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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08 21 25 LABMinutes 08 21 2025 LAB Library Advisory Board Minutes August 21, 2025 Assembly: The Library Advisory Board met in the Regular Session on Thursday, August 21st at 1:30 pm at the Northeast Library. Board Members Assael, Shaun PRESENT Carbone, Liz PRESENT Clinton, Ann EXCUSED Colin, Emily PRESENT Dodd, Scott PRESENT Haragan, Ellen PRESENT Kozik, Lynn PRESENT Lawler, Patricia PRESENT Niggl, Paul EXCUSED Salter, Tiffany PRESENT Sheridan, Earl PRESENT Smith, Harriet EXCUSED Staff Members & Board Reps. Conners, Dana PRESENT Mays, Yvette PRESENT Zimmer, Ronna (Foundation Rep) EXCUSED Petcovic, Monica (Friends Rep) PRESENT Lisa Wurtzbacher PRESENT Welcome Patricia Lawler convened the meeting at 1:32 pm. The board introduced themselves and welcomed Lisa Wurtzbacher, NHC Asst. County Mgr. Board Reappointments: Patrica Lawler & Liz Carbone accepted a 2nd term. Paul Niggl & Earl Sherian accepted a 1st term after completing unexpired terms. Database Spotlight Kelly Colacchio presented Coursera. Coursera is an online learning platform offering access to 10,000+ courses, Professional Certificates, and degree programs from top universities and companies worldwide. Library card holders can enjoy 90 days of free access through the State Library of NC until 12/31/2025. Public Comment None Minutes 08 21 2025 LAB Agenda Review Approved Approval of Previous Minutes The minutes from the last board meetings on June 19, 2025, were sent to the board prior to the meeting for review. Motion: Liz Carbone MOVED, SECONDED by Lynn Kozik, to accept the minutes of the 06/19/25 as written. Upon voting, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Correspondence None NHC Friends of the Public Library FOL Representative, Monica Petcovic, reported the following: • Friends’ logo was updated at the July meeting. • Great turnout for the Friends book sale night. Lots of new members signed up. • New Story Walks are installed at Long Leaf Park & Lake Park. • Friends are participating in the Nov. Book Fest. • June 30, 2026 is the 50th anniversary of the FOL. Library Foundation • The Foundation has a new software program called Panorama. This will allow donors to make donations directly through the Foundation’s website. • They are working on their annual letter that will go out in November. Director’s Report Main Library Grace District • The Main library was closed to the public on Aug. 3rd. On Aug. 4th, staff received a tour of the new site on Grace St. • All books have been moved, and the Local History move is underway. • Office supplies and staff office will move next week. • Our new address is 230 Grace Street, Suite A • Opening will be in early October. Exact date TBD. • Parking deck repairs are underway • Free parking on the deck will still be available to patrons. • The Museum will not move until July. Minutes 08 21 2025 LAB Budget • The library did cut 6 part-time employees. With less staff to cover evening and weekends there will be a reduction in programs. • Outreach & CORE services have been eliminated. • Book lockers at the Senior Resource Center were closed. • 50% of the Supply budget was cut. This will affect programming supplies. • No new staff were approved for the Northchase Library. We will use 9 existing staff members to fill those roles. • Book budget for Northchase Library was reduced. Northchase • The opening will be April or June 2026. • The structure is up, and windows are in. • Dana found a document where the land was purchased in 1996 for $190,000. • In Dec/Jan the site should be ready for hard hat tours. Book Sale • This year’s sales were a record breaking $86,772. • Staff alone spent over $1,000 on early access sales. Strategic Plan Dana Conners present the Library’s Strategic Plan. • Resources that engage and empower • Access that meets people where they are • Connections that strengthen a sense of community Desired Outcomes, Strategic Objectives and Targes of each were discussed along with our 2nd year results. Library Social Worker LaCretia Keith, our Social Worker for the Public Library, has become a trusted ally for people facing difficult questions such as these. Her knowledge of available resources and commitment to addressing the needs of our community have made a significant impact on our residents. She was awarded the NACo Award for her creation of the Community Resource Packet. This packet was needed by so many departments that it has evolved into an online resource. From the home page of County’s website, click on the Community Resource Portal. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b4ef068ade75453ea0316627d705de91/page/Resources Minutes 08 21 2025 LAB True Crime Summer This Saturday, 8/23, hear from Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the fall of a Southern Dynasty author and Wilmington native, Valerie Bauerlein. Her Author Talk at the Northeast library is completely full. (200 seats) About the Author : "Valerie Bauerlein is a national reporter for The Wall Street Journal who writes about small-town America and Southern politics, economics, and culture. She has covered the South her entire career, including nineteen years at the Journal and four years at The State in Columbia, South Carolina. Ms. Bauerlein graduated from Duke University. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and their two children." - Penguin Random House author website. New Business Nominating Committee Patricia Lawler selected Tiffany Salter, Emily Colin & Earl Sheridan as the nominating committee. If you are interested in making a nomination or in accepting the office of Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary, please reach out to them by September 8th. This committee will present their nominations at the September meeting. Old Business By-Laws The updated LAB By-Laws will be present to the County Commissioners for approval at their next meeting. Cape Fear Book Festival Emily Colin reported the Cape Fear Book Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15th & Sunday, Nov. 16th at the Main Library @ Grace District. Day 1: Workshops for local aspiring writers. Some of the workshops will be specific to different writing styles - Fiction vs. Non-Fiction. These workshops will be led by professionals in the field. We will complete the day with a Keynote address by North Carolina author Kianna Alexander. Day 2: A local author book sale. Authors from Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover counties will host book sale and signing tables in the lobby and multipurpose room. We'll have around 65-70 authors. Minutes 08 21 2025 LAB Adjournment Motion: Shawn Assael MOVED, SECONDED by Ellen Haragan to adjourn the meeting. The board adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Our next meeting will be September 18th at the Pine Valley Library Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board meeting.