HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - 2026-06-10 (03) AGENDA
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
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 ∙ Seth Pauley, Vice Chair ∙ Mark Pontarelli ∙ Patricia Walls ∙ Joy Fabos ∙
Lilisa Hall ∙ 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
2. SAFETY PROTOCOL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 13, 2026
4. 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.
5. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE
Councilor Rachel Verdick
6. DSA PRESENTATIONS
7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
7.1 Council Meeting updates
7.2 Communications Plan/Talking Points
7.3 Strategic Plan survey for 2027-2029 update
8. OLD BUSINESS
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503-697-6583 706 4TH STREET PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
8.1 Community Garden presentation
8.2 Voter Data Analysis –Mark Pontarelli
9. CHAIR REMARKS
10. YOUTH LIAISON REMARKS
11. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REMARKS
12. ADJOURNMENT
Next meeting July 8, 2026
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO May 13, 2026
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, Seth Pauley, Pat Walls, Mark Pontarelli, Lilisa Hall, Liberty Planck, Joy Fabos,
Jessie Pan, Jim Wolper,
Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Donna Harlan
Absent: Councilor Rachel Verdick, 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, May 13, 2026, at 7:02 pm.
2. Minutes
Motion to approve was made by Walls and seconded by Fabos. The April 8, 2026, minutes
were unanimously approved.
3. Public Comment – None
4. Director’s Report – Melissa Kelly
LAB Meeting Forecast
• Kelly will be presenting to Council next week to propose a two -track, three-phase public
process over the coming year to support Council and community decision -making
related to a future library site and reuse of the existing site after the library relocates,
and would like LAB’s feedback.
o Two project tracks are:
▪ Identifying and narrowing options for a future library site.
▪ Identifying and narrowing options for reuse of the existing site after the library is
relocated.
o Three phases proposed to work through these processes:
▪ Criteria phase (June-July 2026): resulting in clear, adopted criteria for decision
making about future library site selection and reuse of the existing site .
▪ Analysis phase (Aug-Dec 2026): resulting in a clear understanding of the pros
and cons of potential sites for a future library, and pros and cons of the top 3
reuse scenarios developed by a community task force for the existing site.
▪ Decision phase (Jan-Mar 2027): resulting in formal adoption of a top site and
backup site, for a future library and the formal adoption of a reuse
recommendation for the existing site.
▪ Each phase will include at least one study session with Council, opportunities for
public participation to share the decision-making process and a Council
business item to formalize key decisions with the ultimate goal of this phase
approach establishing clear decision-making milestones for the Council,
ensuring that the final strategy is grounded in technical feasibility, fiscal
responsibility and community alignment.
• Kelly outlined the communications plan for this project, which includes goals, key
messages, message sequencing and milestones as well as frequently asked questions
about library needs and site considerations.
o The communications plan will support Council, staff, LAB and other stakeholders to
share consistent, transparent messaging about the need for a future library on a
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO May 13, 2026
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
larger site, the process the City Council is using for decision making, and
opportunities for public engagement.
• Kelly also shared the public engagement plan for both sites.
o Future site selection technical work will include robust communication with the
public to keep the community informed as well as invite participation via public
comments. Once a site and backup are identified, there will be deeper public
engagement to right size the scope of services, cost of project and to further
develop site and building design.
o Existing site reuse work will include a community task force, charged with
developing reuse scenarios aligned with criteria set by Council. The task force
would include key community stakeholders including First Addition neighborhood
members, downtown business owners, youth, City board and commissions
members and a City Council representative.
• To prepare for the criteria phase, Kelly explained that staff are working to appoint
Hennebery Eddy Architects (HEA) to fully understand facility and lot square footage
needs on a future site. The report will include building scope options with square
footage estimates to inform Council’s decision regarding lot size criteria.
2025 Strategic Plan progress report
• Kelly shared the flipbook posted on the library’s website explaining all that the library
accomplished in 2025 in support of the library’s current strategic plan and discussed
the information briefly. The flipbook can also be found here: https://heyzine.com/flip-
book/a3aab5622c.html#page/2.
• Kelly also issued an invitation to all LAB members to attend the Bookmobile Launch
Party in the library parking lot on Saturday, June 13, 5-7pm, and if they would like to
volunteer at the event, please let Kelly, Harlan or Nancy Niland know.
