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LAB Minutes 06/16/202128.A.c Naples, Florida, June 16, 2021 LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date at 10:00 a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present: CHAIR: Connie Bettinger — District 3 VICE -CHAIR: Joan Hochschild — District 1 SECRETARY: Joy White — District 4 Marjorie H. Gagnon — District 5 Carla Grieve — District 2 ALSO PRESENT: Tanya Williams, Library Director Catherine Cowser, Library Assistant Director Karen Tibbetts, Library Administrative Assistant (absent) Kara Godwin, Library Administrative Supervisor Connie Kindsvater, President, Friends of the Library Louise Franck, Secretary, Friends of the Library (absent) Susan Petr, Library Youth Services Supervisor Brisa Garcia, Summer Library Intern Sophia Lowe, Summer Library Intern Alana Brooke, Summer Library Intern Dan Martin, Collier County Resident N O N Gl CALL TO ORDER 1) All Library Advisory Board members were present for today's meeting. Meetings will no 0 longer be held in hybrid format, and will be held in the Sugden Theater at the `1' Headquarters Library. 2) Ms. Williams stated that Karen Tibbetts would not be at today's meeting and Kara Godwin would take notes. Ms. Williams welcomed everyone and will provide introductions to today's guests. 3) Ms. Williams stated that the revised LAB agenda mirrors the one used at the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Bettinger announced that visitors are welcome to attend the LAB meetings and asked them to sign in and complete a speaker form if they want to address the Library Advisory Board. Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the annual meeting minutes of May 19, 2021. Dr. Hochschild moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. Ms. Bettinger asked for additions or corrections to the regular meeting minutes of May 19, 2021 Minor changes were noted. Dr. Hochschild moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. AWARDS & RECOGNITION Packet Pg. 594 28.A.c Ms. Williams introduced the three Summer Library Interns: Brisa (Palmetto Ridge High School); Alana (Gulf Coast High School); Sophia (Naples High School). They will be working at the Library for the next six weeks. They will be directed by Susan Petr, Youth Services Supervisor. They will work at the Headquarters Library so they can learn about all Library functions. Generally, the Library is assigned one summer intern, however, the Library had funding available from the LEAP program to have three interns this year. Ms. Petr stated that the interns will visit the other library locations during their internship. Ms. Williams handed out packets of information pertaining to employee award recognitions. 1) County Service Awards • Ms. Williams stated that the County recognizes staff that have completed 5, 10: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or more years of services to County government. ■ This year, the County started to have Director's recognize one-year anniversaries. Employees are sent a Collier County keychain and Ms. Williams drafts a letter to recognize their first year, and delivers these items to the employee in person. • Ms. Williams shared a "Service Award" list for Library staff that completed 1, 5, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. • Ms. Williams stated that Theresa Wagner will be retiring after 15 years. • LAB members will be invited to any employee recognition events. 2) County Employee of the Month a. April 2021 — Lisa Nuccio, Headquarters -Public Service Librarian • Ms. Williams stated that County Employees of the Month generally would appear before the BCC to be recognized, however, due to the pandemic, Lisa Nuccio was unable to attend the BCC meeting in April. ■ Lisa will receive $150, a reserved parking space at the Headquarters Library; a plaque, and a service award day. A plaque is also placed near the elevators at the County's Administrative building. • County Employees of the Month are nominated by other County employees, and reviewed by the County's Employee Recognition Team. Nominations are held for three months. • Supervisors are not eligible to be recognized as County Employee of the Month, however, they are be eligible to receive nominations for recognition as Supervisor of the Year. 3) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for May • Ms. Williams stated that "Cheers for Peers" is the Library's monthly recognition program. All Library staff, except the Director, are eligible to be recognized. • Staff can recognize each other for doing something exceptional or extraordinary, above and beyond their normal duties. The recognized employee will receive a Kudos note from the person who recognized them and a button to affix to their lanyard. ■ A Kudos Wall is shared with all staff to be posted at each Library location. 