HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08 20 2020 LAB (1)Minutes 08 20 2020 LAB Page 1
Library Advisory Board
August 20, 2020
Assembly:
The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, at 2:00 p.m. via WebEx.
Board Members
Brewington, Jan PRESENT Chadurjian, Denise PRESENT
Conlon, Dennis ABSENT Damutz, Amy PRESENT
Dodd, Scott PRESENT Guenther, Joy PRESENT
Miles, Linda EXCUSED Montwieler, Katherine PRESENT
Shore, Sam EXCUSED Smith, Ida PRESENT
Smith, Paul PRESENT Zimmer, Ronna PRESENT
Staff Members & Board Reps.
Tom Brimberry (FOL Rep), Paige Owens (Library Director), Yvette Mays (Admin)
Welcome
Denise Chadurjian convened the meeting at 2:02 p.m.
Board Members
Renewed Terms: Dennis Conlon & Scott Dodd
Completed Terms: Sam Shore (1 term), Paul Smith (2 terms)
Applicants: Mary Alice B. (County Commissioners make appointments at the 8/24/20
board meeting. We still have 1 vacancy that has been reposted. Deadline to apply is
9/4/20. The appointment will be made at the 9/21/20 Commissioners meeting
Public Comment
None
Agenda Review
Approved
Approval of previous minutes
The minutes from the last board meeting on February 20, 2020 had been sent to the board prior
to the meeting for review.
Motion: Denise Chadurjian MOVED, SECONDED by Ronna Zimmer, to accept the minutes
of the 2/20/2020 meeting as written. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Correspondence
Paige Owens stated that the library has received several positive online chat comments from
patrons who are thanking them for their online assistance and curbside services.
Minutes 08 20 2020 LAB Page 2
Friends of the Library
Tom Brimberry presented the following report.
The Friends have held two virtual meetings.
A new Treasurer has been named.
The nominating committee is working on a new slate of officers.
Paws4People was hired by the Friends to bring their service dogs to each location to
engage with staff.
Current projects are Story Walk, Raising A Reader, Walking Tour, and LEAD Award
expenditures.
Library Foundation
Ronna shared that the Foundation’s luncheon and Fall mailing are on hold. To encourage new
contacts and donors, the Foundation’s fundraising objectives will be sent out as a special fall
edition of the libraries weekly news@nhcpl email blast.
Susan DeMarco, Children’s Services Specialist, spoke to the board about Children’s services
during the pandemic.
Director’s Report
Paige Owens presented the following report.
Highlights
New Hanover County Public Libraries reopen for modified in-person services, continue
online and curbside offerings. Busier than expected. Will propose limited indoor hours.
Book Donations were not accepted during closure. Donations will now be accepted but
only at Northeast by appointment.
New Hanover County Creates Online 1898 History Resource
o New Hanover County’s Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Public
Library and Information Technology Department have worked together to create a
map and timeline documenting the events of 1898 in Wilmington.
New Hanover County updates
Tufanna Bradley named Asst. County Manager in charge of Health and Human Services
Sheryl Kelly, Budget Officer, named director of culture resource departments including
library
Linda Thompson named as NHC Chief Diversity and Equity Officer
Operations
Reopened with modified service and schedule 8/17/20
Facilities
Pine Valley and Northeast assigned as one-stop voting sites
Main Library to be a polling place on election day. Library will be closed.
Spring book sale takedown underway. Will be completed next week. No Fall book sale.
Minutes 08 20 2020 LAB Page 3
Pine Valley proceeding with landscape plans. Partnering with Cooperative Extension,
NHC Parks and the Coastal Landscape initiative. Money from the Foundation will
support this project.
Main Library elevator repaired and certified
New Hanover County not moving forward with lease for vacant space next to Pleasure
Island Library
Staff
Hired 3 of 5 vacancies: Pine Valley assistant and Pine Valley associate. Both hires former
library casual part-time. Library Assistant Flavia Lemieux will be Northeast Children’s
Associate.
In planning stage for 4th and 5th positions: Main Library librarian and program manager
Budget
Transitioned to FY20-21 budget
Level with FY19-20 budget
Library Director goals FY20-21
Community survey ON HOLD
Main Library basement clean-up ON HOLD
Social work internship partnership with UNCW IN PLANNING
Fine relief program ON HOLD
LSTA grant application for community deposit collections FALL 2020
Pine Valley landscape UNDERWAY
Policy review WINTER 2021
Contract with new public printing vendor by end of FY SPRING 2021. No cost printing
will make it easier for the public and staff.
Scott Dowd asked why the library would open when curbside was meeting current needs. Paige
Owens explained that the decision to reopen was driven by input from the community to
commissioners and county management. Scott Dowd stated that the board would support the
library limiting in person hours if needed. This suggestion was received positively by the board.
Paige Owens thanked Scott Down and the board for their support.
Committee Reports
none
New Business
Review of LAB By-Laws
The By-Laws were sent to the board prior to the meeting today. Paige Owens stated that the
State Library noted that our By-Laws had not been updated in years. Although we have had no
problems or conflicts, it is good practice to review them and ensure they are current.
At the next meeting we will get input from the board. If no changes are needed, we will update
the Amended date.
Minutes 08 20 2020 LAB Page 4
Library Holiday Calendar 2021
Paige Owens shared and discussed the calendar with the board.
One significant change is that Staff Development Day will be held on Columbus Day, October
11. We will not have SDD in February in 2021. This will serve the dual purpose of postponing
SDD until (hopefully) after the pandemic. And having SDD in October gives us an opportunity
to complete mandatory NHC training earlier in the year.
2021 NHCPL Closed Days
January 1 Friday New Year's Day
January 18 Monday MLK Day
April 2 Friday Good Friday
April 3 Saturday Easter Saturday
April 4 Sunday Easter
May 30 Sunday Memorial Day Sunday
May 31 Monday Memorial Day
July 4 Sunday Independence Day
July 5 Monday Independence Day Holiday
September 5 Sunday Labor Day Sunday
September 6 Monday Labor Day
October 11 Monday STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
November 11 Thursday Veteran's Day
November 25 Thursday Thanksgiving
November 26 Friday Thanksgiving Friday
December 24 Friday Christmas NHC Holiday
December 25 Saturday Christmas Day
December 26 Sunday Christmas day after
December 27 Monday Christmas NHC Holiday
*April 10 Saturday
Azalea Festival: Main Library only
CLOSE AT 6:00
December 20 Monday
December 21 Tuesday
December 28 Tuesday
December 29 Wednesday
Motion: Denise Chadurjian MOVED, SECONDED by Amy Damutz, to accept the Library
Holiday 2021 Calendar as written. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Old Business
none
Minutes 08 20 2020 LAB Page 5
Final Business
Denise Chadurjian asked the board to send nominations for the next slate of officers to her and
Paige Owens prior to the next meeting 9/17/20.
Paul Smith said goodbye to the board. Paige Owens also thanked Paul for his continued work on
the Little Free Library and the Story Walk at Smith Creek Park.
Adjournment
Denise Chadurjian adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m.
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board
meeting.