HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - 2025-07-09AGENDA
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Library
706 Fourth Street, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
The Library closes at 7pm, please arrive prior to 7pm
Staff Contact: Donna Harlan, 503-697-6583, dharlan@lakeoswego.city
503-697-6583 706 4TH STREET PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
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Patrick Walsh, Chair ∙ Lilisa Hall, Vice Chair ∙ Mark Pontarelli ∙ Patricia Walls ∙ Joy Fabos ∙
Seth Pauley ∙ Liberty Planck
Melissa Kelly, Staff Liaison ∙ Anna Lee, Youth Liaison ∙ Jessie Pan, Youth Liaison ∙ Rachel Verdick, Council Liaison ∙
Jim Wolper, Alternate
1. CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from June 11, 2025
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
The purpose of Public Comment is to allow community members to present information or raise an
issue regarding items not on the agenda or regarding agenda items that do not include a public hearing.
A time limit of three minutes per individual shall apply. Public Comment will not exceed thirty minutes
in total. If you are unable to attend the meeting and prefer to provide public comment in writing, please
email the comment to the staff contact listed above at least 24 hours before the meeting.
4. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
4.1 Materials Collection Policy
4.2 Reconsideration form
4.3 Bookmobile update
4.4 Library Task Force update
5. OLD BUSINESS
5.1 Workgroup discussions/updates
5.2 Fieldtrip findings
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD PRESENTATION
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503-697-6583 706 4TH STREET PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
8. CHAIR REMARKS
9. YOUTH LIAISON REMARKS
10. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
11. ADJOURNMENT
Next meeting August 13, 2025
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO June 11, 2025
Library Advisory Board Library
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
Present: Patrick Walsh, Lilisa Hall, Pat Walls, Mark Pontarelli, Joy Fabos, Seth Pauley, Liberty
Planck, Enid Rittman, Anisha Oruganty
Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Donna Harlan
Absent: Kent Watson, Councilor Verdick
1. Call to Order
The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order at the Lake Oswego Public
Library (LOPL) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm.
2. Minutes
Motion to approve was made by Pauley and seconded by Pontarelli. The May 14, 2025
minutes and June 5, 2025 summary notes were unanimously approved by LAB.
3. Public Comment – None
Resident Scott Wolff was in attendance, sitting in only. Introductions were made around the
room.
4. Distinguished Service Awards Presentation
Kelly presented Anisha Oruganty and Enid Rittman with Distinguished Service Awards,
thanking them for their participation and contributions to LAB. Both were fantastic additions to
LAB this year. LAB members also shared their gratitude for their participation.
5. Director’s Report
Library Task Force update
• Kelly has been appointed as the Urban Library Director representative to the Clackamas
County 10-person committee.
• The goals of this committee are to meet monthly and address i ssues within the
Library District to present measurable and meaningful recommendations to the Board of
County Commissioners by the end of the year.
• Kelly shared the three areas they will be covering are service levels, funding related
issues and governance related issues.
Boards and Commissions update
• Patrick Walsh and Seth Pauley have been reappointed to LAB.
• One new alternate, Jim Wolper, has been appointed.
• Our two new youth liaisons are, Anna Lee and Jessie Pan.
• These appointments will be passed through the Council process at the next Council
meeting and orientations will happen with new members joining us at the July meeting.
Staff updates
• Kelly announced the library has hired to fill three vacant positions at the library. Two of
the three openings were posted as external recruitments, but we are excited to have
internal candidates selected for these positions.
o Jackie Spencer, an on-call librarian is our new Youth Librarian.
o Lisa Brown, a staff member in Circulation is our new Lead Library Assistant for
Outreach.
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO June 11, 2025
Library Advisory Board Library
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
o Rick Lyons, previously in our Technical Services department is our new Lead
Library Assistant for Materials Movement.
o Kelly mentioned that the library will be backfill both positions previously held by
Lisa and Rick (Library Assistants in Circulation and Technical Services).
• Kelly shared that LOPL also has two new on-call librarians starting, Gesse Stark-Smith
in Youth Services and Skye Appleby in Adult Services. While they are hired by specific
departments, they will be cross trained to cover all desks staff ed by librarians.
• A Job description has been drafted for a Library Communications and Public Relations
Coordinator. It is currently being reviewed by HR, then headed to the Union for their
review and approval. W e are excited to have someone starting in this position in
approximately September.
Sherwood Library Board inquiry
• Kelly talked about an invitation she received from Sherwood Public Library’s LAB via
their director, to connect with them in person in some way to share knowledge and
ideas.
