Board Meeting Minutes – 9/11/2023 
The meeting started with an invocation, which was followed by a moment of silence in remembrance of the lives lost on 9/11, and then the Pledge of Allegiance (Item 3).
Item 1- Call to Order: The meeting is called to order at 10:00 AM.
Item 2- Members Roll Call: Present are Board of Trustee member Matt Morris, Board of Trustee member Dee Mounts, Board of Trustee member Dave Ochenreider, and Vice Chairman Brian Shoemake. Chairman John Shewalter was not present in person but was on speakerphone. Also present are Library Director Vanja Anderson, Assistant Director Shanna Gibbons, Head of Youth Services Alysha Wogee, Head of Reference Services Andrew Karneges, Circulation Head Barbara Ferido, Marla Zlotek from the District Attorney's office, and liaison Commissioner Frank Carbone. In addition, members of the public are present.
Item 3- The Pledge of Allegiance was recited prior to the call to order.
Item 5- Approval of the Agenda: Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Brian Shoemake announces that Some of the agenda items will be reordered because one of the members of the Board has a doctor's appointment and Shoemake wants to make sure that all the board members have the opportunity to vote on the items. Shoemake states that we will start with Item 5 and he asks for a motion. Marla Zlotek interrupts and informs him that because it is not an action item no motion is needed, he can just say that the agenda as written is approved, which he does.
Then Brian Shoemake says that we will be going to Item 13 but Marla Zlotek says that the General Public Comment (Item 6) has to occur first. 
Item 6- General Public Comment:
Helene Campton- She was a library trustee back in the 1990s and was chairman of the Public Library Association of Nevada and the Nevada Association of Library Trustees. She says in all her years as a trustee she would have never created a policy to ban books. Politics should not interfere in this public institution and deprive it from being a part of the American Library Association (ALA).
Ann Underdahl- She says that replacing library workers’ training with the whims of extremists is an intentional step to dismantle libraries as a public good. Making libraries less appealing, usable, and effective affects all of us. Librarians are trained to select quality, age appropriate books and their decisions should not be overridden by a handful of people who want to ban books.
Janet Porn- Some kids can only get books from the Public Library because some schools don't have a library. Kids, especially young kids, find books by browsing and they won't know that a book exists if it's not there on the shelf.
Kelly Green- She says she did a search in the library catalog for books with LGBTQ themes and says she found 42 books assigned to the youth section of which 15 are picture books and 27 are young adult books. These numbers represent just a fraction of a percentage point of all of the books in the youth section. For comparison, she also did a search of Christian and faith themed books and there are 47 books in the youth section on this subject of which 13 were picture books. Instead of censoring LGBTQ themed books by moving them to the adult section, perhaps the library could add more Christian and faith themed books to the youth section. She says she shouldn't have had to go through the DA's office to get the answer to the simple question of how many books are in the library but that is the policy that the Board put in place.
Ellen Schneider- She is a former school board member and librarian. Doesn't like that a group of people can decide that they want to ban books. She said both of her kids used the public library and used the school library and if she ever heard that a book was being banned she would have been there asking for an explanation. The ALA is an important association for the librarians. Don't ban books, and maintain the library's membership with the ALA.
Candace Hunt- One of the great freedoms of our country is to have a public library with the choice to have any book you want to read. In our community we need to have every book available for every citizen.
Muriel Areno- What kids read should be up to their parents. It's amazing the most closed-minded members of our community would have power over what other people read.
Sandra Anderson- She reads a quote which compares American book banners to Nazi book burners because their agenda is comparable, which is the suppression of opposing points of view for the purpose of increasing political control. Ms. Anderson goes on to state that we don't need that out here. When children read books they form opinions. How can they form opinions if the books aren't there? Parents should be involved in what their children are looking at. One of the reasons she chose to live in Pahrump is because of the beautiful library we have here.
Gary Underdahl- Amazed at the misinformation that is taught at the school level because people determined what form of history we were to be taught. These people were not evil they just wanted their agenda to be pushed forward. This has no place in a library. The whole idea is to be exposed to ideas you don't think about.
After no more members of the public wish to speak, Brian Shoemake closes public comment. Brian Shoemake then says that many members of the public are misinformed and that the Board has no intention of banning or censoring books. The books are simply being relocated to a more appropriate section of the library but they will still be available to be checked out by adults.
Item 13- For Possible Action: Whether to maintain the library’s membership with the American Library Association (ALA). 
