Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Agenda Item No. 1 Escondido Public Library Board of Trustees BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 2:00 p.m. Library Board Room CALL TO ORDER: Trustee Gorny called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Members Present: Trustees Mirek Gorny, Elmer Cameron, Ron Guiles, Gary Knight, Mayra Salazar • Members Absent: None Staff Present: Loretta McKinney, Director of Library & Community Services; Cynthia Smith, Assistant Library Director; Joanna Axelrod, Principal Librarian; Misty Breymeyer, Division Coordinator; Cathy Janovitz, Librarian II Written/Oral Communications: None Agenda Item #1: Approval of minutes: August 9, 2016 meeting Motion by Trustee Knight and seconded by Trustee Guiles to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. Current business Item #2: Staff Introduction: Cathy Janovitz, Teen Librarian. Assistant Library Director Cynthia Smith introduced Cathy Janovitz, Librarian II. Ms. Janovitz works in the Youth Services Division and is responsible for services to teens in middle school and high school, ages 13-17. Ms. Janovitz began working at Escondido Public Library in 1997 and progressed in paraprofessional positions with increasing responsibility while working on her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies from CSU San Marcos and a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. Ms. Janovitz promoted to Librarian upon completion of her Masters' degree. As Escondido Public Library's Teen Librarian, Ms. Janovitz develops and maintains the teen collection and materials budget for her area. An important aspect of her job is to provide programs and outreach to teens that promote Library services. Ms. Janovitz recently introduced two new teen programs, Create It, and TAB (Teen Advisory Board) and continuing programs include, Review Crew, and Burritos and Book Club. She has been very successful in engaging teens and has developed a faithful following. Ms. Janovitz also supports Children's Services, and has played a key role in coordinating several library-wide programs. Trustee Cameron inquired about the Teen area. Ms. Janovitz explained that the seating area is limited to teen use because it is widely recognized that teens need their own space to study and congregate. The booths next to the Teen area are very popular and may be used by the general public until 2:00 p.m. After that hour, use is dedicated to teens to encourage study and the use of Teen laptops for homework. Additional study tables for general use have been placed nearby and that has helped provide seating for other adults. Item #3 Update on Grape Day Park New Library Task Force Director McKinney reported that the Grape Day Park Task force feasibility study is continuing to progress. Community members Ken Erickson, Brad Burke, and Steve Nelson plan to present their vision for a new Library in the Grape Day Park locale to the Escondido Rotary Club soon. The Trustees expressed interest in learning more about their vision. City Manager, Graham Mitchell, has begun to outline the staff report to present to City Council on October 19, 2016. Feasibility findings with options to consider will be reported and direction on next steps will be sought. Trustee Cameron suggested it would be helpful to visit the new San Diego Public Library downtown. Several Trustees expressed interest and agreed to book their own tour keep in line with the Brown Act. Item #5 — Other Reports Director McKinney announced that Assistant Library Director Smith received a commendation for Outstanding Work Performance from Director McKinney. The award recognizes leadership and dedication to promoting new ideas and goals. These changes are noticeable in efficiencies and professionalism in Library work standards, outstanding marketing and promotion of Library services, and in teambuilding. Trustee Cameron confirmed the noticeable differences in the graphics and marketing materials, and he also noted Librarian Viktor Sjoberg's wonderful outreach in the community by engaging local businesses to partner with the Library. Director McKinney reminded the Trustees that Banned Books Week begins on September 25, 2016. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. Some people may feel strongly that certain books should not be in public spaces, due to their content; however, public libraries provide the opportunity to present diverse points of view and provide access without bias. In closing, Assistant Library Director Smith shared an article published in the August 22, 2016 Times Advocate that highlighted the Library's Summer Reading Challenge as the most successful ever. Library news releases are receiving a wonderful response by the press and articles feature the positive contributions the Library makes in the community. Adjourned: TrOstee Gorny adj urned m eting at 3:05 p.m. Mayra'Salazar, Library Board of Tr ees cretary/mb