Minutes 10 21 2021 LAB
Library Advisory Board
October 21, 2021
Assembly:
The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, at 2:00 pm via WebEx.
Board Members
Assael, Shaun PRESENT Baish, Mary Alice PRESENT
Conlon, Dennis PRESENT Dodd, Scott PRESENT
Grant, Amy PRESENT Guenther, Joy EXCUSED
Kozik, Lynn PRESENT Maurer, Kevin EXCUSED
Miles, Linda EXCUSED Montwieler, Katherine PRESENT
Smith, Ida PRESENT Zimmer, Ronna PRESENT
Staff Members & Board Reps.
Paige Owens (Library Director), Sheryl Kelly (Asst. County Mgr.), Jennifer Rigby (Chief
Strategy Officer), Tom Brimberry (FOL Rep.), Yvette Mays (Library Admin. Coord.)
Welcome
Chair Scott Dodd convened the meeting at 2:00.
Welcome New Board Members
Chair Scott Dodd welcomed new board members: Shaun Assael, Amy Grant & Lynn Kozik.
Public Comment
None
Agenda Review
No changes suggested
Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes from the last board meeting on August 19, 2021, 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
8/19/21 meeting as written. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Project Grace Presentation
Jennifer Rigby presenting the following report:
The schematic design phase of the project was completed on 10/4/21. The vision of the project and the
floor plan was shared with the commissioners. Additional details can be found on this NHC website link:
https://news.nhcgov.com/news-releases/2021/10/project-grace-schematic-design/
NHC launched a public survey from 10/4 – 10/8 to name the new Museum and Library facility. They
received 62 sincere name suggestions (81 total). Of those, the county has selected the following 14
names to be recommended by the Library Advisory Board, the Museum Advisory Board, and the
County’s Executive Leadership team. Each board member is asked to submit 2 name suggestions by
close of business tomorrow (10/22/21). The top suggested name will be presented to the Board of
Commissioner on 11/15/21 for approval.
Suggested names are:
Cape Fear Freedom Building Cape Fear Learning Center
Discover Center Exploration Place
Grace Cultural Center Imaginarium
Inspiration Plaza SLAM! (Structure for the Library and Museum!)
The Collective on Grace The Freedom Center
The Grace Complex The Learning Center
Story Place
The Board asked Jennifer if any additional names could be recommended at this time. She said they
could, however the name with most votes will be submitted.
Correspondence
None
Friends of the Library
Tom Brimberry gave the following report:
• Friends of the Library held their Oct meeting last week.
• They continue to recognize librarians with LEAD awards.
• Participated in the Williston Outstanding Students program.
Library Foundation
Ronna Zimmer reported the Foundation will meet in November. They will be sending out a year end
fundraising letter to raise funds for Children’s programming.
Director’s Report
Paige Owens presented the following Library Director Update:
Operations & COVID Update
• No change to operations. Masks still required indoors.
• The county employee vaccination rate is now over 84%, and the New Hanover County test
positivity rate has dropped below 5%
Staff
• Library Staff Development Day was held October 11
o Included in person and remote sessions
o Attended by about 60 part-time and regular staff
o Staff completed county mandatory trainings and received updates on library policy
• New staff starting:
o 11/2 Local Interest Librarian Main
o 11/2 Reference Services Librarian Main
o 10/19 Library Assistant (multi-branch), NE
• Close to hire for Senior Librarian, Main
• Vacancy: Ready to post for Local History Librarian (formerly Travis Souther)
• First ever children’s staff retreat held October 19
• NHCPL’s First UNCW Social Work intern started in September
Facilities
• Book Donations now accepted at all locations during all library open hours
• Parks Dept. created a landscaping design for the entry to NE Library. Work will begin in the
coming weeks.
• Planning is underway for moving public computers and creating a children’s program space at
NE Library. (Funding from the Library Foundation)
• We’ve contracted for educational signage for the native gardens at Pine Valley
• Security cameras are being ordered for the 1st and 2nd floors at Main Library
Budget
• Currently stable. Planning soon starting on FY22-23 budget. We don’t expect any big asks for
this year.
Programs
• Children’s programs still primarily outdoors
• Our CORE (adult outreach) team is offering a book discussion group and fitness class in person
Library Director goals FY21-22
• Project Grace planning
o Work on design development expected to be complete early 2022
o Consultants (Rethinking Libraries) will visit Nov. 8-10
• North Chase Library request for qualifications (February) (Potential opening in 2024)
• Digital Inclusion initiative: RFP soon to be released for login and print management software
solutions
• Continued policy review and strategic plan update
o Staff reviewed behavior policy at staff development day. Our internal incident report
form is being updated by a staff work group
o Next major policy to be finalized is Registration policy
Q and A
• Scott Dodd asked about the number of children’s computers and the need in the community.
o Paige replied, there are currently children’s computers at all branches. They are heavily
used after school and on weekends. Parents are asked to stay with students under the
age of 11 years old.
• Mary Allice Baish stated that schools do provide laptops to students, but they don’t offer
training on how to use them. She would like to see the library assist in how to use the
technology.
Committee Reports
None
New Business
Meeting Start Time Proposal
Due to his work scheduling conflicts, Scott Dodd proposed the board consider changing the start time
from 2:00 to 3:30. All board members were in favor of the time change and elected the change to begin
effective our next meeting in November.
Paige Owens will notify the County of this change.
Discuss Meeting Venue
Discussions were held regarding the Pros & Cons of meeting via the Web or In-person. At this time, the
board decided to hold the November meeting virtually and we can revisit the idea of in-person in
January.
Meeting Date Conflicts
Scott Dodd proposed the Board look at ways to handle future conflicts between board schedules and
religious observances.
Ronna Zimmer and Amy Grant stated that the Board should continue to meet on the regular schedule,
but to update those with conflicts in advance if there were any topics that would require a vote.
Old Business
Project Grace Update
Paige Owens reported that the library met today with LS3P to start the Design & Development phase of
the project. We are taking the schematic design and filling in the spaces with furnishing, stacks, etc.
Our consultants, ReThinking Libraries, will visit us on Nov. 8-10th to look at essential needs for staff.
Library staff is assessing collection sizes after recent weeding to ensure adequate space for now and the
future growth of the collections.
The Library Director gave an update on planning for work spaces, furniture, and other design elements.
• Q: Amy Grant asked if the Library's extraordinary, original art collection is being considered in
the new design and plans, e.g., art by Hiroshi Sueyoshi, Michael Van Hout, etc? The original art
supports diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility as well as multicultural perspectives.
• A: The art has not been considered at this time.
Final Comments
Scott Dodd addressed the Board again regarding the naming of the new Museum and Library facility.
Dennis Conlon stated he liked the Grace Cultural Center
Shaun Assael stated he would have like to have seen recognition for Abraham Galloway.
Katherine Montwieler proposed that the Board write in Grace Manly Cultural Center. Many at the
board meeting today said they intend to use this as a write-in as one of their choices.
Everyone was reminded to respond to Paige Owens by 5:00 Friday (10/22) with their two choices.
Adjournment
Scott Dodd adjourned the meeting at 3:08.
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board meeting.
Next meeting is November 18th via WebEx. Starting at 3:30 pm