Loading...
LAB Minutes 03/15/202328.A.3 Naples. Florida, March 15, 2023 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: Catherine Cowser, Library Director Rosemary LaBarge, Interim Assistant Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Library Operations Support Specialist I Julie Blatt, Branch Manager, East Naples Branch Library Irene Johnson, Library Program Coordinator Connie Kindsvater, FOL Past -President, Membership Chair CALL TO ORDER 1) Grant LAB Member remote attendance (Motion & Approval) • Quorum was met for this meeting, and was directed by Ms. Bettinger. No motion or approval for remote attendance was necessary. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE �- M N APPROVAL OF MINUTES N Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the meeting minutes of February 15. 2023. Dr. Hochschild "' T moved to approve the minutes as written. Mrs. Gagnon seconded and the motion was carried L unanimously. Awards and Recognitions 1) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for January • Copies of the February Cheers for Peers recipients were provided to LAB members 2) County Service Awards and VIP Certificates • Mrs. Cowser stated that no VIP certificates were received this month. Mrs. Cowser introduced Irene Johnson, Library Program Coordinator, who gave a brief presentation on her 20 years of service to Collier County. c Mrs. Johnson reported that she started her career with the United States Air Force working in Computer Engineering. Her passion for public service brought her to the County 20 years ago, working in the IT Department for 15 years. It was during this time that she established the computer technology to the South Regional and Golden Gate Branch Libraries, as well as the County Emergency Operations Center. Mrs. Johnson stated that her desire to provide services in person brought her to Veteran's Services. However, when the Library posted a position needing someone to handle its growing outreach events, she submitted her application and has been providing Library services for the past three years. o Irene enjoys reaching out to the public during its outreach events. and providing the public with updates on Library events through its social media platforms. She added that last year she helped with over 40 outreach events. Packet Pg. 578 28.A.3 In addition. Irene provides back up services for the Library's Mail -a -Book program and circulation department. Recently, Irene has been filling in for the story time programs at the Estates Branch Library while the Library works to fill the vacant Youth Services Librarian position at that location. Mrs. Johnson stated that her work philosophy follows the US Air Force motto N "Integrity first service before self -excellence in all we do" N And yes, when she was assigned to NORAD (North American Aerospace c; Defense Command). one of her assignments was to track Santa. = L Q BOARD REPORTS a 1) Report of Officers —None � • Ms. Bettinger presented Mrs. Cowser with a bouquet of flowers and card on behalf o of the Library Advisory Board in recognition for her permanent assignment as the m Library Division's Director, 2:' 0 • Mrs. Cowser graciously thanked everyone, and added that two additional Division Director's were also appointed permanently. Olema Edwards, Parks & Recreation a and Jeff Weir, Operations & Veteran Services. L • The Library's Assistant Director position has been posted internally. L + Once that position is filled, the Headquarters Manager position will initially be made available to Susan Maunz and Denise McMahon as a lateral transfer opportunity 2) Report of Committees - None M PRESENTATIONS o 1) Report of the Friends of the Library (FOL) `" • Mrs. Kindsvater reported that she and FOL President, Ken Assal, attended the Library's "Start Your Engines" event on Saturday, February 25. • They were so excited to be a part of such great event with over 1.000 attendees. • She asked if anyone could send suggestions of something the FOL could hand out , at future events. -� • The FOL's primary fundraisers, the Nick Linn Author series and Nonfiction series are doing very well. • Mrs. Kindsvater reported that the recent author, Robert Dugoni, shared his childhood memories of libraries. His presentation touched the hearts of many of those present. • Attendees raved about him as they waited in line to purchase his books and get them signed. Nearly all of the books available were sold. • The Branch Enhancement Committee is meeting next week to finalize the requests of the branch managers at each library. The FOL is pleased to be able to provide each library with something that they want and need for their location. • Mrs. Kindsvater added that they've involved their three newest board members on this project to help them build a stronger relationship with the Library. • She added that the FOL is glad to provide funding for the Naples Regional Library's carpeting projects in the Genealogy and Rees rooms. • Mrs. Kindsvater asked if there is anything that the FOL can do on behalf of the Library to help the BCC secure more funding for eBooks to let her know. 2) Report of the Library Director a. Staffing Update Packet Pg. 579 28.A.3 • Mrs. Cowser reported that the candidates selected for the South Regional and Headquarters Library Librarian positions declined the offers due to housing costs. • Mrs. Cowser will be meeting with Tanya Williams and Dan Rodriguez, Deputy County Manager to discuss solutions. • Three part-time Library Specialist I completed their new