HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - 2026-08-19 AGENDA
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, August 19, 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 ∙ Lilisa Hall ∙ Joy Fabos ∙ Liberty Planck ∙
Rebecca Lemmons ∙ Gus Gordon
Melissa Kelly, Staff Liaison ∙ Andrew Kunjummen, Youth Liaison ∙ Jacob Lin, Youth Liaison ∙ Rachel Verdick, Council
Liaison ∙ Jim Wolper, Alternate ∙ Anton Ternovykh, Alternate
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. SAFETY PROTOCOL
In case of emergency, evacuate the building using the stairwell closest to our meeting location that leads
to the parking lot. Using the public stairwell and exiting through the front door is an alternate route. The
meeting spot is on the 4th Street sidewalk between the parking lot driveway and E Street. The library has
an AED machine on the main floor next to the front door, on the left side.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 8, 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. 2027-29 STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY RESULTS ANALYSIS – Gus Gordon
7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Melissa Kelly
7.1 Library project updates
7.2 Library project talking points and supporting materials
7.3 Bookmobile update
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503-697-6583 706 4TH STREET PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
7.4 Respond to Racism art project update
7.5 LINCC automatic renewals update
8. OLD BUSINESS
8.1 Community groups for outreach
8.2 Public Meetings Law
9. CHAIR REMARKS – Patrick Walsh
10. YOUTH LIAISON REMARKS
11. ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO July 8, 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, Lilisa Hall, Joy Fabos, Liberty Planck, Rebecca Lemmons, Gus
Gordon, Andrew Kunjummen, Jim Wolper, Councilor Rachel Verdick
Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Donna Harlan
Absent: Jacob Lin, Anton Ternovykh, Pat Walls (FOLOPL Liaison)
1. Call to Order
The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order at the Lake Oswego Public
Library (LOPL) on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:02 pm.
2. Welcome and Introductions
• Introductions and welcome to new LAB members were made around the room.
3. Minutes
• Request to correct the word “complementary” in the Voter Data Analysis presentation.
Motion to approve was made by Hall and seconded by Planck. The June 10, 2026,
minutes were unanimously approved as corrected.
4. Public Comment – None
5. City Council Update – Councilor Verdick
• Council talked about the Emerald Ash Borer and how the city is going to work towards
fighting it so we don’t lose our trees.
• Melissa has reported on library presentations to Council.
• Some of the Council members went on a tour of the Wilsonville wastewater treatment
plant.
• The parade was fantastic and city staff were amazing. Thank you to them for everything
they did.
• The next big event is National Night Out the first week in August.
6. LDAC Update – Lilisa Hall
• This was Hall’s first meeting as Lake Oswego’s representative.
• Hall reported that the main agenda item was about how the Library District Task Force
made the following recommendation in Fall 2025:
o Direct district staff members to propose an amendment to the Intergovernmental
Agreement to clarify the use of district funds for capital expenses and allocated
costs.
o Direct staff to initiate the creation of a strategic framework for the Library District
that would prepare it for its 20th year of service and beyond.
• LDAC also learned that county staff are working on conducting reviews and
assessments of county advisory board bylaws to make them consistent.
• LAB had a brief discussion and a few questions for Hall.
7. Director’s Report – Melissa Kelly
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO July 8, 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
Council Meeting Updates
• Kelly presented to Council on 7.7.26 to discuss the 4 main criteria that the future task
force will be using related to making site recommendations. They are:
o Adequately sized site.
o More central equitable location, accessible by multimodal transportation
o Located within an urban renewal district or close enough that it could be brought
into the urban renewal district.
o Located in a zoning area that is appropriate for a public library.
• Council also discussed the criteria for the reuse of the existing library site with criteria
related to generating funding for the future library to lower the cost to taxpayers for the
construction of the new library, and to honor the intent of the donation of land by the
family who donated it for library purposes. Additional criteria for future reuse of the site
is related to land use restrictions.
• The Council presentation included presenting the results of the prebuilding program
study that was recently completed to provide Council data and numbers related to the
recommendation of the size of building and acreage.
o Recommended building size range of 50,000 to 70,000 square feet.
o The advised lot size was 2.5 to 3.5 acres.
• Next Steps for July 21, 2026, Council meeting:
o Council will be adopting the criteria for the task forces.
o Council will be asked to pass a resolution to form the Future Library Task Force.
o The members of the Library Reuse Task Force will be appointed.
• A facilitator will be hired to help with the two task forces and help with some strategic
communications.
• An RFP was also put out for an Owners Representative to manage the overall project,
managing milestones, schedule, budget and helping manage risks and gaps. Plan is to
have them on board in two months.
• The City posted a job announcement for a project manager on City staff to help with
large projects, including the South Shore Fire Station and the Library.
• LAB had some discussion related to Kelly’s presentation.