Strategic Plan Survey for 2027-2029
• The Strategic Plan Survey will be open until June 14, and Kelly stated that there have
been 515 responses with a goal of reaching 600 by the time the survey closes.
Art Installation update
• LAB received a brief update on the art installation project for the front of the library,
with an unveiling celebration planned for September 2026.
• Opportunities for community participation, with educational components around the
panel themes, are being planned with the first one taking place at the Festival of the
Arts in June. Details for the other two events are being finalized .
August 2026 LAB meeting date
• Due to scheduling conflicts in August, LAB will be meeting Wednesday, August 19,
2026. This is the third Wednesday of the month.
Ethics Training
• Kelly clarified for LAB that ethics training is still required and applicable, even though
HB-4177 was vetoed by the Governor. If board members need the link to the
recorded training sent to them, please get in touch with Harlan.
Lake Oswego Reads 2026
• Board received a quick update on the success of Lake Oswego Reads 2026 .
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO May 13, 2026
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
• The Steering Committee will begin meeting soon and we are looking for more men
and younger voices, with a commitment to reading and able to be a thoughtful
committee member and skilled communicator.
5. Old Business
Outdoor spaces
• Brief discussion was held related to the project of having a garden bed and the
maintenance plan for it at the library.
• Kelly shared with LAB that library staff suggested instead of or in addition to a garden
bed and trying to maintain one, that a presentation on June 14, at the Seed Library 101
and Plant Swap program would help achieve similar goals. It was suggested LAB
present about the programming and services offered by other libraries with community
garden beds. There was some discussion, support for the presentation, and also
continued hope a donation to build and maintain a garden bed would come through.
6. Chair Remarks
• Walsh has been talking with library staff regarding the 4th of July parade and has been
asked to extend the invitation if anyone, families included, wants to march with the
library in the parade. He and his family will be participating. There may be a theme for
dressing up, which is still being worked out.
7. Youth Liaison Remarks
• Lee will send out an email for the group to get ice cream before the next meeting as a
sendoff for those where June is the last meeting.
• For those who can meet for a social gathering at Salt and Straw in downtown Lake
Oswego, we will be meeting at 6pm, June 10, before our meeting .
8. Friends of the Library Remarks
• Walls provided a Revenue update from the BOOKtique.
• The BOOKtique acquired 7 new volunteers, and they are still looking for more.
• The Friends continue to focus on building more members.
• A strategic plan is currently being formed by the Friends.
9. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Pontarelli, seconded by Pauley. The meeting was adjourned
at 8:24 pm. The next LAB meeting will be held on June 10, 2026.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Harlan
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2026
General Information
Number of new borrowers/patrons added 276 3,024
Number of registered borrowers 26,799 26,799
Books and other print items
Number of physical units owned 121,618 121,618
Number of physical units added 1,157 11,040
Audio Materials
Number of physical units owned 15,695 15,695
Number of physical units added 90 664
Video Materials
Number of physical units owned 17,846 17,846
Number of physical units added 65 779
Other library materials
Number of physical units owned 953 953
Number of physical units added 15 38
Total physical items owned 156,112 156,112
Total physical items added 1,327 12,521
Magazine Issues
Number of physical units owned 1,760 1,760
Number of physical units added 112 1,320
Holds Placed 12,696 146,916
Holds Filled 10,151 120,179
Holds Expired 21 281
Holds Expired on shelf 1,491 16,991
Circulation of library materials at all facilities for the fiscal year
Library2Go & Advantage Circulation Combined 16,809 172,635
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of CHILD 6 44
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of YA 0 10
Number of Circulation of Electronic Materials 16,815 172,689
Adult Checkouts 16,322 191,505
Adult Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)10,253 114,667
No Longer Used --
May 2026
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2026May 2026
Adult Renewals (via Shoutbomb)461 4,732
Adult Renewals (via TeleCirc)57 755
Adult Renewals (TOTAL)10,771 120,154
YA Checkouts 981 9,989
YA Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)584 8,256
No Longer Used --
YA Renewals (via Shoutbomb)51 355
YA Renewals (via TeleCirc)0 1
YA Renewals (TOTAL)635 8,612
Child 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 10,415 122,930
