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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2019-10-09 PMCITY OF LAKE OSWEGO October 9, 2019 Library Advisory Board Library 1 Present: Cliff Perigo, Kay Steele, Rick Slaven, Sherry Swackhamer, Ben Altman Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Nell Diamond, Cyndie Glazer, Martha Bennett Excused Absences: Jacquie Siewert-Schade, Ed Steinberg, Jessica Smith, Jackie Manz 1. Call to Order and Roll Call/ Introductions The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order by Chair Cliff Perigo at 7p.m. on Wednesday October 9, 2019. Perigo called to order, and the board shared introductions. 2. City Manager’s Report- Martha Bennett Bennett began and started by asking what is important to the LAB- she noted that she can tell already that the Library is a beloved part of the community. Bennett noted that her father was a small town city manager so she spent a lot of her childhood in small town libraries. Bennett shared that she would like to read all the fiction sections but stalled at James Michener. The thing she wanted to share was that she was most familiar with the library system in Ashland. Lake Oswego (LO) and Ashland are both very highly- educated and very active library communities. She is proud of the mass movement that she led to save the Ashland Library. She has seen the power of libraries that bring people together in a unique way. Bennett was a CEO of Metro. Perigo noted that one of the things we as the LAB will be coming to Bennett for is ways to support the underserved members of the community. Perigo proposed a possible library annex or bookmobile. Perigo outlined facilities that need to be upgraded or improved to make the Lake Oswego Public Library (LOPL) the best library it can be. Slaven noted that the Adult Community Center (ACC) needs improvements, and that the last time LO had a vote, it was not close regarding approval of funding to build a new library. Slaven noted the importance of supporting what he feels is the best library in the state, one that also has the best programs. Swackhamer noted that we need a plan for the future, what do we want, where do we need to be, and how are we going to get there. Then we look at timing for when we can go out for the next bond measure. Bennett noted that it is a goal for the LAB to have a strategic plan. Steele noted that the staffing for now and in the future is very important. Slaven noted frustration, as Clackamas voters passed a county- wide measure to support the library budgets, yet the LOPL budget was cut at the same time. Altman was asked and he noted that kids typically do not use the library, and noted that many students at his school have almost “forgotten” that there is a public library. Altman noted that a goal should be to initiate more youth engagement. Steele asked Altman why he uses the library; he indicated that he cherishes the library that he has been using the library for so many years and LOPL has unique resources that are difficult to find online. Bennett noted that the library is a great place for parents to meet and socialize when their children are small, and that on a more ongoing basis, that the question is what happens when the children get to be older, what keeps people coming back to the library after that time. The library is the unique place where the trust by residents is present, and there is an unrelenting commitment to free speech. Diamond noted that there are more opportunities to collaborate with other city departments such as the ACC and LO Parks and Rec, and by utilizing these synergies more participation in city sponsored programs could be realized. The catch is there is not space in the LOPL to attract large events. A larger event space would enable the library to be perceived and utilized as a community gathering place that is much more than books and Storytime. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO October 9, 2019 Library Advisory Board Library 2 Bennett thanked all for their time and the opportunity to be introduced to the LAB. Bennett excused herself. 3. Minutes from September 11, 2019 Slaven moved, Perigo seconded approval of minutes, unanimously approved as written, (5-0). 4. Public Comment - none 5. Lake Oswego Reads – Cyndie Glazer Glazer reviewed the upcoming LO Reads calendar for 2020. Glazer reviewed the already full calendar and indicated that people line up as early as two hours prior in order to get a copy of the book on book giveaway night, which will entail giving away 803 copies of the 2020 book, Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore. Scheduled programs include an art show, music programs, the impact of settlement in Oregon, and a showing of the Beasts of Southern Wild film -and thanks to Siewert-Schade, there will also be a speaker to discuss Climate Change Anxiety, as well as a panel discussion of young people facing climate change. Still confirming a speaker that will present alternate views regarding climate change. The author will be speaking on March 4th at Lakeridge High School, which although a bit later than previous years, correlates with her west coast schedule. 6. Directors Report- Melissa Kelly Facilities updates: Regarding the generator, they found one wire that had to replace and needs to be special ordered. Final commissioning next week this is the electrician subcontractor, not PGE. Parking lot restriping, we are preparing for painting - next week is the target. The building is due to be repainted later this month, weather permitting. Kelly noted that the library has a roof leak, scheduled for repair. Roof is still under warranty. Project to replace front doors is out for bid. Another project, enclosing workspace for Librarians, vendor is being consulted to know where the doors will need to be replaced. Other improvements, including carpeting and fresh paint, are also in store to refresh the reference area. Outdoor holiday lights are also on the schedule to be re installed again this year. Library District Task Force: District advisory committee is a standing committee- concerns were shared regarding long term funding. Library District Task Force has three main areas of focus: * Provision of library services * Sustainability of funding * Governance of the district Subcommittees have been formed, and each of these three groups will meet on a continuous basis and compile into one report over an eighteen month process. All recommendations will be compiled into one final report that will be submitted to the Clackamas county commissioners. Each city may appoint two members to the task force and each subcommittee, for a total of up to eight members. Kelly will serve on all four committees, and recommended some LAB members for the committees as well. Kelly also recommended that Bennett serve on main task force. LAB members serving on the sub committees are chosen with regards to their subject matter expertise. Siewert-Schade, current LDAC representative; Swackhamer, and City of Lake Oswego finance director Shawn Cross may also be a part of this group. All LAB members may be asked to serve. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO October 9, 2019 Library Advisory Board Library 3 At this point, Bennett is still getting to know the players and the will be making final recommendations by December 1st. Will be meeting with the city of Lake Oswego finance director to talk about strategy, and how best to be successful. Boards and Commission Summit: being scheduled for December 5th, so that the input will be available before the City Council sets their goals. Fundraising: great news, some key documents were recovered from previous administrative assistant. 2015 was the most recent campaign there is a list of 350 people that donated last time. Finance is ready to roll out an online donation page as well that will be incorporated into the upcoming fundraising campaign plan. Fundraising campaign letter has been drafted and will be mailed out in the upcoming days. 7. Chairs Report- Cliff Perigo Annual report, goals and work plans were reviewed. On the work plan, LO Reads programming is number three. For the work plan, Glazer was asked to come up with bullet points that highlight community engagement. Slaven mentioned that the efforts were exemplary. Outreach to Mary s Woods was discussed, and LOPL will have a librarian come out and help seniors with tech support. This librarian will also help these patrons download e-books and movies, using their Library cards. The CloudLibrary electronic resource application was discussed, and Kelly noted how easy it is to use. 8. Council Update – none. 9. Friends of the Library Report – Melissa Kelly Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library (Friends) had a meeting in September which confirmed that they changed their corporate by-laws and 501 c 3 organization to eliminate personal liability. Annual meeting will now commence in June, so they can project their budget before the next fiscal year begins. Friends are only at 85% of previous revenues, which was about what was estimated, yet there is a way to go. There are some issues with the membership forms not sending out the renewal notices which is being resolved. The Friends give LOPL a huge boost of financial support during LO Reads programming season. . Because of a temporary decline in Friends memberships, they are currently concerned about finances. Friends have initiated cost-cutting measures including the reduction of their insurance costs. They did give LOPL for this fiscal year, the 50K even though their year-over-year revenues are down. To assist in promotion, LOPL is planning an event at the Booktique that will promote the store and at the event patrons will be helped to pick out books by staff librarians. This program will be led by library manager Andrea Milano. 10. New Business – none. Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm. Respectfully submitted, Nell Diamond