Norman Public Library Board Meeting

Norman Library Board Meeting Minutes March 21, 2022 Meeting Location: Norman East Public Library, 3051 W. Alameda St., Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Roll Call Members attending in person: Sue Ringus (Chair), Jason Bingham, Bianca Gordon, Tim Mauldin, Megan Straughan (Secretary), Sarah Moran Members not in attendance: Jody Foote, Jayme Shelton (Vice-Chair), Debra Engels Introduction of Staff and Guests Staff: Caroline Dulworth, Associate Director Beverly Theige, Norrman Central Children’s Department Manager Kelsey Wiliamson, Branch Manager of Norman East Mike Pierson, Branch Manager of Norman West Guest: Melody Bays, The Well Executive Director Consider and vote to approve/ disapprove/ take other action on minutes from previous meeting Member Mauldin moved to approve the previous minutes. Secretary Straughan seconded a motion to approve. Vote by show of hands, vote passes unanimously to approve the minutes. Guest presentation: Melody Bays, The Well Executive Director Members were shown presentation including floor plan of The Well with descriptions of the services, events, planning, and purposes of The Well ● The Well is officially open in Phase 1 of 3 with the missione to make Cleveland county “the healthiest and happiest it can be..[through] access, education, programs, events, and activities” that are welcoming to every citizen in Cleveland county ● Staff of 4 (including veterans coordinator) plus partnerships with Cleveland County health department, NPL, county commissioners, Norman Regional Hospital, Moore Norman Technology Center, YMCA, local nonprofits, and others. ● Will be providing covid and flu vaccinations in partnership with the Health Department ● Services include classes for all ages including subjects like farming, cooking, financial literacy and estate planning, health and exercise, STEAM activities for kids provided by NPL ● Farmers market is being hosted at The Well starting April 2nd ○ Currently there is a waitlist for vendors (can hold up to 92 vendors) ○ Can accept SNAP and Chickasaw Bucks ○ Dollar match up to $20 for SNAP customers ● Room reservations are offered for a fee for private events and meetings ● Coordinating events with 2nd Friday art walks (providing art activities 6-8, live music, and “healthier” food trucks ● 3rd Thursdays mental health and wellness topics ● Healthy cooking classes on fourth Saturdays 10-12 ● Advocating for a bus stop closer to The Well ● More information can be found at www.thewellok.org Members discussed potential partnerships and classes at the well, and how the library board can support The Well through word of mouth and encouraging further partnerships. Branch updates West (Mike Pierson presented updates to the board ● West is finishing a 5 month process to replace the roof ● Indoor programming for all ages starting ● Summer programming is starting ● Hiring new staff ● Collaborations for Jazz in June in the works with Central East (Kelsey Williamson presented updates to the board) ● Story times are indoors Wednesdays at 10am ● “Art on the Eastside” program, focusing on artists on Normans east side ○ Focusing on passive programs, activities that you can do in the library experience center ○ Customers pick up kits to complete art projects and bring them back to display ● Spring garden fest Sunday April 3rd with planting, story time, friends of the library bookselling ● Health literacy programs- barre yoga, movement and meditation every Thursday ● OK Library Association Conference this month ○ Kelsey Williamson will be presenting on Social/Emotional Learning in professional development Central (Beverly Thiege and Caroline Dulworth both presented updates to the board) ● Children activities have been moved insider when weather was not appropriate for outside story times ● Monday storytimes (each branch schedules story times on different days so customers will have more choices) ● Wednesday K-2 STEAM kids and STEAM Tweens ● Fridays at 10- Rhythm babies for 0-3 ● Bug fest for spring break partnered with OSU extension- 390 people attended ● Tuesday morning yoga at 9:15 ● Adult services beginning to offer in person book clubs Saturday mornings ● Computer trainings continuing every monday “Getting Started with Computers” ● Programming with python monday evenings ● Social worker intern at the library 4x/week (including sundays) ● April is Poetry month ○ Poet laureate of Norman Committee being established ○ Poetry contests for kids ● The Big Reads will have an environmental theme this year ○ The Music of Bees’ author will attend an Earth Day events April 24th ● Summer learning program ○ skits in Norman Public schools ○ in addition to books, it focuses on learning and healthy activities Old Business None New Business Members discussed how the library board can participate in messaging over the next 3 months. Director Dunworth identified that board members should help communicate that the library is completely open and active, that all programming is available on the website events calendar, and that the Summer Learning program will have a soft start on May 1st, and a kickoff event May 31st. Board Comments Member Maudlin commented on a presentation from the Cleveland County Health Dept he attended, reminding the board that Covid-19 is still a concern, particularly with a new Omicron variant. Comments from the Public None Next Meeting: June 20, 2022 at Norman Library Central Adjournment Member Bingham moved to adjourn the meeting; motion was seconded by Secretary Straughan; vote to adjourn was unanimous 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, retaliation, 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. In the event of any comments, complaints, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services regarding accessibility or inclusion, please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424, Relay Service: 711. To better serve you, five (5) business days’ advance notice is preferred.