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LAB Minutes 03/16/2022Naples, Florida, March 16,2022 LET lT 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: Connie Bettinger - District 3 Joan Hochschild - District 1 Joy White - District 4 Marjorie H. Gagnon - District 5 (via phone) Carla Grieve - District 2 ALSO PRESENT:Catherine Cowser, lnterim Library Director Rosemary LaBarge, lnterim Assistant Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Library Administrative Assistant Chloe Snider, Senior Librarian Susan Maunz, Estates Library Branch Manager Julie Blatt, East Naples Library Branch Manager Connie Kindsvater, Past-President, Friends of the Library CALL TO ORDER 1) Grant LAB Member remote attendance (Motion & Approval). Quorum was metforthis meeting, and was directed by Ms. Bettinger. Dr. Hochschild moved to approve Maggie Gagnon to remotely attend the LAB meeting. Mrs. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES l\rs. Bettinger asked for approval of the meeting minutes of February 16,2022. l\,Irs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes as written. Dr. Hochschild seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. AWARDS & RECOGNITION 1) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for February. Mrs. Cowser shared the Cheers for Peers recipients ior February.. She also shared the County VIP awards nominated by David Chalick to Alaina Jackson and Elizabeth Flores of the Golden Gate Branch Library recognizing their first Cricut workshop. 2) County Service Awards. Five (5) Library staff received County service awards this month, recognizng one year of service:o Dean Smith (HQ), Caitlin Bingham (NR), Kenneth Stephens (GG), Joan Guthier (NR) and Fred Adams ([ill). The County gives a thank you note and key chain to all staff completing one year of service. BOARD REPORTS 1) Report of Officcrs - None. Ms. Bettinger reported that she received kudos from the members of the Golden Gate Civic Association for her library reports.. As she discussed the Headquarters Library 20th Anniversary, she was asked to look into writing a book on the history ofthe Collier County Public Library. 1 CHAIR: VICE-CHAIR: SECRETARY: l\rs. Bettinger will contact resources from Golden Gate, the Historical Society, Naples Woman's Club, Genealogy staff, the Collier County l\4useum, and Collier Foundations for any information they may have. She is also considering writing a "love letters to the library" book including testimonials from others who have been inspired by libraries. Dr. Hochschild added that she enjoyed the Headquarters Library 20rh Anniversary festivities. She congratulated staff on a job well done. 2) Report of Committees - None PRESENTATIONS 1) Report of the Friends of the Library (FOL) . lvlrs. Kindsvater reported that she too was excited to share in the Headquarters Library 20!h Anniversary festivities and hold the golden shovel used to break ground. She was amazed at all the history found and displayed.. The FOL held their [Iember Appreciation event last Friday at the South Regional Library.. 124 people attended the event, including key note speaker, Les Standiford, author of the book "The Battle for the Big Top: P.T. Barnum, James Bailey, John Ringling, and the Death-Defying Saga of the American Circus".. Next year, the FOL hopes to provide an event that all members can participate in.. The FOL Signature Series has ended for the season. This event and the Member Appreciation event are coordinated by Patti Decroot, FOL Advisor.. The last Nick Linn Lecture Series for the season will be held on l\rarch 2'1, featuring author Scott Turow. Trish Benisch organizes these events.. These lecture events include a luncheon, and are held at the Ritz Carlton Tiburon under a large outdoor tent featuring chandeliers.. The last Nonfiction Author Series for the season will be held on l\,rarch 28, featuring author Jonathan Kaufman- Lew Paper organizes these events.. The second and final Beach Series event for the season will be held on April '1, featuring author Kristy Woodson Harvey. She will be announcing her new book "The Wedding Vail".. '125 tickets have been sold so far. Tickets are available to FOL members for $55.. The FOL offices at the Naples Regional Library are being refurbished. The carpet has been removed and new flooring has been installed. The walls and ceiling have also been painted.. These offices have been closed for 2 years, and staff are expected to return sometime next week.. l\4rs. Kindsvater reported that FOL membership continues to decline. l\,rrs. Cowser stated that she recently spoke with an FOL member from another state who commented that this is a nationwide issue-. Mrs. Kindsvater welcomes any suggestions to increase membership. They are also looking for new FOL Board members.. The Library has expanded its Outreach programs to reach residents that may not be Library card holders. 