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LAB Minutes 11/20/2024Naples, Florida, November 20, 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: CHAIR: VICE.CHAIR: SECRETARY Connie Bettinger - District 3 Joy White - District 4 (absent) VACANT - District 1 Marjorie H. Gagnon - District 5 Carla Grieve - District 2 ALSO PRESENT Catherine Cowser, Library Director Karen Tibbetts, Operations Support Specialist I Julie Blatt, Manager, Naples Regional Library Denise McMahon, Manager, South Regional Library Chloe Snider, Manager, Headquarters Library Elaine Sutherland, Library Specialist l, Headquarters Library Cindy Ruddy, FOL President Katherine Albers, LAB member candidate, District 2 Jennifer Ashford, LAB member candidate, District 2 Rebeca Seitz, LAB member candidate, District 1 CALL TO ORDER 1) Grant LAB Member remote attenda nce (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 Octobet 16,2024. Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the minutes as written. Mrs. Gagnon seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Awards and Recognitions 'l ) Library Division Cheers for Peers Recipients for October. Copies of the October Cheers for Peers recipients were provided to LAB members.. Mrs. Grieve asked if an example could be given for this recognition.. Mrs. McMahon stated that recently, one of her staff was out on extended leave, and another staff member volunteered to adjust their schedule to accommodate doing the tasks during their absence.. Mrs. Cowser stated that many staff are recognized for volunteering to assist at Library Outreaches. 2) County Service Awards and VIP Certificates. Mrs. Cowser presented Julie Blatt, Naples Regional Library Manager with a VIP award.. Mrs. Cowser stated that a former Library staff member was recognized on November 12for 20 years of County service. Danielle Sanchez had worked for the Library for 18 of those years at the South Regional and East Naples Branch Libraries. 1 Page 1967 of 2001 BOARD REPORTS 1) Report of Officerso Ms. Bettinger reported that during a recent fire commission meeting that she attended, the vote a board member who remoted into the meeting made on a motion did not count. She was curious if this would be the same for LAB member who may either remote into a meeting by phone or Zoom. Ms. Tibbetts will reach out to the County Attorney's Office for clarification. 2) Report of Gommittees. Ms. Bettinger reported that the Library Advisory Board Membership Committee met on November 1 2 to interview candidates for the upcoming vacancies/term expirations. PRESENTATIONS 1) Report of the Friends of the Library (FOL)o Mrs. Ruddy presented the FOL report.o She reported that the first of the two Spotlight Series events featuring Chanel Cleeton was held at the Norris Center on November 7 and was a complete sell-out.o This is their most profitable series, as no food or parking are included, and the cost of the venue is low.o To date, over 100 ofthe 200 available seats have been sold forthe next and final event featuring Stephanie Dray on April 3.o The Patti DeGroot Signature Series is off and running with the first event yesterday. Nancy Maxwell presented Kaiser Wilhelm // at the Naples Regional Library.. Both sessions were sold out with close to 100 seats reserved.. The FOL's second board meeting was held on Monday, November 18, and some revelations were experienced during the meeting.o To date, there are over 100 people on the waiting list for the nonfiction series. This event is already at the Hilton's seating capacity of 300.o The pavilion (tent) used at the Ritz-Carlton for the Nick Linn Lecture Series is larger than last year and will allow for another row of tables or more room for displays.. An ad hoc committee, chaired by Patty Reed, has been created to review how the FOL can satisfy the desire for their product with their members and the public.. The next Patti Decroot Signature Series will be held on Tuesday, December 10 at 1oam and 'lpm at the Headquarters Library. Anette lsaacs will present: Frohe Weihnachten: Unwrapping the Charms of German Christmas Traditions.. The next FOL Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 13 at the Rees Room in the Naples Regional Library at 2pm. The public is always invited.. Mrs. Ruddy stated that the FOL Finance Committee approved the two requests to renovate the Rees art area and fund the after-school program at the Golden Gate Branch Library. 2 2) Report ofthe Library Director a) General Operationsi. Facilities & Projects Update. Mrs. Cowser stated that the following projects are in the works:o Headquarters - Replace some windowso Headquarters - Replace flooring in circulation area Page 1968 of 2001 ii. iii. o Headquarters - New iPad desk & computer desk in the children's room o Estates - Replace chiller, Dec. 7 (will save on utility bill) A press release has been posted for the closure of EB on Dec. 7 The location of the chiller is near the front entrance and book drop No materials will be due Friday-Monday at this locationo Estates - Replace carpet in children's & story time areas The room will be closed to remove shelves and bookso lmmokalee - Three more iPads and computer desk in children's roomo lmmokalee - New shelves funded by FOL Mrs. Cowser stated that she, Mrs. McMahon, Mr. Etzel and Mr. Meyer