Winooski Memorial Library Committee

3/2/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Jessica Wignall, Lauren Read, Colleen Moore, Prudence Doherty City Staff Present: Nate Eddy, Ray Coffey Guests Present: None Call to Order by: Nate Eddy Meeting Start Time: 6:37 PM Minutes Recorded by: Jessica Wignall II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: J. Wignall Second: C. Moore III. Public Comment None IV. Committee Member Updates P. Doherty noted that the description of the Friends group in the Winooski newsletter might overlap with the committee role. N. Eddy will update the language. V. Library Updates Programming Youth programming continues to be strong, including this week with the school break (e.g., chess tournament, karaoke tomorrow). Also meeting with the Winooski school library and its commissioners. K. Wilson continues to oversee programming. Adult programming is still ongoing, including free veggie + energy kits giveaway on Wednesdays (82 people on March 1) and indoor coffee socials. Efficiency Vermont will partner with the Intervale Veggie group to continue this. April is national poetry month and will include the roving typewriter again. The adult reading group will review poetry. Monthly Stats  Intervale Veggie group to continue this. April is national poetry month and will include the roving typewriter again. The adult reading group will review poetry. Monthly Stats Usage in February was similar to January, which was strong. Circulation, online resources, and door count continues to be strong. N. Eddy finished the annual report that is due to the state for FY21 statistics. P. Doherty will review and sign off on it as head of the committee. N. Eddy will share the annual report with the committee. Staffing The subs continue to work well to fill in for vacations and sick leave. Kirsten will be attending the Public Library Youth Services Leadership Summit in FL at the end of March. Grants – the library has applied or is planning to apply for the following grants: The Vermont Department of Libraries offers a noncompetitive $300 grant for summer reading programs. Winnie Bell Learned Grant for $500 is youth-focused, through the VT Public Library Foundation. Funding from the US Treasury Capital Projects Fund for Libraries to ensure Vermonters continue to have access to high-speed internet. The first step will be a needs assessment, followed by the grant application. With the planned building renovation, this is an opportunity to apply for funding to support that project. Outdoor Gear Exchange grant to purchase gear that will be added to the library of Things (adult snowshoes, kid snowshoes, hiking poles, headlamps, 2-person, and 4-person tents, crampons). St. Stephens Church A couple weeks ago the Development Review Board reviewed the appeal to the demolition permit. The DRB plans to reopen the hearing on the permit to look into the historical significance of the site. There are many steps before determining what the future of the church might be, including other potential appeals. Donations The library can now accept electronic donations. Any funds received and designated for the library will go to the fund that the committee oversees. General donations will go to the Scholarship Fund, which is used for things such as passes to the pools. Once the donations have been live for a little while the city will advertise this option more broadly. WhatsApp The library has started to use WhatsApp to promote library services. The account is run through the umbrella of Community Services. VI. Building Updates City leadership has been meeting with CHT regularly. At the last meeting, there was further discussion of what a potential site could look like. The library could receive a 4,000 sq ft increase over what it has now. VI. Building Updates City leadership has been meeting with CHT regularly. At the last meeting, there was further discussion of what a potential site could look like. The library could receive a 4,000 sq ft increase over what it has now. The space would expand and then add a second floor. Some of the space around the library would be used for other city needs such as offices and community rooms, so the layout of the library has yet to be determined. There is an architect on board who is receptive to receiving input on ideas. There is no formal agreement between the city and CHT yet, though an agreement appears close. There is no specific timeline but construction could start in the spring of 2024. Some concerns include: l A new space of this size could come with staffing challenges. l How to provide services during construction. l If the renovation will include new fixtures, shelves, or other materials. l How to engage the committee. l How to engage the community. P. Doherty noted that this would be an opportunity for fundraising for the library, especially if community input is solicited (e.g., naming shelves after specific people). The Myers Pool Foundation brought about $300k to the pool project, so using the Friends group in a similar way would be useful. P. Doherty noted that if the library is on the second floor, an elevator would be needed for accessibility. Sustainability and efficiency should be considered as well. The library will have updated elements (e.g., airlock). The consequences of the physical layout will need to be considered (e.g., open second floor). The city is looking at other libraries for inspiration, such as a way to have the library integrated with community space but also the ability to segment from the community space. The library director and R. Coffey are participating in all conversations around this project. Working with community partners could be an option or determining how to bring resources to where people will be. Planning for the future and having stability to build from will be key for continuing to provide good services to the community. Storage space, meeting space, and an updated children’s space would be welcome additions. No basement is planned. Similar to the pool, the city will plan the “ideal” library and then back into the feasible version that can be covered with available funding. The city is hoping that the sale will move forward in the next 6 months or so. In terms of the greenhouse, it would have to be relocated. The new build would take over the garden space in the back. VII. Other Business R. Coffey spoke with the city manager about a good time to speak to council, which is being  In terms of the greenhouse, it would have to be relocated. The new build would take over the garden space in the back. VII. Other Business R. Coffey spoke with the city manager about a good time to speak to council, which is being planned for after town meeting day, likely the first meeting in April. Exact date will be determined shortly. The committee agreed to meet in person in April. VIII. Adjourn Decision: Adjourned Motion by: L. Read Second: P. Doherty Adjourned 7:42 PM.