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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02 17 2022 LAB Library Advisory Board February 17, 2022 Assembly: The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, at 3:30 pm via WebEx. Board Members Assael, Shaun PRESENT Baish, Mary Alice PRESENT Conlon, Dennis PRESENT Dodd, Scott PRESENT Grant, Amy PRESENT Guenther, Joy PRESENT Kozik, Lynn PRESENT Maurer, Kevin PRESENT Miles, Linda ABSENT Montwieler, Katherine PRESENT Smith, Ida PRESENT Zimmer, Ronna PRESENT Staff Members & Board Reps. Paige Owens (Library Director), Sheryl Kelly (Asst. County Mgr.), Leigh Thomas (NE Branch Mgr), Yvette Mays (Library Admin. Coord.) Not Present: Tom Brimberry, FOL Rep Welcome Chair Scott Dodd convened the meeting at 3:32 pm. Public Comment No public comments. Agenda Review No changes suggested. Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes from the last board meeting on January 20, 2022, were sent to the board prior to the meeting for review. Motion: Dennis Conlon MOVED, SECONDED by Katherine Montwieler, to accept the minutes of the 1/20/22 meeting as written. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Correspondence None. Friends of the Library Tom Brimberry submitted the following report: February meeting highlighted continuing priority projects: • LEAD grants currently awarded to following staff for worthwhile projects: o Mary Kleinfeldt, Main, DIY Home Energy Audit Kit o Natasha Francois, Law Librarian, Self-starter Kits for starting businesses, court representation and seeking grants o Susan DeMarco, Children’s Coordinator, Team Retreat o Teresa Bishop, Pleasure Island, Memory Care Conversation Kits. • Memberships increased significantly due to return of Book Sales. • In February, 16 Williston Middle School students awarded book bags in Rotary ceremony for outstanding citizenship. • StoryWalk is exploring opportunities to improve walks. • Brochure for “A Library History Stroll Through Downtown Wilmington” developed for self- guided tour of 4 prior library buildings and the advocates who shaped the library. Thank you for your support to Friends and the good work you do on behalf of the NHC Library system. Library Foundation Ronna Zimmer reported: • $50,000 to be given to the library to fund the Children’s structure at the Northeast Branch. • Investments have seen over 12% in returns. Director’s Report Library Director Update February 2022 Operations & COVID Update • New Hanover County COVID test positivity rate 31.7% in January. Currently 27.9% • COVID exposures continue to impact library staffing, but manageable at this time Staff • Reference Librarian at Pine Valley: Hired. Meaghan Baggett, formerly Associate at Main Library, promoted • Posted and/or interviewing: o Senior Librarian (Main) open since 7/30/21 o Local History Librarian open since 9/10/21 o Pine Valley Library Supervisor open since 1/24/22 o Associate (Main) open since 2/8/22 o Casual (hourly) part time pool posted 1/14/22 Facilities • Installation of new public access computers now being installed at Main (last location) • Northeast public access computer area moved. Children’s program room renovation underway • Entry landscaping at NE installed; sod to be placed in spring Budget • Final budget requests and documentation were submitted January 20 • Dept. head budget presentations to county administration scheduled March 8 • Library requests 3 enhancements and 2 fee changes o Northchase build (projected completion 2024) o EDC remodel for Northeast staff (2027) o Teen Librarian, Main Library o Eliminate Interlibrary Loan fee o Eliminate all Overdue Fees Programs • Storytimes still outdoors. Protocol to be reviewed later this month • Virtual events being offered in conjunction with NCReads (North Carolina Reads 2022 Program, sponsored by NC Humanities Council) Library Director Projects and Goals • Project Grace planning o Now in construction design phase • Northchase Library request for qualifications—according to county Project Manager, we’ll begin process July 1 • Digital Inclusion initiative: Contract for time and print management awarded to Comprise • Continued policy review and strategic plan update o Collection Development policies for Advisory Board review this month o Strategic Plan work group on hold as we wait for availability of NHC Office of Strategy staff. May be pushed back to next fiscal year due to library and county staff capacity o Library Key Performance Indicators were revised and updated with Office of Strategy • American Rescue Plan Adapting Technologies Grant application submitted. Decisions to be announced 2/18/22. o Proposed project: installation of holds-pickup lockers at the Senior Resource Center • LSTA Planning Grant application awaiting Commissioner approval to apply 2/21/22; submission deadline 3/31/22. Proposes Archival management assessment for Local History by national consultant. Committee Reports None. New Business Policy Update: Library Collection Development Leigh Thomas presented the updates that have been made to our Collection Development Policy which was last revised in 2016. There is one general policy that applies to all library collections as well as specific policies for targeted collections. Included in this review is the library’s Reconsideration policy, which describes the protocol for addressing challenges to library materials. The following policies were covered and discussed: 13.0 Collection Development 13.1 Adult Circulating Collection 13.2 Juvenile Collection 13.3 Young Adult Collection 13.4 Reference Collection 13.5 Serials Collection 13.6 Local History Collection 13.7 Self-Published Works 13.8 Reconsideration Old Business Project Grace Update Paige Owens reported that we have moved to the construction design phase. Multiple meetings are being held to review lighting, acoustics, AV, security, etc. LS3P was very excited to share that the project has been approved for solar panels on the roof. Amy Grant asked about the library’s art collection and volunteered her services if needed. Paige stated the County has put a lot of thought into including art in all public buildings. Key Performance Indicators Paige Owens presented the final draft of library Key Performance Indicators. It was established with library staff and NHC Office of Strategy. Final Comments Scott Dodd asked the board if they would like to continue meeting virtually or in person. It was decided that our next meeting on March 17th will be held virtually. The new meeting start time of 3:30 was a concern to some attendees due to work constraints and traffic leaving future meetings at 5:00. Scott will follow up with his commitments to see if any changes can be made. Adjournment Scott Dodd adjourned the meeting at 4:38 pm. Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board meeting.