4) Director's Letter of Commendation (New Program) • Ms. Williams stated that she is working on a new program which will include the employee(s) being recognized to come before the LAB to receive their Director's Letter of Commendation, which will also be added to their employee file. They will also be nominated for the County Employee of the Month. ■ Ms. Williams asked Karen Tibbetts to design Collier County Public Library challenge coins. One would be generic, with the Library logo on one side and the County logo 04 Gl Packet Pg. 595 28.A.c on the other side. The other would be to recognize response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once everything is packaged, Ms. Williams will present it to the LAB members. BOARD REPORTS Members of the Library Advisory Board introduced themselves and the libraries they represent o within their districts to those present. Connie Kindsvater also introduced herself and explained N what the Friends of the Library organization provides to the Library. 1) Report of Officers - None y 2) Report of Committees - None a PRESENTATIONS 1) Report of the Friends of the Library • Mrs. Kindsvater stated that Louise Franck generally provides the FOL report at the o LAB meetings, however, she was unable to attend today. 0° • The FOL is focusing on finding ways to increase its membership. Membership N levels are the lowest they've ever been with 1423 members. > • They are reaching out to former members and trying to reach new members. Q • Mrs. Kindsvater is very concerned about the money lost due to low membership. • The FOL has identified two kinds of members: 1) philanthropic lovers of libraries, 2) those who join because of what they get out of membership. • A percentage of FOL members are older (70-90 years old) and only deal with the c FOL staff in -person, not on-line. ti • Dates and speakers are all set for the Nick Linn Lecture Series. Tickets are available for live and virtual attendance. N • In -person attendance is limited to 500. Previously, 780 could attend in -person. N • Mrs. Kindsvater shared information on an article written by Vicky Bowles about the Nick Linn Lecture Series. The article was published in the Naples Daily News on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. • Mrs. Kindsvater stated that last year, FOL members would frequently change their , minds about in -person and virtual attendance. However, this year, no changes will be allowed. • The Non -Fiction Series is almost finished with four speakers. This event will be held at a new larger venue, Kensington Country Club. Tickets are available for in -person attendance only. There is no assigned seating for the Non -Fiction Series. • FOL members enjoy the social factor of these events. • Mrs. Kindsvater stated that the term for FOL President is two years and she will be stepping down in October. Kenneth Assal, the current FOL Vice President will be the next President. • Mrs. Kindsvater agreed to coordinate the FOL off-season author events. The first one is scheduled for Thursday, October 21 at the downtown Sugden Theater with the availability of 318 seats. There currently are two authors under consideration. • The new FOLIMail-a-Book bookmarks are completed. • Patti DeGroot is handling the FOL Signature Series. However, they may look into other Library locations, as some members do not want to drive to the South Regional Library for these events. • The annual Local Author Book Fair supports local authors and will resume and be held at the South Regional Library. • Ms. Grieve stated that in 2010, approximately 2/3 of Collier County's population had a Library card. Packet Pg. 596 28.A.c • Her suggestion is to have someone from the FOL at the Library to greet patrons as they enter, and provide them with FOL information. • Mr. Martin agreed that every person getting a library card should receive a FOL brochure to consider becoming a member. • Ms. Bettinger suggested having the FOL information available in languages other than English as well. • Mrs. Kindsvater reported that the FOL will be giving the Library $100k towards the purchase of eBooks, which are increasing in popularity. • Ms. Bettinger thanked the FOL for providing support of the Summer Reading Program. At a recent meeting, she encouraged members of the Golden Gate Civic Association to become FOL members. She also stated that the FOL helps to provide each library with funding for branch enhancements. • The three summer interns also provided suggestions. o They were unaware of the FOL and suggested FOL information to be provided at the schools and to parents. o FOL should increase their social media presence o Utilize bulletin boards downtown to post eye-catching flyers • Mrs. Kindsvater thanked everyone for their input, and will meet with the interns to discuss more suggestions. • Ms. Williams shared the FOL website, which has a direct link from the Library's website. 