Sonoma County Library

Rohnert Park-Cotati Library Advisory Board Minutes 

April 16, 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 5:05 pm.

PRESENT

Lisa Neuson, Hanna Taylor, Barbara Utter.

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

Not present: Ulli Ehlers, Art Stuckey, Friends of the Library President Pam Novelly.

Guests: Caryl Sherman, Gil.

INTRODUCTIONS

All present introduced themselves.

REPORTS & UPDATES

LIBRARY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Commissioner Barbara Mackenzie reported on the April 15 Commission budget meeting. Branches will not expand hours to open on Sundays this year. New circulation policies discussed are: As of July 1, borrowers will be allowed to check out a maximum of 100 items, there will be no fines for overdue items, and all existing fines will be forgiven. Libraries are now loaning WiFi hotspots and Hublets. Commissioner Mackenzie and Division Manager Adlawan attended the Rohnert Park City Council meeting to receive the City’s proclamation for National Library Week. An All LAB day is being organized, on June 1 at the Rohnert Park Headquarters. There is a request to the Friends’ groups to donate some of their annual funds to help cover expenses.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Public Services Division Manager Lana Adlawan reported that the move to eliminate fines and fees will be announced with press releases and in the social media. The Commission approved a resolution to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteers Week in June.

BRANCH MANAGER’S REPORT

Branch Manager Nancy Kleban reported that Saturday’s teen poetry slam attracted 56 teens. Our new weekly Conversation Circle is now meeting every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. for people wanting to practice conversational English with a trained facilitator. SSU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is partnering with the Library for two film screenings and discussions this summer. Branch Manager Kleban is planning retirement in May.

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 next Friends book sale is scheduled for June 5 and will be open late, until the Farmers Market closes, on Friday June 7. Current Friends membership is 186.

CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS’ REPORTS

Wendy Skillman reported that the Cotati Historical Society held its annual barbecue fundraiser. The recreation center had a successful yard sale, with proceeds to provide scholarships to events. A Farmster fundraiser is coming up at Sally Tomatoes. The City won an award for its budget management.

Susan Hollingsworth Adams reported that the City of Rohnert Park has a new outreach specialist, Cecily Kagy. The Design Review Board is going over details of the downtown project this evening.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PAST MEETING

The minutes of the February 19, 2019, meeting were approved following a motion by Barbara Utter seconded by Hanna Taylor.

                                                                                                                              

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Gil expressed gratitude for the Library as a welcoming place. He would like to see hours expanded, following the example of the Marin library system, perhaps with two branches alternating evening hours. Other improvements would be public computers available until closing time, and more fun events for adults. He expressed privacy concerns with our public computers and Hublets, as well as with the new WiFi hotspots.

Caryl Sherman expressed concern about keyboards, monitors and mice not being cleaned frequently enough, and the need for hand sanitizer to be more available.

ACTION ITEMS

The request for LAB funds to be donated toward the expenses of All LAB day was discussed. There was concern that no one had received an agenda. The $484 left in the current year’s fund could be used for prizes, for outreach at the June 7 book sale/Farmers Market, and for the raffle planned for the next art show. A motion was made by Barbara Utter, seconded by Hanna Taylor, to give $100 toward All LAB day. Another motion made by Barbara Utter, seconded by Hanna Taylor, to spend up to $384 on outreach items if necessary for next year, was approved. Division Manager Adlawan read the goals and regulations for spending the annual $500 allotment. Chair Lisa Neuson will email the absent members inviting them to participate in the June 1 All LAB meeting and at the June 7 outreach. A few members plan to come to the branch on April 24 to do an inventory of giveaways.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

ADVISORY BOARD INFORMATION ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.