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LAB Minutes 06/17/2015 Naples, Florida, June 17, 2015 LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regular session at 10:00 a.m. in the South 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 Marjorie H. Gagnon — District 5 ALSO PRESENT: Val Kocin, Library Director (absent) Tanya Williams, Assistant Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant Vacant, Literacy Program Specialist Joanne Fowler, Friends of the Library Board Member APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE ANNUAL BOARD MEETING Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of annual LAB board meeting on May 20, 2015. No corrections were noted. Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes for the annual LAB board meeting, Mrs. Murray seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Lewis asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of May 20, 2015. Some minor corrections were noted. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink moved to approve the minutes with the corrections. Mrs. Murray seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. LITERACY PROGRAM REPORT • Ms. Williams reported that the literacy program and English conversation classes continue; although a replacement for Roberta Reiss has not been found. • She added that the program is being looked at to see if it needs to be revised. REPORT OF OFFICERS • Mrs. Lewis welcomed the new District 5 Representative, Ms. Marjorie "Maggie" Gagnon, to the Library Advisory Board. • Everyone briefly introduced themselves. • A LAB name badge will be ordered for Ms. Gagnon. COMMUNICATIONS a—Written — None • Once Mrs. Kocin has had the opportunity to visit all the library locations and staff, Mrs. Grieve would like to interview her and write a future article for the Collier Citizen. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Employee of the Month —June • Mrs. Murray nominated Kristen Lieberth from the Headquarters Library for the June employee of the month. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded the nomination and the motion passed unanimously. 2) LAB District 5 Representation — Follow-up • Ms. Gagnon stated that she had previously served on the LAB sometime during the 1980s. 1 3) LEAP • The budget amendment is being processed for the BCC to accept the FOL funding for the FY16 LEAP funds during their July 7 meeting. • The LEAP positions will post for recruitment on June 19 for two weeks. • Some students will continue with their positions when the LEAP program resumes in the fall. The start date is September 1, 2015. • The Friends of the Library have set aside additional funding for the summer of FY16. • Library locations wanting to keep their LEAP student employed during the summer will need to complete a mini grant application through the FOL. • Bobbi Skaggs with the FOL is working on creating the mini grant. 4) Door Counts • The door counts for March 2015 have been corrected in the system. There were some minor clerical errors in the information provided last month. • Friday statistics have been holding steady at EN, EB and VB. These statistics will continue to be monitored, particularly through the summer. • Ms. Williams reported that the County will be observing the Fourth of July holiday on Friday, July 3. The County Administration would not approve for the Library to be closed for two days, and four Library locations will be open for regular business hours on Saturday (HQ, NR, SR, and GG). • Members of the LAB were surprised and not pleased to hear this information. • Staff have been instructed to keep meticulous statistics relating to door counts, phone calls, questions asked and books dropped off for this day, etc. • The option to stay open on Friday would incur paying all staff time and a half plus holiday pay, which would become a budgetary issue. • In the past, the Library had been closed for both days. • Ms. Williams reminded everyone that last Christmas, the County changed the holiday schedule mid-year, and the Library had to negotiate to close early on Christmas Eve day. • Ms. Williams added that the Library usually compares the procedures of five other Florida counties: Lee, Martin, Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee. 5) Library Construction Grant - Update • The Library construction grant has been submitted to the State Library and is under review. • Ms. Williams reported that grants are usually awarded July 1St and expects to hear from the State sometime afterwards. • The legislature is still looking at state aid and may cut $5 million. • Ms. Williams added that Florida passed a $400 million tax cut. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink added that some state aid money is generated by the service fee/tax on cell phones. NEW BUSINESS 1) Val Kocin, Library Director • Mrs. Kocin was unable to attend today's meeting due to a conflict with her schedule and sends her regrets. • Ms. Williams explained that Mrs. Kocin is meeting with other County officials to prepare for the upcoming budget hearing on Thursday, June 25. • On behalf of Mrs. Kocin, Ms. Williams reported that: o The Summer Reading Program is off to a great start. Both parents and children are excited and having fun. o Some locations reported that they are having record numbers of both adults and children registering for the program. o Research confirms that children who read during summer breaks experience less "summer brain drain" and are better able to retain their literacy and math skills. 2 o Mrs. Kocin commented that Mrs. Grieve wrote a very good article for the Collier Citizen outlining the many resources that the Library offers, along with summer reading suggestions. o Mrs. Kocin plans to visit each branch and appreciates the warm welcome she has received thus far from all Library staff and support groups, including the LAB. • Mrs. Lewis added that Ms. Williams has been wonderful in making the transition a smooth one for Mrs. Kocin. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reported that she recently attended the State Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Council board meeting in Tallahassee. • She explained that grants are reviewed for libraries throughout the state on different levels, including state, college/university, public schools, etc. and each is represented on the Board. • She added that the grant application process had changed and the deadlines had been moved from March to April, which shortened the time for the nine members to review the grant applications. • 30 grants were submitted for review. Each grant consisted of approximately 80 pages. • The $8 million in requested grants were reviewed to determine if funding should be approved. • She discussed some of the types of grants reviewed and 28 of the 30 grants submitted were approved for funding. • She will be serving two more years on this Board. