Loading...
LAB Minutes 04/17/2024Naples, Florida, April 17 , 2024 LET lT BE KNOWN that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date at 10:30 a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present: Connie Bettinger - District 3 Joy White - District 4 Joan Hochschild - District 1 Marjorie H. Gagnon - District 5 (absent) Carla Grieve - District 2 ALSO PRESENT Catherine Cowser, Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Operations Support Specialist I Matthew Etzel, Assistant Library Director Denise McMahon, Manager, South Regional Library Julie Blatt, Manager, Naples Regional Library Kim Spina, Library Manager, Acquisitions/Technical Services Mackenzie Morgan, Librarian ll, Headquarters Library Jared Del Re, Library Applications Analyst Linda Hood, Library Specialist ll, Marco lsland Branch Library Chloe Snider, Branch Manager, Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library Arnie Rubin, FOL Vice President Melanie Wcker, Collier County Resident 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 Awards and Recognitions 1 ) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for March. Copies of the March Cheers for Peers recipients were provided to LAB members 2) County Service Awards and VIP Certificates. Mrs. Cowser presented County Service Awards to the following library staff:o Linda Hood - 10 years (Marco lsland Branch Library)o Jared Del Re - 10 years (Library Administration). Mrs. Cowser presented VIP certificates to the following library staff:o Mackenzie Morgan (HQ) 1 CHAIR: VICE.CHAIR: SECRETARY: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the meeting minutes of March 20, 2024. Dr. Hochschild moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. \Mite seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the Membership Committee meeting minutes of March 20, 2024. Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes as written. Dr. Hochschild seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. 30.A.c Packet Pg. 570 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - April 17, 2024 (28912 : Library Advisory Board - May 15, 2024) o Headquarters Circulation Department, accepted by Mackenzie Morgan BOARD REPORTS 1) Report of Officerso Ms. Bettinger stated that last month's Golden Gate Civic Association meeting had a presentation by the Director of Code Enforcement, and therefore, her report on the Library was brief. 2) Report of Committees - None 2 PRESENTATIONSl) Report ofthe Friends ofthe Library (FOL). Mr. Rubin reported that FOL membership declined from 2000 to 1600 during Covid; however membership has picked up slightly and is now at 1865.. The FOL's goal for next year is to bring membership back up to pre-Covid numbers.o The last FOL board meeting will be held at 2pm on Friday, April 19th at Naples Regional Library.. Officers will be nominated for next year at this meeting; however, unless new candidates are submitted, the board will continue as it is currently.o Cindy Ruddy, President; Arnie Rubin, Vice President; Janell Lopus, Secretary; and Howard Becker, Treasurer.. The authors for next season's Nick Linn Lecture Series should be announced at the meeting.o Mr. Rubin commented that there have been book club members who have attended this event for 12-15 years.. Mr. Rubin stated that many authors are asking for more specifics and have increased their fees. ln the past, the FOL paid authors between $5k-$'10k per lecture; however, many authors are asking for $20k-$40k. Contracts with authors are pending.. FOL are negotiating with authors for the Non-Fiction Author and Signature Series events soon; venues will be the same for next year.. Once contracts have been confirmed the FOL website will be updated.o Mr. Rubin added that an FOL board member, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been sponsoring the Signature Series event.o The FOL board is also reviewing the author events to determine if ticket prices should be raised, or if they should continue with the current rates and make less money.o The annual Local Author Book Fair is being re-evaluated by the board. Originally there were five members on the committee; however, it is now down to two people. Fewer people have been attending this event, and consideration is being made to determine if the event should be held at a different time of the year, or at a different location.o Mr. Rubin was excited to share that the FOL board decided to double their contribution for Library branch enhancements at each location. He said that the board has been happy to fulfill staff requests.. Ms. Tibbetts shared the poster she created for the FOL to display during programming at the Library, which includes the FOL's QR Code. Hopefully this will help to promote the FOL and new membership.o Ms. Bettinger suggested for this information to be shared on social media as well.o Ms. Tibbetts will send the file to the Marketing Team to process. 30.A.c Packet Pg. 571 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - April 17, 2024 (28912 : Library Advisory Board - May 15, 2024) 2) Report ofthe Library Directora. General Operationsi. Facilities & Capital Projects. Mrs. Cowser reported that the potholes at the lmmokalee Branch Library parking lot were patched on Monday, April 12th.. She added that once the CAT bus project is complete, the parking lot project should move forward.. Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library experienced recent water leaks.. As a result, each location was tasked with providing the location of their water shut-off valve.. The parkrng lot at the East Naples Branch Library is also on the list of pro.iects to complete.ii. Programming - Eclipse. Mrs. Cowser reported that over 500 people attended the recent solar eclipse program held at the Headquarters Library, where 500 glasses were given out to patrons to view the eclipse.. Moon pies, Milky Way candy bars and eclipse-related crafts were also offered to participating children.. Mrs. Cowser stated that there were many toddlers in attendance, as the event occurred during school hours.. Other locations also had eclipse programs; 80 people attended the event at the Golden Gate Branch Library. The Marco lsland FOL were among those attending the event at the Marco lsland Branch Library.o Mrs. Cowser shared a handout of a recent