YA 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 981 9,979
Child Checkouts 10,421 122,974
Child Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)6,421 76,894
No Longer Used --
Child Renewals (via Shoutbomb)688 6,285
Child Renewals (via TeleCirc)5 61
Child Renewals (TOTAL)7,114 83,240
Total 1st-time circulation 44,533 497,103
Total renewals 18,520 212,006
Total circ of Adult materials 27,093 311,659
Total circ of YA & Childrens materials 19,151 224,815
Total circ of YA materials 1,616 18,591
Total circ of Childrens materials 17,535 206,214
Total circ 63,059 709,153
Self-Check Circulation
Self-check checkouts 23,571 274,270
% of physical item checkouts at self-checks 85.0%84.5%
Check Ins
items CHECKED IN via book drop or circ desk return 29,312 346,106
items CHECKED IN from "in transit" status 21,999 252,658
TOTAL items checked in 51,311 598,764
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2026May 2026
Items loaned to other libraries
Items loaned to other libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)15,627 177,014
Interlibrary Loans - Items Loaned to All Other Libraries (OCLC)142 2,297
Total loans to other libraries 15,769 179,311
Items borrowed from other libraries
Items borrowed from libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)13,784 159,902
Interlibrary Loans - Items Borrowed from All Other Libraries
(OCLC)80 1,070
Total loans from other libraries 13,864 160,972
NET ILL using a shared catalog of automation system (LINCC)1,843 17,112
Adult Services
May 2026 Monthly Report
In May, Adult Services pivoted from LO Reads to promoting the One Book, One Coast program
and preparing for the Adult Summer Library Challenge. One Book, One Coast is the largest book
club on the West Coast, uniting over 140 library systems across California, Oregon, and
Washington to read and discuss a single, shared title – They Called Us Enemy by George Takei.
The story is a graphic memoir that recounts the actor and activist’s childhood imprisoned in
U.S. concentration camps during WWII. LOPL participated by purchasing additional copies of
the book for our collection, creating a book display on the theme of the book, and hosting two
events, both of which were very well attended and received .
We also finished preparations for the Adult Summer Library Challenge by purchasing giveaways
and prizes, launching the SLC website and sign-up process, and planning an exciting lineup of
events all summer long!
Here’s a closer look at our work in May:
• The stairwell gallery featured art inspired by the LO Reads pick, Tilt by Emma Pattee.
Patrons and staff alike were delighted to get a close-up look at the artistic
interpretations of the story in various mediums.
• We created book displays on Digging Up a Good Book, promoting the One Book, One
Coast program, and Mental Health Awareness Month.
• Together with Circulation staff, we served a total of 84 patrons at bookmobile visits to
Hunger Fighters, The Springs Senior Living, Mary’s Woods, Hallinan Elementary School’s
carnival, and the Adult Community Center.
• Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, we hosted the following events:
o Two Ancestry Answers sessions, in which volunteers assisted patrons with
their genealogy research.
o A presentation on Clackamas County’s Restorative Justice Program by Miles
Brady, the County’s Restorative Justice Coordinator.
o First Tuesday Music featuring Old Time Bluegrass by the Whiskey Deaf Duet.
o Three Ukulele Classes at the ACC.
o A Bookish Affair met to discuss Last Guy You Kiss by Carla de Guzman.
o A Senior Scholar Program at the ACC on The Global Rise of Authoritarianism
by PSU’s Dr. Lindsay J. Benstead.
o Two events as part of the One Book, One Coast program:
▪ A Pints from the Past session on Japanese American history,
presented by Marleen Wallingford from the Japanese American
Museum of Oregon. Wallingford spoke of her extended family’s
experience in U.S. concentration camps in 1942.
▪ Third Tuesday Author talk featuring Mitzi Asai Loftus and her son
David Loftus, authors of From Thorn to Blossoms: A Japanese
American Family in War and Peace, which chronicles Mitzi’s
childhood experience in concentration camps in Wyoming and
California during WWII.
o The Genealogy Interest Group met in-person at the ACC and online.
o A monthly Poetry Group meeting.
o The bi-monthly Natural History Book Group met to discuss Keeping it Living:
Traditions of Plant Use and Cultivation on the Northwest Coast of North
America by Douglas Deur and Nancy J. Turner.
o The World Cinema Series featuring the Portuguese film The Way He Looks, a
coming-of-age story of Leo, a blind teenager whose world expands when he
befriends the charismatic Gabriel, sparking new feelings, shifting friendships,
and themes of identity and belonging. This screening was presented in
collaboration with LO for LOve for Pride Month.
o Our monthly BYO Mystery Book Group.
o Our monthly Building Bridges Book Group, which met to discuss The Short
Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal by Jonathan Mooney.