2) Report of the Library Director a. Capital Projects Update. The lmmokalee parking lot project has been delayed while the contractor conducts a soils test. 2 . The Genealogy Room re-opening went very well with 70 people in attendance.o Lunch was provided by Panera Bread and funded by the Friends ofthe Library.o The Genealogy Room is currently on the list to be repainted.. Four (4) computers are now available for research on Heritage Quest, Ancestry in-house and the Library's collection of microfilm.. Genealogy volunteers and Library staff collaborate to provide assistance with requests by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday-Thursday between 1 :00-3:00pm for one-on-one help with research.. Library staff assisting with these appointments are rotated from various library locations.. Mrs. LaBarge stated that Genealogy research is currently the second largest growing hobby. b. Staffing Update . Applicants have been referred and selected for the two full-time Library Assistant positions at Estates and East Naples Branch libraries. They are currently being reviewed by HR for approval.. The vacant Courier position hasjust gone through the interview process, and a second round of interviews is scheduled.o The two Librarian positions at Naples Regional were posted and candidates are now being scheduled for interviews.. Mrs. LaBarge added that most ofthe applicants are from oulof-state, and one declined when he learned of the salary.. The posting for the Youth Services Librarian position at HQ will close tomorrow, and interviews will be scheduled once the applications have been reviewed.. The Library posted two "floating" parttime Library Assistant positions, and applicants have been interviewed. These positions will be placed where they are needed, and will not be permanently assigned to one library location.. The Library continues to receive assistance from student and adult volunteers. c. General Operations Updateo Mrs. Cowser stated that as a result of Ms. Williams' reassignment as the interim PSD Head, other Library staff have been reassigned in the interim as well. o Susan Maunz (Estates Library Branch Manager), has been reassigned to Naples Regional's Senior Supervisor position, as Robert Wilson is out on extended leave. o Julie Blatt (East Naples Library Branch Manager), has been reassigned to Estates' Branch Manager, as Susan has been reassigned to Naples Regional. o Lisa Nuccio (Headquarters Librarian), has been reassigned to East Naples Library Branch Manager, as Julie has been reassigned to Estates.. The Library is working on its FY23 Budget, rewriting its Emergency Plan (COOP) and Strategic Plan (2023-2027).o The Strategic Plan team will have focus groups and conduct three surveys (employees, customer satisfaction, and non-library-users)o l/lrs. LaBarge stated that over 300 patron surveys have been submitted and many indicated how thanKul they are that the Library has been available during the COVID pandemic. Many patrons also would like the hours of operation to be expanded, including Sunday hours at Headquarters Library.. The Library currently does not have adequate staffing levels to support expanded hours at this time. J . Mrs. Cowser commented that the Library is still experiencing staffing shortages each week due to staff sickness.. The Marketing Team has partnered with other organizations for outreach opportunities and will help with the non-library-user survey.d. Grants Update. Mrs. Cowser stated that the State Treasury Department has made changes to the parameters for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grants.. The Grant Coordinators were informed that the Library cannot use the money as originally planned; the Grant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will have to be revised and updated.. The original amount was $7 million; however, the revised grant award will amount to $2 million.. This funding will support materials, homework assistance, computers, and staffing for residents in areas of the Golden Gate and lmmokalee communities.. The Library team will be reviewing the new parameters and updates will be provided at the next meeting. o Chloe Snider shared samples of some reef displays created for this year's Summer Reading Program theme "Oceans of Possibilities". Twelve displays were created to provide consistency at all Library locations for the promotion of the Summer Reading Program.o The FOL provides funds for prizes for participating adults and children, and also provided funds for promotional signs and banners.o Ms. Snider also shared a PowerPoint presentation of the Outreach events that the Library has participated in.o The recent "Start Your Engines" event was attended by 866 people, with 22 partner organizations in the community that provided vehicles, crafts and more.o Mrs. Grieve added that she enjoyed seeing all the young people at this event and was impressed with the talents of the face-painter and balloon animals' creator.o Discussion ensued regarding a County "welcome wagon" for the Library and FOL to provide materials to new residents. PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None UNFINISHED BUSINESSo Ms. Bettinger asked if the Library's Behavior Policy that LAB members were previously asked to review will be on next month's agenda.. Mrs. Cowser spoke with Tanya Williams about this, and the County is working to establish a policy that will apply agency-wide to include all Public Services Department Divisions, including the Library, Parks, Museums, etc. NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Library Advisory Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. 4 Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at the Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Avenue, Naples, FL 34'102. Approved by: ie Bettinger, Library Advisory Board 5