Winooski Memorial Library Committee

4/7/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: P. Doherty, J. Wignall, C.N. Khajehali, C. Moore City Staff Present: N. Eddy Guests Present: E. Wang Call to Order by: N. Eddy Meeting Start Time: 6:33 PM Minutes Recorded by: J. Wignall II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: P. Doherty Second: C.N. Khajehali III. Public Comment E. Wang (Winooski’s upcoming City Manager) joined the committee to learn more about the library and its events. IV. Committee Member Updates The library received nice press coverage in the Seven Days about the Arabic storytime. Participants are enthusiastic about the offering. There was good attendance at the dome event (approximately 60 people). The panelists, including the architect who did the original renderings, did a great job. Participants provided good feedback and followed up for more information. There is a recording available of the event. The display in the library also looks good, including a couple of the original renderings. V. Library Updates Programming March included active programming, including a pick up in youth programming. The library continued play time, story time, and other events for children. The library initiated a Lego Club using a donation from a patron that has been well attended. Arabic story times are held on 4 th Saturday of each month. The upcoming Saturday will include a birding program in partnership with Audubon Vermont, including education and kits for check out. Adult programming, including book clubs, is ongoing. English language courses occur 2x/week. Tech assistance is available on Saturdays. Restorative justice circles are still happening each month and new members have been participating. April is National Poetry Month and the library offers a typewriter for patrons to write poems in the library and around the city. It will go to the Senior Center, Archives, Misery Loves Co, and Rosie’s. This past week began the 10-week Arabic language learning courses (possible as a result of a grant) with 5 participants. Saturday of each month. The upcoming Saturday will include a birding program in partnership with Audubon Vermont, including education and kits for check out. Adult programming, including book clubs, is ongoing. English language courses occur 2x/week. Tech assistance is available on Saturdays. Restorative justice circles are still happening each month and new members have been participating. April is National Poetry Month and the library offers a typewriter for patrons to write poems in the library and around the city. It will go to the Senior Center, Archives, Misery Loves Co, and Rosie’s. This past week began the 10-week Arabic language learning courses (possible as a result of a grant) with 5 participants. l The timeline for completing construction is estimated to be June/July; they have not experienced delays so far. l Saturdays are the busiest days with a lot of programming happening. l The Intervale produce pop up will start again in July. l Old Spokes’ Mobile Repair Unit will be on-site every other week while school is out of session. l The summer reading program for children will be starting late June, around the theme of Oceans of Possibilities. Monthly Stats l March has been the busiest month since COVID, including an increase in circulation by 45% and programming participation by 61%. Children are participating after school more regularly. Follow-up from Last Month l The system has been updated and patrons now need a library card in current standing to access online materials, which has prompted 30-40 patrons to reach out and renew their cards. Patrons need a password as well. OverDrive and the Library Catalog are now authenticating patron access. l There are no further updates on the Palace app discussed at last month’s meeting. Joint Library Commission with the Winooski School Library l The Winooski School Library joined with the WML to form a Joint Library Commission to facilitate access to the library by students, engagement by students, and coordination between the libraries in terms of materials. This is a venue for students to provide input on programming and materials and for the librarians to share insights into the needs of community children. l There is no formal agreement in place between the libraries right now. l The expectation is for this to be maintained over time but with an informal structure so that the community library has a presence in the school. The school occasionally posts flyers in the school and the library programming is listed in the Winooski News that is sent to homes. Vermont Department of Libraries l Additional ARPA funding has just been announced via non-competitive grants. WML will be awarded >$3,500 and the money has to be spent by September. The money should be used to build out more diverse collections of books as well as COVID-related purchases. The librarians are developing a budget for the funding and will apply for the grant. P. Doherty asked about spending funds on signage and N. Eddy noted that funds can be used for accessibility purposes. Inactive Patrons l N. Eddy will review this in May to align with the fiscal year to clean up patron accounts  Inactive Patrons l N. Eddy will review this in May to align with the fiscal year to clean up patron accounts VI. Outdoor Space & Beautification Planning The first round of ARPA funding will be used to purchase some outdoor bistro tables and chairs. If they were set up in the back for a weekly coffee chat, that could make use of the green space behind the library. The storage containers next to the library are leased by the library for storage. Planters have been used in the past in front of the library, but more permanent planters might make sense. The plan is to place plants in galvanized steel troughs in front of the library. The Winooski Gardening group can help maintain that. While the space is still an active construction zone, it might make sense to wait for more extreme updates. The library will plan on using the green space in the back for story time during the summer. The path between the library and the back space does not feel welcoming or clean, so it would be nice to clean that space. N. Eddy will check about adding the space to Winooski’s Green Up Day and agreed with focusing on cleaning that space. VII. Other Business There are no updates on the Friends of the Library but N. Eddy will put out another call for volunteers. VIII. Adjourn Decision: Adjourned at 7:30 PM Motion by: P. Doherty Second: C. Moore