Boston Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Chair’s Report

Priscilla H. Douglas, Chair

Call to Order

Acknowledge EDI statement.

Roll Call

Review and Approval of Minutes for September 26, 2023 meeting.

Welcome Remarks

Introduction of New Trustees

Jim Canales, Barr Foundation

Ray Liu, M.D., Mass General Brigham Global Advisory

Porsha Olayiwola, City of Boston Poet Laureate

President’s Report

David Leonard, President

Invited Guests

Jennifer Hawes, Roslindale Branch Librarian

Linda Jackson, The Friends of the Roslindale Branch Library

National and Global Library Trends

David Leonard                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

BPL Utilization Data review (Reach) for FY19, FY21, and FY22                                                                            David Leonard and Lisa Pollack, Chief of Communications and Marketing

Branch Facilities & Services Protocols Review                                                                                                          Sarah Zaphiris, Chief of Staff

Josh Rosenthal, Director of Operations

MBLC Action Plan

Michael Colford, Director of Library Services

VOTED:  “that, the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston approve the Boston Public Library’s 2024 MBLC Action Plan.”

Trustees Finance and Audit Committee

John Hailer, Committee Member                        

Emily Tokarczyk, Chief Financial Officer

Approval of Votes

Emily Tokarczyk, Chief Financial Officer

Company One Contract

VOTED:  “that, the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston approve the contract with Company One Theatre, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 in the amount two hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($250,000) over three years for theater productions, programming and community engagement.”

Loading Dock Repair Contract

VOTED: “that, the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston approve the award of a fully bid Ch. 149 construction contract to Structural Preservation Systems, LLC, 1755 Highland Avenue – Building B, Cheshire, CT 06410 in the amount of Four hundred twenty-five thousand five hundred dollars and zero cents ($425,500) to repair the concrete platform of the Central Library loading dock.”

Strategic Planning Consultant Contract

VOTED: “that, the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston approve the award of a contract to Gensler, One Beacon Street, Boston, MA  02108 not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars and zero cents ($200,000) for services as a Strategic Planning Consultant.”

Delegation of Approval to Finance and Audit Committee 

Emily Tokarczyk, Chief Financial Officer

Multi-Function Printer Contract

VOTED: “that, the Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston delegate approval of the Multi-Function Printer (MFP) service and equipment 5-year contract to the Finance and Audit Committee.  This contract will be for systemwide printing, scanning and photocopying capabilities for patrons and back of house use, and is a service that must be compatible with our current Pharos “pay-for-print” software. It is estimated that the total 5-year contract should not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($750,000).”

Newspaper Digitization Contract

VOTED: “that, the Trustees Finance and Audit Committee of the Public Library of the City of Boston recommend the Board of Trustees delegate approval to award a five hundred thousand dollars and zero cents ($500,000) contract for Newspaper Digitization to the Finance and Audit Committee.”

Review of Gift/Donor Report

Emily Tokarczyk, Chief Financial Officer

New Business

Public Comment

“Please sign up for public comment the first 30 minutes of the meeting to support effective time management. On occasion, additional public comments on matters formally on the agenda may be allowed at the discretion of the Chair, and time allowing. Members of the public are also reminded that comments may alternatively be submitted in writing in advance to the Clerk of the Board for distribution to the Trustees.”

Adjournment

Priscilla H. Douglas, Chair