attended the FOL meeting on Monday to discuss ideas, budget, and determine what items their finance committee would consider to fund. She reported that the lmmokalee Branch Library will be looking into improving their space to create more quiet space. Mrs. Cowser stated that the Naples Regional Library will be looking into a new sound system for the Rees Room. She reported that during the recent FOL meeting, it was difficult for some attendees to hear parts of the meeting. Mrs. Ruddy added that some attendees at the recent Patti DeGroot Signature Series event also mentioned difficulties with the sound system. Mrs. Cowser stated that the sound system at the South Regional Library may also need to be updated to a wireless/bluetooth system. Staffing Update Mrs. Cowser stated that the courier position has been posted. Jeff will be taking some vacation in the upcoming weeks. John Alexander from Marco lsland, and Bryan Watt from South Regional will be helping with deliveries during his absence. A full-time Library Specialist I position is berng transferred from Golden Gate to Vanderbilt Beach to provide 3.5 FTES at this location. New staff being hired at Headquarters will also assist at Vanderbilt Beach as needed. Programming Mrs. Cowser stated that programmrng is not yet in full swing; however, staff are working on getting ready for season. The Library finished the 80th Anniversary of Smokey the Bear program o Smokey the Bear visited some library locations to read to the kidso 5,000 books were read; there were 800 participants are working on getting ready for season. The Library has scheduled its annual book sale. More information will be presented at the next LAB meeting. The Library will have the Reading Reindeer program in December.o More information will be on the Library's website and in the County & Library newsletterso Most branches will be participating in thls program, depending on stafiing levels. Operations & Budget Update Mrs. Cowser stated that the FY2025 budget has been approved. She added that there should be plenty of funds for utilities. The Library is looking into replacing the current PayPal online payment system wath TBS Business Solutions. a tv 3 Page 1969 of 2001 PUBLIC PETITIONS TO THE BOARD FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION - None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON GENERAL TOPICS RELATED TO THE LIBRARY DIVISION - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1) Selection of Library Advisory Board Members (Districts 'l,2,4,51 (Motion). Ms. Bettinger reported that the LAB Membership Committee met on November 12 to interview candidates for the upcoming vacanuexpiring term positions.. She reported that the Board is recommending the following candidates to be appointed:o District 1 = Rebeca Seitzo District 2 = Katherine Alberso District 4 = Joy Whiteo District 5 = Marjorie Gagnono Mrs. Gagnon moved to approve the candidate selections for the Library Advisory Board seats for Districts 1,2,4 and 5 as presented. Mrs. Grieve seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. o Ms. Bettinger stated that the County Attorney's Office will prepare these recommendations to present to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) at their December 10 meeting. o She added that once the candidates have been officially appointed, they will receive a letter from the BCC. . She stated that candidates will need to notify Ms. Tibbetts when they receive their letter so that an orientation meeting can be scheduled. NEW BUSINESS 21 2025 Library Advisory Board Meeting Dates/Location s (Motion)o The Library Advisory Board was presented with a draft meeting schedule for 2025, along with the history information of other library locations they've met at.. Discussion ensued and the Board decided to meet at the following branches in 2025:o February 19,2025 = Vanderbilt Beach Branch Libraryo June 18, 2025 = Marco lsland Branch Library. Mrs. Grieve moved to approve the Library Advisory Board to meet at the Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library on February 19,2025. Mrs. Gagnon seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.. Mrs. Gagnon moved to approve the Library Advisory Board to meet at the Marco lsland Branch Library on June 18, 2025. Mrs. Grieve seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.. Ms. Bettinger stated that this item was not on the agenda; however, she reported that today would be the last LAB meeting that board member Mrs. Grieve would be attending, as she is stepping down from her position.o Ms. Bettinger presented her with a framed photo of this year's LAB members. She added that in the past, members were presented with a plaque; however, many members mentioned that they would prefer a photograph.. Mrs. Grieve has been a member of the Library Advisory Board for 14 years. 4 Page 1970 of 2001 Dr. Hochschild who stepped down from her position with the LAB in September will be presented at a later time with her framed photo in recognition of her 5 years of service. 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 11:10 am. Mrs. Cowser will update LAB members as to the format of the Library Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109. 239.252.7311. proved by: Connie Bettinger, Chair Library Advisory Board 5 Page 1971 of 2001