Norman Public Library Board Meeting

Norman Library Board Meeting September 18, 2023 The Norman Library Board will met Monday, September at 4:30 p.m. at the Norman West Public Library, 300 Norman Center Ct., Norman, Oklahoma 73072. Minutes Meeting called to order at 4:35 Roll Call Present: Bianca Gordon (Chair), Jayme Shelton, Jason Bingham, Sue Ringus (Vice Chair), Megan Straughan (Secretary), Sarah Moran, Laura Doughty Not in attendance: Debra Engel, Jody Foote Introduction of Staff and Guests Mike Pierson, Norman West Branch Manager Kelsey Williamson, Norman East Branch Manager Consider and vote to approve/ disapprove/ take other action on minutes from previous meeting Vice Chair Ringus motioned to approve the minutes as corrected, Member Shelton seconded. Minutes were approved as corrected through a unanimous verbal vote. Branch updates ● Spark a Change events o Kelsey Williamson presented on Spark a Change events (fall and spring reading challenge and learning initiatives) o Goal: cultivate community conversations around the theme of resiliency o Author talks with Elizabeth Letts o Join the challenge similar to Summer Learning Challenge o Next book (Spring)- From Scratch o Several events listed on the PLS calendar website o Physical and digital copies available ● Growing Like A Read (GLAR) program o Early literacy kit available to anyone with a child age 0-5 o Includes book, bag, flier, activity lists, and tools to build pre-reading/early literacy skills in bilingual (English/Spanish) format o Advertised during story times  ● Strategic Plan: Health Literacy Grants and the Norman Arts Council o Mike Pierson presented on the new strategic plan o Norman Arts Council grant will be used for cultural events throughout the year ▪ Community collaborations with local artists ▪ Hispanic cultural celebration event at Norman Central ▪ Main event is hosted by Central while East and West each have other events and workshops ● Flamenco music at West ▪ November- Indigenous cultural celebration scheduled ● Flute Circle, dance troupe, art workshops ● November 5th- main event at Central ● Member Shelton brought up contacting Absentee Shawnee Tribe; Chair Gordon mentioned a Freedman exhibit at the Cherokee Heritage Center; Member Bingham suggested exploring the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education’s resources ▪ February- African American cultural celebration ▪ April- Asian American and Pacific Islander cultural celebration ▪ Local artists (members of Hispanic, Indigenous, African American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities) invited to work in the library space and works displayed o Oklahoma Department of Libraries Health Literacy Grant ▪ West- monthly cooking class, continue Tai Chi program ▪ East- intergenerational physical activity and nutritional health programs for all ages Old Business ● 2023 Summer Learning Challenge o Goal of 11 million points, 22 million points were earned! o Because the goal was met, PLS, Citizen Potawatomi, and the Cleveland and McClain County Health Departments will be donating books to children age 0-5 who are enrolled in the WIC program o Vice-Chair RIngus discussed the tangible hours of reading and activity that the SLC has created New Business ● Touch a Truck o Sat Sept 23rd, 9-12 (Quiet Hour 9-10), Cleveland County Fairgrounds o Suggested $2 donation (goes to Cleveland County libraries) Board Comments ● Member Shelton mentioned Monroe Elementary has a new principal that wants to work with Norman libraries to get a story walk. Kelsey Williamson connected Member Shelton with needed resource to coordinate with the Parks Department and the City of Norman  ● Chair Gordon discussed the upward mobility portion of the new strategic plan. Commented that the number of unhoused Normanites may be an excellent population to focus on. Kelsey Williamson mentioned the resource Unite Us, a network where library staff create a profile for a patron with specific needs. ● Member Bingham reminded everyone to download the PLS app ● Member Shelton reminded the board to sign up to volunteer at the Friends of the LIbrary book sale Comments from the Public None Next Meeting: Monday, December 18, 2023 at Norman Library - Central Adjournment Vice-Chair Ringus motioned to adjourn, Secretary Straughan seconded. Meeting was adjourned through unanimous verbal vote. 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