Sonoma County Library

Rohnert Park-Cotati Library Advisory Board Minutes April 18, 2017 – 5:00 P.M.

Conference Room

6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

 

 

CONVENING AND INTRODUCTIONS 

Chair Barbara Utter called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm.

 

PRESENT

Barbara Utter, Ulli Ehlers, Lisa Neuson, Hanna Taylor.

 

Others Present:  Library Commissioner Barbara Mackenzie, IT Services Manager Vicki Terbovich, Branch Manager Nancy Kleban.

 

Guests: Children’s Librarian Kate Drewieske.

 

Not present: Matthew Weinstein, Merrietta Jaensch, Rohnert Park Council Liaison Amy Ahanotu, Cotati City Council Liaison Wendy Skillman, Friends of the Library President Pam Novelly.

 

INTRODUCTIONS

All present introduced themselves.

 

REPORTS & UPDATES

 

LIBRARY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Commissioner Barbara Mackenzie reported that the Commission is engaged in budgeting for the additional income from the passage of Measure Y. It is projected to increase the annual budget of the Library from approximately $18 million to $30 million per year. A hiring process is underway so that the branches will be adequately staffed for increasing weekly hours from 40 to 52. Beginning on Monday, May 1, branches will be open Monday through Saturday. The Measure Y funds will also be used to buy more books and materials. A space for the materials management department has been leased in Rohnert Park, close to the library. Renovations are expected to be completed for a September move. The space will accommodate delivery trucks, the materials management staff, and the office of budget and finance. Commissioner Mackenzie is looking for a volunteer to join the citizens’ oversight committee that will look over the Library’s expenditures.

 

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Manager of IT Services Vicki Terbovich attended the meeting in place of Director Brett Lear. She reported on the work of the Executive Leadership Team in building new budget proposals presented to the Library Commission at its April 3 meeting, including support level positions as well as public service positions. The May 1 Monday opening will be promoted on the Library’s website and on the radio. Angelina Cacioppo is meeting with Friends and Advisory Boards to encourage communities’ participation in determining the next increase in hours. There is a plan to add 1800 new events and classes between May 1 and June 30, 2018. Community rooms will be retrofit with ceiling mounted projectors and surround sound systems, and Vicki is writing specifications for a new telephone system. A grant for “the scenic network”, rewiring the Northwest branch, was recently awarded, and a second grant was submitted for Oculus Rift, a virtual reality system, to be made available at the Rohnert Park and Healdsburg branches. 

 

BRANCH MANAGER’S REPORT

Children’s Librarian Kate Drewieske reported on a Library Foundation grant she received that funded the purchase of a tent and tablecloth with the SCL logo, a 6’ folding table, and a collection of accessories for tabling at outreach events around the community. Branch Manager Nancy Kleban highlighted the Community Conversation description (ours is scheduled for May 17) that is in today’s packet, and a survey, also available online, asking for community input on preferences for additional library hours. Our branch has hired three half-time additional staff, and one half-time librarian is increasing to full time. We have requested a set of six cubicles to replace the four desks in the librarians’ work room.

 

YOUTH MEMBER’S REPORT  

Youth Member Merrietta Jaensch was not present.

 

FRIENDS OF THE ROHNERT PARK-COTATI REGIONAL LIBRARY REPORT

Barbara Mackenzie, ex officio member of the Friends Board, on behalf of FOL President Pam Novelly, reported that the upcoming book sale, beginning on June 7, will overlap with the Farmers Market, and will be open late on the Friday for the benefit of Farmers Market attendees.

 

CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS’ REPORTS 

Rohnert Park Councilmember Amy Ahanotu and Cotati Councilmember Wendy Skillman were not in attendance. 

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PAST MEETINGS

The minutes of the February 21, 2017, meeting were approved following a motion by Lisa Neuson, seconded by Ulli Ehlers.

             

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

 

ACTION ITEMS

None

 

 

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Angelina Cacioppo will be present at our Community Conversation on Wednesday, May

17 at 5:30 pm. LAB members, who will serve as facilitators and note takers, will arrive at 5:00. There was a suggestion to ask Friends of the Library to help if more help is needed.  

 

A celebration for the first Monday that the library is open, May 1,  was planned, with treats, balloons and a raffle for an iPad mini. Members signed up for 2-hour shifts starting at 10 am. A motion to spend LAB funds on the event was made by Lisa Neuson, seconded by Ulli Ehlers, and approved. 

 

Agenda items 6.3 and 6.4, celebration, outreach, and local events participation, were tabled until the June meeting. A listing of the upcoming year’s local events that are possibilities for library outreach is included in today’s packet.

 

ADVISORY BOARD INFORMATION ITEMS

None

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.