Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board January 8, 2024 Minutes Hybrid Present Absent Guests Chair George E. Olivo, N/A Juan Guerra, Lisa Rodriguez, Brenda Treviño, Vice Chair Chris Pineda, Courtney Taylor, Bertha Gomez, Kayla Alisha Hernandez, Audria Trevino, Beatriz Morales, Melinda Clayton, West, Bertha Peña Anthony Chavarria, Bobbi Vasquez, Jennifer (Virtual), Nora I Garza Chavez (Virtual) 1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting called to order by Mr. George E. Olivo at 5:28pm. 2) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes – Ms. Hernandez motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Pineda seconded. All in favor. 3) Introduction of New Member – Mr. Guerra introduces new Board Member Audria West. Prior to Ms. West speaking, Mr. Guerra introduces new Library Services Liaison, Jennifer Chavez. He explains that Ms. Chavez will be interacting with the board members in the future. Ms. West then introduces herself and expresses her excitement to be a part of the Board. 4) Discussion and Action: Appointment of Officers – Board members vote to reappoint George Olivo as Chair and appoint Chris Pineda as Vice Chair at 5:33PM. 5) Citizen Comment – No comments. 6) Library Report a) Adult Services, presented by Bertha Gomez: Ms. Gomez began by reviewing the December programs, starting with Let’s Get Cookin’. Patrons learned to make Fideo Con Carne which everyone enjoyed. Ms. Gomez explained that patrons learned the pros and cons of cooking with wooden utensils. She stated that all ages were welcome to join. The next December program was the showing of “A Christmas Story,” which was recommended by staff. Ms. Gomez invited patrons to the showing by asking if they had seen the movie before and if they liked it. She reviewed pictures that were taken from the movie showing and from the Monthly Puzzle event. Next, Ms. Gomez stated Mini Libraries are still being continued. She explained that Jose Gonzalez, Librarian of the Southmost Library branch, guides this program and books are being passed to him to build up these libraries. Ms. Gomez went over a survey that was done in December titled “My Library Wishlist.” She stated that there were over 38 surveys that were submitted. Ms. Gomez reviewed some of the responses from the survey which included asking for more space, a new floor, different books/movies, and more computers. Mr. Pineda asked if there was a map for the little libraries and Ms. Gomez responded that she did not have one, but a map could be made. Mr. Guerra clarified that the Little Libraries are in collaboration with the Parks Department, and they are working on a map. Mr. Pineda stated that he was curious because he saw other little libraries around the city. He questioned if they were all from the City of Brownsville or from other organizations. Mr. Guerra confirmed that other organizations have them as well and that they have to apply for a Little Library. Ms. Gomez then reviewed the programs for January such as Tuna Salad Sandwich for Let’s Get Cookin’ and Citizenship Class with immigration officer Mr. Rodriguez*. She explained that the Citizenship Class will first be held at the Southmost branch then the Main branch in February. The next programs for January are Game Night at the Main Branch, showing of the movie “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” the New Year New Me box game, and computer classes. Mr. Pineda asked if the Citizenship Class is in partnership with another organization. Ms. Gomez responded that an officer came to the library and wanted to do a class, which is how the collaboration began. Mr. Pineda questioned if the officer was a police officer. Ms. Beatriz Morales clarified it was an officer from Customs that had called to inquire about the class. Ms. Hernandez had an additional inquiry regarding if the proceeds from the café go to the library and how  everything has been since it opened. Mr. Guerra clarified that before Covid, the proceeds would go to the city. He explained that after Covid, the current café is a local company called “7th And Park” to whom the space is being rented out to. Mr. Guerra confirmed this is for a trial basis of 2 years. He stated that the café is more of a convenience for the patrons to feel comfortable in the library. He also emphasized that it is not managed by the library, however some of the menu items have to be approved because there are guidelines. Ms. Hernandez questioned if patrons can eat and drink anywhere in the library and Mr. Guerra confirmed that is correct. Mr. Guerra stated that before the café, prior to 2010, there was more mess left behind as compared to after the café. *Correction: Name of the officer is Mr. Rivera-Jaquez from the Department of Homeland Security and Office of Citizenship, Partnership, and Engagement. b) Youth Services, presented by Kayla Trevino: Ms. Trevino reviews the previous program from the month of December, Level Up Christmas. She explained that this 4-day program consisted of 5 events at both library branches such as Retro Day, Pokémon Day, and Pictures with Santa. Ms. Trevino provided a total attendance number of 27,227 people for all 305 Youth Services programs from the previous year. She highlighted the 2 biggest programs which were the Summer Bash at Main Branch with 820 people and Trunk or Treat at Southmost