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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-02-11CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO February 11, 2026 Library Advisory Board Library 1 503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us Present: Patrick Walsh, Seth Pauley, Pat Walls, Mark Pontarelli, Liberty Planck, Joy Fabos, Anna Lee, Jessie Pan, Jim Wolper, Councilor Rachel Verdick Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Donna Harlan Absent: Lilisa Hall 1. Call to Order The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order at the Lake Oswego Public Library (LOPL) on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7:05 pm. 2. Minutes Motion to approve was made by Pauley and seconded by Planck. The January 14, 2026, minutes were unanimously approved. 3. Public Comment – None 4. City Council Update – Councilor Verdick • Council held a study session related to home occupation businesses. • A zoning change was approved for Kruse Way. This change is in line with city-wide goals to meet housing needs. • Council received an update on the South Shore fire station. • Councilor Verdick praised the library’s presentation to Council and all the hard work that went into making that happen. • LAB was updated on upcoming city events and Martha Bennett’s departure. 5. Lake Oswego Reads – Nancy Niland • This year’s book is Tilt, by Emma Pattee, and celebrates our 20th year of LO Reads. • Niland shared with LAB the scheduled Lake Oswego Reads events. Over 40 events have been planned to take place during the month of April. • Niland expressed gratitude for LAB and the support of all who helped make LO Reads possible, including the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library, and for the first time, the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network. 6. Director’s Report – Melissa Kelly Council meeting debrief • Kelly commented to LAB that she heard strong support for the library and shared takeaways: o Highlight fiscal responsibility in using funds to shore up the existing building with no added value as opposed to building a safe library within budget and accessing urban renewal funds to keep the cost low for residents. o Highlight local libraries. o Highlight that modern libraries are a hub for learning and collaboration and include outdoor plazas for learning and mental health. o Highlight that our current building is at the end of its life and we need to plan for our community’s children and future. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO February 11, 2026 Library Advisory Board Library 2 503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us o Next steps include communicating Council’s non-negotiables: one library, new location and in budget. o Develop communication materials for the public and neighbors. o Create opportunities to engage with the public. o Fine tune the library concept and socialize with all groups. • Kelly then reviewed the timeline for next steps and engaged in discussion and questions with LAB. Fundraising update • Kelly covered highlights from the 2025 Fundraising report that had been sent to LAB with the packet. Bookmobile update • Rover has 11 events scheduled for March. • The library received our first event request through our online form. • Kelly shared the current bookmobile schedule and how we are building it. • Save the date: Bookmobile Lauch Party is Saturday, June 13, 5:00 – 7:00pm. Top accomplishments from 2025 and focus for 2026 Kelly reviewed with LAB the library’s top strategic plan accomplishments from 2025 in all 4 priority areas. • Serve People Beyond the building: o Purchased and received the Bookmobile. o We saw continued growth in our home delivery service. o Hold locker vendor selection has happened. o Improvements were made to virtual program functionality. • Create Space to Expand Services: o The library continued to demonstrate the need for more space. o The library expanded partnerships for adult & cultural events with community venues, including the Lake Theater & Cafe, LOSD and the Adult Community Center. o The Library of Things collection continued to grow. o Our seed library is now able to accept donations of seeds to expand seed library offerings. o New youth programs including a sensory dance lab and Korean storytime were added. o We also made several accessibility improvements at the library. • Increase Awareness of the Library’s Value: o The library presented to Council several times and we currently send Council an update through the weekly email from the city manager about library events and facilities. o We created an annual report that highlights achievements, needs, value and impact, which we will continue to do on an annual basis. o Our welcome brochure has been translated into multiple languages. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO February 11, 2026 Library Advisory Board Library 3 503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us o We hired a Library Communications & Public Relations Coordinator. • Support Staff Wellbeing and Growth: o Improvements were seen in staff communications and through additional training. o Throughout the year we have made smooth transitions in hiring and training new staff. o A new volunteer handbook was created to orient volunteers as they support the library staff in numerous ways. • Other Highlights for 2025: o There was a significant amount of background work completed by LOPL staff for our library to become fine free. o The library increased the number of school visits and student library cards that have been issued. Kelly explained to LAB the library’s focus areas for 2026 related to the 4 priority areas. • Serve People Beyond the Building o We plan on developing site partnerships as well as an operations plan and budget for hold lockers. o The city is moving forward on improving the website, and we look forward to improved accessibility and functionality. • Create Space to Expand Services: o We will continue to demonstrate possibilities and learn more about community priorities for the future through great ideas like Maker Day. o Communications and engagement with the community related to a future new library is a huge focus. • Increase Awareness of the Library’s Value: o Communications and engagement with the community related to the needs of a future library is also part of this goal. o Library staff will be attending more community meetings and events. o We will continue to engage and communicate with City Council. o Increased engagement with volunteers is another focus so they know what is going on with this building and what we are working on to allow them to be advocates for the library. o Establishing a foundation for fundraising for a future library is a 2026 goal. o With our Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, we will focus on branding and messaging consistency while also capturing and using more testimonials. • Support Staff Wellbeing and Growth: o We plan to improve communications across departments as well as develop and implement best practices for staff committees. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO February 11, 2026 Library Advisory Board Library 4 503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us • Another major goal for 2026 is to develop the strategic plan for 2027-2029. Timeline for 2027– 2029 • Kelly provided a timeline for LAB related to developing and finalizing the library’s strategic plan for 2027-2029 including: o Sharing the process and timeline with stakeholders. o Gather public feedback and process the feedback. o Update staff, Council and key stakeholders by late summer for managers to create a draft strategic plan. o Present a finalized plan to Council for adoption in November. o Share the plan with the public. • LAB members discussed with each other the timeline, the strategic plan, goals and next steps once the plan has been adopted . 7. Old Business Maker Day • Kelly outlined final plans for Maker Day using the collaborative planning document . • An event passport given to participants when they enter the library. • Kelly provided the station locations and activities throughout the library. • Promotional plans for the event were shared with the group. • There will be a testimonial booth called the “Dream Machine” for participants to record their testimonials. • Library staff are ordering swag to be given to participants as they leave the event. • LAB then discussed the final ideas, survey questions and data collection methods. 8. Chair Remarks • Walsh thanked Pontarelli and Pauley for the sensory display they made for the library. • Anisha Oruganty is the recipient of a SASEE award, and she is the second LAB Youth Liaison to receive the award in recent years. • Walsh informed the group that he has information regarding Phil Wikelund’s memorial service. • Walsh is very appreciative of LAB members and Councilor Verdick. 9. Youth Liaison Remarks • Lee and Pan have been in contact with library staff member Ann a related to the social media takeover. • The content calendar has been created. Lee and Pan are working on ideas for making content. • The two are also in contact with youth services librarian Jackie, regarding social media posts. 10. Friends of the Library Remarks • Walls updated LAB as to the lease status of both Booktique locations . • It was also shared that book donations are down, so if you have books, or your neighbors do, please donate to the Booktique. CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO February 11, 2026 Library Advisory Board Library 5 503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us 11. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Pontarelli, seconded by Pauley. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 pm. We will not have a March 2026 meeting. The next LAB meeting will be held on April 8, 2026. Respectfully submitted, Donna Harlan