Winooski Memorial Library Committee

10/6/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Prudence Doherty, Collette Khajehali, Colleen Moore, and Lauren Read City Staff Present: Nate Eddy Guests Present: None Call to Order by: Prue Meeting Start Time: 6:35 PM Minutes Recorded by: Collette II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Prue Second: Collette III. Public Comment None IV. Committee Member Updates No major updates from the members. V. Library Updates l Safe Healthy Connected People (SHCP) Committee Meeting in September – received positive feedback from the Library’s presentation at the SHCP Committee Meeting from its members. They were very interested in our efforts to add a youth member to the Library’s board. Committee is also supportive of increasing the Library’s footprint. l Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) purchased the building where the Library is located. Ongoing conversations with CHT re: space limitations. l Library’s Programs are going well – busy and fun with lots of energy. This includes but not limited to STEM, LEGO Club, and Pokémon Trading Club. Kirsten is conducting story time outreach at Thrive. Library will be hosting the Dad Guild for a monthly activity. On Saturday Oct 22 nd , the Library will host an event to celebrate Vermont Chicory Week. ESL classes are occurring every Tuesday. The Book Club Group and Writing Group are also continuing and doing well as well as Restorative Justice Group. One on one tech support is on hold. th l On October 27 , the Library will show a film documentary from the 1990s called The Color of Fear. This film is about race relations in the U.S. Monthly stats l Usage was down slightly throughout the month but increased in new card registration  l On October 27 th , the Library will show a film documentary from the 1990s called The Color of Fear. This film is about race relations in the U.S. Monthly stats l Usage was down slightly throughout the month but increased in new card registration and online services. Palace officially launched (e-books and audio books). Library was apart of the 2 nd phase pilot roll out and we saw a bump in the usage of that. l Grant Update: VT Dept of Libraries awarded ARPA funding. 11K spent last fiscal year. 3.6K purchased red tables for Library. Kirsten bought supplies to support pop up story time and equipment. 1.5K on increasing inclusivity and diversity in youth picture books. We now have 80-90 new titles. l Kirsten will be taking a foreign language course (Swahili) via University of London as part of her professional development (which is budgeted). l Intervale Veggie Exchange (IVE) will end Nov 9. It is likely that through grant funding may allow IVE to provide a monthly veggie giveaway. VI. New Member Orientation l Provided Library Orientation for the newest Committee member, Lauren Read. Members are the voice of the community and advocates for the importance of libraries in democracies. They are also advocates for the Library’s operations, space, and use of its budget. l The Library’s Committee Chair provided the roles and responsibilities of the committee members as well as what is not expected from the members. ACTION ITEMS: Next Library agenda will include filling the Vice Chair position on the Library Committee that is currently vacant as well as setting the goal to meet in-person within the fiscal year. VII. Update on Youth Committee Position l Nate did research to determine if any other libraries have youth that serve on its committees and found that some non-library committees do have youth positions. l City of Winooski is not looking for setting a minimal age for committee members. l Discussion on whether position should have a grade limit or age limit. Argument was made for grade limit (8 th grade). Stipend or scholarship or grant for position? Nate will inquire more on this topic. ACTION ITEM: Nate will draft language for a Library Youth position for our review and discussion for next month’s meeting. l A framework for developing a position description. A bit different or tailored to someone younger vs the current description. How to define a youth member for this committee. A high school student? Is that 13-18? If you are in school? There are some kids over 18 that attend WHS. l One year position. Member agreement for only one year term. Teen residents and not just limited to high school students. Category is teen residents. Suggested age range from 13-graduation or equivalent. Just the school year or a full year? Recommendation is to focus on the school year and summer is optional. l Does this need to be included into by-laws? or an addendum? l Would this position have to go before the city council? We think so. l When do we want this to start? Nailing down frame work and starting FY24 (starting June 2023). Thinking we could start recruiting and the application process could start as early as May 2023. (perhaps Nate can get some feedback from the youth group he is affiliated with). It would give us time to apply recruiting methods and how we are reaching kids to present this opportunity. l Should there be a stipend attached to the position? That would need city admin input.  l When do we want this to start? Nailing down frame work and starting FY24 (starting June 2023). Thinking we could start recruiting and the application process could start as early as May 2023. (perhaps Nate can get some feedback from the youth group he is affiliated with). It would give us time to apply recruiting methods and how we are reaching kids to present this opportunity. l Should there be a stipend attached to the position? That would need city admin input. l Could the hours that are put in be used for credit hours for school? Will need to find out. Might be used for school volunteer requirements, if needed. ¡ Categories: leadership experience, collaborative experience, community outreach and engagement. Could be used for college applications. l Nate will look into bylaws and city council approval. And need a calendar to ensure we meet all the right needs and approvals. Find out if Winooski HIgh School has volunteer requirements for their students. Maybe for Eagle Scouts credit. Open on how the credit can be used. Could be a volunteer or stipend depending on the need of the volunteer. l If we are still using Zoom for meetings, it could be limiting for some young people who might have limited internet connectivity from home. l We could be the leaders in spearheading this effort of having a youth committee position. VIII. Other Business None IX. Adjourn Motion by: Collette Second: Prudence