Branch with 2,557 people. Mr. Pineda asked if these attendance numbers are done every year. Ms. Trevino clarified that she compiled these numbers out of curiosity. She explained that the managers do have their own stats they need to report to the state. Ms. Trevino also includes an overview of Youth Services due to the addition of a new Board Member. Ms. Trevino concludes her presentation by covering the programs for the upcoming months such as Summer Reading Program and Easter Extravaganza. Ms. Trevino then asks if anyone has questions to which Ms. Garza responds that she does. Ms. Garza mentions a program that is done on Channel 5 called “Kids You Should Know.” She suggests a similar program could be done at the library where an award is given to a child that excels in reading. Ms. Trevino comments that this is a good idea and that it would depend on the ages of the children, or it could be all ages. Ms. Trevino stated that the idea can be workshopped, and we can see how it can be incorporated in the future. She then stated that for the Summer Reading Program, the kids do get awarded for the amount that they read but it would be nice to highlight them. Ms. Hernandez then asked if the awards for the Summer Reading Program are raffled. Ms. Trevino clarified that the grand prizes are raffled but the kids do get awarded for finishing their reading logs. She then explained that it has not been made into a contest because it is hard to keep track of and you never know who is telling the truth. Ms. Trevino concluded by stating that maybe the first people that turned in their reading logs can be recognized by having their picture taken and posted. Mr. Pineda then suggests the submission or nomination process for Channel 5’s Student of the Week could be used as a template to work from. Ms. Garza stated that she would be willing to ask for donations to use towards the award. Mr. Guerra added that he liked the idea and that it would motivate other people. c) Teen Services, presented by Beatriz Morales: Ms. Morales reviews the December program Teen Night: Christmas Edition. Pizza and prizes were given out. Mr. Morales stated that Makerspace was able to donate a lot of their pieces as prizes which allowed them to promote Makerspace and other resources. Ms. Morales reviews upcoming programs such as DIY Teen Night, “Shazam” showing for Movie Night, Dragon Ball Z Night with a scavenger hunt, and Teen Advisory Club. Mr. Olivo thanks Ms. Morales for her report. d) Makerspace, presented by Anthony Chavarria: Mr. Chavarria states that he does not have any updates for December as he was primarily helping with the Christmas Events. He continued by reviewing upcoming programs for January and February such as Mugs & Sublimation and DIY Terrariums. Mr. Chavarria stated that events for March are still in the works. Mr. Pineda questioned if sublimation meant printing the mugs and Mr. Chavarria confirmed it is. He further explained he is trying to promote the services more as he is not seeing it as much as he would like. Mr. Pineda asked if there were any big or interesting projects that people came in with. Mr. Chavarria responded that it was mainly Christmas items, laser engraving, and people coming in with things they needed to ship out in time for Christmas. Mr. Guerra adds that Lazaro moved on from his Makerspace advisor position at the Southmost Branch. Mr. Pineda asks if Mr. Chavarria is covering the Makerspace Advisor position at both branches but Mr. Chavarria clarifies that he is training the staff so that they can assist the patrons. Mr. Olivo thanks Mr. Chavarria for his report. e) Outreach, presented by Courtney Taylor: Ms. Taylor starts by reviewing the events for the month of December, such as BISD Migrant Families Meeting, Farmer’s Market, 2nd Annual Run with Santa and Pancakes with Santa. In-reach events included Pictures with Santa and Jingle and Mingle. Mr. Pineda asked if there are library awards that she goes for. Ms. Taylor responded that she did go for an award this year and the application was due this past week so she should be hearing whether or not the library won the award. Ms. Taylor explained the award is for the Texas Municipal League and it does look at different metrics such as outreach, community development, how literacy is being done, and all services offered. Mr. Olivo states that the library does an awesome job, and we just need to get the word out about the programs offered. Mr. Olivo thanks Ms. Taylor for her report. f) Friends of the Library, presented by Bobbi Vasquez: Ms. Vasquez starts by sharing that they earned over $13,000 in sales in 2023. She did confirm they got full-time at the Main Branch and are working to get full-time at the Southmost Branch. She stated she is also working to get a full blowout sale for Friends of the Library through February. Ms. Vasquez stated they are still working out all the details and they are going to start out at Southmost to get more people to come in. She also explained that she is going to be alternating Saturdays with her Vice President. Mr. Guerra added that we are blessed to have Ms. Vasquez as a chair of the Friends of the Library and that he admires her passion. Mr. Olivo thanks Ms. Vasquez for the work she does. 6) Adjournment - Ms. Hernandez motions to adjourn. Ms. Pineda seconds. All in favor. Meeting adjourns at 6:10 PM.