Sonoma County Library

Rohnert Park-Cotati Library Advisory Board Minutes

February 19, 2019 – 5:00 P.M.

Conference Room

6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

CONVENING AND INTRODUCTIONS        

Chair Lisa Neuson called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm.

PRESENT

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

Others Present:  Library Commissioner Barbara Mackenzie, Rohnert Park Council Liaison Susan Adams, Cotati City Council Liaison Wendy Skillman, Public Services Division Manager Lana Adlawan, Branch Manager Nancy Kleban.

Not present: Library Commissioner Jason Merrick, Friends of the Library President Pam Novelly.

INTRODUCTIONS

All present introduced themselves.

REPORTS & UPDATES

LIBRARY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Commissioner Barbara Mackenzie reported on her visit to the new Veterans Connect corner at the Santa Rosa Central branch. New Library Director Ann Hammond starts on March 11. Interim Director Susan Hildreth leaves after 8 months of service. A consulting firm will be meeting with the Friends, LAB and elected officials to assess potential revenue sources. An art committee document adopted by the LAB in October 2006 stipulates that the committee include a LAB member, the branch manager, and others. LAB members could perform library outreach by scouting for artists and photographers for upcoming shows, and by serving as docents in the art shows.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Public Services Division Manager Lana Adlawan reported that we have a full Library Commission now. Adlawan visited the Cotati City Council with Jason Merrick to discuss library offerings to teens in Cotati with the recreation department. An outreach training is scheduled for Saturday April 13, 10:30-12:30 at the Central Santa Rosa branch; LAB members are encouraged to save the date. Wi-Fi hotspots will be loaned to patrons beginning in April, come along with Chromebooks.

BRANCH MANAGER’S REPORT

Branch Manager Nancy Kleban reported that part-time librarian Erin Beard has resigned. Currently we are recruiting for two 20-hour librarian positions. Library Specialist Emma Wallace was hired to replace Mary Ann Halligan. We have many programs coming up; too many to include all flyers in the LAB packets as has been done in the past. Highlighted are Saturday’s Shakespeare Comedy of Errors, weekly CoderDojo classes beginning in March, and a weekly group for practicing conversational English.

YOUTH MEMBER’S REPORT 

Currently we do not have a youth member on the Board.

FRIENDS OF THE ROHNERT PARK-COTATI REGIONAL LIBRARY REPORT

Barbara Mackenzie reported that the Friends had another successful book sale. The book store is fully staffed. Volunteers are always needed for the book sales. The next sale is the first week of June.

CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS’ REPORTS

Wendy Skillman reported that Cotati is changing the makeup of its Design Review Committee. The property across the street from City Hall now is a home for farm animals, and open houses will be scheduled for children’s visits, as well as group tours. Councilmember Skillman will invite some high school honorary mayors to consider joining the LAB.

Susan Hollingsworth Adams, recently elected to the Rohnert Park City Council, reported that the Station Avenue project plans to open a hotel in October 2020, followed by 450 apartments and 15 restaurants, with other retail shops and more.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PAST MEETING

The minutes of the October 16, 2018, meeting were approved following a motion by Barbara Utter seconded by Ulli Ehlers. The December meeting was not held due to a time conflict with another Library Commission meeting.

                                                                                                                              

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

ACTION ITEMS—None.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Upcoming outreach can include working a docent shift at the Library’s art/photography shows, including the upcoming the March art show.

The Library will provide name tags for LAB members to wear at outreach events.

A suggestion was made to hold a raffle during an upcoming art show opening reception.

Upcoming outreach is also being planned at one or two Farmers Markets and Cotati Kids Day.

Ulli Ehlers represents the library at Rancho Cotate High School Back to School Night.

ADVISORY BOARD INFORMATION ITEMS

The Student One Card may be coming to Rohnert Park soon.

The Library Commission’s budget hearing is scheduled for March 18.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.