoxville in June. The committee also thanked Library staff for their work on the new website. D. Finance Committee The committee reported on the Operating Budget vs. Actual. As of March 31, 2016, the Library has a net operating surplus of approximately $4.5 million which is consistent with prior years given the early inflow of State funding and Library Tax. The committee touched on the projected year-end surplus, anticipated delays in state funding, and the budgeted Fund Balance transfer to CS McKee.
E. Facilities Committee The committee reported on renovation progress at CLP-Knoxville. The project is substantially complete with the grand re-opening events scheduled on June 23rd and June 25th. The Board was briefed on the additional due diligence performed on alternative properties for the CLP-Carrick renovation. If a design and site other than the vertical expansion plan previously shared with the board is determined to be the best solution for the community, the committee will most likely need to propose an amendment to the already approved CLP-Carrick capital budget. F. Development Committee The committee reported on progress on fundraising goals and the Realize Major Gifts Initiative. The campaign has a goal of $6.5M in new commitments for 2016. The committee emphasized the importance of Board participation in cultivating donor relationships and presented several ways for Board members to engage. VI. Trustee Recognition The Board recognized and thanked Term Trustees Ilana Diamond and Ramaya Krishnan for their service to the Library. A special recognition was given to Henry Beukema III, who is stepping down as a Life Trustee. VII. Adjournment to Executive Session The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 5:30 p.m.