Winooski Memorial Library Committee

2/2/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Prudence Doherty, Jessica Wignall, Collette Khajehali, Colleen Moore, and Lauren Read City Staff Present: Nate Eddy, Ray Coffey 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 No members from the public were present. IV. Committee Member Updates No major updates from the members. V. Library Updates VT Dept of Libraries are collecting testimonies on a variety of different topics. Asked for testimonies from libraries on the topic of Access and Inclusivity – reached out to Winooski Library. Prompted attached testimony. Nate submitted written and then later provided direct testimony and answered questions. Talked about library space concern. Impressed by number of services provided especially considering the limited space of the Winooski Library. Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) update – full occupancy in building and no more available units. No problems to speak of. New residents coming into library. Overall positive & no issues with parking. In terms of O’Brien Center (from Ray): We are looking at 2 options: 1) Library stays in its current space and expands toward the greenhouse. 2)[KCN1] Library moves location to a redesigned space now occupied by Community Health Center. CHC needs to review some price estimates and then will reconvene with the City and others to review the options. No decisions have been made yet. Who would pay for new Winooski Library space? Not sure. Funding that will be there (via Vermont Department of Libraries) that we need to take advantage of while its available. Library would have to be relocated for a period (possibly) if it gets moved within the O’Brien Center. Short term trade off. What about the school? Would it have any space? Could the Library utilize empty store fronts in downtown area (short term rent) or VSAC building (albeit not the most welcoming of buildings). More to come and Ray will keep us informed.  decisions have been made yet. Who would pay for new Winooski Library space? Not sure. Funding that will be there (via Vermont Department of Libraries) that we need to take advantage of while its available. Library would have to be relocated for a period (possibly) if it gets moved within the O’Brien Center. Short term trade off. What about the school? Would it have any space? Could the Library utilize empty store fronts in downtown area (short term rent) or VSAC building (albeit not the most welcoming of buildings). More to come and Ray will keep us informed. Programming continues for both Children and Adult programming, same as since last update: Children’s side, Friday night family night, first Friday of every month. First one was held in January. Family feud themed. Next one will be in March 3 rd and will be karaoke. Adult side – same except for the Restorative Justice Circles, which has ended (Kayla moved on to another job). STEAM on Saturday – growing a lot. Book Club is going strong. Happy with programming Winooski Library staff is putting out. Monthly stats l Jan stats were good, high door count and a lot of people coming in and lots of circulation in digitals books and physical books. Registering new folks for cards. l Staffing updates –two new library clerks (Moriah 5 hours per week, Donna remains out on medical leave (hopeful to return by end of May). Jan 17 th meeting of City Council made decision to cut library clerks hours by 14 hours (which was Addison’s hours). Goes into effect in July. Hours were funded through grant (Esser Fund). The hope was to get approval from the Council to move funding from grant that was ending into the general fund. This loss of work hours will pose some difficulties to the library staff. Nate will continue to monitor situation. May have to adjust the library’s hours but will try our best not to. Good news – Library received 3 significant donations: 1) Burlington Telecon $1K (moved internet services into Winooski), 2) Lids Foundations $1K (Allison Wynn Scotch – call on social media) 3) Symba Funds – typically gives us a donation every year $250. Director of Library determines how to spend the money but runs it through the Committee for approval. One idea that Nate has is to use it for a scholarship for the youth committee position. Committee concurred this would be a good use of some of the funds/donations. VI. Other Business None VII. Final Review of Youth Committee Position Description Need to go before Council to approve Charter changes which is just one line in body of Committee Charter. Trying to determine the best time to do this: Before town meeting day (Feb 21 st ) or after (in March)? Thinking of possible sponsors for the scholarship for the youth committee position: the Mascoma Bank, Burlington Telecon, etc. Naming it a scholarship and ensuring its continued support. ACTION ITEM: Maybe add a sentence to the application: upon completion of this term, the individual would receive a scholarship ($X number of dollars). Nate to circulate latest version of the application with the Committee soon. VIII. Adjourn Motion to Adjourn: Prue, Second by Lauren. VIII. Adjourn Motion to Adjourn: Prue, Second by Lauren.