Norman Public Library Board

Norman Public Library Board Meeting Minutes September 15th, 2025 The Norman Public Library Board was called to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Norman East Public Library, 3051 E Alameda, Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Minutes Roll Call: Jayme Shelton (Chair), Jason Bingham (Vice-Chair), Megan Straughan (Secretary), Laura Doughty, Sue Ringus, Jody Foote, Debra Engel, Evan Taylor, Eric White Debra Engel Not Present: Jody Foote Introduction of Staff and Guests Beverley Theige (Children’s Services Manager) and Kelsey See (Branch Manager, Norman East) Jamie Featherson (President, Friends of the Norman Library) New board member Introduction New board members Eric White and Evan Taylor provided introductions to the board. Consider and vote to approve/ disapprove/ take other action on minutes from March and June meetings Member Ringus identified two name misspellings in the previous minutes, Beverley Theige and Audrey Clour. Vice-President Bingham motioned to edit the names in the minutes and approve the minutes as amended. Member Ringus seconded the motion. The motion to approve the minutes as amended passed unanimously. Guest Presenter - Jamie Featherston, President, Friends of the Norman Library Ms. Featherston presented on FOTNL history and current work ​ In operation since 1981 ​ Always in need of new volunteers ​ Major changes since the Central Library Mold issues ​ ​ Store in Central Library closed ​ ​ Storage at Central no longer possible, currently using a member’s home ​ ​ ​ Donation drop offs at county fairgrounds Fall book sale at the North Park Plaza on 26-28th​ Looking for volunteers for book sale (thursday night presale for volunteers) Friends of the norman library website, book sales, volunteer sign up genius If you want to donate books, you can do so at west and 12th street recreation center (12-2 and 6-8 M-F) Scholarships and programming funding as needed Some changes in funding (less in donations, spending down) 1000/semester for college and high school students Membership lists have gone down since covid and continue to do so, membership is  mostly seniors. Open to space ideas! (temporary space is available until April) https://www.friendsofthenormanlibrary.com/ Branch Updates Rhythm babies continuing at library lab as well as story time Summer learning ​ Hooplahoma and spaghetti eddie at the well ​ 13 million minutes read! ​ 7 million activity points ​ Staff did an additional 1 million minutes Goal of 18 mil, 22 million at finish,, donated over 10k books to the WIC program ​ Over 9,553k participants ​ Weekly special events during the summer ​ All norman balloon party ​ Library lab children’s programs ​ Daycare visits, sensory explorer lessons (2 staff go to 8 schools special ed programs), school outreach programs, community outreach, reading nights, literacy nights, Touch a truck september 27th 9-12 Staff of children’s program has gone from 12- 2.5 West renovations this fall, new maker lab equipment, they will not close for any significant time Social work interns are available East branch updates ​ Spark a change with Astronaut Leland Melvin ​ Youth opportunity efforts- at risk youth who can benefit from library internships Branch Manager See showed a Critical Youth Opportunity project video ​ Tie dye, food program, summer kids programs, ​ Continuing school partnerships ​ Story time (80 toddlers!) East and West door numbers are at almost 10k (big branch size) Board Comments Board members discussed the ongoing lawsuit from PLS to the city of Norman, clarified that the board should continue to reach out to the city attorney for regular updates, with specific focus on what concrete remediation will look like going forward. Board members discussed ongoing issues of parking at the Norman East Branch. Due to the Central Library closure, door numbers at Norman East and West are close to 10k, the usual numbers from the Central Library. The East branch parking lot cannot accommodate those numbers. Additionally, the amount of reservable space without the Central Branch cannot accommodate community needs. The board agreed to continue to contact city councilors and the city attorney to identify pressing community needs that are not being met. Comments from the Public No comments from the public Next Meeting: Dec 15, 2025, 4:30 pm; Norman Library West Adjournment Secretary Straughan motioned to adjourn, Vice-Chair Bingham seconded. Motion to adjourn was approved unanimously It is the policy of the City of Norman that no person or groups of persons shall on the grounds of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, including marriage to a person of the same sex, disability, relation, or genetic information, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in employment activities or in all programs, services, or activities administered by the City, its recipients, sub-recipients, and contractors. 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