Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board Monday September 12, 2022 Minutes Hybrid Present Absent Guests Rubi Gonzalez Cynthia Lizardi- Josephine Balboa Bertha Gomez Rachel Ayala Burlette Maribel De Leon Katie Hernandez Alisha Hernandez Lisa Rodriguez Anthony Chavarria George E. Olivo Cassandra Mendez Juan Guerra Chris Pineda Courtney Taylor Melinda Clayton Alma Knopp 1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting was called to order by Ms. Rubi Gonzalez at 5:30pm. 2) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes – Mr. Olivo motioned for approval. Mrs. Knopp seconded. All voted aye, and minutes are approved. 3) Citizen Comment – No Comments 4) Discussion and Action on Updated Library Policy (Tabled) – Mr. Guerra began explaining that this item was tabled during the last meeting. He then asked if the board had any questions, concerns, request anything to be changed, or would like to review the presentation. Board concluded that all seemed well and went on to vote on approval. All members voted aye, and library policy was approved. 5) Discussion and Action on Library Hours – Mr. Guerra discussed with the board how the concept of changing the Sunday hours came about. He explained that the new proposed hours would be Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm and on Friday – Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. This would increase operations from 67 hours to 68 hours a week. Ms. Ayala asked if there are people in the library up till 6:00 pm on Sundays and if not why till 6 and not till 5:00 pm. Mr. Guerra answered that while there are fewer people at 6pm on Sunday, the library wanted uniformity in their hours. Ms. Gonzalez called for a vote on the new proposed hours; all members said aye. New hours will be implemented on the first Sunday of October, which is the 2nd day of the month. 6) Library Report a. Youth Services – Ms. Katie Hernandez began with September programing, which is Library Sign-up Card Month. The library is entering new members into a giveaway, and the person who brought them. The Main branch has had 152 new accounts, Southmost 39 new accounts, and the system has 210 renewed accounts so far. Another activity that the library is promoting is for the kids to become BPL kid voters. The kids will get to vote for activities they would like for the library to do for them. This will help build the concept of voting and its importance. The monthly scavenger hunt has been updated to reflect a fall theme. The library is also preparing for an escape room activity which will take place in October at both branches. The library is also working on Spooky STEM Night for October, which allow the kids to create several spooky items that they can take home with them. The library is preparing for the first Trunk R’ Treat, where kids will get to trick or treating in a safe environment here at the Main Branch Library. Other organizations, such as the Sheriff’s office and Fire dept., will be joining in on the fun. b. Adult Services – Ms. Bertha Gomez presented the activities the library held for the adults during the month August. They started with a joint effort with Health dept. for a healthy cooking class at both branches. Adults could come in with their families and make healthy treats every Monday for the month of August and take those recipe cards and treats home. Health dept. is looking forward to continuing these classes in the future with the library. Computer classes continued throughout August. They will go on through September. These classes have become increasingly popular. Some individuals are asking for some more advanced classes. Other activities that the library tried in August are Art Night, Library Tour, Resume Workshop, Financial Aid Night, BYOB Book Club and VR Experience with Cameron Workforce Solutions. Some activities did better than others, but the library is still exploring to see what the public needs and wants. c. MakerSpace Services – Mr. Anthony Chavarria updated the board on all the events that happen during the month of August for MakerSpace. One of the most popular events was the Perler Bead event. This event allowed individuals to create images using perler beads and take them home. In September, one of the events everyone is looking forward to is the Virtual Reality Gaming event which will be held at both branches. 3D printing and the heat press services have been increasing in usage. The library had their waiver for machine usage approved. This will allow staff to train the public how to use the heat press and let the patron use the heat press on their own. Other exciting news is that MakerSpace has applied for grants, which will be discussed later in the meeting. This grant will allow procurement of new equipment; this equipment will give the public a larger range of services they can perform at the library: ex. making banners. MakerSpace is working on their October STEAM orientated programs, and in the planning stages of November programming. Mrs. Alisha Hernandez asked if there is a charge to use the heat press. Mr. Chavarria answered that there is no charge if the patron brings all their own material. If they don’t, they can purchase materials such as vinyl from the library. d. Outreach – Ms. Courtney Taylor presented on the number events the library has attended to connect with the community throughout August. First event was the Kids Appreciation Day at the Zoo. There were other individuals from other communities at the event such San Benito. MakerSpace gave 2 giraffe books to the Zoo for their raffle.  The second event was HUD’s Strong Family Initiative Back to School Bash at Linda Vista Community Center. The library was able to join other organizations to help hand out backpacks and other goodies while letting the public know what the library has to offer to help their education. This was part of the TSLAC One Book, One Community, One Brownsville initiative, where the library distributed Carmela Full of Wishes books and informational crafts. The next event was BCHC Super Kids Event where MakerSpace got to share what MakerSpace service the library has to offer. The fourth event was La Villita Apt. Back to School Bash where the Children’s dept was able to attend and share all the activities and services the library has to offer. The fifth event was the informational table at the Mexican Consulate. Individuals were interested in notary services and other computer services. The sixth event was the library’s first time visiting the Farmer’s Market. People stopped by to get the library bags so they could carry all their purchases as they explored other vendors. This allowed the library the opportunity to connect with over 300 people and share library services. The last event was the Mexican Consulate Labor Rights Fair. Ms. Sarined Garcia, Librarian, was able to reach out this community and explain the type of job the Library and the City has to offer. She discussed other library services that can help them build job skills. The Consulate gave Ms. Sarined a certificate of appreciation for all the wonderful work the library does. e. Grants – Ms. Taylor updated the board that the TSLAC One Book, One Community, One Brownsville Grant has come to its end. This grant provided the library $9,850.00 to buy and distribute books and crafts for Carmela Full of Wishes. The second update is that the library was awarded CDBG 2022-2023 MakerSpace Laser. This grant is in the amount of $60,158.34 for the Southmost Branch and will allow the purchase of Dell Tower Computer with Monitor, two 3D Printers Ultimaker S5 Pros and one CNC Laser Machine. We will purchase these same items for the Main Branch using different funds. This will provide more services for MakerSpace to offer. The library was also awarded TSLAC Special Project Grant FY23 in the amount of $25,000.00 to purchase two Glowforge, two iMac Computers, two HP Deskjet Printers, and two Sublimation Printers which will be distributed equally amongst the two branches. These machines will allow the public to design and print large format prints. 7) Adjournment – Mrs. Knopp made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ayala seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 6:52 pm.