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LAB Minutes 05/28/2014 Library Advisory Board Minutes May 28 , 2014 Naples, Florida, May 28, 2014 LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regular session at 10:15 a.m. in the Headquarters Branch Library with the following members present: CHAIR: Doris J. Lewis - District 4 ? M VICE-CHAIR: Loretta Murray- District 1 (Absent) g Ll 1 Carla Grieve - District 2 Connie Bettinger-Hennink- District 3 AUG 2 9 2014 Lillian Cuevas - District 5 By OS- ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Matthes, Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant Roberta Reiss, Literacy Program APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of April 23, 2014. A few minor corrections were noted. Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes as corrected, Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT • Mrs. Reiss provided an overview of the season: o There were four basic computer classes with 18 participants receiving a certificate for attending and completing all classes. o Participants requested another course to be added to focus on internet skills. o The conversation class had standing room only throughout the season, and the last class was held yesterday. o Literacy activities will be done during the summer via email in order for participants to maintain their skills. Eight participants have signed up so far. o The conversation class may create a program for book/movie group discussions in order to get participants to come into the library over the summer. • Mrs. Reiss reported that she recently attended the Florida Literacy Coalition Conference in Daytona. She received a travel scholarship for the entire trip. In exchange, she led some of the round table discussions, which included: how to set up basic computer classes, re-invigorate conversation classes, and the challenges and successes others have had. o She was pleased to report that two other library systems in Florida have set up conversation classes similar to the ones held in Collier County. • Mrs. Reiss will develop the conversation and basic computer classes over the summer. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink requested clarification on the Literacy Program as it pertains to adults. o Mrs. Reiss replied that non-English speaking students between the ages of 5 and 18 years that are enrolled in school can get literacy assistance through the schools. o Adults have access to community education programs taught at most high schools and facilities such as Lorenzo Walker. Most programs are at a nominal charge. o Literacy Volunteers is a community-based organization that partners with libraries and schools to provide assistance to the public. They receive funding generated through grants, local foundations, donations, and fundraising activities. o Mrs. Reiss added that many community-based organizations have age limits due to laws and regulations pertaining to working with minors and/or the vulnerable population. • Mrs. Reiss will provide a written report for any future meetings that she is unable to attend. REPORT OF OFFICERS - None COMMUNICATIONS a-Written 1 • Mrs. Grieve shared a copy of an article from the Naples Daily News Neapolitan section about the Summer Reading Program. • She will be writing an article for the Collier Citizen about the Summer Reading Program as well as how library patrons can view their own reading history. Mrs. Matthes added that reading history is private and can only be viewed by the patron. It can also be downloaded into a spreadsheet in order to sort by author, etc. • Mrs. Grieve worked with Pat DeGroot to develop a report on the success of the Library's partnership and patron participation with the ArtsNaples World Festival. Programs included film series, book discussions, and lectures. She will send this information to Mrs. Matthes. b— Personal — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Employee of the Month — May • Mrs. Grieve nominated Anna Karras from the Naples Regional Library for the May employee of the month. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded the nomination and the motion passed unanimously. 2) LEAP Update • Mrs. Matthes reported that the students selected for the LEAP program have started at all library locations, except for the Immokalee Branch. Many of the students helped patrons within their first week of employment. • T-shirts will be provided by the Friends of the Library for the students to wear while working. • The Friends of the Library will also fund iPad devices for the students to use when providing assistance to patrons. • Mrs. Matthes stated that the program will be evaluated in August. • The LEAP press release was processed and released earlier in the week. NEW BUSINESS 1) Policy Direction: Collection Development • Mrs. Matthes reported that the Library's operating budget has nearly been expended for the year, and the Library is on restricted spending for books and DVDs as well. • The Library will be limiting the number of copies of many items and only purchasing materials that are necessary. She added that some state aid money will be used to purchase books. • Physical books average $25 each and eBooks average $28 each. • Mrs. Matthes will look into having the automatic online response for suggested purchases rephrased. • Mrs. Matthes distributed a handout showing the materials budget for FY14 and FY15. • Mrs. Matthes added that the Library budget has been stretched over the past few years, and there is a slight increase of approximately $200,000 for materials for FY15. Computers may need to be purchased for both the public and staff, as none were purchased this year. • Mrs. Matthes will be meeting with the County Manager and other departments of the Public Services Division tomorrow. • The Library is reviewing their current database subscriptions and some may not be renewed. • Mrs. Matthes will be discussing the fines/fees policy with Steve Carnell and the County Finance Director on Monday. They will review the current unpaid debt owed to the Library. • Mrs. Grieve added that the Library website has a YouTube video on how to pay fines. • Members discussed the possibility of writing an article for the Naples Daily News that would benefit the Library regarding the uncollected money. The Library has always been flexible with patrons having outstanding fines/fees, and will establish payment plans or make exceptions in order to continue to provide the public with services. The public should 2 be made aware that money is lost when materials are not returned, as other patrons are unable to borrow them. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reported that she was unable to coordinate Library representation at the recent Golden Gate Safety Fair due to scheduling conflicts with prior commitments. However, she would like to plan with Library staff to have a table at next year's event, which will be held the Friday before Memorial Day. • Mrs. Matthes will talk with the Marketing Committee about this event. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink added that many representatives with the Golden Gate Civic Association would like promotional materials from the Library to distribute to new residents. DIRECTOR'S REPORT— Marilyn Matthes 1) Current Statistics • Mrs. Matthes will email everyone the April statistics and circulation-to-date information. • Circulation has dropped due to not as many books being available and many residents returning to their northern homes. Many people only come for specific items and do not browse as much in the library. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink added that each library location creates unique displays to showcase books, and patrons should be encouraged to visit other locations. Mrs. Grieve added that the displays provide patrons with "directive browsing" suggestions. • Mrs. Matthes reminded everyone that current books and new authors are featured in the BookPage publication that is distributed to the public by the Library. • Mrs. Matthes displayed the Library website on her iPad to show that other title recommendations are provided whenever a patron looks at the entire record on-line. • Mrs. Grieve suggested for other classes to be developed to teach the public about Mango, etc. 2) Staffing Update • Mrs. Matthes reported that Kathleen Dolan has left South Regional to pursue other interests. • Other vacant positions are: full-time Library Assistant position at Immokalee; part-time Library Assistant position at the Estates; and a job bank position at South Regional will be vacant at the end of the week. • There has been a constant turnover of job bank employees at the Library. • There are several employees out on FMLA, maternity, and recuperation from surgery. 3) Budget • Mrs. Matthes handed out information that she will present to the County Manager tomorrow regarding staffing requests. o Eight full time employees are needed in order to expand hours of operation at EB, IM, MI, and EN. o Currently, EB staff assists at GG; MI and EN staff assists at SR; VB staff assists at HQ. Additional staff would need to be hired if these employees are assigned to work at their home library. South Regional has been understaffed since it opened. o Immokalee would open at 9:00 instead of 11:00 on Mondays and Thursdays. o Marco Island would be open on Saturdays December through April. o The Estates and East Naples would be open on Fridays. o If one FTE is hired for VB, they would be able to be open on Fridays as well. • The opposite side of the sheet shows that the net cost to the general fund has increased 5.5%, which includes expanded personnel services. The cost for eight full time employees is $265,300 annually. The increase is 1.3% without the expanded services. • The BCC budget workshop is to be held on June 25th. The County budget hearings will be held in September. • Mrs. Matthes will send email reminders for these meetings. 3 REPORT OF THE FRIENDS • Pat Sherry resigned yesterday from her position at the Friends of the Library. • Mrs. Matthes reported that the FOL provided funds to purchase prizes for the children and teen Summer Reading Programs. • Mrs. Matthes is requesting for funds for Samsung 7" tablets to be purchased for the teen grand prizes. • The FOL will also provide funds to purchase iPads for the LEAP students to use, as well as for a summer program in which students will learn to compose a movie using these devices. • Mrs. Grieve stated that the Friends of the Library Board will not meet during the summer. • Another Bagels & Books program may be added for next year, and the non-fiction club events may also be expanded. • Mrs. Matthes added that the FOL Board wants to provide funds to revamp the Headquarters Library. Mrs. Matthes is working on a written report to include some suggestions for internal changes. She feels that the patrons would benefit from having more flexible space available. She added that it may be easier to double-book some of the more popular programs to accommodate more patrons. • Mrs. Grieve reported that the ArtsNaples book discussions were not as well attended as the programs on Italy. The attendance for some of the programs was: "Florence-Pisa-Venice" (231); "Italian Composers through the Ages" (133); "Our Visit to Rome" (200); whereas, 30 attended the "Saving Italy" book discussion. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, Mrs. Grieve moved to adjourn, Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. The next Library Advisory Board meeting will be held on June 25th at the Naples Regional Library. Approved by: (� ) Doris J. Lewis () Chair, Library Advisory Board 4