LAB Goals Review
• Kelly reviewed the Library Advisory Board 2026 Goals:
o Work with Council and other advisory groups to define the most compelling
positioning for a new community center anchored by a Library of the Future.
o Develop an informational and partnership strategy to continue engaging the
community around the need for and development of a Library of the Future that
serves as an all ages and all activities community hub.
o Identify and assess potential locations and service models for this facility.
• Walsh asked what more LAB could do to advance these goals. Kelly suggested
reviewing the document of groups LAB could partner with. They could get out to the
groups and talk about library needs and services, and hear what others think. There
was brief discussion of ideas.
Talking Points Review
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO July 8, 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
• Pauley shared that in the conversations he has had with others, that people are
surprised that there are problems with the building.
• Planck shares in her conversations with others that it would take millions of dollars to fix
the building and we would get no added value and that seems to land with people in
that it is a waste of money.
• It was suggested that a broad percentage be added to the talking points to compare the
cost of a new building to the cost of making the current building safe and sound.
• Kelly shared that the talking points will be updated as we move forward.
Library Updates
• We are still having roofers come out to try and fix the leaks as we have a few additional
leaks that have started.
• We still have the water issue on the basement on the west wall where water is coming
in through the foundation when there is heavy rain, so there will be some exploration
work involving drilling into the wall.
• Concrete work on the sidewalk in front of the library is scheduled to fix two areas that
are currently not ADA accessible and safe.
• Over the last 10 years we have spent 2.5 million dollars on building maintenance and
repairs.
• We received 617 responses to our Strategic Plan survey. Gordon has agreed to help
with the analysis and will report back.
• Kelly shared information she received related to the planter box project for next year.
• Kelly checked in with the group related to public meetings and ethics laws. Kelly
requested that any questions be sent to her or Harlan so answers can be sought out.
8. Old Business
Voter Data Analysis – Liberty Planck
• Planck performed data analysis on the same information that Mark Pontarelli shared in
the June meeting. For her analysis, she was able to obtain the May 2026 voter
information and incorporated it into her presentation.
• In her presentation, she described the following:
o Voters tend to say yes when there is a specific construct in place.
o Bonds pay for larger things and levies happen over time, so levies pass more
easily because it’s less of a tax implication.
o Overall, voters like to say yes, depending on how a bond is structured.
o Measures do not pass very easily when they’re framed around amenities and
not safety.
o Voters like to vote for something specific that is going to happen, not something
futuristic.
o Framing is important and could increase support. Necessity rather than amenity
or modernization.
o Fear and doubt are more powerful than enthusiasm. A single strong objection
does more damage than a bunch of positive messaging repairs.
o Voters respond better to concrete and namable problems like fixing a failing
roof.
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO July 8, 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
o Specifics make taxpayers feel like a project is trustworthy and is reassuring to
people that they know what they are paying for
o Newspaper and publication endorsements help.
o Tax neutral framing is key to getting voter support.
o Times of high government trust tend to see more measures pass.
o May elections have lower turnouts and are more focused; in lower turnouts, the
people who show up tend to be the ones that care the most.
o Partnering with the school in some way could be helpful.
o Planck’s takeaway: lead with safety and hold the tax rate as much as possible,
add citizen oversight, and pick a focused May election.
• Brief discussion was held after Planck’s presentation was finished.
9. Chair Remarks
• Walsh welcomed our new members and was very appreciative that they would choose
to spend their time volunteering to help the library.
• He is grateful for such a dedicated board who are willing to put extra time in support of
the library.
• Special thank you to Kunjummen for making the time to be part of LAB.
10. Youth Liaison Remarks
• Kunjummen commented on why teens are less frequent visitors to the library. Getting
them to come back to the library is something he is passionate about and he is happy
to hear anyone’s ideas on how to help make that happen.
o Walsh shared how in the past youth liaisons have a project and board members are
here to support.
11. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Pauley, seconded by Lemmons. The meeting was adjourned
at 8:55 pm. The next LAB meeting will be held on August 19, 2026.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Harlan
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2027
General Information
Number of new borrowers/patrons added 333 333
Number of registered borrowers 27,512 27,512
Books and other print items
Number of physical units owned 121,628 121,628
Number of physical units added 1,440 1,440
Audio Materials
Number of physical units owned 15,487 15,487
Number of physical units added 63 63
Video Materials
Number of physical units owned 17,846 17,846
Number of physical units added 66 66
Other library materials
Number of physical units owned 961 961
Number of physical units added 19 19
Total physical items owned 155,922 155,922
Total physical items added 1,588 1,588
Magazine Issues
Number of physical units owned 1,826 1,826
Number of physical units added 95 95
Holds Placed 13,496 13,496
Holds Filled 10,997 10,997
Holds Expired 22 22
Holds Expired on shelf 1,594 1,594
Circulation of library materials at all facilities for the fiscal year
Library2Go & Advantage Circulation Combined 17,373 17,373
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of CHILD 5 5
E-book Reader Circulation with material type of YA 1 1
Number of Circulation of Electronic Materials 17,379 17,379
Adult Checkouts 18,026 18,026
Adult Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)10,422 10,422
No Longer Used --
Adult Renewals (via Shoutbomb)476 476
Adult Renewals (via TeleCirc)64 64
Adult Renewals (TOTAL)10,962 10,962
YA Checkouts 1,073 1,073
YA Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)740 740
No Longer Used --
YA Renewals (via Shoutbomb)75 75
YA Renewals (via TeleCirc)0 0
YA Renewals (TOTAL)815 815
Child 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 11,624 11,624
YA 1st-time circ excluding E-book Reader uses 1,072 1,072
Child Checkouts 11,629 11,629
Child Renewals (via WorkFlows and PAC)7,445 7,445
No Longer Used --
Child Renewals (via Shoutbomb)937 937
Child Renewals (via TeleCirc)3 3
Child Renewals (TOTAL)8,385 8,385
Total 1st-time circulation 48,101 48,101
Total renewals 20,162 20,162
July 2026
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2027July 2026
Total circ of Adult materials 28,988 28,988
Total circ of YA & Childrens materials 21,902 21,902
Total circ of YA materials 1,887 1,887
Total circ of Childrens materials 20,014 20,014
Total circ 68,268 68,268
Self-Check Circulation
Self-check checkouts 25,676 25,676
% of physical item checkouts at self-checks 83.6%83.6%
Check Ins
items CHECKED IN via book drop or circ desk return 32,410 32,410
items CHECKED IN from "in transit" status 22,838 22,838
TOTAL items checked in 55,248 55,248
Lake Oswego
Fiscal Year to date
ending June 2027July 2026
Items loaned to other libraries
Items loaned to other libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)16,261 16,261
Interlibrary Loans - Items Loaned to All Other Libraries (OCLC)230 230
Total loans to other libraries 16,491 16,491
Items borrowed from other libraries
Items borrowed from libraries within resource-sharing network
(LINCC)14,344 14,344
Interlibrary Loans - Items Borrowed from All Other Libraries (OCLC)81 81
Total loans from other libraries 14,425 14,425
NET ILL using a shared catalog of automation system (LINCC)1,917 1,917
Adult Services
July 2026 Monthly Report
The Adult Summer Library Challenge is in full swing, and we’re receiving lots of positive
feedback from patrons about our SLC events! In July, we showed off our bookmobile at the Star
Spangled Parade, gained lots of emergency evacuation practice with two fire drills and an
evacuation caused by a broken fire sprinkler, pivoted to move Library events at outside venues
to City facilities, and began planning Freedom to Read Month activities. Public library work
provides a wide variety of experiences!
Here’s a closer look at our work in July:
• The stairwell gallery featured photographs, plants, and a poster that tells the story of
how two horticulturists in Nazi Germany cultivated a garden that quietly became a
sanctuary for Jewish women during the Holocaust.
• We created book displays in honor of Graphic Novels in Libraries Month and Disability
Pride Month.
• Along with staff from other library workgroups, we took the bookmobile to Hunger
Fighters, The Springs Senior Living, the Fourth of July Star Spangled Parade, and to
Mary’s Woods Senior Living.
• Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, we hosted the following events:
o First Tuesday Music featuring Adam Miller, who sang folksongs of the
American Labor Movement in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
o The Genealogy Interest Group met in-person at the ACC and online.
o The Adult Ukulele class had two sessions at the ACC.
o A Bookish Affair met to discuss Puck by Samantha Allen.
o Two Adult Summer Library Challenge events:
▪ A Honey Tasting Experience led by beekeepers from Bee-Licious
Honey. Participants tasted three Oregon honey varietals and taught
participants how to taste honey using aroma, texture, and flavor
evaluation.
▪ The Secret Life of Pollinators presentation by OSU Master Gardener
Leah Pullman where the audience learned how to help pollinators
thrive by providing food, shelter, and safe places to raise young in
their gardens.
o Two events in conjunction with the Echoes of Belonging art installation that
will be installed at the Library in September:
▪ A Paint the Story, Community Painting event at Sundeleaf Plaza in
which community members of all ages participated in painting the
panels for the art installation.
▪ A talk by Mariah Rocker with the Oregon Black Pioneers on
“Displacing Black Portland: A History of Housing Discrimination” for
Pints from the Past at the Lake Theater & Cafe.
o A monthly Poetry Group meeting.
o Our quarterly Trivia Night session.
o An Ancestry Answers session, in which volunteers assisted patrons with
researching their family tree.
o Our monthly Building Bridges Book Group, which met to discuss The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
o A screening of the Japanese film Momo for our World Cinema Series, now
located at the Adult Community Center.
o Our monthly BYO Mystery Book Group.
