Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board July 8, 2024 Minutes Hybrid Present Absent Guests Vice Chair Chris Pineda, Chair George Olivo, Juan Guerra, Brenda Trevino, Avery Danielson, Martin Leal, Nora Garza, Alisha Hernandez, Beatriz Morales, Allan Polanco, Anthony Bertha Pena (Virtual) Audria West Chavarria, Sarah Weissinger, Bertha Gomez. Bobbi Vasquez, Jennifer Chavez 1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting called to order by Mr. Martin Leal at 5:31pm. 2) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes – Ms. Nora Garza motions to approve the minutes. Mr. Chris Pineda seconds. All in favor. 3) Public Comment – No public comment. 4) Main Branch Library Updates – Presented by Brenda Trevino: Ms. Trevino begins by introducing two new staff members, Allan Polanco as a Makerspace Advisor and Sarah Weissinger as a Teen Librarian. Allan and Sarah introduce themselves to the board members. Ms. Trevino then provides information regarding the start of renovations in the Space 14s area. Ms. Morales provides further information regarding reasons for the changes. 5) Library Report a) Adult Services, presented by Bertha Gomez: Ms. Gomez begins by reviewing programs from the month of June such as Landscaping for Birds, DIY Natural Plant Fertilizer, Chamomango with Dad, and Disney Trivia Night. She then provided upcoming programs for the month of July such as Sanrio Trivia Night, Picnic at the Library, Computer Classes, and an Amelia Earhart presentation. Ms. Gomez provides more information about the Amelia Earhart presentation and explains that she will be sharing her background, education, disappearance, and the mystery behind it. b) Youth Services, presented by Avery Danielson: Ms. Danielson begins by introducing herself to the board members as the new Children’s librarian. She provides information about the ongoing Summer Reading Program. Ms. Danielson reviews Kid’s Night Programs for the month of June including the Library Expedition and Camp Cryptid. She then shares information about presenters such as Fragile Planet Wildlife Park, BK Bones, and Magician Oscar Munoz. She reviews the Summer Bash which took place at the Southmost Branch in June. Ms. Danielson provides programs for the month of July such as Kid’s Night “Camp Make-Believe,” presenter Glady’s Porter Zoo, Kid’s Night “Space Camp,” author Meg Medina, an Art Contest, and the Awards Ceremony for the Summer Reading Program. c) Teen Services, presented by Beatriz Morales: Ms. Morales begins by reviewing programs from the month of June such as “Build Your Own Pirate Ship” and “Steampunk Tea Party.” She then discusses upcoming programs such as “DIY Rocket Ship” and “DIY Artifacts.” d) Makerspace, presented by Anthony Chavarria: Mr. Chavarria begins by introducing new Makerspace Advisor, Allan Polanco, and shares that he has been doing a good job. Mr. Chavarria then reviews the Makerspace Summer Reading Program Activities including “Framed Forest Garden” and “Do It Yourself Nook’s Cranny.” He also discusses the upcoming event “Pokémon Go Fest’ scheduled for July 13th at the Main Library Branch. e) Outreach, presented by Jennifer Chavez: Ms. Chavez begins by reviewing the in-reach event for the month of June at the Summer Bash. She then reviews the in-reach table at the Summer Bash event at the Southmost Branch. Ms. Chavez provides information on outreach events such as “Family Strong” with the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville at the Tropical Gardens location. The next outreach event reviewed was the library’s first ever participation in the “Lunada”, hosted by the Parks and Recreation department. Ms. Chavez provides information on the next outreach events attended which were “Pride at the Park,” which was hosted by the Friendship of Women, Men’s Health and Wellness, “Blue Tie Affair at the Park,” which was hosted by Cameron County as an outdoor event at Benavides Park. Ms. Chavez also provided outreach stats for the month of June and for the year to date. She then shared that the next outreach update will be in September. Ms. Chavez also provides the next outreach events such as the Back to School Bash, Southmost Inolvidable Fest Vol. 1, and the Brownsville Police Department Back to School Health Fair. f) Friends of the Library, presented by Bobbi Vasquez: Ms. Vasquez begins by sharing that they are trying to get back to more consistent hours with the volunteers returning from vacation. She also shares that she wants to get new products for Southmost. 6) Adjournment – Mr. Pineda motions to adjourn. Ms. Garza seconds. All in favor. Meeting adjourns at 6:25 PM.