LAB Minutes 08/16/202330.A.3
Naples, Florida, August 16, 2023
LET IT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date at 10:00 a.m. in the
Immokalee Branch Library with the following members present:
CHAIR: Connie Bettinger — District 3
VICE -CHAIR: Joan Hochschild — District 1 (Absent)
SECRETARY: Joy White — District 4
Marjorie H. Gagnon — District 5
Carla Grieve — District 2
ALSO PRESENT: Catherine Cowser, Library Director
Rosemary LaBarge, Library Assistant Director
Karen Tibbetts, Library Operations Support Specialist
Julie Blatt, Branch Manager. East Naples Branch Library
Denise McMahon, Library Manager. South Regional Library
Silvia Puente, Branch Manager, Immokalee Branch Library
Matthew Etzel, Library Program Coordinator
Connie Kindsvater, FOL Past -President, Membership Chair
Arnie Rubin, FOL Board Member, Membership
Emily Estes, County Resident
Silvia Puente, Branch Manager of the Immokalee Branch Library, provided a tour to
representatives of the Library Advisory Board, Friends of the Library, and Collier County Public
Library between 10:00am-10:30am.
She shared all the changes they've made in rearranging the rooms to provide best services to
its patrons. She listed the numerous partnerships that the Immokalee Branch Library has with
other organizations in the community. Many commented that this location truly is the epitome of
a community gathering place serving many purposes, including homework assistance, social
security services, space for political members to meet with the public. etc.
In addition, Ms. Puente proudly announced that the Immokalee Branch Library, under her
management, has been nominated by Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart for the 2024 National
Medal for Museum and Library Services. She has been working with Rose LaBarge to complete
the application.
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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the meeting minutes of June 21, 2023. Ms. White moved to
approve the minutes as written. Mrs. Grieve seconded and the motion was carried unanimously
Awards and Recognitions
1) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for June and July
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• Copies of the June and July Cheers for Peers recipients were provided to LAB
members.
2) County Service Awards and VIP Certificates
• Mrs. Cowser stated that Jeff Sykes, Courier, received two VIP awards for helping a
patron who accidentally locked her dog in her car. The patron was extremely grateful
for his calm demeanor in resolving the issue.
BOARD REPORTS
1) Report of Officers
• Ms. Bettinger stated that she continues to promote the Library, and will update the
members of the Golden Gate Civic Association of Library happenings at their next
meeting.
• Ms. White reported that her daughters thoroughly enjoyed participating in the
Summer Reading Program.
• She added that she was excited to see library staff informing patrons with children of
youth programs that were about to begin, and encouraging them to attend.
2) Report of Committees - None
PRESENTATIONS
1) Report of the Friends of the Library (FOL)
• Mrs. Kindsvater expressed her excitement to have the LAB meeting held at the
Immokalee Branch Library. She was thrilled to hear about all the partnerships that
this location has with organizations in the community, and the services that they
provide to the residents.
• For her FOL report, Ms. Kindsvater stated that during the summer the Friends of the
Library have been focusing on organizing their events and activities for the season
(October -May).
• She reported that Janet Del Prete was hired as part of the FOL staff, and has been
a wonderful addition to assist Marlene Haywood, FOL Office Manager and Cynde
Decker, FOL Treasurer.
• Mrs. Kindsvater stated that the author series events are the primary source of
revenue for the FOL and that Marlene continues to work on fulfilling the needs of
the Nick Linn Lecture Series and the Nonfiction Series.
• She added that the Nonfiction Series events will be held at the Hilton, as the
Kensington Country Club is currently remodeiing their clubhouse.
• The Author Spotlight events will be held at the Norris Center, as the Sugden
Theater is closed while they add a balcony to seat more patrons.
• The first Author Spotlight event will be held on Thursday, October 26 featuring
historical fiction author Shelley Read. "Go as a River". Tickets are $48 for FOL
members, $58 for non-members.
• Mrs. Kindsvater added that there is less space at the Norris Center, and is
encouraging ticket buyers to purchase sooner than later.
• Ticket sales for all three author series events are moving along.
• Mrs. Kindsvater and Arnie Rubin, Membership Co -Chairs, are finalizing the updated
FOL bi-fold brochure
• Mrs. Kindsvater was pleased to report that the Branch Enhancement requests are
being processed and shipped this week!
2) Reconsideration Request received — Matthew Etzel-Administration
• Mr. Etzel provided LAB members copies of a recent reconsideration request
pertaining to the book "Kiss the Sky" by twin co-authors Krista and Becca Ritchie.
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• The patron did not request for the book to be removed from the collection,
however, they wanted the Library to be aware of the language and sexual content
of the book.
• The Library will contact the patron to inform them that their request has been
reviewed and brought to the attention of the LAB. c
• Mr. Etzel reported that this book was originally self -published in 2014, and was N
picked up by Penguin Publishing and released in May. N
• He added that it has become popular on Booktalk among 20+ year -olds. Booktalk
is similar to Tik Tok, and is an online booklovers' community composed of many of E
today's bestselling authors and featuring new and upcoming book releases, author a
interviews, etc. a)
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• The Collier County Public Library currently has two copies of this book in its
collection. 'a
• Discussion ensued regarding the book and Library patrons' rights to free choice.
