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LAB Minutes 08/21/2024Naples, Florida, August 21 , 2024 LET lT BE KNO\i\N that the LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD met on this date at 10:30 a.m. in the Headquarters Library with the following members present: CHAIR: VICE-CHAIR: SECRETARY: Connie Bettinger - District 3 Joy White - District 4 Joan Hochschild - District 1 (absent) Marjorie H. Gagnon - District 5 Carla Grieve - District 2 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 David Chalick, Branch Manager, Golden Gate Branch Library Kim Spina, Manager, Acquisitions Kristen Lieberth, Supervisor-Operations, Headquarters Library Mona Vega, Library Specialist l, Golden Gate Branch Library Cai Darling, Library Specialist l, Naples Regional Library Chloe Snider, Manager, Headquarters Library Janet Pereira, Library Program Coordinator, Tech Services Andrew Meyer, Program Coordinator, Tech Services Mackenzie Morgan, Librarian ll, Headquarters Library Bryan Watt, Librarian ll, South Regional Library John Alexander, Library Specialist l, Marco lsland Branch Library (Zoom) Beth Waniewski, 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 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the meeting minutes of June 19, 2024. Mrs, Grieve moved to approve the minutes with minor conections. Mrs. Gagnon seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Ms. Bettinger asked for approval of the membership committee meeting minutes of July 17, 2024. Ms. Vvhite 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. Copies of the June & July Cheers for Peers recipients were provided to LAB members. 2) County Service Awards and VIP Certificates 1 ALSO PRESENT: 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1055 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) Mrs. Cowser presented the following staff with VIP awardso Bryan Watt (SR) - Juneo Caien Darling (NR) - Juneo Denise McMahon (SR) - Juneo Mona Vega (GG) - Juneo Kristen Lieberth (HQ) - July BOARD REPORTS I ) Report of Officers. Ms. Bettinger reported that she spoke with Marie Overman, President of the Genealogical Society of Collier County, at the June 19 LAB meeting about adding issues of the Golden Gate Gazette and Golden Gate Eagle to the resources available in the Genealogy Room.o She stated that she spoke with Kaydee and Russell Tuff, who were the owners of Tuff Publications, which published these newspapers that provided local news and events in the Golden Gate Community.. The Tuffs indicated that they had bound volumes of past issues that they would like to donate.. The Library has since accepted their donation and is in the process of cataloging them into the collection. 2) Report of Committees - None PRESENTATIONS I ) Report of the Friends of the Library (FOL). Mrs. Cowser presented the FOL report submitted by Mrs. Ruddy.. The FOL's Annual meeting will be held on October 18 in the Rees Room at the Naples Regional Library at 2pm.o Mrs. Cowser reminded LAB members that they have a vote at this meeting.o ln the report submitted, Mrs. Ruddy stated that she met with new board member Bridget Paterno, who is interested in starting a newsletter to be shared with all members and supporters of the Friends. She will also be the new liaison for the Everglades City Branch Library, replacing long time board member, Dan Kozlowski.o The Nick Linn Lecture Series o 1113125 - Kate Quinni historical fiction/ The Diamond Eye/The Briar Club o 2117125 Presidents Day - William Kent Krueger/mystery/ The River We Remember/Spirit Crossing o 3110125 - Jamie Ford/historical fictioni Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and SweeVThe Many Daughters of Afong Moy o 3124125 - Lisa Gardnerimystery/ Still See You Everywhere/The Other Daughter . The Nonfiction Series Has not yet been finalized or released. lt will be at the Hilton Naples again. The dates are: o 1l2Ql25 Michael Finkel The Aft Thief o 213125 Elizabeth B White Ihe Counteieit Counless o 2124125 Erik Larson The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heaftbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War 2 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1056 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) o 3117125 Adam Lazarus The Wingmen . Although prices were raised to us slightly at both venues, we are holding the prices to the same level as last year. . The Author Spotlight Series Both events will be at the Norris Center at 2:00pm. o 1117124 Chanel Cleeton Next Year ln Havana o 413124 -TBD . Both events will be at the Norris Center at 2:00pm. . Local Author Book Fair o Mrs. Cowser reported that she and Mrs. McMahon will talk with the FOL about the Local Author Book Fair. o She added that Patti DeGroot, Friends advisor, passed away last Wednesday. She has a card available for LAB members to sign. 2) Report of the Library Director. General Operationsi. Senior Center, COLE and IMM Grant Award. Mrs. Cowser reported that the COLE ARP Grant will finish in December 2024.. The grant will revert back to Amendment 3 and have revised spending for a final time Component 1 $132,000 and Component 2 $332,000. The new award amount will be M64,000.. At the