Ottawa Public Library Board

Minutes

Meeting #:

13

Date:

Thursday, May 02, 2024

Time:

5:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Location:

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair Matthew Luloff, 
• Vice-Chair Kathy Fisher, 
• Trustee Jessica Bradley, 
• Trustee Alison Crawford, 
• Trustee Rawlson King, 
• Trustee Catherine Kitts, 
• Trustee Harvey A. Slack, 
• and Trustee Adam Smith 

Absent:

• Trustee Mary-Rose Brown 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Notes:

1. The meeting began at 5:01 pm.
2. Trustee Kitts arrived at 5:10 pm.
3. Vice-Chair Fisher and Trustee Bradley participated electronically.

2.

Recognition of Anishinābe Algonquin Territory

Chair Luloff welcomed member and attendees to the Ottawa Public Library Board meeting and delivered the Indigenous land acknowledgment statement.

3.

Roll Call

The Chair proceeded with roll call by voice in random order.

4.

Regrets

Trustee Brown sent her regrets.

5.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

6.

Confirmation of Minutes

6.1

Minutes 12 - Tuesday, 9 April, 2024

Results: Carried

7.

Communications

There were no communications.

8.

Chair's Verbal Update

Ādisōke Update

Chair Luloff provided an update regarding the construction progress of Ādisōke, noting the visibility of the unique roof from the Chief William Commanda Bridge, and various ongoing construction work, including the installation of wooden roof structural beams, roof paneling, and the ongoing installation of façade steel and glazing and exterior sheathing. Chair Luloff added that scaffolding for the building envelope work and the structural steel components for the feature stairs have both been installed. In closing, he encouraged everyone to follow the project at Ādisōke.ca or on the Central branch webpage on OPL's website.

City of Ottawa's 21st Annual Access-Ability Day 2024

Chair Luloff announced that the 21st annual City of Ottawa Access-Ability Day event will be held on May 30, 2024, as part of National Accessibility Week, during which we recognize the contributions and leadership of people with disabilities in the community. He added that Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and City Manager Wendy Stephanson will provide remarks and present a proclamation marking Access-Ability Day. An email invitation will be sent to the Board and Senior Management to join the Mayor, City Councillors, Senior leaders, City and OPL staff, partners, and residents at the event. Chair Luloff highlighted that OPL will have a booth at the event to showcase the Library's accessible services and facilities, and to share plans for improving accessibility at the Library.

Robo-Revolution: An Epic Smart Mobility Showcase

Chair Luloff shared that on May 4, the Ruth E. Dickinson branch will be hosting the Robo-Revolution event to showcase innovative robotics design from the community. Participants will be able to learn about advances in robotics, smart mobility, and other next-gen technology from researchers, industry specialists, and local students, as well as check out STEM resources offered at the Library and see OPL's very own electric powered BiblioBike. The event is offered in collaboration with Area X.O, operated by Invest Ottawa, InDro Robotics, the Algonquin College Robotics and Automation Program, and local school robotics clubs.

MOTION OPL 20240502/1

That the Ottawa Public Library Board receive the Chair’s verbal update for information.

Results: Received

9.

Chief Librarian/Chief Executive Officer's Report

Canadian Children's Book Week

Sonia Bebbington, Chief Librarian and CEO highlighted that Canadian Children's Book Week is held this week (April 28-May 4, 2024). She thanked those who have participated in the four author events organized by OPL so far this week. These events inspire kids across Canada to embrace a love of reading and provide a glimpse into the life of an author or illustrator. She encouraged participation in the final event on May 3, 2024, in French, with author Anne Renaud. Ms. Bebbington also shared her appreciation of the creative displays created by branch staff to celebrate Canadian content - these are ongoing during the week.

May Events

Ms. Bebbington mentioned that OPL will be celebrating Asian Heritage Month during the month of May and will host Chef Joe Thottungal, local restauranteur and author of two cookbooks, for an English virtual visit and cooking demonstration on May 28. Noting that past events with Joe have been popular, she added that OPL is excited to once again collaborate with this local author and chef with roots in Kerala. Also this month, Ms. Bebbington underlined that OPL is featuring booklists for Asian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Month, and Red Dress Day, and branches are also featuring displays for these topics, as well as displays for Accessibility Awareness Week, Canadian Mental Health Week, and Moosehide Campaign Day.

