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LAB Minutes 10/22/2014 Library Advisory Board Minutes October 22 , 2014 Naples, Florida, October 22, 2014 LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regular session at 10:00 a.m. in the Headquarters Regional Library with the following members present: CHAIR: Doris J. Lewis—District 4 VICE-CHAIR: Loretta Murray— District 1 Carla Grieve— District 2 Connie Bettinger-Hennink— District 3 Lillian Cuevas— District 5 (absent) ALSO PRESENT: Marilyn Matthes, Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant Roberta Reiss, Literacy Program Specialist Carey Hunt, Acquisitions Librarian Jon Zoler, Vice President, Friends of the Library Introductions were made at the start of the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of September 24, 2014. A few minor corrections were noted. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink moved to approve the minutes as corrected, Mrs. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT • Mrs. Reiss reported that she is working on a project with Becky Moore from HR and the Parks and Recreation Department to provide help for some Spanish speaking staff members. • There are 14 Spanish speaking employees needing to learn basic computer skills in order to use Mango Languages to help with their English. Mrs. Reiss added that their supervisors are not bilingual. • Danielle Sanchez from the South Regional Library is bilingual and will help teach the classes. Plans are to create two classes of 7 students each for a four week period. • Mrs. Reiss also reported that she received recognition for her 15 years of service with the County and she selected a backpack as her appreciation gift. REPORT OF OFFICERS — None COMMUNICATIONS a—Written —None b—Personal —None PUBLIC COMMENTS — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Employee of the Month —October • Mrs. Grieve nominated Barbara Englund from the East Naples Library for the October employee of the month. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded the nomination and the motion passed unanimously. • Mr. Zoler asked for more information on how employees are selected. Discussion ensued. • Each month's winner is posted in each of the Library location's staff room. • The winners for each month are then put into a drawing for Employee of the Year. The nominators of each winner are also put into an end of the year drawing to be recognized. 1 • Mrs. Lewis thanked the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the Library Employee of the Month program. • Mrs. Grieve added that reading the nominations enhances the awareness and understanding of what the duties are of the different positions within the Library system. • In January Mrs. Grieve writes an article for the local newspaper listing the names of the selected employees for each month. • Mrs. Matthes added that the County monthly newsletter also lists the Library employee of the month. • Mrs. Matthes will look into providing the link to the Library staff newsletter. • The Friends of the Library may add this information to their newsletter as well. 2) Waiving Fines going to BCC, November 18 • Mrs. Matthes reported that this item was rescheduled from the September 9th BCC meeting as there was an excess of items on the agenda for that day. • The policy will allow staff the ability to waive fines and fees for patrons with extenuating circumstances, such as hardship, storms that restrict travel, etc. NEW BUSINESS 1) New Survey: Audio Books and Format • Mrs. Matthes announced that a new survey is being created for patrons to provide their input regarding how they would like to receive audio books. • Mrs. Matthes is contemplating using OverDrive for eBooks only. • Recorded Books has exclusive titles for some audio books. One Click Digital is another vendor that supplies audio books only. • The subscription for Freegal was not renewed due to the limited usage. Approximately 1500 people used Freegal during the year at a cost of$35K. • Mrs. Matthes added that Freegal never called her back regarding a reduced price renewal. • Many patrons commented that it was cumbersome to search the Freegal database. Many of the collections of songs were not by the original artists. Also, artists' names need to be searched by their first name, not their last name (ex. "J" for Johnny Cash). • Lee County also had low circulation statistics for Freegal. Mrs. Matthes added that the SWFLN card does not allow access to their electronic resources. 2) 3D Printer Grant Opportunity • Mrs. Matthes announced that the Library will be applying for a grant to receive four free 3D printers. This request will be presented to the BCC at their October 28th meeting. • She added that the company is offering approximately 4,000 3D printers for distribution throughout the nation. • Mrs. Matthes asked if the FOL could help purchase supplies for the 3D printers. • Jon Zoler commented that he would discuss with the FOL to purchase a 3D printer for the Library if the grant does not get processed. The estimated cost is $1,000. • He added that the FOL purchased 15 iPads for Library programs and 7 iPads for the LEAP students to use. • The FOL is excited to support programs that bring kids into the Library. • Mrs. Matthes shared a recent article in the Parade section of the newspaper that showed a young girl with a prosthetic arm created using a 3D printer. She added that a heart was created using a 3D printer so that surgeons could practice techniques prior to performing surgery on a young child. • Mrs. Matthes added that a partnership could be created with the Library and local companies that use 3D printers. • The four 3D printers would be set up at IM, EB, SR, and GG as these locations have rooms available for maker space programs. • Mrs. Grieve also shared a Naples Daily Newspaper article regarding kids without internet at home that come to the Library. 2 3) Carey Hunt, New Acquisitions Librarian • Mrs. Matthes introduced Carey Hunt as the new Acquisitions Librarian. • The Library will benefit from Ms. Hunt's fresh and energetic perspective as well as her extensive experience with the automated system and databases used by the Library. • Ms. Hunt will be training staff on how to make better use of the software used by the Library. This will help create more accurate statistical reports. • Better decisions for future Library material purchases can be made using data-driven information. • Ms. Hunt has been reviewing vendor information to determine what money is being spent where in order to make the most out of the Library purchases. • She also will be implementing a new inventory program, which hasn't been addressed since 1996. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink asked if there were any restrictions for LAB members missing meetings. She was concerned as the BCC recently reviewed County advisory boards and some were eliminated. • Mrs. Matthes replied that reasonable attendance is expected. She added that Lillian Cueves emailed her regarding her concerns as well. She wants to do what is best for the Library. • Mrs. Grieve added that it is important for the Immokalee community to have representation. • Mr. Zoler commented that he is on the Immokalee Housing Committee and member of the Greater Naples Leadership. If this position becomes available, he offered to look into possible candidates. • Mrs. Matthes will look into the ordinances and requirements. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink thanked Mrs. Matthes for attending the recent Golden Gate Civic Association meeting. She wants to make certain that the Senior Services group adheres to the agreed upon use of the old Golden Gate Library building. DIRECTOR'S REPORT— Marilyn Matthes 1) Current Statistics • Mrs. Matthes distributed statistical information comparing FY13 and FY14. • The jail statistics are up as the Immokalee jail reopened in June. The Library provides paperback books to three jails: Immokalee, Naples and the Juvenile Justice Center. • Mr. Zoler asked how the statistics for CCPL compare to other libraries that have similar demographics, etc. to CCPL. Mrs. Matthes replied that other libraries were affected in a similar way. During the recession as people lost jobs, stopped internet and cable services, etc., and when area bookstores closed, more people came to use the Library's resources. However, fewer people came to the Library as the population decreased due to foreclosures on homes and people moving away. Another factor that affected the statistics was the reduction of Library hours and the budget for book purchases. The Library's budget for books was over$2 million for FY2007 and decreased to approximately $900,000 for FY2015. This money includes county and state aid funding as well as gift books, impact fees, and general fund money for books. • Mrs. Grieve will be writing an article for the newspaper and would like to include door count, circulation and website usage statistic information. • Mrs. Matthes has been training Tanya Williams on gathering statistical information. • Mrs. Matthes will look into getting children's statistics to share at a future meeting. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink commented that many thrift shops are no longer accepting book donations. The Library has received fewer book donations as well. • Mrs. Matthes added that the Better World Books donation boxes around town use the money from sales to help charities around the world, not locally. • Mr. Zoler added that the money received from the Library book sales has dropped too. 3 2) Staffing Update • Mrs. Matthes reported that the Library Director position has posted and will be open through the end of the month. • Steve Carnell is hoping to have the position filled before Mrs. Matthes retires. • Carla Grieve volunteered to be on the interview/selection committee for this position. • Mrs. Lewis added that she was on the committee when Mrs. Matthes was hired. It is beneficial to have LAB representation on this committee. • Everyone is excited about the experience and enthusiasm that Carey Hunt brings. • The three Reference Librarian positions for the three regional libraries are posted on the ALA website as well. Some candidates had accepted other jobs before they were offered these positions. • Mrs. Matthes added that with the revolving job market, many employees are relocating to higher positions within the Library system. • The BCC will have a Library Workshop on Tuesday, February 3`d. LAB members are invited to attend. This will also be Mrs. Matthes' last day of employment. • The RFID equipment has arrived and the tagging process will begin on Friday. • Mrs. Matthes reminded everyone that the annual Snowfest event will be held at the Golden Gate Community Center, and the Golden Gate Library will need to close early due to the roadways being blocked off for this event. • She added that Governor Rick Scott will be voting early at the HQ Library tomorrow. Mrs. Murray added that this location has the largest early voting participation in the state of Florida. • Spencer Sneed, the Golden Gate LEAP student was selected to fill the open job bank position. • Mrs. Grieve added that she will write another article for the newspaper to promote the LEAP program. • Mr. Zoler added that he has LEAP T-shirts available. REPORT OF THE FRIENDS • Mr. Zoler distributed information showing the different programs and funding that the Friends of the Library provide to the CCPL, in addition to the LEAP program discussed. • He explained that the adult program guide for the winter season will be split into two (Jan/Feb and March/April/May). Many of the programs that were registered for early were not attended by the registrants. This should alleviate that issue. • The FOL sponsors approximately 50-60 children's programs, provides $7,000-$8,000 for genealogy materials, as well as funding for book purchases, computer hardware such as the twenty-two iPads, etc. • The FOL has received for review the first detailed report on the remodeling study for the Headquarters Solarium. • Converting the Solarium into a flexible multi-purpose meeting room will allow for 250-300 people to attend programs, concerts, craft programs, book sales, etc. • Mr. Zoler did a separate evaluation with Branch Managers, trainers and students of the LEAP program this summer. Some of the benefits were as follows: o Students Benefited -The FOL was pleased to provide students with this valuable work experience, especially since it was a first job for many of them. o Library Branches Benefited -This program provided the Library with extra help— 10 hrs/week at each of the 7 locations. o Users Benefited - Patrons who used the services provided by the LEAP students provided positive feedback. o FOL Benefited —The LEAP program provided the FOL with the opportunity to fund a program at the smaller locations. o The FOL also provided funding for the new software used for the summer reading programs, and the LEAP students helped patrons to register and report their reading using this software. 4 • The FOL's revenue resources are: o Membership (approx. 2800-3100 members, one of the largest fee paying memberships in the County) o Nick Linn Lecture Series (4 events each year). Approx. 600 people attend each lecture held at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon. This event attracts many of the upscale Naples' population and helps to sell sponsorships. o Donations (the FOL benefits from many will and trust bequeaths) o Book Sales (Approx. $40,000 per year) • The new donor board helps to update new FOL sponsors. This display board also features events such as the Nick Linn Series and Bagels & Book Clubs. • The FOL currently does not have an Executive Director. However, FOL Board representation is expected at upcoming LAB meetings. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, Ms. Bettinger-Hennink moved to adjourn, Mrs. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. The November and December LAB meetings will be combined and held on December 10, 2014 at the Headquarters Regional Library. Approved by: Doris J. Lewis Chair, Library Advisory Board II III 5