Board Meeting March 2018

CHAIR TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER

A)  ADMINISTRATION

a)  Removal of Items from Consent
b)  Approval of the Agenda – Additions/Alterations
c)  Approval of Items for Consent
d)  Minutes – Receive/approve draft minutes of Board meeting held February 28, 2018 : Download

B)  REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM:

• CUPE Local 391
• Friends
• VPL Foundation
• VPL Trustees

C)  PRESENTATION

a)  Introduction: 2018 Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence - T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss

D)  ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a)  Smart Cities Challenge: Download

E)  ITEMS FOR CONSENT

Information Items for Consent

DIRECT TO BOARD

a)  Monthly Outcomes Report – February 2018 
b)  February 28, 2018 Operating Results: Download
c)  Central Library – Lower Level and Workroom Renovations: Download
d)  Provincial Library Grants Report 2017: Download
e)  Vancouver Park Board Liaison Report: Download
f)  BCLTA Liaison Report
g)  InterLINK Liaison Report: Download

F)  DISCUSSION OF ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT

G)  NEW BUSINESS

IN CAMERA MEETING RATIONALE

THAT the Library Board will go into meeting later tonight which is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 5 (n) of the Board Procedure Policy, to discuss matters related to paragraphs:
5(n)(3)    Labour relations or other employee relations;

VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES

Vision Statement

An informed, engaged, and connected city.

Mission Statement

A free place for everyone to discover, create and share ideas and information.

Values

We value:

• diversity
• access for all
• intellectual freedom
• learning and curiosity
• patron-centred services
• community-led planning
• community partnerships
• innovation and creativity
• respectful spaces and communication
• staff development and collaboration
• effective use of resources
• sustainability

Present:  Amanda Card; Jennifer Chan, Vice Chair; Kyla Epstein, Chair; Suki Grewal; Kurt Heinrich; Harlan Pruden; John Schaub, Vice Chair; Rhonda Sherwood; Clr. Tim Stevenson, City Council Representative (arrived at 6:30 p.m.); Judy Zaichkowsky, Vancouver School Board Representative

Absent:  Julia Lin; Sarah Kirby-Yung, Vancouver Park Board Representative; Raji Mangat

Management Present: Sandra Singh, Outgoing Chief Librarian; Kay Cahill, Acting Director, Collections & Technology; Christina de Castell, Acting Chief Librarian; Diana Guinn, Director, Neighbourhood & Youth Services; Dawn Ibey, Director, Library Experience; Carol Nelson, Director, Planning & Communications; Balwinder Rai, Director, Human Resources; Eric Smith, Director, Corporate Services & Facilities

Staff: Alex MacCutchan,    Acting Manager, Information Services; Desiree Baron, Acting Manager, Programming & Learning; Julie Iannacone, Assoc Director, Neighbourhood & Youth Services

Guests:   Ann True, President, Friends of VPL; Tristan Klassen, Philanthropy Manager, VPL Foundation; Jamie Broadhurst, Director, VPL Foundation Board; Aliza Nevarie, President, CUPE Local 391; Jane Curry, 1st Vice President, CUPE Local 391; Gloria Hershorn, Member at Large, CUPLE Local 391; T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss , Indigenous Storyteller in Residence; Julia Morrison, Incoming Director, Corporate Services & Facilities

Recording Secretary: Chrysalyn Tolentino, Executive Assistant

PRESENTATION

1. Introduction: 2018 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

Desiree Baron, Acting Manager, Programming & Learning, introduced Artist and ethnobotanist T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss as the 2018 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence. Ms. Wyss - who is of Skwxwu7mesh, Sto:lo, Irish-Métis, Hawaiian, and Swiss descent - draws on her heritage in her culturally focused teaching and storytelling. She recently co-authored Journey to Kaho’olawe, an artist’s book covering more than two centuries of the Kanaka family’s migration to the Pacific Northwest coast. She was also a recipient of the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for film and new media in 2010. She provided some background information on her plans for her residency including focusing on stories about women that have been shared between generations. She will be featured by CBC Radio the morning of March 29th and her inaugural event will be held at 7 pm at Central Library also on March 29th.

ADMINISTRATION

2.  Removal of Items from Consent Agenda

Trustees agreed that the February 2018 Monthly Outcomes Report and the Provincial Library Grants Report 2017 be pulled out of consent.

3.  Approval of the Agenda

Moved by Amanda Card and seconded by John Schaub

THAT the Board approve the regular meeting agenda as amended.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.  Approval of the items for Consent

Moved by Harlan Pruden and seconded by Rhonda Sherwood

THAT the following Board reports be approved on consent:

• February 28, 2018 Operating Results

THAT the Library Board receive the report for information.

• Central Library - Lower Level and Workroom Renovations

THAT the Library Board receive the report for information.

• Vancouver Park Board Liaison Report

THAT the Library Board receive the report for information.

• BCLTA Liaison Report

THAT the Library Board receive the report for information.

• InterLINK Liaison report

THAT the Library Board receive the report for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.  Minutes

The draft minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 21, 2018 were presented to the Chair for approval.  

Moved by John Schaub and seconded by Suki Grewal

THAT the draft minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 21, 2018 be approved as received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

CUPE Local 391

Aliza Nevarie, President of CUPE 391, attended the Chief Librarian’s farewell tea. She and other CUPE 391 delegates will attend the CUPE BC National Convention starting on April 18.

Friends

Ann True, President, Friends of VPL reported that the Friends will increase its grants funding to $68,000 instead of the originally estimated grant of $52,000 due to an increase in Book’mark revenues. The Friends Board will decide on the additional grants at its next meeting. Ann added that they will be conducting a book sale on May 3-5, 2018.