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3) Report of the Library Director
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a. Staffing Update
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• Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library received five resignations from staff during
July and August. Kara Godwin, Supervisor Operations I at HQ resigned
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effective July 1; Patricia Cleary. FT Library Specialist I at MI resigned effective
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July 16, Christian Soriano -Reyes, PT Library Specialist I at IM resigned
effective August 11 in order to return to school; Shaelyn Frost, PT Library
Specialist I at NR's last day will be August 25, as she is also returning to
school. Bill Wilkins, Program Coordinator/Operations will be retiring effective
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September 5.
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• The Library hired two new full-time Library Specialist I staff at SR and MI; and
five new part-time Library Specialist I staff at EB, NR, VB and HQ.
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• The County has put a hold on posting any new positions until the County
budget workshops are completed.
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• The budget workshops will be televised and held on September 7 and
September 21 beginning at 5p.m.
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• These meetings can be viewed through the County's website,
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www.colliercountyfl.gov. "Collier TV Live" can be accessed by scrolling down to
the bottom of this site. In addition, previous meetings can be accessed by
selecting ''Meeting Video Archives" at the bottom of the site.
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• Mrs. Cowser reported that the Public Services Department presented unfunded
requests to the Board of County Commissioners at their August 8 meeting.
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However, the Commissioners stopped further discussion of this item after the
presentation of requests from Parks and Recreation, and therefore did not hear
the requests from the Library.
• The Library was requesting $145k for ebooks subscriptions and $190k to
restore funding for keystaff personnel. The money for contract labor had been
reallocated to pay for increased utilities.
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• She added that there will be a 7-10% increase in the County's water bills.
which was not included in the budget.
• Mrs. Cowser encouraged LAB members to view the recording of the meeting
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for details.
• Ms. Tibbetts will send LAB members the link to the BCC's August 8 meeting.
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• Mrs. Cowser reported that the Library has a $9.8 million budget. 70% is for
personnel costs; 21 % is for operating costs: and 9% is for capital costs.
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• There has been no talk regarding a COLA for staff, although an up to 1.5%
merit pay has been discussed.
• The FOL donated funding for carpeting at Naples Regional, however they did
not contribute to the funding of ebooks this year.
• The Library is preparing an Executive Summary to present to the BCC
requesting approval to apply for State Aid to Libraries. This year's federal grant
has decreased to $143k.
b. General Operations
i. Outreach
• Mrs. Cowser reported that the two primary staff members assigned to
outreach events have been reassigned. Chloe Snider has taken the
Branch Manager position at the Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library, and
Irene Johnson has taken over story times at Headquarters.
ii. Programming
• Mrs. Cowser reported that Angela Machalek continues to provide
wonderful youth programs at the regional library locations.
• She added that youth programming and events are one of the Library's
top priorities.
• The Library has implemented "Child Creative Play and Learning Centers"
which provide engaging puzzles, toys and activities, cozy reading centers
and more, to unleash creativity through building activities that ignite
imagination and foster growth. Our goal is to make education fun.
• Denise McMahon stated that she is excited to see families come during
all hours of the day to engage in these activities with their children.
iii. Summer Reading Program
• Mrs. Cowser stated that the Summer Reading Program statistics this
year are very similar to last years.
• Ms Tibbetts will send LAB members the press release with details.
• Mrs. Cowser reported that the library implemented weekly prize drawings
instead of grand prizes, which was well received by patrons.
General Operations Updates not on the agenda
• Mrs. LaBarge reported that the County's Facilities Dept. has been scheduling interior
and exterior painting at several Library locations. Recent locations include Vanderbilt
Beach.. Golden Gate and East Naples Branch Libraries.
• She added that due to staffing shortages, the Library has been moving staff around to
different locations in order to ensure patrons' needs are met.
• The Library has hired a new full-time security officer who will travel among the different
library locations in a random fashion.
• The Security officer recently met with students at the Naples Regional Library to go over
the Library's expectations while they visit the library after school.
• The Naples Regional Library created a teen room with a quiet area, craft area, and
gaming area for teens to use. Friends of the Library are sponsoring this programming.
• Angela Machalek will continue to offer youth services programming and events at NR on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.
• In addition, she will continue to gather feedback and work on a survey for the teens to
complete regarding youth services programming and events.
• Mrs. Cowser reported that the 2023 AUIR (annual update and inventory report) reflects
that the library currently has no deficiencies in square footage of space
• Mrs. Cowser will provide Library statistics after the FY2024 budget has been finalized.
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PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
• Emily Estes requested to speak about toy check-out through the Library. She is a
member of the Homework Help Center in Immokalee and several local mother's groups.
• She stated that in her interactions with other mothers through Facebook and social
media, there has been discussion of other library systems offering toys such as
collapsible forts, tunnels and small bounce houses for their patrons to borrow.
• She was curious to know if this would be something that the Collier County Public
Library would consider to provide to its patrons.
• Mrs. Cowser thanked Mrs Estes for bringing this to the attention of the Library Advisory
Board and Library.
• She added that the Library has been developing programs to include toys for children to
borrow; however, under the current budget there is limited funding for inventory,
cleaning, replacement, etc. of these items.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None
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!20 a.m.
Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting
scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 20. 2023 at the Headquarters Library, 2385
Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109. 239.252.7311,
Approved by:
Connie Bettinger, Chair
Library Advisory Board
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