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink added that she is excited about the Summer Reading Program and is promoting it on social media. She already has earned book bucks and has signed up for the grand finale party, which has limited space. • She asked about a recent news article pertaining to the controversy of the Collier County Public Schools recommended reading list in school libraries. • Ms. Williams replied that she will forward a letter written by Gene Coppola, Florida Library Association (FLA) President to Collier County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton. • Ms. Williams added that print materials are not restricted at the Library; however, DVDs are restricted as they are rated. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink asked if any locations are having any issues of concern. o Golden Gate has issues with students hanging out at the library. Although the library has a good relationship with the youth relations deputy, sometimes there are concerns. For example, some older patrons are intimidated when kids congregate outside the building. o Staff is instructed to tell them that loitering is not permitted and they are either to come into the building or leave the premises. o Also, this location has blind spots within the building that requires more effort for staff to monitor. o Ms. Williams added that a security survey had been conducted at GG, and staff needs to be better trained on how to handle incidents with students. o Ms. Bettinger-Hennink agreed that she sometimes has to deal with difficult students in her capacity as a crossing guard in Golden Gate. o She added that she doesn't think that some of the students in this area know how to behave properly or how to take care of things properly. o Ms. Williams added that the Library has a zero tolerance policy for improper behavior. o Naples Regional is working to create a better relationship with Gulfview Middle School. o Ms. Williams added that system wide standards and procedures need to be created for Library staff regarding handling these situations. o Ms. Bettinger-Hennink also inquired about organizations that promote outside of the buildings. o Ms. Williams explained that the Library is a public forum and organizations are limited to reserving space once each week per organization. They must have the Director's approval 3 and coordinate with the location manager regarding when and where they can set up their table, and they must abide by the guidelines and/or ordinances for use of Library spaces. For example, they are not permitted to approach and/or solicit patrons. o The room use policy for the Library may need to be reviewed and modified. o Immokalee was recently broken into and a safe with less than $300 and an iPod were stolen. The perpetrator left items that were stolen from other locations he robbed, and was later arrested. o The perpetrator had gained access through an old jalousie window. o Security at all locations will be reviewed and upgraded as needed. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 1) Current Statistics • Ms. Williams shared circulation statistical information for the current fiscal year to date. • The statistics reflect the addition of One Click Digital. • She added that the Ebsco and Net Library subscriptions were not renewed in March. • She reported that the Lee County Library System has its own millage rate fund based on property taxes. Also, each library has its own FOL organization. • CCPL is funded by ad valorum property taxes and need to lobby for funds. • Ms. Williams added that Jamie Reilly has been selected to be the new Branch Manager for the Marco Island Branch Library. She has been a Reference Librarian at Headquarters. 2) FY16 Budget • Ms. Williams reported that the Budget Workshop is open to the public and will be held on Thursday, June 25th at 9:00am in the BCC Chambers. • She will meet with Mrs. Kocin and send any pertinent information to the LAB members. REPORT OF THE FRIENDS • Mrs. Fowler reported that the Friends of the Library will not be meeting during the summer. • The big fundraisers for the FOL are the Nick Linn lecture series and the Bagels & Books breakfasts. • She reported that the Ritz-Carlton increased their food prices, which in turn increased the cost to those wanting to attend the Nick Linn lectures. • The Bagels & Books breakfast may be changed to a luncheon. • Mrs. Fowler reported that the FOL membership has become stagnant and suggested posters be created and placed in the Library to promote membership. • Discussion ensued and everyone agreed that the FOL should be promoted prior to any program that they sponsor. • The FOL brochure is being updated, and membership dues may be increased. • Mrs. Fowler asked for any suggestions as to promoting the Friends of the Library. • Ms. Bettinger-Hennink suggested creating a bookmark. She could then use it to promote the FOL on social media sites. • The Library website may need to be reworked to make the FOL more noticeable. • Some catch phrases to entice people to become FOL members were discussed and one of consideration would be "Ask a friend to be a Friend." • Mrs. Fowler reported that many of the authors spread the word among each other to speak at one of the lectures • Authors are amazed at the number of people that attend the lectures. • As author's tours have been diminished with eBooks, they are excited to come to the lectures, and many attendees will purchase books after the lecture. • Authors are paid minimally and receive first class travel and two nights at the Ritz-Carlton at Tiburon. • LAB members inquired about the relationship with the Marco Island Friends of the Library. • Mrs. Fowler replied that the Naples FOL receives reports from the Marco group. 4 • Mrs. Grieve added that generally a member of the Naples FOL Board will attend the Marco FOL Board meetings and vice versa. • She added that donations made to the FOL can be specified for a particular location. 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 11:35 a.m. The Library Advisory Board will not meet in July, and the next LAB meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2015 at the Golden Gate Branch Library. It is tentatively planned to tour the Senior Resource Center. South Regional staff encouraged everyone to tour the building to see the wonderful displays created by staff to promote the Summer Reading Program throughout the library. Approved by: gert . Doris J. Lewis, Chair, Library Advisory Board 5