Stats
Reference & Readers’ Advisory Interactions: 1,499
Programs for Adults: 16
Adult Program Attendance: 269 (does not include the number of views of recorded events)
Programs for All Ages: 10
All-Ages Program Attendance: 2,427
Honey Tasting Experience
Youth Services
July 2026 Monthly Report
SUMMER LIBRARY CHALLENGE
So many families are engaged with this year’s program, Plant a Seed, Read. They are completing extra
challenges and finding scavenger hunt clues around the city. The one on the Bookmobile has been a particular
challenge because they must find out where the bookmobile is first and then go visit it. The addition of a free
Oaks Park skate pass in July has the desired effect of bringing families back into the library where we can
encourage them to continue to read and log their progress, find more scavenger hunt clues, and complete
additional challenges. At this point in the Summer, we have over 1500 participants and have given away 1,292
free books and 514 Oaks Park skate passes.
PROGRAMMING
We embraced a Bee theme for July and hosted local author Audrey Sauble, who
read from her latest book A Bee or Not a Bee? for a special storytime. The Museum
of Cultural and Natural History brought a fabulous traveling exhibit and activities to
our Programs in the Park called Bee, Amazing! And our take-away craft for the
month was a bee headband.
We didn’t try to convince our world language performers to follow our lead, but that
didn’t stop them from presenting great programs in Mandarin, Spanish, Sign
Language and Korean.
PROGRAMS IN THE PARK
This year’s programs were a tremendous success. We drew crowds of over 100 people for almost all of them
and only had to move inside the library twice because of weather. We were delighted to be joined by
members of the FOLOPL who were able to see first-hand that the contributions they make towards
programming brings so much joy to families in our community. Thankfully the craft program (seed balls and
seed paper) we moved indoors fell during the peak vacation season and therefore was small enough to not
create chaos in the children’s library. The other, our End of Summer party took place on the main floor and
was attended by 171 children and adults.
Here are a couple of other photos from the five Programs in the Park we hosted during July.
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Youth Librarians along with other library staff took the bookmobile out to the LORAC (x2), Mercy Greenbrae
(x2), Jean Road Fire Station and the Oswego Towne Square. They also visited Maryam’s Preschool, where the
regulars are always happy to see them.
The July StoryWalk celebrated disability pride month with Song in the City. It was installed at Iron Mountain
Park, Lake Oswego’s most accessible park.
It was a surprise! Loved walking, reading and being outdoors!
Eugene (65)
I like how you can read while getting exercise outside in nature.
Annabel (11)
What a sweet story with an important message about listening. Loved
the sustainability used in the sign-making!
Nicole (50)
We read these every time we find one and this book was wonderful!
Geneva (5)
Jackie visited Mercy Greenbrae to do a craft program with youth residents. Several participants attended and
put together colorful suncatcher garlands to adorn their spaces. The youth were excited to learn about a
follow-up program we’re bringing to Mercy Greenbrae next month, Black Light Painting.
TEENS AND TWEENS
This month we had Cute Plushie Taxidermy, a tween program where participants turned old plushies into
quirky art to hang up at home. Despite a bit of hesitation to take apart a stuffed animal, tweens had a fun time
crafting some wholly original works of art. Demand was high for this program, so we may be running it again
later this year! Tweens were chock full of ideas at July’s Junior Teen Idea Club. After several rounds of Kids
Against Maturity, our tweens brainstormed together and asked for programs focused on trinket trading, card
collection show and tell, hand sewing, and Y2K movie nights.
STATISTICS
Reader’s Advisory/reference – 681 (includes 1000BBK and New Parent Gift bags)
Program attendance: 30/985 (does not include Rover outings, does include storytime, special programs,
outreach and LEGO club)
And just for fun – two of our Youth Librarians with a new friend.
HIGHLIGHTS
• July was another busy summer month for LOPL, and the Circulation department was no
exception! 333 new cardholders joined the library. Staff shelved 977 carts (special
shout-out to our amazing Shelver and Library Assistant, Monty, for shelving 145 carts of
materials during the month!).
• The Rover Bookmobile visited new and recurring stops around town and made a star-
spangled debut in the City of Lake Oswego’s 4th of July parade.
• Plans for holds lockers around the city continued, confirming locations and holding site
visits at Pilkington Park, LORAC, and Westlake Fire Station.
• We welcomed Brooklyn Harris, and former LAB member, Jessie Pan, to our staff team.
CIRCULATION SERVICES
NOTABLE STATISTICS
• The Lake Oswego Public Library was closed Saturday, July 4, 2026, for Independence Day
• *The people counter malfunctioned and did not count visitors on Sunday, July 26, 2026,
so this number is low. We are continuing to investigate the accuracy of these numbers
overall using a secondary counting method, which recorded 602 people on that date.
