Berkeley Public Library Foundation

“Summary of the Bylaw changesChanged Term Limits In April 2018 the BPLF amended its bylaws (section 2.06) to allow for extended term limits for Directors by a vote of the board under special circumstances.Non-voting ParticipantsIn May 2018 the BPLF updated its bylaws (section 2.02) to reflect current practice around non-voting participants. Officer StructureIn July 2018 the BPLF amended its bylaws (throughout the document) to reflect the proposed new officer structure, including a VP/President-Elect and a Vice President for Development. This included outlining the duties of the VP/President-Elect and the Vice President for Development as well as substituting in the new officer structure for the old officer structure throughout the document.Standing Committees in the BylawsIn July 2018 the BPLF amended its bylaws (section 5.03) to remove from the Executive Committee the Vice President (part of the old structure) and add in President-Elect, Vice President for Development (part of the new officer structure).”

“BPLF's CPA prepares the draft of the 990. The draft is reviewed by the Treasurer, Executive Director, Finance and Executive Committees and then distributed to the Board of Directors for review and approval before filing.”

“The Board of Directors review any potential conflicts of interest at least annually. All Board Members and Staff are required to disclose in writing potential conflicts and any related party affiliations. Loans between the Organization and Management and The Board of Directors are strictly prohibited. BPLF seeks full transparency on all relationships. All potential conflicts, in fact or appearance, are discussed openly and resolved in accordance with the Organization's policies and procedures.”

“The Board of Directors determines the compensation of the Executive Director based on salaries paid to persons performing like services for comparable organizations based on data received from salary surveys and Form 990.”

“The Board of Directors determines the compensation of the Executive Director and the Executive Director determines the compensation of staff based on salaries paid to persons performing like services for comparable organizations based on data obtained from salary surveys and Form 990.”

“Berkeley Public Library Foundation makes its Form 990, conflict of interest policy, donor privacy policy, compensation policy and document retention policy available on its website.In addition, BPLF makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Building A Culture of Innovation was the focus of a staff leadership training and project development opportunity funded by the BPLF. Twenty librarians attended the LUMA Institute training. They practiced design thinking and gained project development skills to aid in the creation of projects based on librarian interests in serving the public. A grant of $35,000 from our designated innovation fund went to support the training, and to seed, librarian-led projects. Our 16th Annual Authors Dinner was held in February 2018. Over 350 people attended this gala event that transforms the Historic Reading Room at the Central Library into an elegant dining room and literary salon for one night. This early sell-out event functions both as a fundraiser and community program to celebrate the rich literary tradition of Berkeley and the Bay Area. Twenty-nine authors were honored with author Jane Smiley serving as the Honorary Chair. A major matching grant from the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation served as a catalyst for record level giving at the event in support of the library. In October 2017 the Foundation hosted Tools & Tapas an event held at the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch featuring Berkeleys popular Tool Lending Library and the leadership of 26-year veteran Tool Lending Librarian Adam Broner, also contributing author of the book Audio Recorders to Zucchini Seeds: Building a Library of Things.The BPLF outfitted the Claremont, West and Central Branch libraries with 3 new Portable Interactive Video Display Monitors. These self-contained audiovisual systems are perfect for libraries with limited space. They are easy to use and store and already proving to be wildly popular. The experiences of children and teens are being enhanced in new and exciting ways. Patrons tell us they love it. Staff meetings are being enlivened, and librarians are being inspired to incorporate new programming.”