Present:

Chair:  Tim Tierney
Trustees:  Kathy Fisher, Allan Higdon,
Catherine McKenney, Scott Moffatt, Pamela Sweet, Marianne Wilkinson

Regrets

Vice-Chair André Bergeron, Trustee Steven Begg

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes 3 - Tuesday, 3 March 2015

CHAIR’S REMARKS

Recognizing Gilles Frappier:

Chair Tierney recognized the passing of Monsieur Gilles Frappier, former Chief Librarian at the Ottawa Public Library from 1979-1995. Mr. Frappier passed away at the age of 84 years old on March 16, 2015. Mr. Frappier was a career librarian who kept the library proudly bilingual and sought to enhance the library’s international reputation, and his own, by accumulating a roster of chairs and presidencies of national and internal library associations. Mr. Frappier also sought decent compensation for writers via the Public Lending Right and promoted his mother tongue whenever the chance appeared.

Central Library Public Engagement Session:

Chair Tierney mentioned that nearly 180 people participated in the event held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, it was an extremely productive session that generated much feedback on how people see libraries in the future. Chair Tierney thanked Trustee Fisher for co-chairing the event. The Mayor was in attendance and recognized the event as very successful. Chair Tierney thanked the event planners, facilitators, and staff for their outstanding work.  He said next steps would be in June when staff come forward with two reports: the program framework, and a business case. A number of public delegations are anticipated and staff are looking a larger meeting space to conduct the meeting.

Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest:

Chair Tierney stated this event also took place on Tuesday, 31 March 2015. The contest strives to aspire and engage young poets and short story authors across the capital. He thanked Vice-Chair Bergeron for representing the Board and the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (OPLA). To highlight the milestone, the Board contributed to the event by providing cupcakes.

Chair Tierney congratulated Trustee Moffatt on the birth of their fourth child. He also congratulated Trustee McKenney who is a grandmother again.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

The CEO advised that National Volunteer Week is April 12-18, 2015. There is a strong support base of volunteers at the Ottawa Public Library and why the library system has seen so much success; from those who help with community programming, to those who tidy the branches, to the Friends of the OPLA. She thanked Board trustees for setting the stage and in recognition of National Volunteer Week presented them with a card and chocolate for their valuable contribution.

REPORTS

PLANNING AND BOARD SUPPORT

1.

2015-2018 OPL STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PRIORITIES

OPLB-2015-0031

The Board heard from the following delegation:

Mike Pyndus* spoke to Appendix 3, “Spaces for community, collections, and creation” of the report. He proposed a new description for the Central Library Planning , the New South Urban Planning and the Rosemount Feasibility Study. Mr. Pyndus advised that he is available to assist with these initiatives.

[     *Individuals / groups marked with an asterisk above either provided comments in writing or by email; all submissions are held on file with the CEO.]

There being no further discussion, the report recommendations were put before the Board and were CARRIED, as presented. 

MOTION OPL 20150414/1

That the Ottawa Public Library Board approve:

1.         The 2015 – 2018 Strategic Priorities; and,

2.         The 2015 Board and Corporate Work Plans; and,

3.         The Central Library as OPL’s key priority initiative for recommendation for inclusion in the City of Ottawa’s 2015 – 2018 Term of Council priorities.

CARRIED

CORPORATE SERVICES

2.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY – THIRD PARTY FUNDRAISING

OPLB-2015-0032

In response to a question from Trustee Sweet with respect to how third party fundraising would work and where the tax receipt would come from, Brenda Gorton, Financial Services Unit (FSU), advised that this report stems from the request of Legal Services and recommendations from an audit of donations performed by the Canadian Revenue Agency making it mandatory to have an official agreement in place between all third party fundraising groups and the City of Ottawa, i.e. the Ottawa Public Library. Ms. Gorton stated that this delegated authority in conjunction with FSU and in accordance with the City of Ottawa Donation Receipt Policy, will enable issuance of charitable donation tax receipts to the participants, in some cases sponsors of charitable events.

There being no further discussion, the report recommendation was put before the Board and was CARRIED, as presented.

MOTION OPL 20150414/2

That the Ottawa Public Library Board delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer for fundraising activities performed by third parties for the library’s purposes and to coordinate the issuance of donation receipts with the City of Ottawa’s Finance Department.

CARRIED

3.

SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT REPORT – JULY-DECEMBER 2014

OPLB-2015-0033

MOTION OPL 20150414/3

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

RECEIVED

CONTENT AND TECHNOLOGY

4.

EBOOK ADVOCACY

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In response to a question from Trustee Wilkinson about Publisher Advocacy, Jennifer Stirling, Division Manager mentioned that the Ottawa Public Library and its partner libraries and associations will work to ensure a continuous dialogue to find mutually beneficial positions for publishers and libraries to mitigate the risk, while promoting library content sustainability and models that support publisher fiscal health. A series of letters were sent as mentioned in the report with respect to the “Big Five” publishers not selling to libraries. Ms. Stirling noted that eBook terms, conditions, and content sustainability for libraries is key. 

There being no further discussion, the report recommendation was put before the Board and was RECEIVED, as presented.

MOTION OPL 20150414/4

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

RECEIVED

PLANNING AND BOARD SUPPORT

5.

OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

OPLB-2015-0035

MOTION OPL 20150414/5

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

RECEIVED

INQUIRIES

Trustee Wilkinson - Trustee attendance and general information of the 70^th Canadian Library Association (CLA) National Conference and Trade Show taking place in Ottawa from Wednesday, June 3^rd to Friday, June 5^th at the Shaw Centre.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION No. OPL 20150414/6

Be It Resolved that the Ottawa Public Library Board meeting be adjourned at 5:25 p.m.