HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-04-08
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 8, 2026
Library Advisory Board Library
Present: Patrick Walsh, Seth Pauley, Pat Walls, Mark Pontarelli, Lilisa Hall, Liberty Planck, Joy Fabos,
Jessie Pan, Jim Wolper, Councilor Rachel Verdick
Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Donna Harlan
Absent: Anna Lee
1. Call to Order
The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order at the Lake Oswego Public
Library (LOPL) on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:02 pm.
2. Minutes
Motion to approve was made by Pauley and seconded by Pontarelli. The February 11, 2026,
minutes were unanimously approved.
3. Public Comment – None
4. City Council Update – Councilor Verdick
The City Manager Pro Tem is doing a great job, talking to all departments and getting
her feet under her in a short amount of time.
Tri-met shared an update with Council that they are merging a few bus lines and some
timing changes, so definitely check bus schedules.
Council received an update from the Lake Oswego Police Department. Theft,
burglaries and stolen vehicle calls are down, and recovery of stolen vehicles has
increased.
Kelli Byrd presented the City’s 2025 ADA update report. The ADA coordinator received
ten requests for accommodation and as a city we put in 62 new ADA curbs.
There are 2 more tour dates for the South Shore Fire Station.
Councilor Verdick and several Council members participated in the National League of
Cities in March in Washington DC. It was a fantastic time and provided opportunities to
spend time with our West Linn colleagues.
5. South Shore Fire Station Presentation
Assistant Fire Chief, Kristine Artman spoke with LAB about the LOFD organization,
how big they are and what they do.
Chief Artman then shared with LAB about the South Shore Task Force and presented
photos and descriptions of the existing station, its deficiencies and the reasons behind
the bond measure.
Maps, coverage areas and estimated costs were also shared in this presentation.
LAB shared with Chief Artman their gratitude for the work LOFD is doing.
After the presentation, LAB asked multiple questions of Chief Artman and there was
brief discussion.
6. Director’s Report – Melissa Kelly
Maker Day Review
Kelly thanked LAB for all their contributions as the day was a huge success.
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 8, 2026
Library Advisory Board Library
o Kelly gave kudos to Anna, the Library Communications staff person, and her work
on making professional materials for the day.
o Kelly was also grateful to LAB for the inspiration and support they provided for
Maker Day.
o Stats, photos and timelapse videos of the library visitors, participants and Maker
Day activity stations were shared. Harlan will email the timelapse videos and the
“flip book” of the many stats from the day, also on the library website, with LAB via
email after the meeting.
o Library staff heard great stories from station participants, which Kelly shared with
LAB.
o Board members also shared their experiences and observations of the day.
o The group discussed improvements that could be made and things that should be
done differently related to set up, staffing and surveying. Overall, the day was a
huge success and the library received great testimonials and responses from all
who attended and those who participated in our data collection.
Next Event: Outdoor Spaces
Kelly brought up the next potential event to start brainstorming. Ideas included:
o Having an Eagle Scout build a raised bed
o Have garden club volunteers or similar group maintain it and include
programming around it
o This idea ties into the Library’s Summer reading Challenge theme this year which
is Read, Learn and Grow
o The idea could work with the library’s seed library
o Offer a container gardening program
o Book displays throughout the library
o Raffle off the bed (or beds) as a prize, maybe as part of the Summer Library
Challenge
The discussion then turned to asking questions about placement, what that would look
like, how long it would be there, what is the best time of year for this type of project, and
do we have dedicated volunteers to take care of it.
Kelly stated that Library staff have requested a brief proposal that provides details.
LAB then discussed different ideas, who they could contact for the variety of ideas and
material needs for this program and will brainstorm ways to bring this concept to life.
Fabos will work on a draft plan to share ideas and begin the process.
Council Goals
Kelly reviewed the 2026 Council Goals and Initiatives with LAB and there were brief
comments and remarks as she read through the list.
The review of the complete list of goals and initiatives was to provide LAB with an
understanding of the many ways that the library works to support Council Goals even
when it is not obviously library related.
Kelly pointed out the goals and initiatives that were directly related to the library.
o Council is interested in having the next site for the library be in an urban renewal
district and that one of the Council Initiatives is relevant to the library: “Initiate
the process to adopt an update to the Lake Grove Urban Renewal Plan.
Examine the geographic boundaries of the district as part of this update”.
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 8, 2026
Library Advisory Board Library
o Kelly was pleased to have the wording adopted in the Council Goal related to an
expanded and modern library facility.
Next was a brief discussion of LAB’s workplan, next steps and what that involves. The
workplan extending through 2027 has not been shared with the group yet as Kelly has
been talking with the City Manager Pro Tem and will be updating the workplan.
Bulletin Board and Library Program Policies
LAB was informed that the bulletin board policy and library programming policy were
out of date.
o The bulletin board policy has now been updated.
o The library program policy has been updated.
o If there is no feedback, these policies will be sent to legal council for final review.
Respond to Racism Art Installation
Kelly was asked about progress on the art installation project to be installed in front of
the library.
o Expect more public information to be shared soon.
o There will be several public engagement happenings this summer for paint by
number activities and educational programming related to the project.
One event is at the Lake Oswego Arts Festival.
The Arts Council reserved Sundeleaf Plaza next to the Lake Theater for
another engagement opportunity to be held when our July Pints from the
Past program is at the Lake Theater.
A third event is in the planning process discussing the Indigenous history
related to Willamette Falls.
o The group continues to work on finalizing the art project and how it will look and
placement outside the library.
o More information will be communicated in the coming months as to how the
library was selected for the site, and the history of the project. It is expected that
the installation and celebration will be in late August/September.
Strategic Plan Survey
Currently the library is asking for feedback for the 2027-2029 strategic plan.
Kelly asked LAB to share the word so the community can submit survey responses,
videos, emails or texts with their input. We are accepting information through mid-
June.
Kelly plans to share the feedback received with the group before the library managers
draft the 3-year plan.
7. Chair Remarks
Walsh expressed his gratitude for the awesome Maker Day event and was proud and
appreciative of how everyone came together to support the idea, and make it happen.
He saw it as a great partnership between LAB, library staff and the people who came
to the library and participated – whether intentionally or who just stopped by the library.
8. Youth Liaison Remarks
Lee shared she was planning on attending the LO Reads event on Ikea on Thursday.
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO April 8, 2026
Library Advisory Board Library
Lee also asked if the group would like to get together socially before the end of June
and meet for ice cream.
o The group thought this was a great idea and would be a great sendoff to
those whose terms are ending at the end of June.
9. Friends of the Library Remarks
Walls updated LAB that there are currently 368 Friends members and they are working
on a big effort to increase membership.
The BOOKtique had their best sales day ever on February 5 and achieved $1092 in
sales that day.
The Friends received a grant of almost $2500 to help cover the fees for the second LO
Reads speaker and 100 copies of his book to be shared with his program attendees.
10. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Walls, seconded by Fabos. The meeting was adjourned at
9:03 pm. The next LAB meeting will be held on May 13, 2026.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Harlan
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503.697.6583 706 Fourth Street PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 www.ci.oswego.or.us