OUTREACH STATISTICS
Total outreach circulation: 203
Total items checked out at outreach: 194
Library cards created at outreach with a home library of LO: 2
Library cards created at outreach with a home library of LO Bookmobile: 7
Total library cards created at outreach: 9
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
68,268*
55,248
44,293
20,162
81
230
14,344
16,261
10,997
1,594
333
39
67
977
32
180
187
13,995*
10
83.6%
Technical Services Department
July 2026 Monthly Report
The Booktique Is an Essential Partner in Keeping Library Collections Current
Our Librarians know how much
Lake Oswego Library patrons
love to browse our ‘New Book’
shelves, or check the Library
catalog as soon as they hear
about an exciting new or
forthcoming title.
With our Library building’s
significant space limitations,
though, an under-appreciated
aspect of maintaining fresh and
vital collections of current
materials is the Library’s ability
to continuously discard the large
volume of older materials that
patrons are no longer checking
out. For most collections, it is
literally “one in, one out”.
In 1991, The Friends of the Lake
Oswego Public Library founded
the Booktique used bookstore as
a way to help the Library
manage the unending flow of
discarded materials—and
generate money to enhance Library services at the same time. Countless hours of
Library staff time over the years would have gone into managing the disposal of
discarded books, but instead, the Booktique’s volunteers have turned an ongoing
problem into a steady source of funds for popular Library programs like Lake Oswego
Reads, First Tuesday Music, Summer Library Challenge, and so much more.
Nearly every week, Technical Services staff fill an entire bank of bookshelves with
hundreds of discarded materials for a Booktique volunteer to collect. It’s crucial that the
books get picked up each week—Tech Services usually has several more carts loaded
with discards ready to go, and any hitch in the flow of discarded materials can rapidly
overflow the Department’s limited storage space.
Tech Services is deeply grateful for our Booktique volunteers’ help with this important
work.
A typical week’s load of discarded books for the Booktique
Volunteer & Special Events
JUNE 2026 Report
Total Volunteers Serving 137
Total Volunteer Hours 1003
Collaborated with Library staff to set up volunteer infrastructure
for Summer Library Challenge and Programs in the Park. We have
volunteers working 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 Setups for June 2026 Library programs. New
volunteers have been recruited and trained to set up
chairs and hospitality for library events.
Supported the Outreach Committee and staff to set up
and take down the Bookmobile Launch Party on
Saturday, June 13th. Together with a crew of volunteers,
we set up 8 tents, tables, chairs, outdoor games and put
together a snack table. Volunteers returned to take
down everything and put it all away. It was a massive
team effort!
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 (LAB) and
Michael Peck, BOOKtique store manager. We have
already reviewed a dozen books and feel confident
that our final decision will be made by October.
We honored longtime Technical Services volunteer,
Judith Roberts, by attending her memorial in West
Linn. Together with Tech Services staff, we shared our
appreciation of Judith and her work on behalf of the
library. Judith’s daughter, Elizabeth Farley returned to
the library the next day bearing cookies and flowers
for our staff. She expressed tremendous gratitude for
Judith’s second home at our library.
About Judith Roberts shared by Scott Symer:
Judith last worked with us on Thursday, May 15th. According to news reports, the following
day, after missing a lunch meeting with a friend, her car was spotted several times along the
Oregon coast. However, after a police investigation and search efforts by her family and missing
persons organizations, Judith’s remains were found in a remote area of Brookings, Oregon in
October.
Judith’s connection with libraries in Clackamas County goes back further than her volunteer
service—for many years Judith worked as one of the network catalogers at the LINCC central
office, in the position now filled by Myron Mykyta, who was hired upon Ju dith’s retirement. We
felt very pleased that Judith chose Lake Oswego Library for her volunteer service.
We always looked forward to seeing Judith each Thursday afternoon, and she enjoyed getting
to look over the new books—she would often stay late to finish covering every book we’d put
aside for her, even when we insisted that she didn’t have to.
We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to work with Judith, and all our sympathies go
out to Judith’s family and friends.
Volunteer & Special Events
JULY 2026 Report
Total Volunteers Serving 183
Total Volunteer Hours 1162
Collaborated with Library staff to set up volunteer infrastructure for Summer Library
Challenge and Programs in the Park. We have volunteers working 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.
Provided Setups for July 2026 Library
programs. New volunteers have been
recruited and trained to set up chairs and
hospitality for library events.
Sent out first Volunteer Newsletter to all current volunteers to share updates regarding our strategic plan, a volunteer feature
and upcoming opportunities! This newsletter will be sent every other month
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 (LAB) and Michael Peck, BOOKtique store manager. We have already
reviewed a dozen books and feel confident that our final decision will be made by October.
Hosted Friends of the Library for a summer appreciation gathering. Board Directors shared special dishes, celebrated the year’s
successes and socialized with one another. It was a wonderful time!
Planned updates to Backyard Habitat Garden and organized a speaker for Sunday, August 16th which will include Seed Library
and two garden tours.
Lake Oswego Public Library
Facility Planning: Core Talking Points
• The current building is reaching the end of its useful life.
• Ongoing repair is not a long-term fiscal strategy.
• Community demand exceeds what the site and facility can provide.
