Norman Public Library Board Meeting

City of Norman Library Advisory Board Meeting Date: Monday, September 20, 2021 Meeting Location: Norman Public Library Central 103 W. Acres St. Norman OK 73069 Meeting was called to order at 4:40pm Roll Call Members attending in person: Sue Ringus (Chair), Jayme Shelton (Vice-Chair), Jason Bingham, Sarah Moran (Secretary), Tim Mauldin, Megan Straughan, Jody Foote, Bianca Gordon, and Debra Engels Members absent: none Introduction of Staff and Guests Library Staff: Mike Pierson, Branch Manager of Norman West Beverly Theige, Norman Central Children’s Department Manager Kelsey Williamson, Branch Manager of Norman East Guest Speakers, City of Norman Norman Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen, Director of Norman Parks and Recreation James Brigg, Parks Planner, landscaping Presentation from Guest Speakers to address landscaping concerns with Central Norman Library ● Parks and Rec opened with a presentation on other areas in Norman that had unique landscaping needs. Examples include the Lindsey Street bridge where native plants were chosen to accommodate an uninsulated cold environment since the landscaping is suspended with the bridge. Other uniquely challenging landscaped areas include the North Flood median, and Norman Library East’s unmowed prairie. ● Noted the importance of context, Norman Central’s landscaping is viewed in a more urban environment whereas Norman East is more rural; people have responded to the unmowed native/pollinator areas differently in these environments ● Some concerns have been addressed at Central already including: increased educational signage, mowing back areas to increase visibility for drivers and pedestrians, and keeping beds along sidewalks mowed. ● Additional plans are being discussed to keep the native plants but present the plants in a more traditional/formal landscaped area. This would include more mowed areas, added flowers, trees, and shrubs. Note: mowed areas would still be planted with native grasses such as buffalo grass instead of bermuda grass  ● Considerations for a more traditional-native plant hybrid plan would help keep budget in check as it would still reduce water use and less weeding would be required once plants are established ● Parks and Recreation will continue to develop a plan that addresses the budget concerns, contracting with maintenance for upkeep, and addressing visibility safety concerns Vote to approve/disapprove/take other action on minutes from previous meeting Member Foote moved to approve the previous minutes, Straughan seconded a motion to approve. Voted by a show of hands, Vote passed to approve the minutes, number of votes: 7 YES, 0 NO Board Member Election of Officers ● Motions to nominate Chair ○ Member Mauldin nominated Sue Ringus to continue as Chair, seconded by Member Foote ○ Vote was unanimous ○ Member Ringus was re-elected as Chair ● Motion to nominate Vice-Chair ○ Member Bingham nominated Jayme Shelton to continue as Vice-Chair, Member Engels seconded ○ Vote was unanimous ○ Member Shleton to continue as Vice-Chair ● Motion to nominate Secretary ○ Sarah Moran declined nomination to continue as Secretary, Chair Ringus nominated Megan Straughan ○ Vote was unanimous ○ Member Straughan was elected as Secretary Branch Updates Norman East ● In person activities continue, still focusing on outdoor programming to increase safety ● Teen Advisory Board is being formed ● Collaborations with elementary school librarian community continues and working with Parks and Recreation to playing in the park with activities like story time and fire truck tours ● Oklahoma Dept. Libraries providing support for ‘Bike for Health’; this initiative includes installing repair stations at branches and providing promotional literature about cycling ● New position is opening for a full-time librarian ● Fall Fest was planned for October to include meet and greet with goats, cookbook swap, and native plant education Central Branch ● Outreach to Norman School has continued ● Maker Spaces have been open again for the community ● Other in-person activities have resumed like computer classes, writing classes and storytimes ● Branch is also expanding their staff with new hires ● Teen and adult activities have moved indoors with respect to social distancing; for the under 12s activities are kept outside when possible to ensure safety for all West Branch ● Also collaborating with Parks and Rec on storytime in the park, great success with over 80 attendees ● Wrapped up a health grant that focused mental, physical, and nutritional health ● Touch-a-truck will return, including a accommodating quiet hour Old Business None New Business and Board Comments Member Shelton suggested having the board meet with the Friends of the Library and the Teen Advisory board. Member Bingham inquired about the future plans for the cafe space in Norman West Comments from the Public None Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 20th at Norman West at 300 Norman Center Ct, Norman, OK 73072 at 4:30pm. Adjournment Member Foote moved to adjourn the meeting; motion was seconded by Member Straughan; vote to adjourn was unanimous.