Victoria Day Closure

Ms. Bebbington noted that all OPL locations will be closed Monday, May 20 to celebrate the Victoria Day public holiday. She encouraged visiting OPL online at BibliOttawaLibrary.ca to find great reads and suggested taking inspiration from the history of the holiday to read about our city, chosen by Queen Victoria as the capital, by checking out Capital Chronicles: The History You Were Never Told by Rick Henderson, the fourth great-grandson of Philemon Wright.

MOTION OPL 20240502/2

That the Ottawa Public Library Board receive the Chief Librarian/Chief Executive Officer's report for information.

Results: Received

10.

Reports

10.1

Order of Friendship Nomination - Centre 507

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.1

MOTION OPL 20240502/3

That the Ottawa Public (OPL) Board approve Centre 507 for the Order of Friendship, in recognition of the measurable impact of their outreach worker pilot program with OPL in 2023-2024.

Results: Carried

10.2

Library Services Asset Management Plan

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.2

​MOTION OPL 20240502/4

​That the Ottawa Public Library Board: 

1. ​​Approve the Library Services Asset Management Plan, as further described in this report and attached as Document 1; and,  
2. ​ ​Recommend that Council approve the Library Services Asset Management Plan. 

Results: Carried

10.3

Ottawa Public Library 2024 Development Charges Background Study and Project List

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.3

MOTION OPL 20240502/5

That the Ottawa Public Library Board:

1. Approve the Development Charge project list as per Appendix 1; and,
2. Direct staff to forward Document 1 to the City of Ottawa for inclusion in the 2024-2033 Development Charges By-law report to Ottawa City Council for consideration.

Results: Carried

10.4

First Quarter 2024 Financial Status Report

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.4

MOTION OPL 20240502/6

That the Ottawa Public Library Board:

1. Receive this report for information;
2. Approve the closing of accounts as per the Works in Progress (WIP) Capital Review, including the transfer of $13,272 back to the Library Reserves, as further described in this report; and,
3. Direct staff to work with the City’s Financial Services Unit to forward Appendix F – Works in Progress (WIP) Capital Review to Ottawa City Council, for consideration as part of a report through the City’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee.

Results: Received and Carried

10.5

Intellectual Freedom Project: Close-Out Report

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.5

MOTION OPL 20240502/7

That the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) Board:

1. Receive this report for information; and,
2. Approve extending the OPL Board Intellectual Freedom Position Statement until the next term of Board.

Results: Received and Carried

10.6

2023 Policy Compliance and Delegation of Authority Annual Reporting

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.6

MOTION OPL 20240502/8

That the Ottawa Public Library Board receive this report for information.

Results: Received

10.7

Ottawa Public Library 2023 Annual Report

File Number: OPLB-2024-0502-10.7

MOTION OPL 20240502/9

That the Ottawa Public Library Board receive this report for information.

Results: Received

11.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

12.

Information Previously Distributed

12.1

Memo - Content Services Framework

13.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

There were no Notices of Motion.

14.

Inquiries

There were no Inquiries.

15.

Other Business

Rachael Duplisea is reading Postmistress by Sarah Blake. Matthew Pritz is reading Death in Cornwall: A Novel by Daniel Silva. Trustee Crawford is reading The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter. Trustee King is reading In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas. Trustee Kitts is reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Trustee Slack is reading The Bible. Trustee Smith is reading The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism by Martin Wolf. Alicia Laviolette is reading The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Alexandra Yarrow is reading The Islands by Dionne Irving. Anna Basile is reading In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri. Sonia Bebbington is also reading  A Little Life and will be reading Prius or Pickup by Marc J. Hetherington next. Chair Luloff is reading The Afghanistan Papers by Craig Whitlock.

16.

Adjournment

Prior to adjournment, Chair Luloff noted that although the Board carried decision items on today's agenda on consent, this was a testament to well-written staff reports. He added that while there was no debate and there were no questions this evening, this did not preclude Members from posing questions in advance of the meeting of staff. Chair Luloff thanked staff for the incredible work they do in writing comprehensive and well-written reports.

Be It Resolved that the Ottawa Public Library Board meeting be adjourned at 5:23 pm.

17.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, June 11, 2024