Stats
Reference & Readers’ Advisory
Interactions: 1,365
Programs for Adults: 23
Adult Program Attendance: 427*
Programs for All Ages: 11
All-Ages Program Attendance: 133
* NOTE: Does not include the
number of views of our recorded
events.
Mama Bear by Terri Neal
LO Reads Stairwell Gallery Exhibit
Metamorphosis by Beth Yazhari
LO Reads Stairwell Gallery Exhibit
Youth Services
May 2026 Monthly Report
Our youth services librarians saw so many kids this month; at bookmobile outings, multiple school visits (four
entire schools), and class visits to the Library. We tabled at the Middle School Forum for new middle school
parents and promoted tween services very successfully (see below). A significant amount of work was done in
May to be ready for the Summer Library Challenge launch on June 1st – and we’re happy to have recruited a
few new sponsors, put together a grand prize swag bag that kids are loving, and ordered and organized close
to 2,000 prize books.
PROGRAMMING:
We take a break from providing storytime to concentrate on school visits, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t busy
in the Children’s Library. We hosted three separate visits from Oak Creek Third Graders, the entire student
body of International Leadership Academy, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish storytime, baby sign language, and
an increasingly popular self-regulation dance lab.
In collaboration with our Public Works department, we made the biggest “brass rubbings” possible with a
maintenance hole cover from our very own streets. Storytimes that focus on diggers and dumpers and bridges
and lifters are always popular and this one was no exception.
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Jackie, Amy and Allison visited four schools – sharing the excitement of the Summer Library Challenge with
1,150 kids, many of whom are now signed up and logging their reading for the summer.
Youth Librarians were out and about on the Bookmobile, visiting regular stops at Mercy Greenbrae and the
LORAC. We also made a special appearance at the Palisades International Children’s day festival.
StoryWalk
Our newest StoryWalk, A Boy Named Isamu, by James Yang was installed at
West Lake Park to mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI). Here are a few comments from our
happy patrons who visited during the month.
• It was a fun break from the playground. (Bailey, age 3)
• Loved it!! My 3-y/o son loved it as well. (Jacob, age 30)
• Thanks for making this! I liked the story! (Nate, age 5)
• A good story for reading at the park (Lauri with my grandson (7), age 64)
• Cute story! (Emery, age 2)
ARTBAR AND TAKE-AWAY CRAFTS:
April’s ArtBar honored flower leis, and our take-away craft was a noise-maker frog. It feels worth
acknowledging that we give away 200 take-away crafts each month and often run out before the very last day.
This is a direct consequence of the Covid Pandemic and a service that is clearly very much appreciated in our
community.
This month the Art Literacy Boards featured artwork by River Grove Elementary. We got to enjoy their lovely
quilts inspired by the Gee’s Bend Quilters.
TEENS AND TWEENS:
For our tweens, the month kicked off with DIY Sticker Making, where participants learned to turn images into
custom stickers with packing tape and parchment paper. They went wild, cutting out images from damaged
and discarded books, with particular enthusiasm for Pusheen and Calvin & Hobbes. Teens got to mix and
match scents to pour their very own scented soy candles at our Candle Making program. We had our last Teen
Advisory Board meeting of the school year, where we watched the finished PSA for the Summer Library
Challenge and said goodbye to our seniors with an Avengers-themed cake. The end of the meeting was
dedicated to making bookmarks to place in YA FIC books. Junior Teen Idea Club was lively this month, and we
were asked by participants to put together a K-Pop Culture program that we’ll be scheduling for the fall.
STATISTICS
Reader’s Advisory/reference – 594 (includes 1000BBK and New Parent Gift bags)
Program attendance – 29/1816 (includes storytime, special programs, outreach and LEGO club)
A thank you note from Oliver, one of the students from a classroom visit, depicting our automated
handling machine and a love of the library!
Eva, one of our bilingual Library Assistants, gives a school tour in French for a classroom visiting from the
International Leadership Academy.
