Minutes 10 19 2023 LABLibrary Advisory Board
October 19, 2023
Minutes
Assembly:
The Library Advisory Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, at 1:30 pm at the Main Library,
201 Chestnut Street.
Board Members
Assael, Shaun PRESENT Carbone, Liz PRESENT
Clinton, Ann PRESENT Cogan, Erin PRESENT
Dodd, Scott PRESENT Hennessey, Christine EXCUSED
Heuring, Tammy PRESENT Kozik, Lynn PRESENT
Lawler, Patricia PRESENT Miles, Linda EXCUSED
Smith, Harriet PRESENT Smith, Ida PRESENT
Staff Members & Board Reps.
Conners, Dana PRESENT Loomis, Melody PRESENT
Zimmer, Ronna
(Foundation Rep)
EXCUSED Brimberry, Tom
(Friends Rep)
PRESENT
Guests: Jessica Loeper, NHC Asst. County Manager, and Tara Robles and Tina Pearson from NHC Office
of Strategy
Welcome
Chair Patricia Lawler convened the meeting at 1:30 pm. Introductions were made by everyone present.
Patricia Lawler reports that board member Erin Cogan has submitted her resignation.
Public Comment
No public comments.
Agenda Review
No changes.
Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes from the last board meeting on September 21, 2023, were sent to the board prior to the
meeting for review.
Motion: Shaun Assael MOVED, SECONDED by Liz Carbone, to accept the minutes of the 09/21/23
meeting as written. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Correspondence
None received.
Friends of the Library
Tom Brimberry reports that prior to this meeting, the FOL president Margie Hickman sent out a
newsletter to the members that gave updates on the what’s been happening this year. Tom handed out
a copy of the newsletter to the board members. The newsletter reports updates on Lead Awards,
Student of the Month, Author Panel, Read Across the County, Storywalk, and Book Club.
The FOL met this week and continues to plan for the year ahead.
Library Foundation
Ronna Zimmer is not here to give an update, but Dana Conners reports they are planning a fundraising
breakfast on January 10th to help people explore how to use library resources and databases.
Director’s Report
Applications for the vacant board position are due November 3rd.
Project Grace – The Local Government Commission did approve funding. Signage is up and construction
fencing to go up soon. They are working on community outreach, and floor plans for the new facility are
coming soon. The anticipated completion date is mid-2025, but it’s still unclear on when exactly the
library and museum will move in once it’s done.
Northchase – We are in the midst of design development. We should have completed plans in the next
month and we can put those out for bid. Construction is starting next spring and to be finished in mid-
2025.
Staff – Dana Conners reports we are close to filling a vacancy at Main for a Library Assistant. We also
have Jamie Schrum and Max Nunez switching places, with Jamie moving to Northeast Library and Max
going to Main.
Programs
• Fiction to Fashion will be held at Pine Valley Library on Oct 28th at 7pm.
• Shelter at Northeast - Sunday, November 19th at 2pm. Ribbon Cutting Concert with Mr. Mark.
Other
• The Library had their Staff Development Day last week, and library employees were able to get
their county required trainings completed.
• The NCLA Conference is going on this week. Susan DeMarco and Claire White presented on Read
Across the County
Committee Reports
None.
Chair Patricia Lawler mentioned that the bylaws do not require committees to meet. Therefore, there
will be no committee meetings unless the need arises. Plenty of notice will be given if there is a need for
a committee.
New Business
Library Strategic Planning
Tara Robles and Tina Pearson with the NHC Office of Strategy gave the board updates on the library’s
strategic plan and process.
Other Notes:
• Ida Smith mentioned she was part of the Master Aging Plan and shared her experience working
on that.
• Patricia Lawler mentioned that October is American Archives Month.
• Patricia Lawler asked the board if they would be interested in having their board meetings at
some of the other libraries. The board was agreeable to that. Patricia says they will work on
scheduling.
Old Business
None
Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn Meeting: Liz Carbone MOVED, SECONDED by Lynn Kozik.
Chair Patricia Lawler adjourned the meeting at 2:08 p.m
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the Library Advisory Board meeting.
Next Meeting November 16th at 1:30 pm