John Shewalter makes a motion to terminate the library’s membership with the American Library Association. Dave Ochenreider seconds the motion.
Public comment:
Ann Underdahl- The American Library Association has a Bill of Rights. We would like to know what the motion maker objects to in that Bill of Rights. Is there a copy of that Bill of Rights on the premises for all of us to read?
Kelly Green- The American Library Association was founded 147 years ago. It's an association of library professionals that advocates for policies, programs, and federal funding. It also provides funding for library programs. The American Library Association sets standards and best practices. The ALA is guided by the Constitution. Each person gets to choose for themselves what they want to read without government interference. Everyone in the community pays taxes which fund this library and deserve to be represented in the library. Ms. Green says that she looked at the collection development policies for over 90 of the libraries in the districts of every single member of the Freedom Caucus. 95% of these libraries cite the American Library Association's Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements.
Jane Goodrow- American Library Association was formed in 1876. She acknowledges that some of the leadership of the association have made some poor public statements recently. But the American Library Association has provided a wealth of resources and professional development tools to librarians for years. Membership in a professional organization either yields a benefit or it doesn't. If the library staff gets value from membership in the American Library Association, then membership should continue. If not, then membership should not continue. She wants the Board to make the decision as a business decision and not a political one.
Helene Campton- She says she doesn't think any of the members of the Board have been to a library conference. The American Library Association is very important and it would be a travesty to take that away from this library.
Gary Underdahl- Asks why the Board is considering not maintaining the library’s membership with the American Library Association. Acknowledges there may be a good reason the Board is considering this decision and wants the Board to explain the reasoning.
Candace Hunt- Asks the Board to consider the freedoms of the residents of this community and to do what is right. The resources that the American Library Association brings to our community are very important. Asks the Board to think about what's best for the community.
Muriel Areno- Asks the Board to not let personal dislike of the head of the American Library Association determine the fate of our library. The benefits the library receives from its membership in the ALA far outweigh ideological or political concerns that the Board may have.
Bruce Hoffrichter- Asks why the Board is considering ending the library's membership with the American Library Association. He mentions that the Board asked Library Director Vanja Anderson to research what other libraries do with books that some people might consider inappropriate and that the vast majority of these libraries didn't do anything. He says the ALA prevents books from coming to this library on subjects like how to build bombs. He asks the Board what their agenda is.
Sandra Anderson- Asks how much it costs to be a member of the ALA. Asks if the ALA is what facilitates interlibrary loan.
Carolene Logue- She says the American Library Association provides training not just to library workers but also to trustees and asks the members of the Board if they have availed themselves of this training. And asks if they have not gone through the training, why not.
Mary Pickard- She says if the Board has a political agenda in the matter of whether to maintain the library’s membership with the ALA, that sets a precedent for the courts and attorneys to ban people that want to move here or to ban churches and if you start banning them you're going to have a KKK or Nazi regime.
Delores Joyner- She says she is involved with the first blind organization that we have here in Nye county and says they are just starting to make themselves available at the library. Asks the Board not to take the library away.
Board comment:
John Shewalter says that he drafted this item after several people came to him about comments made by the president of the American Library Association and were concerned about whether we had a relationship with the ALA. And he thought those concerns warranted a debate and so he put it on the agenda.
John Shewalter then asks Library Director Vanja Anderson what kind of membership we have with the American Library Association. Vanja replies that we have a general institutional membership. John Shewalter says that the ALA website lists three types of membership: organizational, corporate, and personal. Vanja replies that we have an organizational membership. Shewalter asks Vanja how many people she has hired since starting in her position in May of 2022. Vanja responds that she has hired four people. Shewalter asks of the four hires that she has made, how many were advertised on the ALA jobs list website. Vanja responds that one of the positions was placed on the website. Shewalter asks when Vanja received the login credentials for the ALA website. Assistant Director Shanna Gibbons responds that we have had a membership with ALA for quite a few years and the login information was under the information of the previous director, Susan Wonderly. John Shewalter asks about placing jobs on the ALA jobs list website and Vanja responds that login credentials are not required to do that. John Shewalter mentions that the ALA offers discounts and asks Vanja if she has ever ordered something from the ALA and received a discount, Vanja responds that she has not. Shewalter starts to ask another question but is interrupted by Marla Zlotek who says that it is very difficult to hear John Shewalter over the speakerphone and asks if we have another method for him to participate in the meeting. Shanna Gibbons states that at a Board meeting after COVID there was a vote to get rid of the library’s Zoom subscription so they let the subscription expire. Marla Zlotek says that since it appears there is no other way for John Shewalter to participate in the meeting other than being on speakerphone, then he can continue to do that but he must speak clearly and everything he says will need to be repeated by Brian Shoemake (who is holding the phone) so everyone can hear and understand what is being said by Shewalter. John Shewalter then asks Vanja if the library has ever ordered anything through booklistonline.com, Vanja says that we purchase the vast majority of our books through Baker and Taylor and Gale. Shewalter then asks Head of Youth Services Alysha Wogee, when they (Shewalter and Ms. Wogee) were working on library staff salaries, did she use any information from the ALA salary database. Alysha responds “yes.” Shewalter says that the ALA offers a 10% discount through Office Depot and he asks Vanja if the library takes advantage of that. Vanja responds that yes, they manage our copiers. Shewalter next says that the ALA offers grants for programs and asks Vanja if we have received grants from the ALA for programs and Vanja responds that most of our grants are state based, so no. Shewalter asks if any library employees have benefited from ALA scholarships. Vanja responds that she hasn't asked library employees this question and so does not know the answer.
