LAB Minutes 12/10/2014 Library Advisory
Board
Minutes
December 10 , 2014
Naples, Florida, December 10, 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 (absent)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of October 22, 2014. No corrections were
noted, and Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded and the
motion was carried unanimously.
LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT
• Mrs. Reiss was unable to attend the meeting due to a SWFLN Technology Event at SR.
• Mrs. Matthes reported that Danielle Sanchez taught the first newly created computer class to
the Parks and Recreation employees at the East Naples Branch.
REPORT OF OFFICERS — None
COMMUNICATIONS
a—Written — None
b—Personal —None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Mrs. Murray commented that the signage for the Library is not as prominent as the signage at
the entrance to the new development and college on Collier Blvd.
• Mrs. Matthes will look into this matter.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1) Employee of the Month — November& December
• Mrs. Grieve nominated Jamie Reilly from the Headquarters Library for the November
employee of the month. Mrs. Murray seconded the nomination and the motion passed
unanimously.
• Mrs. Lewis nominated Tom Siebold from Administration for the December employee of the
month. Mrs. Murray seconded the nomination and the motion passed unanimously.
2) New Survey: Audio Books and Format
• Mrs. Matthes distributed a draft of the new audio books survey being proposed.
• The Library supports the same titles in many formats and wants to find out what materials
that the public is using.
• Mrs. Matthes stated that as technology has changed, older formats of materials, such as
audio cassettes and VHS tapes, have been eliminated from the Library system.
• She reported that on average, audio CDs are checked out ten times more than playaways,
which may be eliminated.
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• The survey is to be used as an educational tool so that patrons can learn how to access
materials remotely and for the Library to determine the market for materials to provide.
• Mrs. Murray commented that this would be useful as many patrons travel.
• Mrs. Matthes added that many patrons mail back physical materials when they travel and
transitioning to downloadable materials would eliminate that process.
• Ms. Bettinger-Hennink commented that physical materials are checked out for three weeks
whereas downloadable materials are checked out for two weeks.
• Mrs. Matthes added that downloadable materials can be renewed if there are no other hold
requests for those items.
• Mrs. Grieve added that many visually impaired patrons rely on the audio books.
• Mrs. Matthes added that the Senior Resource Center is attempting to raise funds to assist
the visually impaired. They are hoping to establish a library for the blind and the Collier
County Public Library will participate with this service.
• She stated that the Library is experimenting with providing preloaded audiobooks on
Kindles to Mail-a-Book patrons. She added that a Library staff member may need to visit
the patron to explain how to use the device.
• Ms. Bettinger-Hennink asked if more OverDrive classes will be scheduled, to which Mrs.
Matthes replied yes.
• Mrs. Matthes also stated that there is a library for the blind and physically handicapped in
Daytona Beach that mails a machine and digital audiobooks to its patrons.
3) RFID Progress and Estimates
• Mrs. Matthes reported that the RFID tagging process for the entire collection was
completed.
• Samples of some children's materials were shared with LAB members to show the RFID
tags. Once security gates are installed at all locations, the current red security buttons
used on DVDs will be eliminated.
4) Fines & Fees to BCC /date
• Mrs. Matthes reported that this item has been rescheduled to go before the BCC in
January. The County Manager requested clarification of some information.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Draft Calendar for 2015
• Mrs. Matthes distributed a draft of the 2015 LAB meeting schedule.
• Discussion ensued and some minor changes were made. Karen will email everyone the
revised schedule.
2) Electing New Members
• While Ms. Bettinger-Hennink left the room, Mrs. Matthes distributed applicant information
for District 3. Mrs. Lewis nominated Ms. Bettinger-Hennink, Mrs. Murray seconded the
nomination and the motion was carried unanimously.
• While Mrs. Murray left the room, Mrs. Matthes distributed applicant information for District
1. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink nominated Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Lewis seconded the nomination
and the motion carried unanimously.