• Their full board typically meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 pm.
• Kelly and the Sherwood Public Library Director, suggested both groups could watch a
webinar, about advocacy to get people to vote YES for libraries – and then get together
with less than quorums to talk about it.
• LAB overall was interested and asked Kelly questions regarding the Sherwood Library,
as well as discussed ways in which they could connect with them and what the goals, in
terms of getting together and meeting with them, would be.
6. Old Business
Debrief of Noah Siegel visit
• Kelly asked the group what they have determined are actionable items from the meeting
with Noah Siegel. The group discussed the following:
o Obtain public opinion research, toward the end of the year. This includes
gathering and analyzing data about voting history, as well as polling to
understand current public opinion.
o Form focus groups based on the visioning process from 2023 so the City can
develop the scope and messages that resonate with voters.
o Form a public action committee that can take on fundraising and campaign
management.
o Build contact lists in order to mobilize supporters during a future campaign.
• Kelly has requested clarification from the City Attorney so LAB understands what they,
Library Staff and the City are allowed to do. It is understood that the Friends of the Lake
Oswego Public Library are able to do anything as they are not public officials.
• Discussion was held related to brainstorming ideas, next steps, timing and reaching a
specific audience.
o There is a need in the community and the library is part of the solution.
o A high priority is encouraging youth involvement in this process.
o Community pride and future thinking were also mentioned.
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO June 11, 2025
Library Advisory Board Library
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
o Fundraising, PACs and talking with community organizations , parent teacher
groups, volunteers and library supporters to get them on board with a
community driven effort.
o All agree that this is a long-term project for LAB.
Work group assignments and preparation
• The work groups met for 10 minutes to come up with their goals and objectives.
o Existing Library Group:
▪ Focus on new ideas and improvements while highlighting the need for
new: outdoor spaces, creative outlets, flexible or diverse spaces.
▪ First meeting will be brainstorming.
▪ Second meeting will be prioritizing and the basic criteria of what would
need to happen.
▪ Third meeting would involve creating a list of outside groups, young and
old, who may be able to share their expertise, networks and also deliver
content.
o Future Library Group
▪ Focus on building the vision of what the library of the future looks like.
▪ First meeting is identifying what the value is that the library adds to the
community and how do we compare or show that in relation to existing
libraries.
▪ Second meeting is identifying our early advocates/groups and determining
what meetings or groupings would look like with them; this includes
breaking down the barriers, such as the misconception that libraries are
just for books.
▪ Third meeting involves how to translate the excitement into action.
• The group then discussed more ideas and observations that support the goals and
objectives of the work group meetings.
• Notes from the individual workgroups will be sent to Donna to keep in the existing LAB
folders, for reference if needed in the future, and information presented by the work
groups at each LAB meeting will be recorded and part of the meeting minutes.
Library research fieldtrip logistics
• Kelly provided the group with the current schedule.
o Friday, June 27, meet at the library at 8:45 am to visit 4 libraries.
o Vancouver Community Library, guided tour still to be confirmed.
o Holgate Library for a guided tour.
o Lunch at New Seasons in Happy Valley.
o Happy Valley Library for a guided tour.
o Milwaukie Ledding Library for a guided tour.
o Arrive at LOPL by 4:45 pm.
7. Chair Remarks – Patrick Walsh
• Walsh expressed to the group that they are inspiring in their thoughts and ideas.
• He shared with LAB that he, Lilisa and Melissa met with the Co -Chairs of the
Sustainability Advisory Board to begin making connections and Walsh will visit the SAB
meeting in July.
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO June 11, 2025
Library Advisory Board Library
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
• Walsh hopes to continue building coalitions with other groups and boards, letting them
know what we are working on and learning what they are working on as well.
• One of the Co-Chairs of the Sustainability Advisory board is interested in sitting in on
one of LAB’s future meetings.
8. Youth Liaison Remarks
• Oruganty is working on the slideshow for her presentation to Council on July 1 and it
should be done in the next few days and is interested in having LAB review and provide
feedback. She is sad that her time on LAB is over and appreciate s everyone’s support.
LAB was welcoming and supportive and made her feel comfortable.
• Walsh will be meeting with Oruganty to work on the presentation to Council and will send
the video to all to get feedback.
• Rittman was unable to share remarks as she needed to leave the meeting early due to
her final exam schedule.
9. Friends of the Library Report
Kelly provided an update on the Friends in Watson’s absence.