CIRCULATION SERVICES
HIGHLIGHTS
• In addition to conducting our regular business, AMH tours, and welcoming 12,570
visitors to the library, May was a big month for planning in Circulation! Staff prepared
for our Summer Library Challenge, trained new members of the team (Library Assistants
and Shelvers), and planned for new summer Bookmobile stops at the Farmer’s Market,
Oswego Towne Square, Pride LO, 4th of July, National Night Out, and Lake Oswego
Concerts in the Park. We also continued the planning for holds lockers at Pilkington
Park, the LORAC, and Westlake Fire Station.
• Library Assistants continued conducting “address checks” for all patron records,
something we do every three years to keep our information up to date. We have about
85,000 patrons left to check throughout Clackamas County.
• The LINCC Circulation Committee is preparing to rollout a new “autorenewal” service to
patrons, wherein patrons will get 5 renewals automatically applied to their items (with a
few exceptions). This will go live some time in the next few months.
NOTABLE STATISTICS
• The Lake Oswego Public Library was closed Monday, May 25, 2026, for Memorial Day
Total circulation
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
Total 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
63,059*
51,311
40,842
18,520
80
142
13,784
15,627
10,151
1,491
276
40
42
849
27
212
288
12,570
6
85.0%
OUTREACH STATISTICS
Total outreach circulation: 120
Total items checked out at outreach: 113
Library cards created at outreach with a home library of LO: 2
Library cards created at outreach with a home library of LO Bookmobile: 4
Total library cards created at outreach: 6
Technical Services Department
May 2026 Monthly Report
Thanks to the Library of Things, Kids Won’t Be Bored This Summer
Technical Services has been working hard to add a wave of new items to the Library of
Things collection, featuring some exciting additions for young Library users:
Wobble Board
The Wobble Board is a balance board
designed to build strength, balance,
and confidence through open-ended
movement play—for imaginative
young ones, it can even transform into
a cozy reading nook.
Baby Sensory Board
A modular sensory toy, the Baby Sensory Board
lets you build a unique experience packed with
fine motor challenges, visual fascination, cause-
and-effect discoveries, and more.
Cauldron Quest Board Game
The evil wizard has cast a spell to destroy the kingdom!
Players need to use social skills and work as a team to create
a potion, break the spell, and save the kingdom, while they
learn strategic thinking and cooperation along the way.
All Aboard! Train Floor Puzzle
All kids who love trains will delight in this 36-
piece floor puzzle that comes together to create
a huge, colorful scene full of whimsical details.
Volunteer & Special Events
MAY 2026 Report
Total Volunteers Serving 128
Total Volunteer Hours 638
Collaborated with Library staff to set up volunteer
infrastructure for Summer Library Challenge and Programs
in the Park. We set up a mandatory training session for all
new volunteers and 2-hour shifts for all summer events.
Coordinated Home Delivery volunteers for all assisted
living communities and other patrons who can’t come to
the library. This program continues to grow and evolve!
We have more than doubled the number of patrons using
the program and continue to bring on new volunteers to
accommodate the increase.
Provided Setup for May 2026 Library
programs. New volunteers have been
recruited and trained to set up chairs
and hospitality for library events.
Hosted an Informational gathering to
update volunteers on the library’s new
strategic plan. We offered
refreshments and welcomed 16
attendees. After an initial welcome and
thanks, Melissa provided a full report
of the library’s current deficiencies
highlighted by photos and reports from
past inspections. She reviewed the
building’s history and what other
communities offer in their libraries. She
answered volunteer questions and
everyone who attended reported back
positively! Educating this group and
future volunteers will be instrumental
in representing the library’s best
interests.
The Lake Oswego Reads committee added several new
members to include different voices and perspectives.
We added 2 youth members, Jessie Pan (LAB) and Rain
Obiesie (Lakeridge HS). Lake Oswego HS student,
Angela Wang returns for her final year before
graduating. We also added Seth Pauley, a member of
the Library Advisory Board. We hope to add another
male voice to the group to balance out the current
roster. We have begun with a list curated by librarians
and community suggestions and will meet on the 4th
Thursday of each month.