pop-up petting zoo recently held at the Estates Branch Library, which was featured in the County's "Collier@Work" newsletter.. She also shared information that is scheduled to appear in the next County newsletter featuring the Library's Star Wars Day with County-wide LEGO events to be held on May 4. May the 4th be with you!. Puzzles and games will also be available during these events.. Ms. Bettinger asked about planned outreach events.. Due to staffing shortages, we are limited in planned participation with other County departments, divisions, or organizations at this time.o One of the largest outreach events will continue, the Library will continue its annual free admission with a library card to the Naples Botanical Gardens during June '10-'16. o Mrs. Cowser reiterated what Mr. Rubin stated earlier that it is important to meet community members where they are by attending outreach events.. Library staff continue to work with local book clubs, literacy events and Grace Place.o Mrs. Cowser added that the Mail-a-Book program helps to reach patrons who are unable to come into the library. iii. Genealogy 40 years and 30 years in the Library. Mr. Etzel reported that the Genealogical Society of Collier County celebrated its 4o-year anniversary.. He added that they also celebrated their 3O-year anniversary of their partnership with the Collier County Public Library. 3 30.A.c Packet Pg. 572 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - April 17, 2024 (28912 : Library Advisory Board - May 15, 2024) 4 . The Genealogy Department is currently housed in the Naples Regional Library, although for a short time it was housed in the Reference Department at the Headquarters location.. Mr. Etzel stated that Marie Overman has been the President of the Genealogical Society of Collier County for ten years. iv. Staffingo Mrs. Cowser elitended kudos to Ms. Tibbetts for her hard work and efforts to process the papeMork for the recent vacant Library positions. . Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library is working hard to fill the vacant internal promotional positions first, and will offer external positions in phases.. lrene Johnson was recently promoted to a youth-services Librarian I position at Headquarters. This position does not require an MLIS degree.. Mrs. Cowser read an email she sent to Library staff:o Library Team, please welcome me in congratulating lrene Johnson. She is our newest Youth Servrces Librarian here at Headquarters Branch Library. lrene has been selected and promoted from Program Manager of Outreach Sevices to Librarian l. lrene continues to deliver story times and presentations with enthusiasm and energy. She ls skr//ed rn capturing the involvement of audiences of all ages. lrene has a/so been fully committed to the vision to serye others no matter where she has served in the library. She has always conveyed a willing ness to help and has always set ambitious goals for herself. lrene will continue to improve servrces and accomplish organizational improvements. Thank you for all you do every day! . Matt Etzel was promoted to the Library Division Assistant Director posilion. o Mr. Etzel reported that this was a career change for him, as he began working in the private sector with airlines and pricing and revenue with an analytical background. . He began with the Library at the East Naples Branch and worked at Naples Regional before coming to the Headquarters Library. . He is excited for the opportunities of this new position. b. Library Budgeting FY25 - ResourceX and Priority Based Budgeting. Mrs. Cowser reported that she and Mr. Etzel have been working on the Library's budget for FY25.. The County has hired a consulting firm, Resourcex, to help implement priority-based budgeting.. She shared a copy of the Library's 2024 Strategic Plan, which is also available on the County's website.o Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library's budget in ResourceX is based on nine different programs, which will provide better transparency.o Budgets will be reviewed at the end of April, and she hopes to share the 2025 budget information at the May LAB meeting.. Mrs. Grieve asked about the Library's budget for eBooks and audio books.. Mrs. Cowser stated that Kim Spina is the Library's Acquisition Specialist and has been adjusting purchases based on public requests and demands. 30.A.c Packet Pg. 573 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - April 17, 2024 (28912 : Library Advisory Board - May 15, 2024) Mrs. Cowser added that FY25 Budget Planning has an increase of $100k towards the purchase of eBooks, out of total capital funds. Mrs. Spina recently spoke with one of the book vendors, who travels all over the state of Florida and indicated that Collier County is unique as it exceeds other areas in Florida for e-Resources. The sharp rise in eBook requests led to an increase in funds towards Hoopla, which allows a simultaneous use of eBooks, with no holds. Ms. White added that her daughters' school promotes access to Sora, a reading app offered by OverDrive, using their library card. Mrs. Cowser stated that the Library is trying to stay on top of these trends; however, she needs to provide proof of the trends to the BCC in order to receive additional funding. Many vendors provide information, and many trends can be proven based on circulation statistics and hold requests. Mrs. Cowser stated that different vendors offer different products and services. The Library has inquired if the FOL could subscribe for Newspaper and/or subscription products. Mrs. Spina reported that Cloud Newstand offers 1000s of magazines and the Collier County Public Library is a part of the consortia of Cloud Library in Florida. This group of more than 40 library systems state-wide share their e-books and e-audiobooks and is the largest consortium in the United States. PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION - 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 1 'l:15 a.m. Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34 1 09. 239.252.7 31 1. a App roved b v y White, Vice-Chair Library Advisory Board PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS - None 30.A.c Packet Pg. 574 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - April 17, 2024 (28912 : Library Advisory Board - May 15, 2024)