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LAB Minutes 03/17/2021Naples, Florida, Mxch 17 , 2021 LET lT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date in session via hybrid in-person and video conference attendance at 10:00 a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present: CHAIR: VICE.CHAIR: SECRETARY Connie Bettinger - District 3 Joan Hochschild - District 1 Joy White - District 4 (absent) Marjorie H. Gagnon - District 5 Carla Grieve - District 2 ALSO PRESENT:Tanya Williams, Library Director Catherine Cowser, Assistant Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Library Administrative Assistant Connie Kindsvater, President, Friends of the Library (via Zoom) Lynne Nordhoff, former LAB member PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Bettinger asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of February 17 , 2021. Dr. Hochschild moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Gagnon and Ms. Grieve seconded simultaneously and the motion was carried unanimously. REPORT OF OFFICERS - None REPORT OF COMMITTEES - None REPORT OF THE FRIENDS. Mrs. Kindsvater reported that the final Nick Linn Lecture Series event will be held on March 22, and the final Non-Fiction Author Series event will be held on March 29.o The last Signature Series event was held on March 9.o Mrs. Kindsvater stated that many advanced ticket purchases needed to be refunded due to the events being held virtually instead of in-person.. She added that before the pandemic, attendance for the Nick Linn Lecture Series was 780, whereas the attendance this year was 380.. Friends of the Library members have had strong opinions regarding virtual vs. in-person formats for events.. Ms. Williams reported that Patti Decroot, FOL advisor, provided her with good data regarding the Signature Series events that were held at the South Regional Library. 1 CALL TO ORDERt) Grant LAB Member remote attendance (Motion & Approval). Quorum was met for this meeting. Ms. White was unable to attend, and all other members were present; therefore, remote access approval was not necessary for today's meeting 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 889 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021) Some members enjoy virtual access to the events, while others want the social experience of in-person programs. Mrs. Kindsvater stated that the Friends of the Library office staff will return once the Naples Regional Library's HVAC and duct work project is completed. The Friends will continue to provide prizes for the Summer Reading Program, and offered additional funding if needed. The Nick Linn Lecture Series committee is working on authors for the 2022 events, and may have the information available at the March 22leclurc series event. PUBLIC COMMENTS. On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager, and Library Division, Ms. Williams thanked Lynne Nordhoff and awarded her a plaque recognizing her four years of service and advocacy as a member of the Library Advisory Board. LAB Members also gave her a card and bouquet of flowers in appreciation of her service. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Expansion of Operating Hours & Daysr Ms. Williams reported that Commissioner McDaniel forwarded her an email he recently received regarding the hours of operation at the Estates Branch Library.o A high school senior requested the hours to be increased at this location as internet access is very poor in some areas of the Golden Gates Estates community.e Ms. Williams added that members of the community were present at Commissioner McDaniel's recent town hall meeting, and they were also concerned about the poor internet availability in the Estates.o Discussion ensued regarding different options that this student may have for internet access. However, it was not clear if the student needed other library services as wello Ms. Williams reported that Library staff are currently reviewing statistics to determine the current needs of residents County-wide to determine expanded hours and days.o She added that the Library will be taking a conservative approach to expanding the hours and days, which will begin at the Regional locations.o The Library will then assess hours at lmmokalee, Marco lsland and Golden Gate Branch locations, since they are farther away from a Regional location.o The Library may need to re-assign staff to other locations in order to extend the hours and days.. Many factors need to be taken into consideration, including vaccines, the mask mandate, and group gathering restrictions.o The County's current mask mandate will end on April 13; however, this item may be reviewed by the BCC at their meeting on that day.o The Library is installing new equipment at the Headquarters Library on Monday to allow patrons to use a copier/printer/scanner/fax and be able to use their credit card at a free-standing machine for payment.. Ms. Williams added that the Library's Fines & Fees Schedule will also need to be reviewed and updated.o ttls. Williams encouraged everyone to look at the new system after the meeting. NEW BUSINESS I ) Services/Programs for Special Needs Patrons (follow-up) . Ms. Williams stated that this item was brought up by Ms. White at the last LAB meeting. 