John Shewalter says that he has received questions about the library Board’s political agenda and that he makes it a point not to inject political issues into the library agenda. Shewalter speaks again but is interrupted by Marla Zlotek who says that what Shewalter is saying over the speakerphone is unintelligible and recommends that if Shewalter has a lot to say regarding this item that it be tabled for now and continued at the next board meeting when Shewalter can either be physically present or there is better equipment in place for him to participate remotely. Matt Morris calls a point of order and makes a motion to move this discussion to the next meeting and Dave Ochenreider seconds the motion. John Shewalter says that under the circumstances he supports the motion and he will make sure to be present at the next meeting. The Board passes the motion 5-0.
Item 14- For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to assign Matt Morris to work on the Bookmobile project with the Library Director. 
Marla Zlotek asks Brian Shoemake to reopen Item 13 and ask for public comment on the motion moving it to next month to be in compliance with open meeting law.
Anne Underdahl- Supports the motion.
Sandra Anderson- She starts to suggest that the Board have a private conversation with the Library Director but is interrupted by Marla Zlotek who tells Sandra Anderson that her comments must be limited to whether or not she supports moving Item 13 to next month’s meeting. Ms. Anderson says she supports the motion.
Kelly Green- Supports the motion.
Carolene Logue- Recommends that the Board not have it on an agenda again.
No other members of the public wish to speak so Brian Shoemake closes public comment and resumes Item 14 and asks for a motion. Dee Mounts makes a motion to discuss and deliberate to assign Matt Morris to work on the Bookmobile project with the Library Director. Dave Ochenreider seconds the motion.
Public comment:
Kelly Green- She says that she wants to point out that the American Library Association has a bookmobile program that the library could take part in if the library maintains its membership with the ALA.
Carolene Logue- The Bookmobile has been approved by the Board and it is the responsibility of the Board to appoint a trustee to work with the staff. The Board accusing the staff of dropping the ball on the Bookmobile is offensive to Ms. Logue. She expects the Bookmobile project to move forward quickly and just because there's thought that if it doesn't happen before 2025, then there won't be a bookmobile, is also offensive. 
John Shewalter calls a point of order and tells the public to stay on topic with their comments.
Board comment: 
Matt Morris says this is the first he has heard of his possible involvement in the Bookmobile project. He says he is happy to help with the project and he thinks he can make it happen quickly and efficiently.
Dee Mounts says that she thinks Matt would be a good partner with Vanja on this project.
Dave Ochenreider says he agrees with the previous comments.
Brian Shoemake has no comment.
John Shewalter says he is in support of Matt Morris working on this project.
The motion passes 5-0. 
Item 12- For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation 1) approve, amend and approve, or reject the service engagement agreement with Daniel C McArthur, Ltd, CPA regarding the audit for the year ended June 30, 2023 and 2) execute the agreement.
John Shewalter makes a motion and Matt Morris seconds it.
Public comment:
Frank Carbone- He says that if Daniel McArthur is no longer going to be the CPA, the board better have someone to replace him.
Helene Campton- She states that the item says “approve, amend and approve, or reject” the service engagement agreement with Daniel C McArthur. She asks which is it? A motion has been made but doesn't know what it is for. She asks for clarification.
Mary Pickard- Asks what item number we are on and then asks discussion and deliberation on what?