hire training and are now at their assigned locations (Estates, Vanderbilt and Headquarters). • Two Library Specialist I new hires are completing their training for the part-time and full-time positions to be assigned to the Immokalee Branch Library. i. Staff Training and Staff Day • Mrs. Cowser reported that the Library will be having a training day on Friday, May 12. • She encouraged LAB members and FOL Board members to come during lunchtime. Formal invitations will be sent out. • This event will include guest speakers and team building exercises • Mrs. Cowser wifl provide agendas for this event at the April LAB meeting b. General Operations i. Outreach • The Start Your Engines event held on Saturday, February 25 at the Headquarters Library was a great success • Over 1,000 people attended this family event c. Facilities and Capital Projects i. Building Improvements • Mrs. Cowser reported that the County has been focusing on its strategic plan, which projects County initiatives for the next 1-5 years. • A televised workshop will be held on March 21 • The Library is working on its strategic plan to determine its priorities through public services. • The strategic focus areas under review are; o Responsible Governance ■ Identify emerging leaders for mentoring ■ Use of software and databases for accountability/documentation/transparency • Fiscal and operational process and policy development • Decentralization of fiscal operations/budget management ■ Division and branch budgets o Infrastructure & Asset Management ■ Preventative maintenance and resource management at all facilities and grounds Quality of Place ■ Provide clean, safe and comfortable facilities • The Library will also be requesting several expanded requests for new carpeting and a full-time security guard • Ms. Bettinger asked about the Library's uncollectible fines/fees. • Mrs. Cowser replied that each year the Library process a report of fines/fees that were deemed uncollectible after a five-year period. • As with some other Departments in the County, this debt is presented to the BCC for review to be written off. 3 al M N 0 N L U a Z Packet Pg. 580 28.A.3 • Money collected for library fines/fees is put in the general budget fund, however, this fund also provides the Library with money to purchase books. • Mrs. Cowser stated that the FY2024 budget is still under review and she is unsure if there will be an increase or if it will remain neutral. • The budget should be finaiized in June, and Mrs. Cowser will update the LAB. d. Grants Update i. Update on ARP21-12-COLE Mrs. Cowser stated that she will provide updates on the ARPA grant at the next LAB meeting. She reported that the project is going well, however, the amount of the grant may need to be reduced. as not all of the money al4ocated will be spent. Laptop computers were purchased for this project. and the students are excited to have them available. Mrs. Cowser reported that four Library staff members will remotely attend this year's Florida Library Association conference to be held in Daytona in May. She is unsure at this time of the attendance of the American Library Association conference to be held the end of June in Chicago Mrs Cowser reported that the Library is reviewing its donations policy. The Library has received several donations restricted for use per the donor's request. The Library has also requested funds to be moved from its capital fund in order to purchase additional eBooks. The Library is planning programming for this year's Summer Reading Program. The theme for this year is "All Together Now' and emphasizes kindness, friendship and unity. Mrs. LaBarge reported that the Naples Botanical Gardens will be partnering with the Library again this year to offer Library cardholders free admission to the Gardens for one week during June. Mrs. Cowser added that the Library is grateful for the FOL's support in providing prizes for the adult summer reading program. Participating adults will be eligible to win memberships to the Naples Zoo and Naples Botanical Gardens. Ms. Bettinger asked if the Library will be planning for an Anniversary event, since the 65"' Anniversary events were cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Mrs. Cowser replied that the County is currently planning events for its Centennial. She plans to make a presentation of events at the April LAB meeting. Ms. Bettinger reported that she and a guest will be attending the FOL's Author Spotlight event at the downtown Sudgen Theater on Saturday, April 1 at 10am This event will feature Asha Lemmie, author of "Fifty Words for Rain Mrs. Kindsvater added that tickets are still available for this event. PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION — None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4 M N 0 N C •L a El M N O N L s L a Packet Pg. 581 28.A.3 2023 Library Advisory Board Meeting Dates/Locations — DRAFT (motion) • Ms. Tibbetts contacted managers of • the Immokalee and Golden Gate Branch libraries to confirm their availability to respectively host the June 21 and October 18 LAB meetings at their locations. + Mrs. Grieve made a motion to accept the 2023 Library Advisory Board meeting schedule as presented. Dr. Hochschild seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. 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 10:50 a.m. Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109. 239.252,7311, Appr e by: Connie Bettinger, Chair Library Advisory Board 61 M N O N O r •L a i, M N O N L L V L a a Packet Pg. 582