DORR TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

MEETING

Dorr Township Library

Date: April 9, 2018

7:00 P.M.

Agenda

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call:

Approval of the Agenda:

Approval of the Minutes: 

Treasurer’s Report:  

Public Comment:  

Director’s Report: 

Township Board Meeting: An update was given regarding programming and budget news. Parking lot lights were requested. The lights on the roof of the library will be replaced along with the older air conditioner units. 

Committee Reports:  

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Next steps after strategic planning meeting  -see next page for supporting documents

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Director evaluation- goals for the next fiscal year.
2. Yearly budget approval
1. “New” Additions 
1. Employee raises
2. Director insurance 

Adjournment:  

Next regular meeting: May 20, 2019

Supporting Documents:

Strategic Planning Conference notes

• plan agenda far enough in advance so all members can review the agenda and supporting documents.
• this will allow for more in depth discussions during the meeting
• assess needs of the community
• what do we have
• what do we need
• how do we fill gaps in lives of community
• create a strategic plan
• the plan should be for 3-5 years of growth and development 
• the plan should not take more than 6 months to write and include all stakeholders
• should have SMART goals

Elyshia’s takeaway’s

So as not to repeat the things Rachel included I am going to only add a few notes beyond what was listed above, although most of them are included in my notes as well. 

Under assessing the needs of the community

• Find out what is important to the community/What are they wishing for (community survey that asks the right questions)
• Find out what is going on around us
• Discover what is important to us

Under strategic plan

• Be specific on what is changing. People fear loss more than they “resist” change

Come to think of it, this may be a repeat of some of Rachel’s points -- just with different wording.

Jen’s Notes:

I concur with what’s listed above by Rachel and Elyshia! Two additional things I wanted to add:

• I want to be better at keeping up with library news and trends in general, and made a commitment to myself to find two to three relevant articles or resources per month. When I find anything that applies to us, I’ll bring it to the attention of the board.
• I think we might want to try to do a better idea of making sure our mission statement and plan are more visible to the community, whether that means paper copies available at the library and/or more obvious placement on the website. 

Potentially interesting news from the Michigan Library Association:

House Passes Library Protection for Narcan Use

On a 106 to 0 vote the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 4366 and 4367 which would provide liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, common brand name Narcan, to an overdosing patron. The bills are now headed for the Senate.

Last week the House Government Operations Committee took testimony on the bills. Kristin Shelley, MLA Legislative Committee Chair and MLA President-elect gave an excellent overview of why the bills are needed. She also provided a heart wrenching story of a death that occurred at a library where she worked years ago. The committee heard first hand how a life might have been saved if naloxone had been available then.

Library of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Education and MLA have been working together to see this protection added for our libraries. In the United States, it is reported that a person dies of an opioid overdose every thirteen minutes. While they happen everywhere, it's been impossible to miss the stories of overdoses happening in the restrooms and parking lots of public libraries especially in New York, Philadelphia and Denver. There, librarians have administered life-saving Narcan on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.

Unfortunately, libraries across the country have become a common site for opioid and heroin overdoses. Libraries throughout Michigan have been the sites of overdoses in recent years. Luckily in those cases, law enforcement officers responded quickly enough to administer Narcan before it was too late. Those libraries now train staff and stock the Narcan kits as do many libraries across the state.

Libraries, however, do not have immunity for any liability situations that could arise from providing this life-saving treatment. As a result, library attorneys are often recommending that libraries not stock the treatment. These bills would allow libraries and library employees or agents to purchase, possess, distribute or administer in good faith an opioid antagonist without possible subject to criminal prosecution. The law would provide immunity to libraries similar to that provided to public schools.

The Budget Process Unfolds

Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed her 2020 budget. Library funding remains pretty much unchanged from 2019. This is step one in the budget process. Both the House and Senate will make their own recommendations. Any differences between the chambers are decided in conference committee. The proposed budget then heads back to the governor for her signature.

The budget process gives us an opportunity to educate the new representatives about how libraries are funded. In the next few weeks MLA and GCSI begin a series of meeting with legislators. Recall that last year ago, we saw a $1 million boost in state aid to libraries. We hope to try to increase state aid again this year. Presentations to the House and Senate subcommittees overseeing our budgets will be scheduled soon. We will explain libraries' value to their communities, Michigan residents and their positive economic impact throughout the state.

With dozens of new lawmakers in Lansing, it's important they learn about their local libraries from you now. Contact your representatives, invite them to the library for a tour, offer a space for their coffee hour. Explain to them how you help their constituency on a daily basis. There will be many organizations clambering for their time and attention. The sooner you can educate your representative about your library, the more likely they will support funding and other library specific initiatives. If you need contact information visit MLA's advocacy page.