Library Bond
Preliminary Voter Information Analysis
(excludes May 2026 data)
139 ballot measures (2000 -2025) across 21 voting precincts: focus on 12 facilities measures within 20 bond set
Remaining bonds: infrastructure (3), public safety (1)*, or other (4) – assumption: hard & soft infrastructure viewed differently
Seven of twelve infra bonds were education-related (five of seven passed); Three of five non-school-related bonds passed
Summary – Historical data can shape bond positioning
Key Findings
Pass Rate: 67% of facilities bonds passed – 8 of 12 w/pass -fail data; 8 of 10 w/LO precinct-level voter data (80%)
Historical Performance: 57.3% average support (2000 -2025) – well above 50%+1
Recent Momentum: 65.5% average support (4 bonds 2015 -2025)* – ~8% improvement over 2000-2014 (6 bonds)
Predictors: Weak-to -no significance in bond amount, timing, or median home values in (small) data set
Non-general elections showed ~6% higher support (59.8% to 53.5%) but half the voter turnout (unsurprisingly)
2
Approach
•Limited data doesn’t support prediction (can’t predict success of an $xM bond with current data set)
•Only 1 library bond in dataset, overall data is sparse and inconsistent
•Demographics and economic conditions change over time
*Excludes 5/2026 fire station bond. Preliminary results (day-of) showed 69% support
Caveats
Historical Performance: Strong foundation & momentum
Interpretation:
•Based on historical data, 95% confidence that the mean support for a facilities bond is between 50 and 64
percent. Small sample size; not predictive (Prediction Interval probably more like 30-80% and not useful)
•Recent trend (65.5%) shows improvement over historical average (57.3%). While encouraging, this 8-point
difference is not statistically significant (p=0.21: 21% chance the improvement was due to chance)
•Polling will help tighten confidence intervals and inform potential weights for demographic, economic factors
•Data issues: 2000 CCC bond has no voter data; PCC vote in 2017 has questionable data 3
8 of 10All-Time
Average 57.3%
4 of 4Recent
(2015+)65.5%
50% Needed
95% Confidence Interval (CI) for underlying
base of support: [50.4%, 64.2%]
95% CI: [57.4%, 73.6%] is promising,
but sample size is limited (5)
Factor
(Ranked)
r
(<0.3 = Weak)R²p-value
(<0.05 = significant)Significant?Interpretation
Bond
Amount 0.362 13.1%0.27 NO Moderate but
unproven relationship
General
Election -0.341 11.6%0.34 NO Weak but unproven
(negative) relationship
Home
Values 0.091 0.82%0.82 NO Essentially no
relationship
No clear predictive factors
4
Interpretation: Can’t ignore cost; consider emphasizing VALUE/IMPACT for given spend
rather than absolute $ amount. Dig deeper into general vs. non -general election. Given
the stakes, these factors warrant more rigorous study and polling.
Is there a direct
relationship?
How much of outcome
is explained by factor?
Probability that relationship
occurred by chance
Summary – Precinct demographics can shape campaign
Target Precincts: Test with polling, develop ‘mobilize v. persuade’ strategies
Six precincts = ~85% voter population coverage (19,158 of 22,560 in 2024)
Test w/focus groups: Lead with VALUE FOR MONEY over absolute COST
‘Libraries increase property values’, ‘World -class library = world-class community’, ‘Strong
libraries support strong schools’, ‘Libraries are smart money’, etc.
Campaign quality matters
Lack of clear patterns could be interpreted as voters focusing on how measures are constructed
& messaged rather than hard facts/numbers.
8
Where to Focus: Six target precincts = 85% coverage
MOBILIZE = focus on getting out
the vote in historically strong
support precincts
PERSUADE = work on convincing
swing voters to support this
initiative
These 6 precincts represent
19,158 of 22,560 voters (in 2024)
Data issue: The range of facilities
bond votes by precinct ranged
from 1 (Precinct 161) to 8
(Precinct 155) likely do to
redistricting, etc.
4
Potential next steps
1. Validate inputs (precinct labels, median home values, etc.) and fund a
formal analysis as part of campaign
2. Fold context into analysis: demographics, location, economic conditions,
sentiment, initiative wording, etc.
3. Consider expanding dataset to Portland metro area
4. Scenario modeling: how library location, size, features, cost impact voter
turnout by precinct/demographic group might impact margin
8
Backup
8
Precinct #General Description
151 North Shore & Forest
Hills/Highlands
152 South Shore & Palisades
153 Bryant & Childs
154 Denny & Summer Woods
155 Westlake
156 Evergreen, Foothills, Oldtown
157 Marylbrook & Greenbluff
158 Holly Orchard & Waluga
159 Uplands, Lakeview, Lake
Grove
160 Pilkington Jean Rivergrove
161 Lake Forest
162 Lake Forest
Approximate precinct locations (county GIS)*
*Precinct descriptions using county GIS differ from the
notations in the data file. Precinct numbers used in
analysis, not locations.
