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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Library Advisory Board - Meeting Date: 3/13/2024C Glendale A R I Z O N A MINUTES LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY 5959 W. BROWN ST. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85302 MARCH 133 2024 6:00P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Present: Diane Kocur, Chair Theresa Fowler. Vice Chair Cody Bro, Board Member -virtual April Greer, Board Member Gary Johnson, Board Member Meegan Tosh, Board Member Thomas Varela, Board Member Also Present: Dawn Ferro, Interim Chief Librarian Sarah Herlache, Librarian Greg Kinder, Administrative Librarian Esther Peneff, Administrative Support Specialist 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Library Advisory Board Minutes of February 14, 2024. Board Member Fowler mentioned updating the attendance to show Chair Kocur was absent. Board Member Tosh moved, Board Member Fowler made the second, to approve the February 14, 2024, Library Advisory Board minutes as amended. Motion carried 7 — 0. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. FY24/25 LSTA Grant Cycle Opportunities: Ms. Ferro stated that there are two grants that will be discussed. For the first grant, Ms. Ferro introduced Librarian, Sarah Herlache to present additional information on the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Ms. Herlache stated the Writer in Residence grant is supported by the Arizona State Library, which will provide funding ($4,800) for two local writers and marketing. Two consecutive -three-month periods. Adults are the targeting audience, but teens can also attend. The writers will provide 8-1/2-hour one-on-one consults per week. • September -November (Foothills) — Donis Casey, mystery author • January -March (Main Library) — Karen Odden, historical mystery author Chair Kocur asked how they chose the author. Ms. Herlache stated that she attended an author event and acquired a local writers list to pick from. Chair Kocur asked if the library would have the author's books. Ms. Herlache stated yes, the library would have their books available. Ms. Ferro stated the second grant, Indigenous Americans of the Southwest at the Library, will be presented by Administrative Librarian, Greg Kinder. Mr. Kinder stated that the grant will provide funds for Southwest indigenous cultural programming. A study was conducted which revealed that arts and cultural programming, along with music programs, story -times, and reading programs are a top priority for our community members. The targeted audience would be for adults and multigenerational. The kickoff event will be at the Main Library in November for Native American Heritage month, and will have programs offered during Summer Reading 2025. There will be twelve presenter -led programs, offered from December through May. Mr. Kinder stated that this program will increase cultural awareness, lifelong opportunities and promote community dialogue. There will be surveys after each program to gauge the program. There will be 17 presenter -led programs offered throughout the grant period. The library will reach out to groups and organizations for connections with Indigenous American presenters. The total grant request is $139000. Ms. Fowler asked if the programs would be in the evenings or weekends. Mr. Kinder stated that yes, both. Mr. Varela asked if there will be advertising. Mr. Kinder stated yes, there will be marketing through different areas (press releases, flyers, calendar, etc.). Chair Kocur commented that it would be good to promote it through schools as well. Also, added how nice and open the Velma Teague library looks now. Mr. Varela asked if the Velma Teague library would remain open during the City Hall renovations. Ms. Ferro stated that we are open with normal business operations until we hear otherwise. b. Fines Free Progress Update: Ms. Ferro stated it was presented at the City Council Workshop meeting on February 13th and recommended revisions to the ordinance: Eliminate overdue fines. Overdue fines create an economic barrier. Increase the auto -renewal from three to five times to renew. Only patrons who fail to return items or return items damaged, will be financially responsible. The revised ordinance goes to City Council on March 26th for review/approval. c. National Library Week Proclamation: Ms. Ferro commented that the theme this year is "Ready, Set, Library" from April 7-13, 2024. Mayor Jerry Weirs will present the National Library Week Proclamation at the April gth council meeting. Ms. Ferro welcomes the Library Advisory Board members and staff to attend. It will also be a call to action for people to share their stories about how the library affects your life. 6. CHIEF LIBRARIAN UPDATE a. Ms. Ferro stated that per city council direction, a new policy would go into effect on July 1st to provide free meeting rooms for residents and non -profits during library operating hours. Mayor Weirs asked if there could be a fee for after hours. Ms. Ferro reported the following events: • February 24 - Second annual 5K Walk/Run had over 500 people registered at the Foothills Library. • February 24 - Wellness Event inside Foothills Library and had 200 people come to the outreach table. • February 24 - Dog Days of Glendale — Library staff had approximately 100 people stop by. • February 24=25 - Main library book sale had $2,500 in sales. Ms. Ferro stated that the Main library atrium lighting has all been changed to LED lighting, atrium gutters have been cleaned, and windows caulked. The Foothills' library had landscaping maintenance done. There was a fiber maintenance outage that affected all four branches with at least one issue. The Velma Teague library was down completely, but they managed to enter 147 items manually. Kudos to the staff. Ms. Ferro commented it was nice to see the Library Advisory board members at the appreciation dinner and thanked the members for volunteering. Chair Kocur suggested adding a garden backpack to the program we have now. Ms. Ferro said that it is good feedback and would let staff know. The backpack program and the free seeds are popular programs. 7. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS 8. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Library Advisory Board will be held on April 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Room of the Main Library, located at 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale, Arizona, 85302, 9. ADJOURNMENT Board Member Tosh made a motion, Vice Chair Fowler made the second to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. The Library Advisory Board meeting minutes of March 13, 2023 were submitted and approved this10th day ofApri1,2023. Esther Peneff Recording Secretary