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LAB Minutes 04/17/2013 2013 Library Advisory Board Minutes April 17 , 2013 Naples, Florida, April 17, 2013q,3 j!! LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regulars �dh 0#9:00 a.m. in the Headquarters Branch Library with the following members present: CCFRk ' �8 OF CDURTS CHAIR: Doris J. Lewis — District 4 RY VICE - CHAIR: Loretta Murray — District 1 Carla Grieve — District 2 Connie Bettinger - Hennink — District 3 Lillian Cuevas — District 5 Roberta Reiss — Literacy Program ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Matthes, Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant Carol Travis, Acquisitions Librarian APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of March 20, 2013. A few minor corrections were noted. Ms. Bettinger - Hennink moved to approve the minutes, Mrs. Murray seconded and the motion was carried unanimously that the minutes be approved as corrected. Mrs. Matthes introduced Carol Travis as a guest speaker. LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT — Roberta Reiss • Mrs. Reiss stated that, as typical for the end of season report, the conversation club attendance has been dwindling due to seasonal residents leaving. However, she will continue the program with the 15 regular participants. • There have been new participants attending, and some have been supplementing their work with tutors from the Literacy Volunteers of Collier County. • She reported that two participants recently passed their citizenship test. • The last basic computer class for the season will be held next Tuesday at 4:00pm. • The last few classes have had good attendance and she showed not only basic computer skills, but also how to access the Library website, Tutor.com and employment resources. • Mrs. Reiss has been invited to attend the four -day Florida Literacy Conference to be held on May 7th on Captiva Island. She is on the Conference Planning Committee and has been offered a travel scholarship if she conducts a presentation. Attendance helps to keep Literacy Certifications current. The conference is open to other literacy groups and community -based organizations and allows everyone to compare notes. • Mrs. Reiss stated that participants of the conversation club have included several French Canadian residents as well as German tourists from Bonita Springs. Close to 30 people from the Hitching Post came to the South Regional branch to attend. • Mrs. Lewis asked how they begin conversations. Mrs. Reiss stated that she has participants write down the first five words that come to mind, and then has them make a speech using the five words. Afterwards, each participant will ask one question about the speech, and then the conversations ensue. REPORT OF OFFICERS — none COMMUNICATIONS a — Written — Carla Grieve • Mrs. Grieve stated that the Collier Citizen has not yet published her article on the volunteer program. She has followed up with the representative several times and hopes to have it published before the month is over. b — Personal — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Collection Development — Carol Travis • Mrs. Travis discussed special types of literature requested by library users and purchased by the Library. New authors are seeking to market their publications through 'print on demand' publishing. These materials are seldom reviewed by anyone, and are often marketed only through 'word of mouth' or social media. There are approximately 235,000+ POD's published annually and most of which are not reviewed or edited by professionals. Mrs. Travis added that many POD's are poorly written, printed and bound, and they cannot be returned. • The Library has relied on published reviews to highlight the quality and popular literature that library users will likely request. • Mrs. Travis and other librarians review printed reviews in "Library Journal ", "Publishers Weekly ", "Booklist ", and "Kirkus ". These publications print reviews of materials that will be published in the near future, allowing the libraries time to purchase materials and have them ready close to the publication 'street date', when the books will also be in bookstores. • Mrs. Matthes stated that the collection development policy is to try to select materials based on patron request/demand and popularity. The goal of the Library is to encourage people to read and provide materials that the public has interest in, as well as new materials. • Mrs. Grieve stated that the Library displays are helpful in suggesting new materials to patrons. • Mrs. Matthes stated that Mrs. Travis' knowledge about authors, titles, vendors, and what people like, is valuable to the Library. • Marilyn Matthes stated that having an informed Library Advisory Board is important and their input and suggestions are valuable. • Ms. Bettinger - Hennink noted that publications other than the romance novels, such as mystery novels, have shown an increase in sexual content. • The Library has received very few complaints regarding books. The Library does not purchase movies that are beyond R- rated. • The Library does not limit book check -outs by patron age. In contrast, a children's library card will not allow children under the age of 17 years to check -out DVDs rated 'PG' or higher. 2 • Mrs. Matthes suggests that concerned parents assist their children when selecting Library materials. Parents can log into the child's account online to view their account or link their child's record to their own record to see what the child has checked out. Parents can also have their email address associated with the child's account to receive notifications of materials being requested. • Mrs. Matthes stated that Florida has confidentiality laws for libraries regarding registration and circulation records of its patrons. • All purchase requests are reviewed by Mrs. Travis. Pamela Moore reviews requests for children and young adult materials. • There is a "suggest a purchase" request form on the Library website. Mrs. Travis receives approximately 30-40 requests each week and responds to all. • Patrons can use the inter- library loan process to check out books that may not be in the Collier County Library collection. • Local authors sometimes donate their books, and the Library uses its discretion regarding whether to include them in their collection. • Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Grieve expressed interest in having a guest speaker from different departments within the Library at future Board meetings in order to learn about their job responsibilities. Mrs. Matthes agreed that a more informed Board is important. Library tours were also discussed. 