When no other members of the public want to speak, Brian Shoemake closes public comment and then asks for clarification on the motion. Marla Zlotek says that the person who seconded the motion needs to withdraw their second and then the person who made the motion needs to withdraw their first and then state for clarification “new motion.” 
The motion is withdrawn.
John Shewalter makes a new motion to approve the service engagement agreement with Daniel C McArthur. Matt Morris seconds the motion.
Public comment is reopened:
Helene Campton- She says that as a former trustee, she knows that Daniel C McArthur does a very good job and we should go forward with him.
Carolene Logue- She asks what commissioner Frank Carbone said in his comments because she couldn't hear.
Brian Shoemake says Frank Carbone said if we get rid of Daniel McArthur, we have to have another CPA ready to go. There can't be any lag time.
Carolene Logue responds that she believes we should continue with Daniel McArthur as he has a history not just with the Library Board but with the county commissioners and all of Nye county.
John Shewalter says the agreement under deliberation is provided in the backup and is not about terminating our agreement with Daniel McArthur. It is to approve one of his normal functions.
Public comment closes. There are no Board comments. Item is approved 5-0.
Item 4- Trustee\Director\Liaison Comments:
Frank Carbone- Apologizes for being late to the meeting. He says he was a guest speaker at the 9/11 ceremony. Thanks the Board for their help with this agenda. He says it is tough.
Library Director Vanja Anderson says she has several future agenda items but will go over those in the Librarian’s Report.
John Shewalter- Thanks everyone for their patience dealing with the communication issues with him on the speakerphone. He mentions he broke his leg and can't drive.
Brian Shoemake says that Item #7 is stricken from the agenda as there are no emergency items.
Item 8- Approval of the Minutes:
Dave Ochenreider makes a motion to approve the meeting minutes for August 14, 2023. Matt Morris seconds the motion.
No public or Board comments. Minutes are approved 5-0.
Item 9- Presentation of the Treasurer's Report: Vanja Anderson presents the treasurer's report on expenditures for August 2023, as found in the backup. Brian Shoemake asks why there is a large discrepancy between the numbers in July and August on page 17. Vanja responds that the numbers are cumulative. John Shewalter asks why the amount for Communications is so much higher in August than in July. Vanja says that AT&T charged us for an entire year all at once, which is why August is so high, but she called and renegotiated our contract and we will be getting reimbursed. Going forward we will be paying month to month. John Shewalter asks about the Other Contractual charge of $2073.50. Vanja says that is the charge for our alarm system and that is a once a year charge. John Shewalter mentions that on page 16 there is a charge for Alarm which is $2201.60 and he asks why the two numbers are different. There was a miscommunication earlier and Vanja now says that the Other Contractual charge is actually for Network Savants and pest control and not the alarm. 
Item 10- Approval of the Vouchers
John Shewalter makes a motion to approve the vouchers for August 2023 through September 2023 and Matt Morris seconds the motion.
Public comment:
Carolene Logue- Are any of the vouchers for a grant and what are the grants under revenue?
Board comment:
John Shewalter says he doesn't see a charge for Jon Aire and is wondering if the maintenance was done because he doesn't see a charge. Vanja responds that when they moved the thermostat they did the maintenance.
The measure passes 5-0.
Item 11- Presentation of Librarian’s Report: 
Vanja reads her report that can be found in the backup.
Shanna Gibbons reported the statistics for August 2023 which can be found in the backup.
Alysha Wogee reports the statistics for the children's programs which can be found in the backup.
Item 15- Trustee\Director\Liaison Comments:
Frank Carbone tells the library staff, “great job.”
Dee Mounts thanks everyone for coming and voicing their opinions. She says that the Board is not banning any books and that she wouldn't support such an action. While Dee is speaking, Marla Zlotek interrupts and says that this item is limited to announcements or topics\issues proposed for future workshops, committees and agendas and so Dee cannot talk about how she would vote on a possible future agenda item.
Dave Ochenreider says that not once has the Board used the word ban. And says that, to date, the Pahrump Valley Times has never gotten anything correct about this library.
Brian Shoemake thanks Marla Zlotek for helping make sure the meeting was run correctly and thanks everyone for their patience as the meeting was challenging in a number of ways.
John Shewalter apologizes for not being physically present at the meeting and thanks Brian Shoemake for covering for him.
Item 16- Adjournment at 11:53 AM.
 

ARCHIVED MINUTES

AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2023