Minutes 03-27-24 Minutes of the Library Board
Held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 6:00 P.M.
at City Hall, Commission Chambers
100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida
Present:
Stephanie Colaianni, Chair Jeannie Taylor, Library Director
George Feldman Tiffany Pagan, Assistant Director
Joel Barsky
Margaret Newton
Absent:
Marcia Levine
Ellen Jones
I. Call to Order— Stephanie Colaianni, Chair
Chair Colaianni called the Meeting to Order at 6 P.M. Roll call was taken. A quorum was
present .
II. Approval of Minutes — February 2024
The Minutes were accepted by consensus.
Ill. Correspondence and Communications - None
IV. Public Audience (Individual Speakers Will Be Limited to 3 Minute Presentations)
None.
V. Chair's Report — Board Chair
Chair Colaianni advised that she wanted to sign up for a wreath making class and noticed
that 20 people were already wait listed, which she thought was fantastic and that she will
take the April class. She also advised that she saw Ms. Pagan giving a tour to iCare
personnel.
VI. Unfinished Business:
Introduction of Jacob Rabinowitz, Archivist Librarian
Jeannie Taylor, Library Director, introduced Jacob Rabinowitz, the new Archivist
Librarian.
Meeting Minutes
Library Board
Boynton Beach, Florida March 27, 2024
Mr. Rabinowitz announced that he has been with the City since November and that he
has been familiarizing himself with the archives as he is the custodian of historical
materials. He explained that his work also involves processing new collections and
providing coverage for the Reference Desk. He stated that he was trying to add to the
Library's Oral Histories Collection, which interviews local residents about the City's history
and noted that the City is over 100 years old.
Ms. Newton inquired who Mr. Rabinowitz confers with and spoke about Victor Norfus.
Ms. Taylor explained that Mr. Rabinowitz was working on the Unity Project and trying to
obtain more Black History interviews. She said that Mr. Rabinowitz was available for
appointments and his contact information is on the City's website. She advised that
currently, he was trying to conduct outreach for community engagement and to obtain old
photos.
Further discussion followed that the Library obtained grant funds, which were used to
digitize old newspapers and about Mr. Rabinowitz' work history.
Career Online High School Program Update — Jeannie Taylor
Ms. Taylor announced that two more graduates will be recognized at the next City
Commission Meeting, bringing the number of graduates to 23. She commented that there
are still 10 students in the program and that one is almost finished and happens to be the
son of one of their first graduates.
Mr. Feldman asked if staff helps the graduates to gain employment or assists them with
creating a resume.
Ms. Taylor responded that Career Source is available on Tuesday's at the Library, and
they assist graduates when requested.
VII. New Business
City Commission ratification of Chair and Vice Chair
Ms. Taylor conveyed that the City Commission has to ratify the Board's nominations for
the Chair and Vice Chair. She mentioned that it was scheduled to occur at the March
19th meeting, which was cancelled and she did not anticipate any issues.
Chair Colaianni stated that she will attend the meeting.
Board Participation in Library Programs.
Ms. Taylor passed out information about April programs. She stated that the members
are free to participate in any of the Library activities and can serve as Ambassadors for
them.
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Meeting Minutes
Library Board
Boynton Beach, Florida March 27, 2024
Mr. Feldman stated that he enjoys serving on the Board and suggested members should
meet the Library staff and have name tags.
Ms. Taylor commented that the members should have received an email invitation to the
Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 11th, at the Arts and Cultural Center at
6:00 P.M. She advised that she would try to obtain name tags by then and she agreed
to speak with the City's Marketing staff in order to have the City's logo on them.
Ms. Newton advised that she signed up for the Memoire programs held on Wednesday
at the Library and she requested the programs be repeated.
Ms. Taylor stated that they will contact the individual to try to get them back. She praised
the Children's Librarian.
Chair Colaianni stated that if the Library needs an extra volunteer, she would be interested
in helping.
VIII. Library Director's Report/Statistics
February 2024 Monthly Reports
Ms. Taylor announced that the information is in the meeting backup and if the members
have questions, they can ask.
She noted that the upcoming Solar Eclipse said that they have solar eclipse glasses that
will be distributed to card holders. She advised that no more than one pair of solar glasses
will be given to each family. She commented they had applied for a grant for the glasses
and staff will provide an educational flyer with them, as required by the grant.
Mr. Feldman stated that he would like to donate a cake for the City's upcoming volunteer
dinner.
Ms. Taylor responded that she will notify the events person handling the event and convey
the message about the donation. She noted that the Quilting and Friends of the Library
Volunteers will also attend the event.
IX. Announcements
Next Library Board Meeting — April 24, 2024
Ms. Taylor announced that the next meeting is April 24th, and the May meeting will be
held on May 22nd. She spoke about the Garden Within, that meets at 11:30 A.M. for a
discussion group.
X. Adjournment followed by tour of the Youth Library Virtual Zone
Motion
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Meeting Minutes
Library Board
Boynton Beach, Florida March 27, 2024
Mr. Feldman moved to adjourn. Ms. Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 P.M.
CiL
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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