2) Report of the Library Director a. Capital Projects Update • Ms. Williams reported that new paper towel dispensers are being installed at the Headquarters Library this morning. • A vendor has been at Headquarters Library during the month to switch the air conditioning thermostats. • The Naples Regional Library will be closing on Tuesday, July 6 for 34 days. A new chiller will be installed, and the lighting will be converted to LED. • This project is funded by County surtax dollars, and will be done in four phases to be completed in 10 months. • Phase two will include the back areas of the Library. Phases three and four will be include the major reading areas of the Library. • Due to the substantial amount of work that needs to be done, no programs will be held at this location. • The Naples Regional Library is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, August 10. • A press release was sent out on June 5. • Immokalee's parking lot will commence next month. • It will be a start/stop delay start/stop project. Due to material shortages, the paver vendor is booked through and beyond February. • However, they've rearranged their schedule to get the paving done sometime around the holidays. • The underground work will begin next month. • There will be cuts in asphalt and new drainage pipes laid beginning near the David Lawrence Center and over to the Library. • During the process, which will be done in phases, traffic will need to be re- routed. Staff and patrons may need to park at the nearby community park. 4 El Packet Pg. 597 28.A.c • Once the underground work is completed the entire parking lot, which includes the David Lawrence Center, Library and the Health Department, will be paved. • Drainage is a big issue in the parking lot and the landscaping may look ugly until everything is finalized. b. Staffing Update c ■ Ms. Williams reported that the Library is still trying to fill Library Assistant N positions that were vacated during the pandemic. ■ We recently lost an employee to Lee County, which pays $3 more per hour. + Two new employees will begin in the next few weeks, with another one pending in the system. Q ■ No new adjustment to the County agency's organizational chart at this time. ' c. General Operations Update L ■ Ms. Williams reported that the Library is geared up for summer. m° • There are over 300 students participating in the Summer Reading Program. To date they've read over 2,204 titles. ■ Staff are working to bring in -person programming back in July. • Virtual programming will continue. a ■ Ms. Williams added that the Library has partnered again this summer with the 2- Naples Botanical Gardens for free admission to residents who have a Collier -2 County Public Library card. Due to the pandemic, residents will need toto J reserve a specific time to visit the Gardens.. c PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None N N c>; UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) FY 2021-2022 State Budget - Update • Florida's Governor signed off on the FY21-22 budget a few weeks ago. , ■ The Library is getting a few extra dollars for State Aid to Libraries due to CARES Act funds. $11 million is being allocated to libraries state-wide. c Libraries are funded with $17.4 million through the state, with $2 million being' supplemented with some of the CARES Act federal money. ■ Additional money has been added to the LSTA (Library Services and Technology ; Act) grant and multi -level consortiums were fully funded as well. • This amounts to approximately $200k to each consortium across the state. ■ SWFLN (Southwest Florida Library Network) has their full funding again. ■ They are gearing up to reinitiate programs that were halted due to loss of funding. • The University of Florida who provides annual population estimates will be working m with the State Library on a Public Library Economic Study. The study should be J completed by the end of the year and will provide a 20-year longitudinal study of public library impacts across the state of Florida. (D ■ Library construction grants are still on hold. ■ Legislative committees will be discussing the 2022 budget in the next couple of c months. a 2) LAB Agenda Format & Meeting Location Ms. Williams asked for everyone's feedback on the updated agenda and meeting location for the Library Advisory Board. 