2 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 890 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021) Ms. Williams reported that pre-pandemic, Susan Petr, Supervisor of the Children's Department, partnered with an educator from the Golisano Children's [\/useum, who designed programs for children with special needs and provided two Special Saturday programs each month at the Headquarters Library. Unfortunately, this educator has since retired from the Museum. Ms. Williams added that pre-pandemic, the East Naples Branch Library worked with the Easter Seals Child Development Center located nearby to provide use of the Library for special activities for these children. 2l FY 202112022 Governor's Budget & Advocacy. Ms. Williams distributed a handout from the Florida Library Association (FLA).. She explained that in order for the Collier County Public Library to receive Florida funding, the Governor must earmark a certain amount of money for State Aid to Libraries.. Florida's Governor agreed to budget $17.3 million for the State Aid to Public Libraries Grant Program. However, the FLA is asking legislators to support a request to restore the funding to $23 million.o Ms. Williams reported that the Library started applying for State Aid in the 70s, and had in earlier years received upwards of $400k per year.. As budget cuts occurred over the years, this amount dropped to $250-$300k. The FY2021 budget was cut $43k, and there may be additional cuts next year.. State Aid Grant money is used to fund the purchase of e-Books.. Mrs. Grieve stated that she had received an email from the FLA asking for advocacy and support. The letter also stated that the last time the State Aid funding was this low occurred in 1992.o The Multi-Library Cooperative Grant Program helps to fund the Southwest Florida Library Network, which provides training and services to libraries and their staff.. Unfortunately, the Governor's budget this year provides no money towards thls grant, and wili not fund this grant next year.. The FLA is asking legislators to support restoring the recurring $2 million to fund this grant.o Ms. Williams reported that the Public Library Construction Grants were not funded during the recession.. This year the Governor added $1 million for funding Public Library Construction Grants. However, the 36 applications submitted for this grant exceed $16.8 million.. Ms. Williams stated that the Library can apply for up to $500k for this type of grant money.o ln the past, construction grant money was requested to help fund the building of Headquarters, South Regional, and the Golden Gate Branch libraries.. No funding was budgeted for Colleges'and Universities' Essential Library and Distance Learning Services this year. The FLA is asking legislators to restore the $20.9 million funding for these services.. No funding was budgeted for the Career Online High School. The FLA is asking legislators to restore the $750k funding for these services.. Ms. Williams reported that members of the LAB cannot write a letter to their legislators as a collective group. However, members can send letters speaking on behalf as a Florida resident, but not speaking for the LAB.. More information can be found on the Florida Library Association's website: https.//wlvw.flalib.oro. Under the "Advocacy" tab there are sample letter templates. 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 891 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021) 3) FY 2022 Library Budget Guidance. [\/s. Williams reported that there will be no change in funds for FY2O22, and therefore will be operating under a "neutral" budget mirroring FY2021's budget.o Ms. Williams added that the Library operates under a $9 million budget. lT services for the Library totals over $1 million, and over $5 million is for personnel.. The Budget Guidance can increase the budget by .5%, which would amount to less than $200k. However, this funding would be distributed among all Divisions under the Public Services Department.. She added that each County employee will receive $1,000 added to their base pay for FY2O22.o The Library's budget for book purchases has been capped at gl million, however, the budget was cut by $50k for FY2O22.. Ms. Williams reported that the BCC will identify a new County Manager at their upcoming Tuesday meeting.. The Library will continue to proactively look at other revenue sources, and trimming the edges of expenses due to the decrease in funding. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 1) Staffing Update. Ms. Williams reported that the Library has hired five new staff members in the past two weeks.. Wade Cooper recently was selected for a lateral transfer full-time Library Assistant position at the Marco lsland Branch Library. He previously worked at the East Naples Branch.. South Regional has a parttime new hire pending with HR.o lnterviews are scheduled for three other open part-time positions.o A full{ime position at lmmokalee and a part{ime position at Marco lsland will be posted in the coming weeks.o Ms. Williams reported that staff have been tasked with bringing back volunteers. They will be targeting teens at first, as they need community service hours for graduation. o The Library is looking into how best to bring the LEAP program back. Since these services require one-on-one assistance, it may not be possible with current social distancing protocols until later in the summer or at the beginning of the next school year. o No other staff members have resigned or