end of the grant, printers, books and computers will be stored at the Naples Regional Library until the Federal Government directs use of those resources.. The Homework Help Centers will end on November 20 at the Golden Gate Branch Library and on November 21 at the lmmokalee Branch Library.. The grant award for the CDBG Mitigation and CDBG-CV/HUD for the lmmokalee Branch Library is being reviewed.o This funding in the amount of $767k,000 will be used for a new roof and to harden the building. lf money is available, the doors and 25 windows will be replaced with hurricane impact resistant windows.r This project is out for bid and would need to be completed by 2026.. Mrs. Cowser reported that the Golden Gate Senior Center is almost at the end of review of the designs for hardening.. Once the drawings are finalized by Facilities, the work will go out for bids.ii. Programming. Mrs. Cowser reported that at the BCC meeting in April, the County asked what programming is being provided to sensory sensitive residents.. Mrs. McMahon reported that Early Steps Programs have been initiated at the South Regional Library.. Early Steps offers therapeutic playgroups open to all children under 5 years of age.. An Early Steps provider facilitates a themed activity targeting skills in the areas of language, cognition, gross & fine motor, and sensory.. Mrs. McMahon added that Library staff are encouraged to observe the techniques that Early Steps utilize to present their story time/playgroup 3 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1057 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) 4 activities which generally begin with presenting a book and follow up with an activity correlating with the story.. The Early Step programs are held from 1 0-1 1am and scheduled for Sept. 9, Sept.23, Oct. 7, Oct.2'1, Dec.2, and Dec. 16.. Ms. Morgan introduced herself as a public services librarian at the Headquarters Library.o She shared a slide presentation hightighting the 2024 Summer Reading Program results in comparison to 2023.o The 2024 theme was "Adventure Begins at Your Library" and the Library created various displays with this theme.o The number of programs in 2024:o Children: 190 o Young Adult: 14 o Adult: 55 o All Ages: 69 o Total programs:2024 = 328: 2023 = 259 (26.6a/o increase). Attendance of programs in 2024:o Children: 17,305 o Young Adult: 336 o Adult: 1,490 o All Ages: 6,474 o Total Attendance: 2024=25,607;2023= 13,522 (61% increase). Kids and Teens earned weekly prizes in two age groups: Ages 0 - Entering 5h Grade and Grades 6-12o Partidpating adults could win either family passes to the Naples Zoo or individual passes to the Naples Botanical Garden.. The Library partnered with local camps to bring books to students in order for them to participate in the Summer Reading Program. . Statistics for the summer camps: o 1 1 camps; 1 98 participants; 4,915 books read o Total Books Read in 2024 compared lo 2023:o Adults = 1,853 (2024):3,150 (2023) o Young Adults = 2 ja8 Q024);1,999 (2023) o Children = 26,958 (2024;27,23O (2023) o Total Books Read = 30,959 (2024);32,379 (2023) . Total Participation in 2024 compared to 2023:o Adults = 358 (2024); 561 (2023) o Young Adults = 392(2024);392(2023) o Children = 1 ,868 (202a); 1,852 (2023) . Total Books Read = 2,618 (2024:2,805 (2023) o The branch that made the largest gain in participants between 2023 and 2024 was the lmmokalee Branch Library, with an increase of 176 patrons. o EB: 475 (2023)376(2024) o VB: 100 (2023);155(2024) o EN: 56 (2023):52(2024) o lM: 166 (2023) 3a2 (2024) 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1058 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) o HQ: 1,030 (2023):890 (2024) o GG: 446 (2023);289 (2O2a\ o Ml: 204 (2023); 115 (2024) o NR: 78 (2023);171 (202a) o SR: 184 (2023),177 (2024) o Ms. Morgan wanted to give a big thank you to the Friends of the Library who helped to make the Summer Reading Program a success by providing funding for prizes and programs. iii. Staffing. Mrs. Cowser stated that several library employees were selected for promotional positions, and some new employees have been hired.. Mr. Etzel stated that the Library is reviewing current staff regarding the best allocation to provide services to the public. . He added that a big focus has been on youth services, and there has been a robust growth in participation in children's programming, especially at the Headquarters Library.. All branches have provided a list of priorities and staff are being moved to satisfy these needs.. Mrs. Cowser added that the Library is driven by its strategic plan, which needs to be finalized before applying for State Aid.. Ms. Bettinger asked if the County has adjusted their plans based on stafiing levels in the event of an emergency.o Mrs. Cowser replied that the Library provides a list to the County for staff assignments for emergency childcare, phone bank assistance, and shelter stafiing. A list of staff disaster exemption requests is also submitted. iv. SOE and Voting Scheduled at Librarieso Mrs. Cowser stated that early voting was held at the Headquarters, South Regional and Marco lsland Branch libraries.. Headquarters and South Regional libraries are also voting precincts. o There was lots of traffic at Headquarters Library with only two incidents that were handled by Elections staff. 