Minutes 02 20 2020 LABLibrary Advisory Board
February 20,2020
Assembly:
The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday , at 2:00 p.m. at Main Library
in Wilmington, NC.
Board Members
Brewington, Jan EXCUSED Chaduriian, Denise PRESENT
Conlon, Dennis PRESENT Damutz, Amy EXCUSED
Dodd, Scott PRESENT Guenther, Joy EXCUSED
Miles, Linda PRESENT 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), Melody Loomis (Admin)
Welcome
Denise Chadurjian convened the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Public Comment
None
Agenda Review
Ronna added the Foundation will make a brief report.
Anproval of previous minutes
The minutes from the past board meeting on0l116120 were sent to the board prior to the meeting
for review.
Motion: Denise Chadurjian moved to accept the minutes of the 01116119 meeting as written.
The motion was seconded and passed.
Correspondence
Paige Owens shared email from former NHCPL librarian Rebecca Taylor. She said she was
impressed by library programs offered at all locations as listed in the newsletter.
Comment from patron to a PV staff member: She's a TINCW student, education major and
support person for special needs. Says the library is the only place her client feels welcome
because staffare accepting and noise in the central area is not discouraged.
Patron complimented service in the NC room. Says staff went above and beyond helping him
with his research. Local history librarian Travis Souther also received compliments from
WWAY on images from the NC Room to support their segment on the 15th amendment.
lVinutes 0220 2020 LAB Page 1
Daddy/Daughter Dance patron expressed appreciation for Max and everyone who helped.
Friends of the Library
Tom Brimberry presented the following report:
NC State Librarian Timothy Owens will be talking to community at the Northeast Library, April
20 in the Paynter Room. Kick off of National Library Week. Friends President Barbara Honchell
would like Library Foundation and Library Advisory Board to co-sponsor this.
No costs for Timothy Owens to speak. Tom said he is trying to get a working group set up.
Invitations, greeters, refreshments, etc. Start planning in March.
Denise expressed the board's support and signed up for publicity.
Tom shared that the Library Foundation already made a motion to support the program
Ronna moved that the LAB co-sponsor the program with the Friends and Library Foundation.
Motion approved.
Librarv Foundation
Ronna shared that the Foundation will have another luncheon in the fall. No date or speaker yet.
Ronna said the Foundation is funding children's programs this year.
Director's ReDort
Paige Owens distributed and discussed the following Director's report to the board.
New Ha nover County news
The county's Public Health Department will began operating out of the new Health and Human Services
building, located at 1650 Greenfield Street, on Monday, February 17
Facilities. Pine Valley and Northeast currently early voting sites
Pine Valley
o Because of the high interest in coffee service, we are using escrow money to pilot a vending
system at Pine Valley. The initial investment will be about 52,700, which we hope will be paid
back over a couple of years with patron's purchasing $1 K-cupso A meeting is scheduled March 3'd at Pine Valley with Parks, Cooperative Extension, and Soil &
Water to brainstorm landscaping options
Northeast Libraryo Another successful Daddy Daughter Dance was held February 8. Registration was filled weeks in
advance. Next high profile event is book sale: March 14-15 and 20-22
Minutes 02 20 2O2O LAB Page 2
Staff
Main Library
o Materials from the AV Room on the second floor are being re-shelved on the first floor. Plans for
the AV Room are to repurpose the space with a closet for storage of local history and children's
materials with the majority of the area reserved for children's programming
o We are moving forward with repurposing the former consumer healthy library space to an adult
education center. A smartboard formerly housed on the 3'd floor has been moved in as well as
shelving for test preparation materials
Pleasure lsland
o No further information on our budget proposal to add the neighboring unit to our lease
o Deputy Randy Johnson retires February 28
o Staff Development Day was held February 17.
o Hiring underway for a library assistant at Main Library
o Selected staff will be attending Public Library Association Conference in Nashville Feb. 26-29
Fiscal Year 18-19 Statistical overviewo Presentation and handout
Question was raised about hiring for the Job Lab which is currently closed. United Way provides
staff for the job lab. Paige will check on placement progress and report back.
Board expressed interest in learning more about the usage and purchase of downloadable
materials. Paige said Margaret Miles will come to a future meeting to share more. She mentioned
a trend of the use of physical materials going down and electronic checkouts increasing. The
reduction in physical materials provides opportunities for repurposing library spaces.
Denise mentioned she read an article about how the library is one of the top places people like to
go. This information came from a recent Gallup survey.
Denise is surprised there is not more state funding. Paige says the state does contribute to some
resources. NC Kids Digital Library content hasn't been updated in about ayear because funding
was in the state budget that never got passed.
Committee Reports
none
New Business
none
Old Business
Community Engagement
Denise suggested the board appoint a committee of 4-5 people to plan a library event to promote
the services of local nonprofit agencies. Paige said she can assign a staff member to the project.
Denise asked for feedback from the group.
[Vinutes 02 20 2020 LAB Page 3
Ronna suggested focusing the event on similar groups who cater to the same people.
Ida suggested the library highlight a local nonprofit in its monthly newsletter.
Denise moved that the board set up a special committee to explore options for a community
engagement event hosting local nonprofits.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
LAB Volunteer Activities:
Paige shared that the book sale is coming up and the library has a need for competent cashiers.
She shared contact information for Trish Hatcher who is scheduling volunteers for the event.
Paige said that the branches have waiting lists of volunteers, but Main has a harder time finding
people. She will find out if there are any volunteer needs at Main. Paige would like to create
more volunteer opportunities for projects beyond shelving books.
Final Business
Denise talked about environmental opportunities. Story Park is part of that, but the board's
interest should extend to enhancing outdoor space at all locations.
Since the landscape at Pine Valley is being studied at this time, this would be a good opportunity
to suggest some enhancements there.
While bird and bat boxes can be attractive and useful, maintenance has to be considered.
Denise said the board will discuss further at the next meeting.
Adiournment
Meeting adjourned 3:24 p.m
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board
meeting.
Vlinutes 02 20 2020 LAB Page 4