Winooski Memorial Library Committee

4/4/2024 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Prudence Dorthey, Collette “Nikki” Khajehali, Colleen Moore, Jess Wignall, and Lauren Read City Staff Present: Nate Eddy Guests Present: N/A Call to Order by: Lauren Meeting Start Time: 6:35 PM Minutes Recorded by: Collette Handouts Provided: Yes II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Yes Motion by: Lauren Second: Collette Approved for February (March meeting was canceled due to limited attendance). III. Public Comment No members from the public were present. IV. Committee Member Updates Collette volunteered that she is moving and will no longer be a Winooski resident as of May 1, 2024. Collette will continue to serve on the WML Committee as the charter does not restrict non-Winooski residents from serving on the Committee. Some of the Committee members term will conclude in June 2024 and they will need to determine if they will remain on the Committee. V. Library Updates l Kirstin is attending The Public Library Association (PLA) annual conference in April 2024 in Columbus, OH. l Programming is about the same: Tues and Thursday playground is gaining traction – about 15-20 people in attendance at each event, a nice core group. STEAM program is going strong. There was an eclipse themed story – A Few Beautiful Minutes – was showcased at Landry Park but moved it to the Library window. Lots of excitement around the eclipse – WML gave away 600 glasses. While doing so, about 50-60 individuals newly registered or reactivated their WML library card. l April is National Poetry Month – WML will place a typewriter to encourage residents to write their own poetry. The typewriter will be placed in the Senior Center, then the WML, Misery Loves Company, and other locations. Stop by and share some words!  about 15-20 people in attendance at each event, a nice core group. STEAM program is going strong. There was an eclipse themed story – A Few Beautiful Minutes – was showcased at Landry Park but moved it to the Library window. Lots of excitement around the eclipse – WML gave away 600 glasses. While doing so, about 50-60 individuals newly registered or reactivated their WML library card. l April is National Poetry Month – WML will place a typewriter to encourage residents to write their own poetry. The typewriter will be placed in the Senior Center, then the WML, Misery Loves Company, and other locations. Stop by and share some words! l Summer Programming – 10 week reading challenge. Literary based with physical activity like running. Kicks off with Jason Chen on June 15, 2024. l Thrive Story Time is going strong. l Colleen suggested that at last year’s summer programming there was a raffle and perhaps the Winooski Pool could give away from day passes as a reward. l Both February and March stats were over 1K for each month – great stats! Currently, WML is surpassing in every category for where it was a year ago. More and more folks are taking advantage of WML resources. l 2/3 of the re-barcoding has been completed. Process not as painful as expected. l Grants Update: VT Dept. of Libraries grant for 16.4M dollars by U.S. Treasury Dept. WML completed the application and requested 1.5M, the highest amount a library can request. Many libraries asked for this grant. At least every library in each county will receive a grant. WML should know sometime in the spring – perhaps late April – more on the outcome of the grant. Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) did a great job in presenting the full budget, scoping studies, and expenses. Reconstruction of the WML will cost in total 4.6M. l Senator Sanders ensured 1M out of an ear marked bill for the CHT project; however, we are not aware of how or if that will be applied to WML. l Friends of WML had their first meeting! 13 individuals are on the email list of the Friends of WML. Three individuals attended the first meeting. Initial tasks include paperwork renewal for LLC for new Friends group for pursuing fundraising like trivia night. Friends of WML is a 501(c) group. l Prudence sent edits to Senate Bill 220. This bill requires libraries to have a policy in place for resource challenges. It also changed the age of privacy concerns for individuals from 16 to 12. It also establishes consequences for criminal offenses on library grounds. VI. Building Updates The WML Committee reviewed the draft blueprint of the new WML from the architect that is working with CHT. Nate will circle back with fire code number limitation. Overall, the new WML will have more space for collections, maintain space for the library mural, and have more seating space in general. Goal to start the project is March 2025 with a goal of completion of December 2025. Not sure if a Library Design Consultant will be used or not. This could be helpful in the design of the space as they typically give good feedback on power outlet locations, lighting, etc. However, funding would be needed for a Library Design Consultant. Therefore, CHT would need to raise more money if they wanted to pursue this and that might push the kick off date. Currently, no space has been identified for WML to move into while construction of the new WML progresses. Committee agreed that those conversations should occur sooner rather than later. VII. Review of Draft Library Programming Policy Will review during next meeting. VIII. Planning for Community Listening Sessions Listening Sessions in Winooski for New WML: there are different elements of the new WML that the public could weigh in on and having some listening sessions may be a good way to collect those opinions. The WML Committee discussed how many sessions, when to begin, and what topics to explore with the public, and where these sessions should be held. One suggestion was to have multiple sessions for various audiences. These sessions would also help manage expectations. It was suggested to provide a written document for collecting feedback for those  Listening Sessions in Winooski for New WML: there are different elements of the new WML that the public could weigh in on and having some listening sessions may be a good way to collect those opinions. The WML Committee discussed how many sessions, when to begin, and what topics to explore with the public, and where these sessions should be held. One suggestion was to have multiple sessions for various audiences. These sessions would also help manage expectations. It was suggested to provide a written document for collecting feedback for those who cannot attend the listening sessions. Nate will collect best practices used in prior similar circumstances. The WML Committee will send Nate helpful suggestions for these sessions and from there, Nate will draft a plan. IX. Other Business Some upcoming events that WML may want to have a presence at: Plant Share in May, Farmers Market in Winooski starts in May. Note the first two weekends in May are overshadowed by college graduations across town. X. Adjourn Motion to Adjourn: Prue, Second by: Lauren