The Existing Library Building Is No Longer Structurally or Functionally Viable
The existing library facility has reached the limits of its useful life, with significant and
worsening seismic, water intrusion, building system, and accessibility deficiencies. These
conditions constrain safe, reliable, and equitable service delivery and will continue to escalate
over time, limiting the Library’s ability to meet core community expectations.
Continuing to Invest in the Existing Building Is Not Fiscally Responsible
Ongoing investment in a deteriorating structure is not aligned with long-term fiscal
stewardship. Estimated costs to address current safety and maintenance needs are
approximately $10 million. While maintenance can extend operations in the short term, it does
not resolve core building limitations or the constraints of the site itself. A replacement strategy
aligns public investment with lifecycle value, risk reduction, and long-term community needs.
Libraries Are a Core Community Resource and Current Service Demand Exceeds What This
Site and Facility Can Sustain
Libraries are a foundational public service that support education, access, belonging, and
community resilience. Current demand for flexible learning spaces, meeting rooms, and
children’s areas exceeds the capacity of the existing building, even with expan ded partnerships
and outreach through schools, parks, Adult Community Center, private spaces, and the
bookmobile. A safe building on a larger site is necessary to meet current service standards and
support future community growth and expectations.
DOESN’T REPAIR COST LESS THAN REBUILDING?
Repairs can be less expensive upfront, but they do not resolve core building limitations or expand service
capacity. Over time, ongoing investment adds up without delivering long-term value.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE EXISTING SITE?
Any reuse of the current property will be part of a broader community planning process, including
opportunities for public input and an Existing Site Reuse Task Force. The future of the current site will
balance neighborhood perspectives with long-term community-wide service needs.
WHY NOT JUST USE SCHOOLS, EXISTING CITY FACILITIES AND OTHER SPACES INSTEAD?
The library currently partners with schools, parks, and existing spaces while also using the bookmobile to
extend services. Capacity exceeds these spaces, availability and accessibility for all ages remains an issue.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CURRENT BUILDING?
The existing library has significant and worsening seismic, water intrusion, building system, and
accessibility deficiencies. The estimated cost for repair is $10M, without resolving core building limitations.
WHY CAN’T THE CITY BUILD TWO LIBRARIES?
Two facilities would significantly increase long-term operational costs. The City does not currently have the
financial capacity to support both effectively.
I LOVE THIS LIBRARY. WHY CHANGE SOMETHING THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO THE COMMUNITY?
Many community members have a deep personal connection to the Library. An important goal of the public
input process is to preserve the welcoming and warm qualities people value while ensuring the Library can
continue serving future generations.
The existing library facility has critical deficiencies that constrain safe, reliable, and
equitable service delivery. The City is engaged in a multi-year process to identify
and evaluate options to meet our community's long-term needs.
LAKE OSWEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Planning for the Future
More information, project
updates, and participate
in the planning process.
lopl.org/future-library
libraryvisioning@lakeoswego.city
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LAKE OSWEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Planning for the Future
WHY DO WE NEED SPACE FOR MORE BOOKS? AREN’T PEOPLE USING DIGITAL ACCESS MORE ?
While digital access has grown, print books remain the most widely used format in our community. Children
rely on print materials for early literacy, many adults prefer print reading, and community members
consistently value the ability to browse books in person. At the same time, the need for space goes beyond
books. Community feedback has consistently highlighted the need for more meeting rooms, event and
flexible learning spaces for people of all ages, technology access, and quiet study areas.
WHAT CRITERIA ARE BEING EVALUATED FOR A FUTURE SITE?
Key considerations include site that is equitable and accessible, adequately sized, and financial feasible,
with a priority on urban renewal funding.
HAS MAINTENANCE BEEN DEFERRED? HOW DID WE GET HERE WITH MAINTENANCE ISSUES?
Regular maintenance and repairs throughout the life of the building have helped keep it operational and
safe for the public. In the last five years alone, the City has invested $2.5M in the building to address water
intrusion, debris falling from the ceiling in the Children’s Library, deteriorating flooring, and problems with
the elevator. Investment has helped extend the usability of the building, many challenges are tied to the
age, design, and infrastructure of the building rather than a lack of maintenance.
HOW MUCH WILL A NEW LIBRARY COST?
The cost of a future library will be determined through ongoing community engagement and a phased,
fiscally responsible approach to evaluating expenses and exploring all funding strategies, including the
appropriate use of urban renewal funding where available.
WHERE WILL THE NEW LIBRARY GO?
A future library location has not yet been selected. Any future site recommendation will be informed by
criteria-based analysis and public input. Key considerations include site scope and suitability, geographic
needs, community priorities, and financial feasibility, with a priority on urban renewal funding.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE FOR PUBLIC INPUT IN THIS PROCESS?
City Council meetings are open for public comment, there will be two Community Task Force groups, and
numerous upcoming opportunities for public engagement. We are committed to hearing a broad range of
perspectives to help shape decisions that reflect community needs, priorities, and long-term goals.
