HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-10 Library Board of Trustees Minutes Approved ANACORTES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees' Meeting Minutes
July 10,2023 9:00 am
Board of Trustees Attendees:Nancy Fisher-Allison , John Shafer, Courtney Orrock
Absent:Alethea Fleming, Christina Hansen
Library Attendees:Michelle Hanna, Jeff Vogel, Leslie Wilson, Trish Wilson
Absent:Sydney Brady, Diana Farnsworth
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Courtney.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from June 2023 meeting were approved. Motion for approval by John, second by Nancy.
Manager Updates
Jeff
• The Library Tech position has closed. There were 7 applicants who have been invited to
interview later this week.
• The Children's Librarian position closes this week. Interviews will be scheduled in the
coming weeks.
• The Foundation has agreed to pay for the cost of finishing the plans for the teen area update
($33,000) and then the job will go out to bid.
• The cost of Libby will be going up next year, perhaps as much as 15%. Jeff will learn more in
the near future.
• Passports statistics: we processed 506 applications between January and June of this year.
April was our highest volume month with 102 and June was our lowest with 64. June's
numbers were affected by staffing changes within the library, not less public demand for the
services.
Leslie
• Summer reading has been amazing! The model of giving away books at the beginning and at
the end of Summer Reading has proved to be very popular.
• Over 100 people join us for the Summer Reading kickoff at Washington Park. It's always fun
to partner with the Salish Sea school.
• Reptile Man comes Tuesday to the Heart of Anacortes. This is traditionally our best-attended
event of the summer. Upcoming programs include Wren the Juggler and Silly Stories with
Sydney.
• Steam Programs this summer include slime with Mia last week, a nature-guessing game with
Trish, animal tracks, a MakerSpace event, and rock painting.
• Weeding the children's collection continues. We're down to T-Z now.
• The tugboat should arrive July 21St! We're very excited to finally have that installed in the
Children's Library.
• There are plans to turn the Children's Activity room into a MakerSpace with a special
financial gift from the Maxson's in honor of Leslie, Lisa, and Ria.
Diana (presented by Leslie)
• Having separate Summer Reading programs for middle schoolers and high schoolers has
been great. Both age groups are participating in a writing-based program that will culminate
in an open mic event at the Heart of Anacortes on August 16.
Trish
• August 17 will be Adult Trivia at Pelican Bay Books as part of the adult summer reading
program.
• We received a tech grant from the ALA for computer/tech literacy. We'll be doing
workshops in the fall on amateur computer use, cyber safety, etc. as well as upgrading the
community meeting room technology equipment.
Partnership Updates
• Foundation
o John reported that the Foundation agreed to pay for finishing the architectural plans
for the teen area
o All pictures featured in the new Foundation brochure will be of Anacortes residents,
rather than stock photos.
o A sub-committee will be formed to manage the teen space project.
• Friends of the Library
o The next Friends meeting is this week so there is no new news to report. Courtney
will attend this meeting in Nancy's place and will report back next month.
• Manieri
o Manieri had their Second Sunday Jazz concert yesterday. They have a Jazz Stage
reserved for the Anacortes Arts Festival again this year with a variety of artists
booked for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
New Business
o We had a request to provide a community refrigerator to supplement the Red Bag
Pantry offerings. After some discussion, it was decided that we are not able to manage
the needs that go along with a public fridge, such as monitoring perishables,
cleanliness, and food safety. There are other organizations that are equipped to
provide that service, such as food banks and churches.
o The county-wide Library Board training will be held at the Burlington Library on
August 5tn
The meeting was closed by Courtney at 9:34 a.m.
The next meeting is August 14 at 9 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room.