3) Reconsideration Request Received - Kim Spina, Administrationo Mrs. Spina distributed to LAB members information pertaining to the recent reconsideration request received by the Library on the book "My Wetd School Goes to the Museum" by Dan Gutman (Grades 1-2, ages 6-7).. Mrs. Spina reported that a patron and child came into Headquarters Library on 7120124 wilh a parent complaint to Children's Library staff regarding the book's content about a school visit to a museum with a reference to a statue's naked backside and a character's childish crush on another student.. The patron felt these elements were inappropriate for the age.. Mrs. Spina provided a copy of the image in the book.o Mrs. Spina provided positive reviews from School Library Journal and Horn Book Guide and noted that the book series "My Weird School" is a best-selling comedic series for children and author Dan Gutman visits schools and offers educators resources; his list of awards was provided. q 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1059 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) Mrs. Cowser wanted to mention an item not on the agenda regarding the recent redesign of the County's logo. She added that the County also redesigned the Library's logo to remove the "bird" and replace it with the County's "circular image" that rncludes a palm tree, sun and waves She also wanted to remind the LAB that the 300-page report of ResourceX should be available on the County's website. Two budget hearings are scheduled for September 5th and September ''lgth. Mrs. Cowser also stated that the two Library items submitted to the BCC for approval were pulled from the recent meeting agenda by Commissioner McDaniel. He was questioning the exemptions for a subscription to the Hoopla streaming service from Midwest Tape and a subscription to Cloudlibrary, which is an interlibrary loan service from OCLC. The Library revised the requests to provide additional information and will try to get these items on an upcoming BCC meeting agenda for approval. PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None UNFINISHED BUSINESSl) Review revised draft of LAB member handbook. Ms. Tibbetts provided LAB members with a draft of potential questions to review when they interview and select new board members.. LAB members were concerned about the timeline of the County Attorney's Office publicizing the upcoming LAB vacancies.. They want to ensure that the postrng period provides enough time for candidates to apply, and for LAB members to review the applications, interview the candidates, and make selections in order for the new members to be appointed at the December BCC meeting.. Ms. Tibbetts will contact the County Attorney's Office to express their concerns and follow up with a response. NEW BUSINESS o She noted Florida Statute 847 .011 , which deals with obscenity laws dealing with minors. Copies of an additional law, HB 1069 which relates to books in schools, was also provided.. Mrs. Spina provided definitions from this statute of nudity and obscene as it pertains to materials, noting such references must be "obscene" and obviously sexual in nature.o ln regards to nudity, many children's books have examples, such as instructionally as in potty training, getting dressed, taking bath, etc.. The recommendation would be to retain this book in the public library system, as such depictions can be found in multiple works for children, and such themes are not sexual in nature.o Ms. \y'Vhite made a motion to approve the Collier County Public Library's recommendation to retain the book enlitled "My Weird School Goes to the Museum" by Dan Gutman in its collection. Mrs. Gagnon seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. b 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1060 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024) I ) Reschedule September { 8 LAB meetingo Ms. Bettinger stated that she would have a conflict with attending the September 18 LAB meeting scheduled to be held at the Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library, as it is an early release day from school.. After discussion, LAB members agreed to reschedule the meeting to September 25 and have it held at the Headquarters Library.. Ms. White made a motion to approve the rescheduling of the Library Advisory Board's September meeting to September 25 and to hold the meeting at the Headquarter Library. Mrs. Grieve seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.o Mrs. Grieve suggested that LAB members could visit the Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library after one of the upcoming LAB meetings. 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 adlourned at 1 1:30 am. Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, al lhe Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109. 239.252.7311. App Connie Bettinger, Chair Library Advisory Board by 7 lt- 30.A.c Packet Pg. 1061 Attachment: LAB Meeting Minutes (signed) - August 21, 2024 (29956 : Library Advisory Board - September 25, 2024)