• The Friends volunteer lunch is scheduled for July 21.
• The donations and memberships to Friends for the first 6 months of the year are
encouraging.
• A good discussion was held at the last meeting related to the Lake Oswego Reads
program.
• FOLOPL has at least 2 new people interested in joining them, for 2 open positions, and
they will be voting for new members at their June 26 meetin g.
10. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Hall, seconded by Fabos. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42
pm. The next LAB meeting will be held July 9, 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Harlan
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2025
General Information
Number of new borrowers/patrons added 332 3,508
Number of registered borrowers 25,805 25,805
Books and other print items
Number of physical units owned 123,587 123,587
Number of physical units added 849 11,199
Audio Materials
Number of physical units owned 16,393 16,393
Number of physical units added 58 787
Video Materials
Number of physical units owned 18,656 18,656
Number of physical units added 66 1,013
Other library materials
Number of physical units owned 1,006 1,006
Number of physical units added 0 66
Total items owned 159,642 159,642
Total items added 973 13,065
Magazine Issues
Number of physical units owned 1,946 1,946
Number of physical units added 129 1,540
Holds Placed 13,838 166,132
Holds Filled 11,121 136,996
Holds Expired 40 408
Holds Expired on shelf 1,642 18,597
Circulation of library materials at all facilities for the fiscal year
Library2Go & Advantage Circulation Combined 14,898 167,087
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of CHILD 11 71
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of YA 2 14
Adult Checkouts 17,292 216,372
Adult Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC) 10,365 135,208
No Longer Used - -
Adult Renewals (via Shoutbomb) 329 3,772
Adult Renewals (via TeleCirc) 66 1,009
Adult Renewals (TOTAL) 10,760 139,989
June 2025
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2025June 2025
YA Checkouts 1,302 12,058
YA Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC) 663 8,811
No Longer Used - -
YA Renewals (via Shoutbomb) 22 367
YA Renewals (via TeleCirc) 1 5
YA Renewals (TOTAL) 686 9,183
Child 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 13,524 146,147
YA 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 1,300 12,044
Number of Circulation of Electronic Materials 14,911 167,172
Child Checkouts 13,535 146,218
Child Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC) 6,872 88,593
No Longer Used - -
Child Renewals (via Shoutbomb) 414 4,920
Child Renewals (via TeleCirc) 2 59
Child Renewals (TOTAL) 7,288 93,572
Total 1st-time circulation 47,027 471,581
Total renewals 18,734 242,744
Total circ of Adult materials 28,052 356,361
Total circ of YA & Childrens materials 22,811 261,031
Total circ of YA materials 1,986 21,227
Total circ of Childrens materials 20,823 239,790
Total circ 65,772 784,550
Self-Check Circulation
Self-check checkouts 27,233 314,426
% of physical item checkouts at self-checks 84.8% 83.9%
Check Ins
items CHECKED IN via book drop or circ desk return 31,129 396,953
items CHECKED IN from "in transit" status 22,999 280,025
TOTAL items checked in 54,128 676,978
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2025June 2025
Items loaned to other libraries
Items loaned to other libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)15,330 194,528
Interlibrary Loans - Items Loaned to All Other Libraries (OCLC)106 2,389
Total loans to other libraries 15,436 196,917
Items borrowed from other libraries
Items borrowed from libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)14,489 179,413
Interlibrary Loans - Items Borrowed from All Other Libraries
(OCLC)88 1,105
Total loans from other libraries 14,577 180,518
NET ILL using a shared catalog of automation system (LINCC) 841 15,115
Adult Services
June 2025 Monthly Report
In June, Adult Services celebrated Pride and Juneteenth, kicked off the Adult Summer Library
Challenge, and hosted a slew of engaging events. We are thrilled that 535 adults signed up for
the Adult Summer Library Challenge so far!
Here’s a look back at our work in June:
The stairwell gallery featured unique paintings by beloved local artist Roger Long, who
is celebrating his 90th birthday this year.
On the World Languages shelves, we displayed whimsical book art by artist Lilo Sermol.
We curated book displays for Pride Month, food and travel, and National Oceans
Month.
We distributed 120 Tiny Art kits to library patrons and residents at senior living facilities
in preparation for next month’s Tiny Art Show at the library.
We engaged in the following outreach activities:
o Together with Circulation staff, we staffed a library booth at the festive Pride
LO event where we interacted with 1,039 people and to the City’s
Juneteenth Celebration where we interacted with 81 people.
o Also along with Circulation, we brought Rover to Mary’s Woods, where we
interacted with 23 residents.
o We brought a Tech Help Clinic to Oswego Pointe Apartments, where we
assisted 4 grateful patrons with their devices and issued library cards to new
patrons.
Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, we hosted the following events in
the library and/or virtually:
o Our sixth Senior Scholar program with the ACC on Family Estrangement in
Modern Families: Causes, Impact, and Paths to Healing with counselor and
social worker Joan Laguzza.
o Our First Tuesday Music Concert featuring Voxanova Trio.
o A Bookish Affair met virtually to discuss I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib
Khorram.
o A Book Art craft workshop with artist Lilo Sermol.
o A Genealogy Interest Group meeting at the ACC and online.
o A Third Tuesday Author Talk featuring romance fiction author Anita Kelly.
o A World Cinema showing of the Italian film, L’lmmensità.
o Building Bridges Book Group met to discuss the The Sleeping Car Porter by
Suzette Mayr.
o A Board Gaming event, as part of our Adult Summer Library Challenge.
o The first in a series of Ukulele Classes at the Adult Community College,
taught by Adult Services Librarian and musician Josh Macias.
o A Tin Travel Game craft workshop, also part of our Adult Summer Library
Challenge.
Stats
Reference & Readers’ Advisory Interactions: 1,805
Programs for Adults: 13
Adult Program Attendance: 268
Programs for All Ages: 3
All Ages Program Attendance: 1,143
Artist Lilo Sermol with her book art
Stairwell Gallery Art by Roger Long
A happy patron with his creation at
our Book Art Craft Workshop
Youth Services
June 2025 Monthly Report
A storytime break certainly doesn’t suggest that things slow down here in the
Children’s Library. We offered Spanish, Mandarin and Sign Language
storytimes to full crowds. As soon as school is out there is a huge increase in
traffic all day long in the library, and lots of high energy.
And...The Summer Library Challenge fills in wherever there might be
breathing room. Families are excited to claim their free prize books (1,228
have done so thus far), start logging their reading, and answer scavenger hunt
questions. At this point in the summer, we have 1,696 youth registered!
Special thanks to the Friends of the library for helping to provide some of
those free prize books and supporting our Camp LOPL summer programming
at Rossman Park. A popular children’s band called Ants, Ants, Ants drew a
crowd of 130 people, and Upcycled Crafts at Camp LOPL was attended by 65.
643 scavenger hunt answers have been registered, and 1,717 individuals have
completed the additional challenges. In the month of June, 7,456 hours of
reading have been logged.
The June Global Stories Project Read-aloud featured Inna who shared her passion for Finland. She describes herself
with these words: Endless world explorer, mother of two Finnish-American energy bundles, principal and teacher at the
Portland Finnish school and also an active member of Forest Hills Multicultural Committee.
“My passion is to build a bridge to Finland for the Finnish & of Finnish heritage families living here, and be the everyday
ambassador of the Finnish culture to all I meet, as well as help to expose kids to different countries & cultures at Forest
Hills.”
Teen Advisory Board
While the TAB is not actively meeting during the Summer, we still
have plenty of interactions with members, and are constantly
recruiting new members. Many Teens volunteer to help with our
Summer Library Challenge and it gives us an opportunity to talk
with them about what kinds of services they might like to see the
library providing. We’ve been asking them about how increase our
numbers of teen SLC participants. They have great ideas (maybe not
quite plausible) about setting up a table outside of the frozen
yogurt shop, or in the food court at Bridgeport Village. Keeping this
concept in mind (going to where the teens are hanging out) our
new librarian Jackie Spencer spent a morning at the P&R Teen
Lounge where she chatted with participants and encouraged them
all to sign up. They were quite happy to do so, and even visited the
library later that afternoon.
Bulletin Board
The Summer Library Challenge theme of “Level Up” inspired us to create a passive competition between elementary
schools using our bulletin board to get the ball rolling. Every Friday we update the number of students participating from
each school (using rectangles to represent every 5 kids). The board has crawn great attention from both students and
parents alike. With some families taking pictures that they are sending to their principal’s so that other families can be
encouraged to register and “keep them in the lead.”
Outreach
During the first week of June, librarians Amy and Allison visited River Grove, Hallinan, Palisades and Westridge
elementary schools to promote our Summer Library Challenge, connect with teachers and students, and spread the
good word about everything that LOPL has to offer. In those four visits, they spoke with over 1,200 kids. We visited the
other elementary schools at the end of May.