WHY NOT KEEP THE LIBRARY IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION?
The current site has constraints, including parking, needed space, and surrounding impacts, that limit
expansion. Library services are designed to provide equitable access across the entire community.
More information, project
updates, and participate in the
planning process.
lopl.org/future-library
libraryvisioning@lakeoswego.city
STRATEGIC PRIORITIESSTRATEGIC PRIORITIES STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Lake Oswego Public Librar y | 2026 Over view
Planning for the
Future of the Librar y
Lake Oswego Public Librar y is a highly valued community resource ser ving
more than 27,000 active cardholders and boasting one of the highest per
capita borrowing rates in the nation. The Librar y is advancing both 2027-
2029 strategic planning and future facility planning to best support evolving
community needs.
To develop a strategy for an expanded and modern librar y facility ,
prioritizing West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it
to ser ve as an all-ages and all-activities community center.
Council &
Community Direction
Council goals, 2023 library
visioning, and community
surveys consistently identify the
need for a safe and future-
ready replacement library to
best serve the community's
high usage and expectations.
Site
Constraints
Current library is 23% smaller
than voters approved in 1974.
Multiple studies have identified
space, access, parking, and
growth limitations, with
recurring recommendations for
a larger site.
Building
Conditions
Significant and worsening
seismic, water intrusion,
building system, and
accessibility deficiencies.
Estimated cost in 2024 was
appx. $10M to address
current needs.
2026 Council Goal
Phased Planning
2026
CRITERIA
2026-2027
ANALYSIS
2028-2030
NEXT STEPS
Two-track three phase integrated public process, to identify and narrow options
for both a future Librar y site and reuse of the existing site.
Key Criteria
Financially Feasible: Strategies to reduce the cost of
the project for taxpayers include funds from
possible sale of existing site would be directed to
the Librar y and that the future site is within, or able
to be brought into, an Urban Renewal District with
capacity to help fund the project.
Equitable and Accessible: Future site geographically
central to the City’s population, near an arterial
road, with multimodal access.
Two Task Forces Developed: Input from Librar y Site
Reuse Task Force and Future Librar y Task Force to
inform balanced analysis and long-term priorities.
Community Input: 2023 Librar y Visioning, 2025
statistically valid Community sur vey, polling
tentatively planned for 2027.
Long-Term: Community driven, transparent,
extended planning grounded in fiscal responsibility.
Public Engagement
Program
Attendees
174,149
Increase in
Home
Delivery
25%
40
Distributed
BEYOND
THE
BUILDING
New
Library Cards 3,653
Library Outreach
Participants
6,477
22,597
OPEN 2,715
Equivalent to three sold-out stadium concerts
Everyone
Belongs
2,644Multilingual,
cultural, and
accessibility-focused
programs
Serving
Today,
Shaping
Tomorrow
Website
Viewed Every
102,907
Visits to
LOPL.ORG
2,6677,163
Library of Things
A native flower patch supports
nearly 20 bee species Native seeds
Items Borrowed
Participants
2,189Cultural Passes
HOURS
Languages in
Library materials
Great job to all the
library staff - they make
the library worth visiting.
LIBRARY VISITORS
Active
Cardholders
27k+
Together, we inspire discovery and cultivate well-being by
welcoming all people to read, learn, and connect.
2025 Annual Impact
Lake Oswego Public Library Mission Statement
Insights from the
Survey Data
Source analysis: Strategic Planning Survey Results (June 2026, N = 614) · Supplemental context from ballot -record
briefing on measure framing
1LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
What the survey tells us —and what it does not.
The current survey is valuable, but it is best read as an assessment of regular user needs, rather than insight into community-wide or ballot-level interest.
Core services are strongly
supported
Print materials (91%), digital
resources (66%), special collections
(53%), children’s events (52%), and
Cultural Pass Express (50%) all rank
highly.
Facility pressures matter most
Respondents want brighter gathering
spaces, café space, children’s play
space, quiet study rooms, and public
meeting rooms.
Access barriers also matter
Distance, hours, lack of space, and
parking all appear as meaningful
barriers, especially for lighter users.
The sample is weighted
towards library-users
81% of respondents use the
library at least monthly, so
broader outreach is needed
before treating this as a
citywide mandate.
Bottom line
This survey already strengthens two main LAB talking points: (1) the community does not want to lose core library services, a nd (2) many
respondents see a need for better space, functionality, and access. One next step would be to expand the sample to include less-frequent
users, non-users,younger households, west/south residents, and people who are not already highly engaged with the current library.
2LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
Respondents are asking to add space while keeping existing services.
91%
Print materials
556 respondents
selected this service.
66%
Digital resources
408 respondents
selected this service.
53%
Special collections
325 respondents
selected this service.
52%
Children’s events
320 respondents
selected this service.
50%
Cultural Pass
Express
309 respondents
selected this service.
