Windsor Library Advisory Board Meeting

DRAFT MINUTES

SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY

WINDSOR REGIONAL LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD ZOOM MEETING

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

CONVENING: 4:00 p.m.

Present: LAB members: Mike Neely, Alys Hay, Jennifer Alvarez, Dafne Cruz and “D” Graner. Windsor Library Commissioner Deborah Doyle; Branch Manager Aleta Dimas; Library Division Manager Sarah Vantrease; Absent: Pam Arnold, Town Council Representative Esther Lemus.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 2021 minutes approved as presented.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None available.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Serving about 5000 people every week with curbside service. Library is preparing for the next step of service and expanding access. Planning to open to the public April 26 at 25% capacity for 2 hours per day; no additional people once limit is reached. Wrapping up Reimagining Plan. Budget hearing will be in late May. Hoping to be able to allow Friends groups back in the branches sometime in May, on a limited basis. No in-person volunteers for a while. No in-person programs. Have funding for a mobile library, still in the planning stage.

LIBRARY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Taking inventory of historical records and archives. Tracking what is going on at state and national levels in terms of library things. Governor Newsom signed a bill to give libraries money early. American Rescue Plan included library money, emergency funds. The annual funding budget is now before congress. Build America’s Libraries Act, a construction bill, has not yet been supported by the US Senators of California. Reimagining Plan should be done by the end of this month. 2019-2020 audit is almost finished, no financial penalties for late completion. Have a terrific candidate for the CFO position. Interviewing for the Deputy Director position.

BRANCH MANAGER’S REPORT: Staffing-Briana Herrod, library associate, transferred to Windsor. Jodi Tam, teen librarian, starts later this month. Aleta is transferring to the Roseland Branch in May. Currently interviewing for children’s librarian position. Shelver recruitment currently underway. Thanked Vicki Chavez for filling in as Acting Branch Manager in January. Aleta continues to participate in California Libraries Cultivating Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative (LSTA grant funded). Software upgraded for ePrinting and on-site printing. Currently modifying staff workflow. Will continue curbside service. Partnered with Windsor Service Alliance and Dia de los Muertos Windsor to give away books and promotional material. Met with Robert Green Company and representatives for Charlie Palmer about proposed Civic Center Project: current plan includes 20,000 square foot library, plan will be presented to the Town Council in June. Library is now accepting returns six days/week during curbside hours. Five people at a time (10 per day). Offering book bundles for families. There will be a virtual summer reading program.

FRIENDS OF THE WINDSOR LIBRARY REPORT: Sent letter to former members. Still selling books on Amazon. Had donation collection on Cesar Chavez Day, very successful.

DISCUSSION ITEMS: Dafne is graduating, but has a recommendation for the student Windsor LAB position. Jennifer will reach out to some parents about joining the LAB. Mike, Alys and Pam’s terms expire this June.

OUTREACH FUNDS: Decided to not spend the 2020/2021 allotment.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Postponed to the July meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The farmers’ market quilt show will be July 11 and we can show the FoWL quilt and sell raffle tickets if we want.

ADJOURNMENT: 5:05 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, July 13; 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, “D” Graner, Secretary