VPL Foundation

Tristan Klassen, Philanthropy Manager, VPL Foundation reported that they have recently hired a new manager for donor relations & events. The Foundation is also planning to hold a fundraising gala on September 27 with a goal to raise $250,000 for the Library.

VPL Trustees

Vice Chair John Schaub toured Dunbar Branch, met with his MLA liaison Spencer Chandra Herbert at Joe Fortes Branch, and participated in the Chief Librarian recruitment meeting. He also attended the Chief Librarian’s farewell dinner last night.

Vice Chair Jennifer Chan participated as a panelist at the Career Panel for teens held at Renfrew Branch. She attended the Chief Librarian recruitment meeting and is looking forward to attending the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence inaugural event tomorrow. Jennifer also attended the farewell dinner for Sandra Singh.

Trustee Amanda Card met with her City Council liaison, Clr. Adriane Carr. She also attended the unveiling of Helena Gutteridge Plaza on March 8, toured Collingwood Branch, and participated in the NewtoBC session on March 14. She filled in for Trustee Mangat and attended the Friends of VPL Board meeting as well as attended the Chief Librarian’s farewell party dinner last night and staff farewell party today.

Trustee Rhonda Sherwood attended the unveiling of the Helena Gutteridge Plaza and the NewtoBC workshop on March 14. Rhonda also had a lunch meeting with her Council liaison Clr. Melissa de Genova and attended the Chief Librarian’s farewell dinner.

Trustee Harlan Pruden met with his Council liaison Clr. Andrea Reimer, attended the Chief Librarian’s farewell dinner, as well as attended the City’s 2018 Awards of Excellence ceremony.

VSB Trustee Judy Zaichkowsky attended the NewtoBC workshop today.

Trustee Suki Grewal attended the NewtoBC workshop on March 14 and was impressed with the depth and breadth of the workshop and its participants. She is currently reading a book on honour killing in the United Kingdom which is being translated to Punjabi which she would recommend for VPL’s collections. Suki also visited Kerrisdale Branch.

Trustee Kurt Heinrich attended Champlain’s Man in the Moon program, met with Britannia Branch Head Pauline Preston, met with his Council liaison Clr. Raymond Louie and attended Sandra Singh’s farewell dinner.

Board Chair Kyla Epstein attended a meeting with the Chief Librarian, VPLF Executive Director, and the Chair of VPL Foundation; visited Champlain Branch and was glad to see the many changes in the branch and in the community. Kyla also met with Mayor Robertson this week, attended the Chief Librarian farewell dinner and said a few words at the staff farewell party for Sandra Singh.

Kyla also presented a departing gift to outgoing Chief Librarian Sandra Singh.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

6.  Smart Cities

The Canadian Smart Cities Challenge offers municipalities the opportunity to compete for a $50 million award by submitting project proposals that use data and connected technologies to address pressing societal problems and improve the lives of citizens. The cities of Vancouver and Surrey have formed a partnership for the challenge. The two cities are sharing information about the challenge and inviting the public to submit ideas directly. The ideas are being gathered under six broad themes: empowerment and inclusion, environmental quality, economic opportunity, healthy living and recreation, and safety and security. The public have shared around 300 ideas to date, with the majority falling under the mobility theme. The challenge is a great opportunity for VPL to engage with staff and the public about ways in which technology could improve the lives of citizens both within our communities and across Canada, and to ensure that library services and values are represented in the proposal that Vancouver and Surrey put forward in April. Staff invited discussion from the Board.

Moved by Amanda Card and seconded by Judy Zaichkowsky

THAT the Board receive the report for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ITEMS PULLED OUT OF CONSENT

7.  Monthly Outcomes Report - February 2018

Trustee Suki Grewal sought clarification on the Britannia Branch report on the use of the term "black-identified" as part of the Afro-Futurism Trading Cards program. The Acting Chief Librarian responded that we will inquire with the branch staff.

Board Chair Kyla Epstein noted that it is great to read that staff will invite the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence to visit the 10 homebound residents of Sorella Housing who’ve indicated that they are interested in listening to Indigenous stories. Kyla also sought clarification around the number of children who participated in the Toddler Box Party at Terry Salman Branch. Staff confirmed that Terry Salman is a destination place and there are a lot of robust preschool programs offered in the community centre. Kyla also congratulated Children’s Librarian Tess Prendergast for successfully completing her final oral examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Kyla commented on the value of the new separate section in the monthly report for community librarians.

Moved by John Schaub and seconded by Rhonda Sherwood

THAT the Board receive the report for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.  Provincial Library Grant

Trustee Amanda Card complimented staff for putting together a report that has a fantastic combination of both statistics and useful data points. It was really great to see examples of how VPL is important to the region.

Board Chair Kyla Epstein commended VPL for being named community partner of the year by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Kyla reminded Trustees that the Provincial report is a good document to review prior to meeting with MLA and Council liaisons.

Moved by Amanda Card and seconded by Harlan Pruden

THAT the Board receive the report for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

NEW BUSINESS

9.  Letter to BC Minister of Education

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) released its annual report that contains a number of resolutions, including Resolution 60 which proposes to restore the previous Provincial funding levels for public libraries. The Board asked that staff draft a letter to the Minister of Education encouraging the Ministry to consider increased funding to public libraries.

Moved by Kurt Heinrich and seconded by Judy Zaichkowsky

THAT the Board direct the Chair to draft and send an advocacy letter to the Ministry of Education.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. and moved to in-camera.

Signed by: Kyla Epstein, Chair and Christina de Castell, Secretary