Additional signals
Public Wi-Fi (45%), audiovisual materials (44%), adult classes/events (40%), special
community events (40%), and early-literacy storytimes (40%) also drew substantial
support.
Planning implication
RECOMMENDATION: Any facilities narrative should clearly say the goal is to
protect and improve access to what people already love.
Source: Strategic Planning Survey Results, June 2026 (N = 614).
3LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
The survey points to both facility needs and access needs.
Top future amenities
Café space 38%
Bright spaces to gather 38%
Children's play spaces 34%
Quiet study rooms 32%
Maker spaces 30%
Public meeting rooms 30%
Top barriers
Lack of personal time 31%
Distance to the Library 20%
Not enough hours 20%
Meeting/study space 15%
Lack of parking 13%
Awareness of offerings 9%
Qualitative interpretation of open-ended comments
Many comments say “keep doing what you’re doing,” but recurring themes also include a desire for more gathering space, event space, study rooms, children’s
space, and easier access/parking.
4LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
The current sample mostly reflects people already in the library ecosystem.
81%
At least monthly users
489 respondents —81% of those
answering the usage question —use
the library daily/weekly or a few times
a month.
48%
A few times a
month
287 respondents
34%
Daily or weekly
202 respondents
18%
A few times a year
109 respondents
1%
First interaction
4 respondents
Age profile
Respondents skew adult and older: 35–44 (151),
45–54 (93), 55–64 (84), and 65–74 (132) are the
largest age groups. Under-25 participation is
limited.
Good for
Understanding what current users value, what
spaces feel missing, and what improvements
active patrons are most likely to welcome.
Less reliable for
Estimating demand among infrequent users or
nonusers, judging geographic access issues citywide,
or inferring likely ballot support without broader
sampling.
Source: Strategic Planning Survey Results, June 2026 (N = 614; usage -question N = 602).
5LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
Lighter users are already signaling somewhat different needs.
BARRIER LOWER-
FREQ
HIGH-FREQ DELTA
Distance to the Library 32.7%17.6%+15.2
pts
Lack of parking 17.7%11.2%+6.5 pts
Do not know offerings 13.3%7.6%+5.7 pts
Lack of interest 10.6%4.9%+5.7 pts
Benefits of expanding the sample
A broader sample would capture barriers that current patrons feel
less intensely —especially distance, parking, and awareness —and
would better test whether a new or improved facility would appeal to
lighter users.
Practical ways to expand it
Target west/south neighborhoods, parents not already in programs,
renters, younger adults, and library-adjacent nonusers. Use schools,
community events, partner organizations, and short digital polling to
reach beyond the current respondent base.
Source: Strategic Planning Survey Results, June 2026. Lower-frequency = a few times a year / first interaction; high-frequency =daily-weekly / a few times a month.
6LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
The survey supports three LAB talking points.
1. Facilities need
improvement
Top requested additions are café
space (38%), brighter gathering
spaces (38%), children’s play space
(34%), quiet study rooms (32%),
maker space (30%), and meeting
rooms (30%). Open-ended
comments repeatedly mention more
room, better functionality, and a
stronger community hub role.
2. Preserve core services
Print materials (91%), digital
resources (66%), special collections
(53%), children’s events (52%), and
Cultural Pass Express (50%) are all
strongly valued. The message could
be “protect and expand access to
what already works.”
3. Access and location
matter
Distance (20%), hours (20%), lack of
space (15%), and parking (13%) show
up as barriers overall —and
distance/parking are even more
pronounced among lower-frequency
users. This supports treating access
as a central planning issue, not a side
issue.
7LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
If this eventually becomes a bond conversation, the survey helps ground the
proposed framing in resident feedback.
Lean into
Highlight:
Protect core services while improving the building that
houses them.
Lead with concrete needs: space, functionality,
accessibility, children’s areas, study rooms, and
community gathering space.
Use specific, tangible improvements rather than generic
“modernization.”
Show how the project improves access for more
residents, not just current regulars.
Be careful with
Beware:
An amenities-first pitch that sounds optional or
aesthetic.
A laundry list of every possible add-on without a clear
facilities logic.
Language that implies services will be sacrificed for the
building project.
Treating this current survey as proof of citywide
consensus without broader validation.
8LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
Recommended next steps
1
Use this survey as a needs-assessment baseline
Keep the existing findings; but do not oversell them as an electorate-wide summary.
2
Expand the sample deliberately
Reach out to lighter users, nonusers, younger families, and geographic pockets less connected to the current site.
3
Keep the core narrative simple
Improve the building, preserve the services, and make the library work better for more residents.
9LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING
Survey-Supported Recommendations for the 2027–2029 Strategic Plan
Lean into
•Expand the library's physical capacity to meet demonstrated
demand.
•Protect and enhance the services patrons value most.
•Invest in community-centered spaces and programming.
•Improve access, awareness, and outreach.
•Build on the library's role as a civic and cultural hub.
8LO LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD · SURVEY DATA BRIEFING