2) Employee of the Month — April • Mrs. Grieve nominated Claudia Schmitt at Naples Regional for the April employee of the month. Ms. Bettinger - Hennink seconded the nomination and the motion passed unanimously. 3) Old Golden Gate Branch Library as a Meeting Space— Marilyn Matthes • Mrs. Matthes has been working with the Senior Resource Center Board to re -write the County's contract with them, and it is currently being reviewed by their attorney. • Their current contract expires in 2014, and she would like for the group to be able to use part of the old building until they are ready to build the new center. This use would assist the group in fundraising and provide services not currently available to seniors. 4) Golden Gate Library Staffing Issues — Marilyn Matthes • The concerns of the staff at the Golden Gate branch have been addressed and resolved. 5) Friends Proposal to Hire Teens — Marilyn Matthes • Mrs. Matthes has given the Friends of the Library a new proposal to hire teens as "teen interns ". Their duties would include shelving books, programming, and assisting patrons with electronic devices and computer concerns. The proposal is under review by Paul Cioffi in order to determine if the Friends will assist with funding this program. if approved, the program would begin in the Fall. NEW BUSINESS 1) Budget Updates — Marilyn Matthes • Mrs. Matthes is meeting with Steve Carnell tomorrow to discuss the budget. • She is proposing to upgrade and change the title of four existing Library Assistant positions to Library Associates at the three Regional libraries and the Golden Gate branch. These 3 positions would assist the Reference staff by providing technical help to the public and allowing the reference librarians to pursue other Library projects. Mrs. Matthes is working with Human Resources to change the job description and duties for these positions. Mrs. Matthes intends to transform another open position to Assistant Director so that HR can advertise this position internally and promote someone before the end of the year. The Florida Retirement System for County employees is being reviewed and may change. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS • Ms. Bettinger- Hennink reminded everyone that the Adult Summer Reading Program begins June 0. She encouraged everyone to participate. • Ms. Bettinger - Hennink mentioned that there was a fire in the men's bathroom at the Estates branch. The findings were inconclusive and the repairs may take one month to complete. • Mrs. Grieve reminded everyone that the Adult Summer Reading Program party will be held at the South Regional Library on July 29th. • The Time Capsule Dedication and Festivities will be held at the Naples Depot on May 8th from 1 -5 pm. There will be approximately 30 vendor booths, food, tours, re- enactors and other prominent speakers present. The dedication ceremony begins at 4 pm. o Mrs. Matthes stated that Patti DeGroot and Denise McMahon have done an incredible job organizing and promoting this event. • Mrs. Grieve mentioned that there are free zumba and yoga classes at the South Regional Library. Mrs. Murray commented that the Parks & Recreation Dept. charges for similar programs. • Mrs. Matthes reported that the Immokalee branch had their new flat screen television stolen and the damage to the hurricane- resistant window from the break -in could be over $1500. • Mrs. Matthes reported that the Marco Island branch has a patron that has the staff concerned for his health and that of other library users. Mrs. Matthes has been in contact with the County attorney, Risk Management and the Health Department regarding this situation. DIRECTOR'S REPORT — Mrs. Matthes reported the following: 1) Current Statistics • Circulation has continued to decline. The Library has made reserving materials more convenient to the public and, as a result, people are not browsing as much. • The Marketing Department is working on new methods to encourage the public to visit and spend more time at the Library. • The Board commented that the varied and creative displays they have seen at the Libraries are helpful to attract the public's attention. • OverDrive circulation went up nearly 3000 from last year. Zinio is also doing well and more titles are expected to be added. • The next LAB meeting will be May 15th at the Headquarters Library. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for June W', also at Headquarters. The August 21 st meeting will be held at the Estates Branch. 4 2) Staffing — Mrs. Matthes stated: • April Ristau has been promoted to the Branch Manager position at the Vanderbilt Beach branch. • Anna Karras will take over the film /movie duties previously held by Blane Halliday. • There are currently two openings for Reference Librarians available at Naples Regional and Headquarters. Tanya Williams and Marilyn McKay are beginning to schedule interviews with applicants. • The Library is still working on setting up an organizational account with Facebook. • Ms. Bettinger- Hennink noticed that there has been more activity with the Library Twitter account. REPORT OF THE FRIENDS — Mrs. Grieve • Mrs. Grieve stated that the Bagels & Books will be held at the Port Royal Club on Thursday, April 18tH • The Friends of the Library will have their Board meeting on Friday, April 19tH • Mrs. Grieve has suggested the Friends recruit more full -time Board members, as many leave during the summer. Her term on the Board will be ending in a few months. • The new President will be Dan Kozlowski and new reporting procedures are being implemented within the organization. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board. Ms. Bettinger - Hennink moved to adjourn, Mrs. Murray seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Approved by: �j Doris J. Lewis Chair, Library Advisory Board 5