Windsor Library Advisory Board Meeting

Minutes

Windsor LAB Meeting

January 28, 2025 @ 4:00 PM

Huerta Gymnasium - Ficus Room

9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 200, Windsor, CA 95492

1.    CONVENING & INTRODUCTIONS

Present: Eleanor McFarlin, Judy Gerstle, Maryos Kuiper, Mike Neely, and Vin Mahraj 

Others present: Barbara Maes, Deborah Doyle, and Phil Hoeft

Not present: 

Members of the public present: None

2.    PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

3.    APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PRIOR MEETING

Approved. 

4.    REPORTS & UPDATES

Reports and updates on library governance, management, programs, services and support group activities as well as City Council activities. All items are for discussion only.

       4.1.  TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON'S REPORTS

Not present.

       4.2.  LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Maes provided Director’s report: Measure W passed. Windsor Mini Library opened on 1/9/25. Windsor Library is expected to open in March 2025. Mini Library has “Winter Hours”, Mon-Sat 10 AM – 6 PM. BiblioBox usage increased. Healdsburg and Petaluma libraries also undergoing renovation. Funding for Windsor Renovation is financial partnership between Town of Windsor, Friends of Windsor Library, and Sonoma County Library. Windsor Library to be getting study pods (3). Winter Reading is ongoing, ending soon. 

       4.3.  LIBRARY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Doyle provided Commissioner report: Library Measure W passed. (Renewal of Measure Y.) Library staff and Commission are working on budget. Open planning meeting to take place in April 2025. Planning for a New Strategic Plan will be upcoming. There is a new Commissioner for Cotati. Roseland Library continues to be in planning stages – cost of construction is anticipated to go up. Overview of IMLS funding and potential changes in the upcoming year. Commission to form a task force for renovation/construction projects. JPA is up for 10-year review/revision. 

       4.4.  BRANCH MANAGER'S REPORT

Hoeft provided an overview of the Mini Library and its usage. 

       4.5.  FRIENDS OF THE WINDSOR LIBRARY REPORT

Neely provided report. No Friends meeting in January. Temporary space in Raley’s Community Stores. 

5.    DISCUSSION ITEMS

       5.1. PLANNING OF THE 2025 ALL LAB MEETING

The LAB discussed what role of LABs are, including what differentiates Friends and LABs. All LAB meeting to be scheduled soon. Suggestion: a topic on general best practices for outreach. Suggestion: best practices for connecting with youth and recruiting youth LAB members. 

       5.2. PLANNING FOR OUTREACH

Discussed identifying large community events and adding them to the calendar. E.g., Chamber of Commerce, Town of Windsor, large community events, etc.

       5.3. REVIEW OUTREACH SURVEY QUESTIONS AND REVISE IF NEEDED

LAB reviewed draft survey compiled by Neely. Gerstle provided alternate suggestions. Suggestion about listing specific library services on the survey. Kuiper shared “How Libraries Thrive and Survive” with the LAB.

6.    ACTION ITEMS

       6.1. FINALIZE 2025 WINDSOR LAB CALENDAR

Addressed in prior agenda item.

       6.2 FINALIZE WORKFLOW FOR AGENDA BUILDING AND DRAFTING MINUTES FOR   REVIEW

McFarlin and Hoeft to discuss workflow for minutes; Neely and Hoeft to discuss workflow for agenda. 

7.    MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

None.

8.    ADJOURNMENT

Adjourned at 4:58 PM.

Next regular meeting: March 11, 2025 @ 4:00 PM