• Mrs. Matthes reported that Ms. Cuevas contacted her regarding her LAB meeting
attendance. Due to conflicts with her work schedule at Avow, she has been unable to
attend several of the meetings. Mrs. Matthes will contact her to discuss her future schedule
to determine if she will be able to continue her membership, and will update the group.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Ms. Bettinger-Hennink commented about the SnowFest event that was moved to the Golden
Gate Community Center. This year's event was held Thursday through Sunday and featured
carnival rides.
• Mrs. Matthes added that SnowFest was moved there to accommodate the Golden Gate
residents that did not have transportation to the original location.
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• Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reminded everyone that the Greek Festival is scheduled for February 6-
8, 2015.
• Mrs. Matthes reported that the Farmer's Market that is held on Thursdays at the Italian-
American Club had placed flyers on cars in the Library parking lot. She instructed them that
this was not permissible on County property.
• Mrs. Murray was curious if the County received money from the Farmer's Market that is held in
the county government complex parking garage each Friday. Mrs. Matthes will look into this.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT— Marilyn Matthes
1) Current Statistics
• Mrs. Matthes distributed statistical information comparing October and November for FY13
and FY14. Circulation numbers show a decline.
• The asterisks in November represent early voting, which was held at HQ & MI only.
• Mrs. Matthes spoke with other Florida Library Directors about Freegal. Some locations,
such as Gainesville, showed greater usage than CCPL; however, Gainesville has a
younger population than Naples.
• She added that the Library will be eliminating some components of the Ebsco subscription
(F&W Ency and Net Library), as the State Library provides similar services through another
company (Gale). The Ebsco subscription is $65K annually. The Library will be continuing
the NoveList subscription as it helps patrons plan book club discussions and provides
suggestions for other reading selections.
• The money saved ($35K) will go towards OverDrive purchases.
• Donations have been steady; however, the quality of books has not always been good.
• Mrs. Matthes anticipates that once the RFID system is installed, staff will be able to provide
better customer service to patrons.
• She commented that some programs are not collection related, and she has requested for
Marketing to create adult programs that are related to materials in the collection.
2) Staffing Update
• Mrs. Matthes reported that all vacant Library positions have been processed.
• She added that interviews are being scheduled for the three open Reference Librarian
positions at the Regional Libraries.
• The Senior Supervisor position to manage Headquarters has been posted through the end
of the week.
• The first meeting regarding the Library Director applicants is scheduled for December 17th
REPORT OF THE FRIENDS
• The Friends of the Library representative did not attend the meeting; however, Mrs. Grieve
shared a copy of the January/February 2015 adult program guide. She commented that the
program design has been well received and that the ArtsNaples World Festival will be
sponsoring some programs with France as the theme.
• Mrs. Matthes commented that Marketing has received numerous emails from local authors
regarding the Author and Book Fest to be held on February 21st at South Regional.
• The Friends of the Library will be meeting on Friday, December 12th at HQ to discuss the
remodeling project.
• Mrs. Matthes has received some comments opposing the remodeling. They feel that the
money should be used to purchase books and other Library materials.
• The Friends of the Library approved $10,000 for the Library to use to purchase alternative
formats of books.
• The Library may subscribe to another database system for audiobooks.
• Mrs. Matthes received notification that the 3D printer selections are to be determined soon.
• She added that there was an article regarding a 3D printer used by the space station to create
replacement parts.
• Ms. Bettinger-Hennink asked to include a tour of HQ at the January meeting in order to see
the RFID system in action.
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• Mrs. Matthes reminded everyone that there will be a BCC Library Workshop held on February
3`d from 1-5 p.m. Public speakers will be permitted to contribute to this meeting.
• Mrs. Matthes will be meeting tomorrow with Steve Carnell. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink added that
she appreciates the fact that Mr. Carnell makes a point to be visible in the community at many
events.
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 11:20 a.m.
The next Library Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2015 at Headquarters.
Approved by:
Doris J. Lewis
Chair, Library Advisory Board
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