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Library Catalog

Minutes – Board of Directors August 2025

Board

Present:

  • Karen LaCorte-Nies, Vice Chairperson
  • J.P. Gellermann, Secretary & Treasurer
  • Alfred G. Battle, Jr.
  • Veronica Ettel
  • BJ Gavin
  • Maggie Paluch
  • Carol Weideman
  • Cheryl Morales, Executive Director
  • Martha Frenchek, Recording Secretary

Absent:

  • Mike Jefferis, Chairperson
  • Heidi Hugh
  • Glenn Ferdman, LDAC Liaison

Minutes

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
3:30 pm @ PPLC

  1. Call to Order:
    Karen LaCorte-Nies, Vice Chairperson called the Board Meeting to order at 3:35 pm.
  2. Roll Call:
    Martha Frenchek conducted Roll Call.
    Present: Karen LaCorte-Nies, JP Gellermann, Alfred G. Battle, Jr., Veronica Ettel, BJ Gavin, Maggie Paluch, Carol Weideman, Cheryl Morales, Martha Frenchek. A quorum was represented.
    Absent: Mike Jefferis, Heidi Hugh, Glenn Ferdman
  3. Minutes from June 25, 2025, were accepted as presented (Ettel/Paluch)
  4. Monthly Financial Committee Report:
    1. Level Four Management Report: July 2025
    2. PDR Account Financial Statement: July 2025
      LaCorte-Nies mentioned that the Finance Committee will invite Level 4 advisor Ryan and his
      Boss to the October meeting to gain a clearer understanding of how they are making investments
      on our behalf. LaCorte-Nies also reported that all reports are on schedule.
  5. Correspondence: Morales presented a formal proposal and appraisal concerning the adjacent property that the owners are interested in acquiring from the Realtor. The Board engaged in further discussions regarding this matter.
  6. Introduction: Morales formally introduced the new Board member, Alfred G. Battle Jr.
    Subsequently, each Board member took the opportunity to introduce themselves to Alfred.
  7. Executive Director’s Report – Cheryl Morales
    1. Building/Admin.
      1. Planning meetings ongoing for 10.13.25 Countywide Staff Development Day
      2. E.D. Evaluation Procedure/Form-committee participation
      3. Adjacent property owners are interested in annexing a section of the back parking area, and using (10-15) parking spaces daily
    2. Countywide Services / Member Libraries:
      1. DLC and TBL reports included in the Agenda packet
      2. PPLC staff are collaborating with LDAC and staff to investigate a new cataloging
        platform to help ensure the uniformity of records across the county
    3. Executive Director Activities-since June Board meeting:
      1. 6.26-6.30 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
      2. 7.2-7.11 Knee replacement recovery
      3. 7.14-8.4 Work remotely (post-surgical driving restriction)
      4. 8.14 New Board Orientation – Alfred J. Battle Jr.
      5. 8.22 Annual Review Committee
    4. Upcoming:
      1. 8.19.25 TBLC Annual Meeting
  8. Old Business:
    1. Annual Performance Evaluation Committee Update
      Gellermann indicated that Gavin has been appointed to the committee. Subsequently, Gellermann presented a draft of the Annual Performance Evaluation. The board engaged in a discussion and provided additional suggestions for the draft. A deadline for submitting the evaluation was proposed for October 31.
  9. New Business:
    1. Budget Process Presentation -(in preparation for FY’ 26 Budget review) Morales provided an overview of the FY’26 Budget Review process, noting that the fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 each year.
    2. FY’26 Board Meeting Schedule: Morales presented the FY’ 2026 Board Meeting Schedule, noting two changes: the October meeting is now set for the 22nd instead of the 29th, and the Finance Committee meeting will take place from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, instead of 3:00 pm.
  10. LDAC Report-Cheryl Morales Review of LDAC Meeting, June 9, 2025
    1. Online platform still under review
    2. Baker & Taylor representative gave a 30-minute presentation on cataloging
    3. Safety Harbor hired a new Library Director
    4. St. Petersburg Main Library opening date pending waiting for Certificate of Occupancy
  11. Announcements/Miscellaneous: None
  12. Public Comments: None
  13. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned@ 5:03 pm (Weideman/Battle)

The next regular board meeting: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 9:00 am-3:30 pm at SPC Collaborative Labs

Submitted by Martha Frenchek, Office Assistant