Library Board Minutes 11.15.22
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Meeting Minutes Library Board Regular Meeting November 15, 2022 | 6:30 p.m. Basha Library Program Room 5990 S. Val Vista Dr. Chandler, AZ 85249 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Acting Board President Maria Munoz at 6:31p.m. Roll Call Commission Attendance Staff Attendance Board President Beth Brizel – Not Present Rachelle Kuzyk, Library Manager Board member Bob Lowry - Present Courtney Allen, Management Assistant Board member Michael McElhany - Present Board member Arman Sidhu - Present Acting Board President Maria Munoz – Present Board member Karla Palafox – Present Board member Alexis Merritt - Present Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances None Consent Agenda 1. September 20, 2022 Library Board Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes was made by Board member Lowry, Board member Sidhu seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Briefing 1. Library Manager’s Report – Rachelle Kuzyk The Library Manager’s Report was provided to the Library Board in advance of the meeting for Board members review. Page 2 of 4 Rachelle informed the board the new huddle spaces are complete. The huddle spaces now have connectivity with touchscreen all-in-one computers equipped with high-definition webcams, and new furniture. Rachelle updated the Board on the status of the Sunset patio renovation. The ADA compliant ramp and stairs into the adjacent Sunset park are now complete. The next phase will install the shade sails, vending book machine, and play equipment. The expected completion date is the end of the calendar year. The Beanstack reading program software implementation has been delayed. The first reading program will be launched in January. Chris McGinley, Basha branch manager, spoke about upcoming activities at Basha. Basha staff are working with the Basha teachers on coordinating and facilitating classroom instruction in the library. There will be a walking book club at Veteran’ s Oasis Park. Basha staff won a contest from the Mesa Center for the Arts to have Zuill Bailey, Grammy Award winner and one of the premier cellists of the world, hold a live performance in the library. Rachelle added that Chris is a huge asset to the library and has a built a new, fantastic team at Basha since he began six months ago. Rachelle updated the Board on the status of the Downtown Café. She is working with the City’s Purchasing Manager to find out what options we have for a new vendor to take over the space. The statistics show we are on track to reach 1,000,000 in circulation for the year. 2. Board member Lowry provided an update on the Friends of the Library (FOL). The FOL held a cookbook giveaway at the City employee appreciation picnic. They gave away over 180 cookbooks and received over 100 new emails to add to the FOL database. Bob informed the board about the commitment the FOL has made to the library for the purchase of a new library bookmobile. They have committed to an initial donation of $50,000. An additional 250 State 48 t-shirts were purchased for sales in the library. A new storage unit will be purchased for Sunset, as their used book sales are very popular, so they need storage space for the books. The FOL will donate $1,000 to The Spot, the new teen hangout at the downtown branch. The Friends have purchased a new printer and square sales system for the new volunteer financial liaison to take away this task from City staff. The Friends will be moving spaces in the downtown branch to allow more space for the City library outreach coordinators. There are approximately eight pieces of art that have been donated to the Friends over the years. City staff and the Friends have met with an art appraiser to sell the art with proceeds going to the Friends organization. The Friends have approved their meeting schedule for the upcoming calendar year. They will be rotating branches, with a hiatus June-August, and December. Board member McElhany inquired if there was anything to report from the AzLA conference and if it was well attended. Rachelle responded that it was well attended, and the Storywalk presentation Chandler staff held at the conference was very successful. Chris McGinley added that his colleagues from Scottsdale are planning to implement something similar in one of their parks Page 3 of 4 after hearing of our Storywalk. Rachelle mentioned that staff are brainstorming about how to engage teens or adults with a Storywalk. Discussion 1. Board member Merritt would like to discuss and propose the Playscape concept. Board member Merritt discovered the Playscape concept at libraries in Spokane, Washington. Her children were amazed and engaged with these explorative and imaginative concepts. Board member Merritt provided many pictures and descriptions of what she found and would like to discuss if this is something Chandler could possibly consider. The structures were wood based with themes relating to the Northwest; Yeti, river & fishing, and farming. Some theme ideas for Chandler libraries include southwest, red rocks, ponderosa pines, Tombstone, and the wild west. Board member Merritt also thought of using Chandler’s technology hub as a theme and possibly approaching those large corporations for donations, which would give them the option of putting their name on the areas. Board member Munoz inquired how the Spokane library funded these projects. Board member Merritt responded stating it was a bond funded project. There was a community survey which yielded results stating that there was a desire for more experience-based options for kids and families. The company that designed the areas, Lucy Creative, is based in Chicago. Rachelle mentioned one problem the Chandler libraries would have is the lack of space for these types of areas. Two of the branches are in the high schools, and the other two simply do not have this type of space available without a building expansion. Rachelle will inquire how to access bond funding and will follow-up with Alexis. 2. Board member Merritt would like to discuss and propose the strategy board game idea. Board member Merritt discovered the circulating strategy board game idea at the Hillsboro, Oregon library. Strategy board games are very big right now. There are national strategy board game competitions and cafes opening. The games can cost up to $60 per game so it can be an expensive collection, which is why a circulating collection could be popular. Board member Merritt not only proposed the idea to have a circulating collection of the games, but also host community game nights or competitions. This could expand the successful puzzle swap program Basha currently offers. The circulation of games would require typed up sheets in the games with what is included and needs to be returned. A staff member would need to check the games when returned, opposed to just a drop off how books are returned. Rachelle mentioned the downtown branch has the empty café area. Rachelle will get the game contact information from Alexis and investigate possibly using the café space for something similar. Chris McGinley will also present the idea to his staff. Page 4 of 4 Calendar 1. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., in the Hamilton Library Program Room, 3700 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler, AZ 85248. 2. The next Friends of the Library Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., in the Downtown Library Copper Conference Room 254, 22 S. Delaware St. 85225. Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Board member McElhany, Board member Lowry seconded. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Courtney Allen, Board Liaison Maria Munoz, Acting Chairman