retired at this time. Marilyn Vanatta in Technology Services will be retiring at the end of July. 2) Capital Projects Updateo Ms. Williams reported the parking lot at the lmmokalee Branch and adjoining Health Department will be funded through Facilities' budget. . This project still needs to go before the BCC to determine a timeline. lt is anticipated to be reviewed at either the second BCC meeting in April or the first meeting in May, with a start date in the beginning of June.. Naples Regional will be having a kick-off meeting with the contractor tomorrow to establish a timeline for the HVAC and duct work. . Ms. Williams stated that she may have this information available for the Friday Friends of the Library Board meeting. . Marco lsland Branch's HVAC upgrades will also be funded by Facilities' 4 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 892 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021) . Funding for the lmmokalee Branch's HVAC project has not been confirmed, however, Facilities is Iooking at the CDBG Grant to see if it can be tied into those funds.. Security upgrades at the lmmokalee Branch are 99.9% complete.. The Estates Branch is on fiber, and the East Naples Branch is scheduled nelt to be connected to fiber. lt does not appear that the 1400 ft. of fiber at the East Naples Branch will need to be installed under U.S. 41 .o Ms. Williams reported that there is a possibility that fiber may be available for the Marco lsland Branch. Parks and Recreation will need a fiber conduit at the Caxambas Park and the new 2-story building that will house the Coast Guard, Park Concessions, and community space.. The Library would then be able to have access to the newly installed fiber, which would conclude the fiber connection project for the Library system.. lnterior painting is almost complete at the Headquarters Library.. All Library locations are tasked with clearing programming and meeting spaces by returning tables and chairs to the public areas, while continuing to observe social distancing.o Ms. Williams reported that she is making a business case pertaining to quarantining protocols. This will need to be reviewed and approved by Risk Management and the Health Department.. She added that the Lee County Library System has made a business case to remove all quarantining. Many other public places, such as grocery stores, do not quarantine items that were handled by people while shopping.. The Library is still not accepting donations at this time due to lack of space. 3) FY 2020 Statistics & 1st Quarter FY 2021. Ms. Williams distributed a handout comparing first-quarter circulation statistics for FY2020 and FY2021.. The Library had an overall decrease of 19% in circulation when comparing the two first-quarter statistics.o However, downloadable circulation statistics increased for the first quarter of FY2O21, which were 10O,752. Totals forthe first-quarter of FY2020 were 79,508.. The Library has had a decrease in door counts, as patrons are still uncomfortable in group situations. However, Library locations that have outdoor space available have noticed an increase in patrons using those areas.. Tutors have been coming in to assist students, however, younger children usually come in to get materials and do not stay for long. The Library has been providing children with activity kits that they can do at home.o The Library will continue to provide curbside services and virtual programming. . Ms. Williams reported that there has been a growth in participation with the Zoom story times, and she encouraged everyone to sign up to experience one.. The Library is working to add four new pages to its website. Playlists of YouTube and virtual videos will be stored there for patrons to access.. Some schools have requested tours ofthe Library, however due to social distancing, staff are working on creating virtual tours of all Library locations.e Discussion ensued regarding navigating the Library's website. o Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library does not have funding available, such as larger companies like Amazon, to provide enhanced navigation features. . Recently some Dr. Seuss books have been criticized for racial depictions of indigenous, Black, and Asian characters. 5 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 893 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021) It/s. Williams stated that the Library will not be removing any Dr. Seuss books from its collection. The Library does not censor materials and will continue to have them available to the public. She added that some patrons have checked out the books and later claimed that they were damaged and were thrown away. Discussion ensued regarding patrons' reasons for doing so, which could be their way of censoring or reselling these books. Ms. Williams stated that today marks the one-year anniversary of the Library closing to the public in response to the COVID Pandemic. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, the meeting was adjourned al 11:2O a.m. Ms. Williams will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, (239) 252-7350. Approved by Connie Bettinger, Chair Library Advisory Board SofrrJ 110c14 scqtrb,o t c€- Cilnte Ataemzl klvtsocY aonat 6 Wh"U',/d*.//4 28.A.3 Packet Pg. 894 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - March 17, 2021 (15678 : Library Advisory Board - April 21, 2021)