Regular meeting of the Library Advisory Board.

Sebastopol Library Advisory Board Meeting Notes

December 6, 2017

Location: 7140 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Present: Mary Shiff, Walt Frazer, Ralph Johnson, Mathew Rose (Sebastopol Regional Library), Helena Whistler (Library Commissioner), Michael Carnacchi (Sebastopol City Council), Jaime Anderson (Collection Services Division Manager), Fiona Hynes (LAB applicant).

I. Mary Shiff, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The Agenda and Minutes from October 4, 2017, were approved.

II. Public Comment: none.

III. Announcements:  none.

IV. New Business:  Project ideas were reviewed. The LAB decided to take up two projects: working in conjunction with LANTERN on a survey and assisting with the Little Free Library project. The Farmer’s Market and Library Commission presentation topics were tabled until the February meeting.

Va. Commissioner Report: Helena Whistler reported on OPEB obligations and a potential plan to address the issue. Unknowns were discussed with regard to budget impacts of the October fires. The Measure Y Oversight committee continues to meet. Details of the Regional Parks Pass were shared. The county wide LAB meetings are being looked at as an annual event to help LABs network and grow. Ms. Whistler updated the LAB on the recruitment for Library Director, Hours expansion on Saturdays, and Budget Priorities (Hours, OPEB, and Facilities).

Vb. Director’s Report: Jaime Anderson reported on behalf of the Interim Library Director. Ms. Anderson reported on the Northwest Santa Rosa refresh project will take place in 2018 and Petaluma faces a refresh in 2019. Library HQ in Rohnert Park is still be planned with a target move date penciled for February 2018. Public Services Division Manager Kiyo Okazaki retired in November after 41 years of service. An updated organization chart with a new structure for division managers is being recruited for. The library’s delivery trucks are being replaced with hybrid trucks. Changes to Saturday hours have been approved; from open hours of 10-4 to open hours of 10-6. Implementation will take place no later than April 7, 2018. Planning for the 2017/2018 budget year has started. The California Library Association Annual Conference had 6 attendees from Sonoma County Library. The Food for Fines program was discussed, as was the addition of video games to the library collections. A reminder of the gift policy was shared.

Vc. City Liaison Report: Michael Carnacchi updated the LAB on the City Council actions on RV / vehicle parking, LED streetlights, and adult use of marijuana sold at dispensaries.

Vd. Youth Report: none.

Ve. Branch Manager Report: Mathew Rose discussed the idea of expanding art along the exterior of the library building along High St. The Gift Wrapping Station will be available in collaboration with the Sebastopol Downtown Association. The Ethnic Studies class from Analy High School has been using the library as a classroom to great success. Their latest class included interviews with over 30 seniors from Sebastopol as a StoryCorp project. Information about embedded book clubs at Analy High School and El Molino High School was shared. The Disaster Recovery Workshop for Business and Non-Profits takes place on December 7, 2017, at 6:30 and is open to any entity that suffered financial impact from the October fires. The idea of the library providing space and support to aid recruitment for construction and fire recovery jobs was shared.

IVf. Friends of Sebastopol Library Report: The December book sale brought in $1,900. The January book sale will take place between the 10^th and 15^th. There is potential that the Friends of Sebastopol Library could place a Tuff Shed in the North High Parking lot so that the hauling of books would be simplified.

IVg. LANTERN Report:  A presentation will be made to City Council on December 19 on the commissioned rendering of a potential new library building.

V. Additional Comment: None.

VI. Agenda Items for Next Regular Meeting: February 7, 2018 at 4pm

Report on Farmer’s Market

Report on projects

Creating a report to present to the Library Commission

VIII. Adjourned: 5:45 pm

Reported by Mathew Rose