Youth Librarians also represented the Library at the Lakewood Center Festival of the Arts, treating participants to a fun
animation activity.
The June StoryWalk, A Good Place by Lucy Cousins, is making
West Waluga much more fun this month.
Comments:
We read it with the whole family. My favorite part was
when they found a good place to live. (Dash, age 8)
So much!!! I want to buy this book for all the little ones!
(Ava, age 36)
Stats
Reader’s Advisory/Reference – 674 (includes 1000BBK and New Parent Gift bags)
Program Attendance – 27/1945 (includes storytimes, special programs, outreach and LEGO club)
HIGHLIGHTS
Summer was certainly in full swing, even by June, as we saw record numbers of new library card sign-
ups and days where the team shelved 40 or more carts of returns!
In addition to our Outreach visits to senior living facilities this month, staff had a table at the
community PrideLO event and saw over 1,000 people at the booth. Staff members were busy
promoting LOPL, answering questions about the Summer Library Challenge, fulfilling book
recommendations, raffling tote bags, and running various activities. Visitors to the booth were invited
to leave a happy heart note- for someone special, their younger selves, or the world. Each of these
hearts carried a message of kindness, hope, and joy and were brought back to the library to join our
Pride book display.
We interviewed and hired two wonderful new employees in the Circulation department, Eva Perinelle,
one of our previous Global Stories volunteers, and Stella Gatziolis, one of our TAB members! We are
thrilled to have them both on the team.
In technology news, we officially turned off the Library’s security gates permanently on June 30. We
anticipate only a 0.5% increase in missing items, which will result in a much smaller expense than
maintaining costly gates, and will be adopting and enhancing measures to monitor the return of those
items to the Library.
Our FootfallCam people counting system has been officially tested and we can confirm the 97%-99%
accuracy that it promises. More information, including a report with additional metrics, is coming
soon!
CIRCULATION SERVICES
NOTABLE STATISTICS
*This number is based on FootfallCam people counter.
*The Library was closed for Juneteenth on June 19, 2025.
Items checked in
Items sorted by AMH
Items renewed
Items borrowed from outside the County
Items loaned outside the County
Items borrowed from LINCC libraries
Items loaned to LINCC libraries
Holds filled
Held items not checked out
Library cards issued to new members
eCards issued
Home Deliveries
Carts shelved
Average daily carts shelved
Cultural Pass reservations
Seed Library Checkouts
Indoor Visitors
Curbside Visitors
Self-checkout
54,128
42,767
18,734
88
106
14,489
15,330
11,121
1,642
332
58
33
926
31
199
181
15,831*
6
84.8%
Technical Services Department
June 2025 Monthly Report
Congratulations, Rick Lyons!
In June, Rick Lyons left Tech Services for his new position with the Library, as Lead Library
Assistant for Materials Movement in the Circulation Department.
After volunteering at the Library for several years, Rick started work in Technical Services in
November of 2016, just in time for the Department to set up temporary shop in the so-called
“Annex” building four blocks away, during the remodel of the Library workroom. Also at
this time, the Library was in the process of RFID implementation—manually applying tags to
every item in the collection. (See Rick maintaining a positive attitude while tagging DVDs in
the above picture.)
Rick’s biggest and most challenging project by far has been the packaging, cataloging, and
maintenance of the Library of Things collection of non-traditional Library items: everything
from board games to blood pressure monitors, metal detectors to ice cream machines and all
kinds of other items that our Library had never circulated before. The collection has grown
from 46 items at launch in September 2019, to over 400 items today—a sign of the collection’s
success with our patrons.
Technical Services is grateful for Rick’s years of excellent work, and wishes him well in his
new responsibilities!
Volunteer and Events
June 2025 Report
JUNE 2025 Volunteer Stats
Total Volunteers Serving 160
Total Volunteer Hours 913
Met weekly with Social Media Committee to plan daily posts/weekly focus to promote library
events. Communicated updates as needed.
Represented LOPL with Strategic Communications Team at City level.
Met with Lake Oswego Reads committee to begin reading for 2026.
Coordinated volunteer program for Summer Library Challenge.
Onboarded volunteers for NEW opportunities at the Library.
Coordinated Home Delivery volunteers for all assisted living communities and other patrons who
can’t come to the Library on a regular basis.
Coordinated volunteers to make buttons for upcoming events—Including Pride LO & Juneteenth.
Provided setup for all June 2025 Events.
Worked to combine Seed Library and Backyard Habitat programs and recruited new volunteers
to ensure long term success.