Support base, impact zones, competitiveness, volatility
Approach:
Overall target score (not shown) based on historical
support, turnout, and competitiveness. Volatility
provided as another metric.
Example interpretation for top six precincts:
•152 & 156 potential focus areas: higher impact,
higher volatility, but stronger support
•155 a potential wildcard: solid support but high
volatility; potential issue: 100% vote on CC job
training bond(?) 39% & 42% on two others
•158 a focus for turnout: high number of voters, low
volatility, but competitive
•159 & 160: lower impact but ‘on the bubble’
competitively
•FYI, LO overall support level = 57%, std. dev = 10.8%
(Data available in xls format)
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Definitions
CONFIDENCE INTERVAL (CI): Range with 95% confidence contains the true mean
Interpretation: wide range = more uncertainty
STANDARD DEVIATION (σ): Measure of data spread. Higher = more variable
CORRELATION COEFFICENT (r): Measures strength and direction of linear relationship between
two variables. Range: -1.0 to +1.0
Interpretation: r < 0.3 = weak, 0.3 -0.7 = moderate, > 0.7 = strong
R-SQUARED (R²): Percentage of variance in Y (ex: support) explained by X (ex: home values)
Interpretation: R²=0.13 means bond amount explains 13% of support variation,
leaving 87% explained by other factors
P-VALUE: Probability that the observed correlation occurred by chance. Standard threshold:
p<0.05 for statistical significance
Interpretation: p=0.05 means there’s a 95% probability that this relationship is ‘real’
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Rooted in
Community:
Reimagining Library
Outdoor Spaces
Presented by:
Patrick Walsh & Seth Pauley, Library
Advisory Board members
Melissa Kelly, Library Director
Banks Public Library –Washington County, OR
•Raised garden beds maintained
by library staff and volunteers
•One garden bed is dedicated to
children, and kids from a nearby
preschool drop by to garden as
part of their class
•Programs include plant swaps and
all-ages garden parties with
snacks and crafts
Tigard Public Library – Washington County, OR
•Native plant garden developed by
librarian who is an OSU Master
Gardener.
•Goal is to enhance outdoor spaces
to extend learning, play and
community engagement beyond the
building.
•Maintained by volunteers. Tasks
include weeding, planting, mulching.
•Programs include plant swaps and a
butterfly release party storytime.
Capitol Hill Library – Multnomah County, OR
•Small community garden
maintained by staff and
volunteers
•Programs include Intro to Veggie
Gardening and seedling swaps.
Shadle Park & Indian Trail Libraries – Spokane, WA
•Discovery Garden at Shadle Park features organic produce, native plants,
pollinator-friendly plants, and waterwise options.
•At the Plant Clinic at Shadle Park, Master Gardeners teach about plant selection,
maintenance, pest management, and more.
•Indian Trail Library features a Bird Garden & Pollinator Meadow.
Cooper Community Library – Oakwood, OH
•Raised garden beds built by local 5H
and 4H clubs.
•The Library’s Garden Club for kids
during the summer where kids plant,
nurture, and harvest crops, preserve
fruits and veggies.
•Kids develop a love of gardening,
learn teamwork and other essential
life skills, cultivate a sense of
responsibility towards the
environment.
Middle Country Public Library – Centereach, NY
The Nature Explorium at Middle Country Public Library in New York is an outdoor
learning space for children and families. It features a wide variety of outdoor areas
geared toward connecting children to a different aspect of nature. Children can read
a poem under a willow tree, attend storytime in the garden, climb a tree stump, plant
veggies and herbs, express artistic talent through song and dance on the Play It
stage, and much more.
Summary
Libraries have evolved from being
primarily book-lending institutions into
broader community learning centers.
Outdoor spaces give libraries room for
hands-on education that works well for:
•Children’s literacy programs
•Science & nature activities
•Gardening workshops
•Environmental education
•Art & storytelling events
Questions?
Thoughts?
If you have a garden
and a library, you
have everything you
need.
~Cicero