LAB Minutes 02/21/20181
Naples, Florida, February 21, 2018
LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in regular session at 10:00
a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present:
CHAIR: Loretta Murray – District 1
VICE-CHAIR: Connie Bettinger-Hennink – District 3
SECRETARY: Joy White – District 4
Marjorie H. Gagnon – District 5 (absent)
Lynne Nordhoff – District 2
ALSO PRESENT: Tanya Williams, Library Director (absent)
Karen Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant
Catherine Cowser, Assistant Library Director
Rose LaBarge, Senior Librarian, Marketing
Louise Franck, incoming Vice-President, Friends of the Library
Carla Grieve, Collier Resident
Peg Grathwohl, Collier Resident
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Murray asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of January 17, 2018. No corrections were
noted. Mrs. Nordhoff moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Bettinger-Hennink seconded and the motion
was carried unanimously.
REPORT OF THE FRIENDS
Louise Franck reported that the Friends of the Library had a great Nick Linn Lecture Series and the
Non-Fiction Series is doing well too.
FOL members also are able to take part in the Signature Series, which is listed on the FOL website.
These are lectures, concerts, and other programs that are held throughout the County for members
only.
The BookPage publication is available electronically through the FOL website.
The FOL will meet on Monday to discuss Library branch enhancements.
A FOL member is assigned to each Library branch as a liaison to discuss enhancements with the
manager for that location. Past enhancements that were funded by the FOL include: carpeting,
children’s iPad kiosks, young adult programs, etc.
The Friends of the Library were vital in the creation and initial funding of the Library Electronic
Assistance Program (LEAP). They also provide funding for Library programs and support the
Library’s Employee of the Month program.
Mrs. Franck reported that the Friends are trying to organize a list of book clubs in Collier County.
She encouraged everyone to send any clubs and contact information to the Friends office.
REPORT OF OFFICERS – None
COMMUNICATIONS
a – Written – None
b – Personal
Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reported that the Golden Gate Library has requested to borrow her son’s
Dr. Seuss collection for their upcoming display.
She was very excited for Nicole Duquette from the Estates branch to be selected as the
Employee of the Year.
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Ms. Bettinger-Hennink provided the 30-40 attendees of the February Golden Gate Civic
Association’s meeting with information regarding the upcoming Library Anniversary Events.
She added that a larger than normal group was in attendance for this meeting.
Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reiterated that she tries to attend as many of the Volunteer Appreciation
events as possible. She looks forward to sharing the statistical information with those in
attendance to inform everyone as to how valuable the volunteers are to the Library, and how
many hours they provide in assistance each year, and at each location.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1) Employee of the Month – February
Ms. Bettinger-Hennink nominated Tracy Williams, Public Services Librarian at the
Headquarters Library, as the February employee of the month. Mrs. White seconded the
nomination and the motion passed unanimously.
2) 60 ½ Anniversary Events (Rose LaBarge)
Mrs. LaBarge distributed copies of the Library’s Meeting Room Use Policies to follow-up with
the recent information she received regarding radio announcements for events being held at
the Library without the disclaimer.
The Library will be participating in the Florida Library Association’s “Faces of Florida Libraries”
campaign. Patrons will be encouraged to submit a brief statement as to why they love their
library and include a selfie photo to be shared on FLA social media outlets.
Mrs. LaBarge shared some samples that were submitted by other libraries.
The Library’s 60th Anniversary party that was originally planned for September was
rescheduled due to hurricane Irma. The 60.5 year Anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday,
March 24.
Mrs. LaBarge gave attendees a copy of the Library’s March Event Guide and explained that
the celebration will be a progressive-style event throughout the regional locations.
All Library locations will participate in a “golden ticket” scavenger hunt and 1957-themed bingo
challenge.
She added that the Friends are sponsoring the progressive parties being held at the regional
locations.
Mrs. Grieve stated that she has an old FOL t-shirt with the message “ask me about the
Library” on it that she plans to wear to these events.
Mrs. LaBarge encouraged everyone to send her any old pictures, etc. that they may have
pertaining to the Library’s history.
Ms. Bettinger-Hennink stated that she provide Anniversary handouts at the Golden Gate Civic
Association meeting and will distribute postcards at their next meeting.
Mrs. LaBarge reported that many participants at the Library programs/events are learning
about the information through social media notices. For example over 280 people attended
the recent “Trucks, trucks, trucks” event held at the South Regional Library. The County and
local construction companies provided trucks for this event.
The Library will be updating their social media process to post information prior to the event as
well as posting after-event pictures, etc.
Discussion ensued regarding social media sites and how to “like”, “follow” and “share”
information to others.
3) Volunteer Appreciation Events
Mrs. Cowser reported that LAB members should have received the letter listing the dates for
this year’s Volunteer Appreciation events.
She added that the Everglades location should be reopening this week and she will check with
Joanne Wannamacher to see if a Volunteer Luncheon has been determined, and will provide
everyone with an update.
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NEW BUSINESS
1) Website Redesign Feedback
Mrs. Cowser reported that many patrons have provided positive feedback regarding the
Library’s redesigned website.
Patrons like the new colors and icons.
Mrs. Cowser navigated through the electronic view of the Library’s website.
Discussion ensued regarding the new look.
One of the new additions includes a wheelchair icon at the bottom of the page which allows
patrons with disabilities to select from different options on how to better view the information.
Some options include the ability to magnify the screen or increase the text size.
Gayle McTeigue visited each Library location to update staff on the Library’s Mail-a-Book
program.
Mrs. Cowser reported that the “Book-a-Librarian” programs have been very successful.
Mrs. Cowser reported that the County Manager has directed all Departments to conduct
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) surveys with their patrons
GENERAL CONSIDERATION
Ms. Bettinger-Hennink reported that she has since changed her name back to her maiden
name. A new badge will need to be ordered for her.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Staffing Update
Mrs. Cowser reported that the only upcoming retirement/resignation is Glenda Elliott from
South Regional and has been with the Library for 15 years.
New staff include: Kenneth Hardcastle, Public Services Librarian at Naples Regional; Mary
Husted, job bank Library Assistant at Marco Island; and Lauren O’Connor, Library Assistant at
Estates.
Kim Spina is now the Senior Supervisor for Acquisitions, and was formerly the Supervisor in
the Children’s Dept. at Headquarters. Kim’s vacated position will be reclassified as a Branch
Manager’s position for Immokalee.
Aimee Berger at Headquarters has been promoted to a permanent part-time position as a
Library Assistant in the Children’s Dept. Aimee was formerly a job bank employee at HQ and
assisted with Circulation as well as the Children’s Dept.
Susan Petr, Supervisor in the Children’s Dept. at Naples Regional will transfer to the
Children’s Dept. at Headquarters at the beginning of March.
The Youth Services Librarian position at Headquarters has been reclassified to Naples
Regional.
The Library Program Specialist position at Naples Regional has been reclassified to
Headquarters. This position will be assigned to Youth Services.
A candidate has been selected for the part-time Library Assistant East Naples branch,
pending HR approval.
We are waiting for applicants to be referred for the job bank Llibrary Assistant position at
Immokalee.
The job bank Library Assistant position at Headquarters and the full-time Library Assistant
position at South Regional have been posted.
The Vanderbilt Beach branch is looking to fill their LEAP position.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Murray asked if there was any more business to discuss. There being no further business to come
before the Library Advisory Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
The next LAB meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Headquarters Library, 2385
Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109.
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Approved by:
Loretta Murray, Chair
Library Advisory Board