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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02 20 25 LABMinutes 02 20 2025 LAB Library Advisory Board February 20, 2025 Minutes Assembly: The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, February 20th at 1:30 pm at the Main Library. Board Members Assael, Shaun Excused Carbone, Liz Present Clinton, Ann Present Colin, Emily Absent Dodd, Scott Present Haragan, Ellen Present Kozik, Lynn Present Lawler, Patricia Present Miles, Linda Excused Niggl, Paul Present Salter, Tiffany Excused Smith, Harriet Excused Staff Members & Board Reps. Conners, Dana Present Jessica Loeper (Asst. Cnty Mgr) Excused Zimmer, Ronna (Foundation Rep) Excused Petcovic, Monica (Friends Rep) Present Mays, Yvette Present Rider, Jimi (MN Branch Mgr.) Excused Welcome Patricia Lawler convened the meeting at 1:30 pm. Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes from the last board meetings on January 16, 2025, were sent to the board prior to the meeting for review. Motion: Scott Dodd MOVED, SECONDED by Ellen Haragan, to accept the minutes of the 01/16/25 meeting as written. Upon voting, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Project Grace Tour Prior to the meeting, the board had just toured the Project Grace site. • Once Project Grace is completed, it will be called The Grace District. Encompassing the Library, Museum and parking deck. The new address will be 230 Grace Street. The Library and Museum will keep their current names. Minutes 02 20 2025 LAB • Cape Fear Commercial will develop the Chestnut St. side of this block. • There will be a public art piece honoring the Michael Jordan family in the courtyard. • A Hearing Loop is being researched for the large assembly room. This technology will allow guests with hearing aids to experience a clearer sound in the room. • We will close the current library around Aug 1st and will open the new site around Oct 1st. • Fixtures and furniture left behind will first be offered to other NHC departments, then to non-profits. The remaining items will go to the county’s surplus sale. • Dana shared the finished board and samples of the flooring and ceiling materials. • There will be a grand opening for the library and then another for when the Museum opens in 2026. Friends of the Library Monica Petcovia reported the following: • The board has approved their 2025 budget. • LEAD Grant applications have gone out to library staff. • The Book Page magazine subscription will be renewed for another year. • We are updating our website and brochures. • March/June book clubs have been planned. Dana reported, Winter book sale raised over 76,000. Even though the book sale was pushed back a week due to snow, we still raised $9,000 over last year’s winter sale. Q & A with Director • What is the status of the Budget Enhancements? o March 5th we will present our requests to the County Manager, Assistant County Managers and the Leadership Team. All department requests will then be made to the County Commissioners for funding. The budget will be adopted on June 16th. • How has the recent political climate impacted our recent Hispanic services at the library? o At our first Spanish speaking story time we welcomed 31 attendees. At the second program we only had 13 attendees. Heightened fears of being targeted are shown as the decrease in attendance. • Will the library continue to be a part of SAFE Place at the new location? o Yes. This program will continue at the downtown library. Minutes 02 20 2025 LAB • Has the Library’s Federal funding been cut? o We currently have an LSTA grant that provided funding for interns to work on proper storage of the local history archives and funding from the left-over ARPA funds. All these funds have already been accepted and are safe. Adjournment Motion: Lynn Kozik MOVED, SECONDED by Liz Carbone, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voting, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The board adjourned the meeting at 2:30 Next Meeting on March 20, 2025, at the Northeast Library (Oak Room) Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board meeting.