5 Packet Pg. 598 28.A.c • Ms. Bettinger stated that they moved the tables so that members could see each other, and they also did not want their backs to the public. • Ms. Williams was unsure if the meeting room would be able to accommodate Zoom meetings, as all the electrical outlets were on the stage. • Many other County advisory boards are no longer having their meetings in hybrid format. N • if LAB members agree to no longer have hybrid meetings, the table setup can be N repositioned accordingly. `r° • Ms. Grieve remarked that there are two public comments sections on the agenda. • Ms. Bettinger replied that they related to two different subjects. • Ms. Bettinger asked if future LAB meetings would be held at other library locations. a Ms. Williams replied that the board can hold their meetings at any location. ' . Ms. White asked if board members could remote in for future meetings, if they were L unable to attend in person. m° • Ms. Williams replied that those situations would not be considered as a hybrid meeting. Zoom availability is generally for public participation. • The LAB would have to have an in -person quorum and who would then motion to -'a allow another member to attend the meeting remotely. a • The Library is governed by Florida Statutes and Board ordinances regarding meetings. Therefore, if hybrid meetings are suspended, the public would not be able to request attending LAB meetings remotely if they are being held in -person. J • Ms. Bettinger read the visitors welcome draft statement created by Dr. Hochschild to to help move the meetings smoothly, while still addressing any public comments. T • She asked for feedback and suggested another board member to be attentive for public input during the meetings. o • Ms. Williams can read the statement, as she is the facilitator at the meetings. N • She and Ms. Tibbetts can ensure that any public attendees have the speaker form to complete. • Ms. Williams summarized that prior to the start of the meeting, the statement will be read, and as the facilitator, she will address any public comments made during the meeting to ensure that the agenda is followed. 3) LAB Meeting Notification & Agenda Access • Ms. Williams showed how to access the Library Advisory Board agenda through the v Evanced software that is accessible through the "Events" tab on the Library's website. • Discussion ensued as to when announcements and agendas are posted for public viewing. A website banner may be created to promote the LAB. • Ms. Grieve stated that the LAB meeting is listed on the BCC calendar as well. • Ms. Williams also showed how to access LAB information through the County's website and how some of the other Advisory Boards in the County have their information posted there. • Ms. Williams will look into having Ms. Bettinger's name corrected on the County's website. NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION 0 Packet Pg. 599 28.A.c • Mr. Martin remarked that the LAB agenda is a "skeleton" outlining the items to be discussed, however, sometimes during the meeting, questions come up, and it is difficult to wait until the end of the meeting to bring them up for discussion. • He would like public comments at the end of each item, as he feels it would be more efficient to address the questions while the topic is being discussed. • He added that if he waited until the end of the meeting to discuss a matter regarding the c FOL, the representatives may no longer be in attendance. N • Ms. Williams remarked that the LAB agenda is modeled after the one the BCC uses for06 their meetings. The public can see everything that will be considered during the meeting, n and there are two opportunities for the public to address the board. a� • Today's agenda was updated to include a public comments section at the end of the a meeting ' • Ms. Williams stated that the only two options would be to either add a public comments section after every topic, or have a fully vetted agenda with all supportive documents 0 m prepared one week prior to the meeting. L • Ms. Williams added that the only difference at the BCC meeting is that speakers are timed and able to speak for only three minutes, regardless if they have more to say. • The only exception would be for a public petition in which the speaker would have ten a minutes to address the BCC. L • Mr. Martin commented that generally the public attending the BCC is different than those attending LAB meetings. J • Ms. White stated that she was appreciative of Mr Martin providing his feedback.00 c • Mrs. Cowser stated that the LAB strives to follow the agenda in order to keep the meeting within a two-hour time frame. v • Discussion ensued and members agreed that there needs to be consistency at each N meeting. N • Ms. Williams suggested including a contact information sheet to include the LAB chair, r Library Director and FOL. c • Ms. Bettinger stated that there may be a need for a translator at future meetings. Ms. Williams added that accommodations are made by the County. • Mr. Martin stated that he will take advantage of the "contact us" section on the Library's website for any other questions/comments. a_ • Ms. Williams gave Mr. Martin her business card for him to directly send any library- v related comments. v, ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. The Library Advisory Board does not meet in July. Ms. Williams will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, (239) 252-7350. Ap Library Advisory Board 7 Packet Pg. 600