Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board Monday February 8, 2021 Minutes Via Zoom Present Shannon Pensa, Juan Pequeno, Rubi Gonzalez, Rachel Ayala, Alam Ortiz-Knopp, Celia Flores-Feist, Juan Guerra, Nurith Galonsky, Brenda Trevino, Josephine Balboa, Maribel De Leon, James McCoy, John Solis, Lazaro Castro, Kayla Trevino, Courtney Taylor, Chayse Sundt 1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting called to order at 5:36pm. 2) Discussion & Action of Approval of Minutes – Ms. Sosa moved to approve minutes, seconded, and approved. 3) Citizen Comment – No scheduled comment 4) New Board Member Introduction – Mr. Juan Guerra reported that on July 20, 2021, the library went to city commission and Mr. Juan Pequeno was selected and approved as a board member. 5) Open Meetings Act – Maribel De Leon advised the board members to turn in certificates for training. Members should access the training through link provided, watch the video located at the bottom of the screen, then print out certificate and turn into her through email. These certificates must be turned in every time a member volunteers for a new board. 6) Library Report – a. Library Services Follow-up – Brenda Trevino gave an update that the library is having soft opening, they are keeping COVID safety protocols. The library will begin in person Story Time. Staff has been focusing on outreach by going to the Farmers Market and trying to educate the public that the library is now open and ready for business. Staff went to Biblioteca Brownsville, located at the Brownsville Public Housing units. Reported updates on grants; award letters for One read One Grant and Texas Book Festival grants. Ms. Ayala asked is masks are required, and no they are not just recommended.  b. Summer Reading Program – Chayse Sundt gave the following presentation: the library had over 500 participants this year up from last year because of COVID. There were gaming tournaments and classes. Patron came and used some services. The library wanted to make sure they thanked all the sponsors; those are the people that make the program a success. The library reached out to small businesses and Friends of the Library and thanked them in contributing to the success of the Summer Reading Program. The library attempted to target different audience groups. c. Maker Space - John Solis and Lazaro Castro gave a presentation on the makerspace program. It's a space where the public can make their own things. It's a creative DIY space where they can do 3-D printing and work with another person; the library is going to target all types of people Kids, Teens, Adults. It’s a great way to collaborate with other people to create things. Will be incorporating a maker space area at the Southmost Branch also.(Audio/Visual recording presentation) Presented pictures of the areas in both libraries they would be using for Maker Space initiative. Mrs. Feist inquired into who would be paying for supplies for the 3-D printing. Presenter advised that the patrons must pay for materials. Ms. Sosa inquired into how much the equipment would be. Presenter stated its $3,500 per 3-D printer. Advised that one 3-D station was up already and were hoping to have the machines ready in January and the use of the patrons depends on the availability of the machine. 7) Southmost Branch Grand Re-Opening - Kayla Trevino gave presentation. The library has been open a couple of months, had a soft opening, and this is our grand re-re-opening; The library will be giving out Brownsville Library merchandise, hosting story times and crafts and live performances; the first is the book reading and performance since COVID. Event is scheduled for Thursday September 30th 4 p.m. and 8 pm. The library partnered with Karolina Patrina to do Folklorico dances, and Gladys Porter Zoo for show and tell. There will be a lot going on in hopes of bringing out the community to go back to the library. Rachel Ayala inquired into what they were doing to promote the grand re- opening of the southmost branch. Ms. Ayala inquired into whether Ms. Kayla was emailing all the BISD schools and private schools. Ms. Kayla responded that she emailed all the schools in Brownsville. 8) Discussion of Action of Task Force Extension of Service and Scope – The board needs to provide recognition of the Task Force proposals. One of the first steps the board can offer them is formally accept and recognize the initial proposals. The Task Force has acknowledged that their terms are to expire and are requesting for an extension. They wish to participate in some of the meetings to make sure there is action for their proposals, and to make sure those ideas come into fruition. Rachel Ayala stated that feedback from the taskforce was excited about the projects they want implemented, and that a member of the library needs to be with them to advise them as to whether their ideas are actionable. Juan Guerra stated that he recommends they continue, and that the library has already stated working on some of those ideas. Shannon Pensa stated that the board should do something formal to the tank the task force and show appreciation for all  their hard work. Alma Knopp Ortiz stated that she understood that the task force was supposed to be part of the total alignment plan of the library to start this task force and for their ideas to be implemented as a task force and for the board to advise them of what to do or recommend their ideas to the library and it was up to the library implement them. If we are going to think about service, we are going to think about expanding. Rachel Ayala stated it was not the intention of the task force to receive thanks or recognition. It was a waste of time if it was not implemented or listened to. Let's listen to them. Shannon Pensa suggested that the board should have a special meeting where the board sits through the presentation again and let them know the timeline when certain projects will be ruled out or when the members will be consulted. We are formally accepting their recommendation; at the next implementation they can re-apply for the task force. “I think they want to know when they are going to implement their ideas.” Ms. Ayala stated that she thinks that’s what they want for the task force not to be extended but to know when their recommendations will be implemented. Juliana Sosa commented that it sounds like the task force wants a formal acceptance like Shannon Pensa stated earlier of their recommendations and a projected timeline from the library of when it will be implemented. The board agreed. Alma Knopp stated it is also the board’s responsibility to make sure it is being implemented. Shannon Pensa suggested we have an update on task force implementations after the library update report that we have every meeting. Shannon Pensa asked for a special meeting for September. Mr. Guerra suggested September 20 as the projected special meeting that gives the board ample time. Rachel Ayala made a Motion for special meeting Monday Sept 20 for the task force, seconded. Motion passes. 9) Discussion of Friends of the Library Soft Opening and Call for Volunteers - Juan Guerra stated he is having problems getting volunteers for the southmost branch. The library is using staff to shelve the books and to make it look presentable. It's only been open during the weekends with limited volunteers. Staff we cannot expect them to wear masks, but strongly suggest that they do and social distance. It's up to the Friends of the Library and the Friends’ board to see if they have any volunteers. Rachel Ayala commented that putting tables outside for the books worked out greatly. She also stated that, “The friends do give a lot of money to the library for Santa, we fund a lot of money, so I think Mr. Guerra is taking it day by day in terms of what is happening right now.” Juan Guerra stated that is correct, safety is most important. It’s up to friends to decide if they feel comfortable there if they don’t want to volunteer. Mr. Walker Friends from the library commented that most of the volunteers are over 60 years of age and that “We are going to continue with weekends, but we don’t have volunteers for the southmost.” 10) Discussion and Action of In Person Meeting Date - Juliana Sosa is in favor of in person meetings suggested to be put to a vote. Rachel Ayala is not in favor of in person meetings. The meeting can be hybrid. Motion was made to table action for in person meeting date and continue with hybrid meetings. Rachel Ayala seconds. Motion passes. 11) Adjournment – Motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 6:55pm.