HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09 19 2024 LABMinutes 09 19 2024 LAB
Library Advisory Board
September 19, 2024
Minutes
Assembly:
The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, September 19th at 1:30 pm at
the Main Library.
Board Members
Assael, Shaun EXCUSED Carbone, Liz PRESENT
Clinton, Ann EXCUSED Colin, Emily PRESENT
Dodd, Scott EXCUSED Haragan, Ellen PRESENT
Hennessey, Christine EXCUSED Kozik, Lynn PRESENT
Lawler, Patricia PRESENT Miles, Linda EXCUSED
Salter, Tiffany PRESENT Smith, Harriet EXCUSED
Staff Members & Board Reps.
Conners, Dana PRESENT
Zimmer, Ronna
(Foundation Rep)
EXCUSED Brimberry, Tom (Friends Rep) PRESENT
Mays, Yvette PRESENT Rider, Jimi (MN Branch Mgr.) PRESENT
Welcome
Patricia Lawler convened the meeting at 1:35 pm.
We welcomed two new members: Tiffany Salter & Ellen Haragan.
Shaun Assael & Lynn Kozik were reappointed for a 2nd term.
Members introduced themselves.
Public Comment
No public comments.
Agenda Review
Approved as written
Minutes 09 19 2024 LAB
Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes from the last board meeting on August 15, 2024, were sent to the board prior to
the meeting for review.
With no quorum, the vote will roll over to next month’s meeting to approve the minutes.
Correspondence
None received.
Friends of the Library
Tom Brimberry reported the following:
The FOL board approved $4,000 in expenditures for the library’s Local Author Festival, and speaker fees
for wildlife ecology writer Doug Tallamy. His book, Natures Best Hope, will be discussed at various
locations & date. He will be in person at UNCW on Oct 12th.
A downtown walking tour of past library locations will take place on Oct. 17th. There is an $18.00 fee
that includes lunch. Additional details to follow.
Library Foundation
Board will meet again in November.
Director’s Report
Dana Conners reported the following:
Project Grace
On schedule to open August 2025. We are making furniture selections & looking at our
collection.
Northchase
Plans are underway. We are also looking at furniture selections & planning our new collection
for this site.
NOTE: 1% of all NHC Government construction cost goes towards public art.
Minutes 09 19 2024 LAB
LR King online presentation
Join us for a special presentation for NHCPL with Laurie R. King! In honor of the 30th
anniversary of the Beekeeper's Apprentice, Ms. King is presenting an author talk at 12 libraries
in 2024 - and New Hanover County Public Library will host her for the month of September! She
will be virtually visiting us on Saturday, September 21st from 2-3pm. You can attend the live-
stream presentation at any library location, please register for the program at the branch which
you'd like to attend.
Laurie R. King is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels and other works, including
the Mary-Russell-Sherlock Holmes stories.
By The Numbers
We have just completed our State Library stats. Dana provided the board with a snapshot of
our numbers for discussion.
July 1, 2023 – June 20, 2024
• 478,630 Visitors to the Library (+6%)
• 113,718 Active card holders
• 1.37 million Items checks out (Print, Media, Audio) (+6%)
• 428,116 Visits to our website (+11%)
• 92,303 Inquiries made to library staff
• 1,790 Programs held for all ages
• 40,195 People attended a program (+19%)
• 47,086 People used public internet computers (+7%)
Fiction to Fashion
Our 8th Project Runway-style fashion design challenge is underway. Using unconventional
materials like discarded library books, cassette tapes and CDs, teens make a stunning outfit to
send down the runway at Azalea Station in the Cargo District.
Saturday, November 9, 7:00pm-8:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Staff
We have 2 new staff members: Claudia Buddy is the new bilingual librarian at the Main Library.
Tiffany Boeglen will start on 10/29 as the Marketing & Technology Librarian.
We are in the process of hiring 4 interns for the Local History room. They will be preparing our
local history collection for the move to Project Grace.
Minutes 09 19 2024 LAB
We are in the process of making an offer to a Library Assistant and about to post a Library
Associate position.
Staff Development Day
On October 14th all sites will be closed to the public so that all staff can attend this day of
training.
Hispanic Community
We have hired CASA to do a Hispanic Community needs assessment. They will be at the
upcoming Hispanic Festival to survey attendees for the library.
The Cape Fear Book Festival
Will be held on Nov 22 & 23rd. Day 1 will be for authors to sell their books. Day 2 will be an
author workshop conference. There are no fees for attendees. An After party will be held at
Front Street Brewing.
Committee Reports
None.
New Business
Officers
Patricia Lawler reported that the current slate of officers has agreed to represent the board for
another year if there is no other interest from the board.
The current slate of officers is Chair – Patricia Lawler, Vice Chair – Lynn Kozik, & Secretary –
Shaun Assael.
If you are interested in making a nomination, please contact Patricia.
The nominations will be voted on at the October meeting.
Member Roles
Dana explained the roles of the Library Advisory to the board.
• This is an advisory board
• Votes are on library policies and not NHC government policies
Minutes 09 19 2024 LAB
• Promote library services & programs
• Advocate for the Library
Database Spotlight
Main Library Branch Mgr., Jimi Rider presented Consumer Reports to the Board. A brochure on
online resources for consumer & health information will be distributed to the board.
NOTE: Don’t forget to share this database with your friends & family.
Old Business
None
Other
Adjournment
The board adjourned the meeting at 2:25.
Next Meeting on October 17th at the Main Library
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board
meeting.