Draft 2023.01.11 LAB Minutes

D R A F T
MINUTES
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
HEROES REGIONAL PARK LIBRARY
6075 N. 83RD AVENUE
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85303
JANUARY 11, 2023
6:00P.M.
 
        
  
1.
CALL TO ORDER
 
2.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Gary Johnson, Chair  
Timothy Ndavu, Vice Chair  
Eva Ndavu, Board Member  
Diane Kocur, Board Member  
Haydee Kukowski, Board Member  
Lauren Snair, Board Member  
Also Present:Michael Beck, Chief Librarian
Dawn Ferro, Library Administrator
Natalie Menges, Administrative Librarian
Alexandra Rowland, Librarian
Esther Peneff, Administrative Support Specialist
3.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
None.
 
4.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
 
a.
Library Advisory Board Minutes of December 14, 2022.
Vice Chair Timothy Ndavu made the motion, Board Member Haydee Kukowski, made the
second to approve the December 14, 2022, Library Advisory Board meeting minutes as
amended:
Pg.2, Section 5.a. - Ms. Garred, Adult and Teen Services Librarian stated that she has
been at the Foothills Library for eight and a half years, 
Pg.3, Section 7. - Vice-Chair Timothy Ndavu asked if the information regarding
improvements that was presented by Daren Frank at the last meeting if the information can
be shared to the community.

Motion approved 6-0.
 
 
a.
NEW BUSINESS
HEROES LIBRARY UPDATES AND TOUR (INFORMATIONAL)
Chief Librarian Beck introduced Natalie Menges, Administrative Librarian, who has been
with the Glendale Public Library for 10 years.  She has worked at the Foothills and Velma
Teague Library and currently at the Heroes Library.  We also have Alexandra Rowland,
Librarian, who has presented before on different STEM programming. Ms. Rowland started
the presentation stating that the focus is on family programming.  Some of the programs
that have been popular include 3D printing (Jack-o-lantern), Seasonal Painting (Colors of
Autumn / Colors of Winter) and the Coding Club (Hour of Code / Robotics).  Ms. Rowland
showed some of the artwork that was created by patrons.  The Coding Club has received
help by Daisy Murillo, New York Times Software Engineer.  Ms. Murillo has received
national recognition as a Computer Science Hero and working with National Center for
Women Information Technology, Technolochicas and Televisa Foundation.  The Coding
Club had built a robotic dog and showed how the robotic dog “Blaster” moved.  Ms.
Rowland explained with photos of other programs that they have had such as planting in
the garden area, nerf program.  The nerf program had the children working together to
create a space with cardboard boxes before the nerf game began.  
Vice-Chair Ndavu asked if coding has a set number of sessions.  Ms. Rowland stated that it
is only one-hour per month.  However, there is a coding database through the library.  The
group can continue coding and share what they have worked on.  Chief Librarian Beck said
that the Fiero software was added to the library’s resources last year and is available 24/7. 
Ms. Rowland stated it can be customized by color-coding each block on the computer.  It
took them three months to create the coding for the robotic dog.  Vice-Chair Ndavu asked if
the file can be saved.  Ms. Rowland stated yes, the file can be saved.  
Board member Snair asked if anyone can join in any part of the process.  Ms. Rowland
stated yes.  Chief Librarian Beck stated that this is a great example of the next level
programming, like STEM and STEAM, for family-oriented programming.  
Chief Librarian Beck thanked Ms. Rowland and introduced Administrative Librarian Natalie
Menges.  Ms. Menges stated that she has been at Heroes Regional Park Library for five
months.  There have been more people discovering that there is a library at this location,
and she is excited about the growth.  Ms. Menges would like to show some of the changes
that have been made and asked if there are any questions prior to the tour.  Board Member
Kocur said that there should be a big sign on 83rd Avenue showing that it is a library.  Ms.
Menges stated that there is a large electronic sign at the corner which changes and goes
through their programming and a sign was added on the back of the building.  Vice-Chair
Ndavu stated that there is also a sign on Bethany Home.  Chief Librarian Beck commented
that there might be an opportunity to add additional signage on the west side and will check
on other signage.  
Vice-Chair Ndavu asked if there have been any opportunities to collaborate with the parks. 
Ms. Menges stated that recently we partnered with Parks & Recreation on a Fishing Clinic
at the lake.  There was free food and kids were able to get a free fishing license as well. 
The library was able to set up a table, which was an opportunity to talk to people about the
library. The library had a chance to be part of the GAIN event at the Heroes Regional Park
that had included other departments such as Fire and Police.  
Chief Librarian Beck stated that Parks and Recreation Administration is located at the Main
Library, and we are always looking for opportunities to partner with them.
No further questions and Ms. Menges started the tour.

Chair Johnson reconvened the meeting, stated that we are moving on the next agenda
item and asked Chief Librarian Beck to share updates. 
 
6.
CHIEF LIBRARIAN UPDATE
 
a.
Chief Librarian Beck thanked Ms. Menges for the tour and gave updates on the following:
• February - Official Change Over to Chairmanship-Diane Kocur as Chair and Eva Ndavu
as Vice-Chair. Congratulations!
• Marshall Trimble, Arizona historian, stated during his Glendale program that this program
was his last public speaking performance.  He started in Glendale and wanted his last
performance to be in Glendale.     There were over 200 people in attendance.
• Recruitment-Administrative Librarian for Technology Services-should have someone
onboarded by early March.  
• Thanked the board members for signing the appreciation letters for recent employee
retirees Tami Miller and Janet Loyd.  Both of them much appreciated the letters.
• February 25 & 26 - Book Sale – Main library – Buck a bag will be happening the week
following the sale.
Chair Johnson asked if there were any more questions. 
Vice-Chair Ndavu asked about an update regarding the Main parking lot.  Chief Librarian
Beck stated that it has been completed.  The only areas that had to be redone were around
the manhole covers due to the peacock trails through the wet concrete.  It was repaired,
and the contractors did a great job.
 
7.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Member Kocur thanked staff regarding the board member contact informational sheet that
was given.  Member Kukowski stated a correction to her area code.  Ms. Peneff noted and
will resend updated contact information to the board members.   
Chair Johnson asked if there were any more questions. No other questions.
 
8.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Library Advisory Board will be held on February 8, 2023, at
6:00 p.m., in the meeting room at the Velma Teague Library, located at 7010 N.
58th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, 85301.
 
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Lauren Snair, made a motion, Board Member Eva Ndavu made the second
to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  
Motion Approved 6-0.   
 
The Library Advisory Board meeting minutes of January 11, 2023, were submitted and approved
this 8th day of February 2023.
____________________________________
Esther Peneff
Recording Secretary