Winooski Memorial Library Committee

5/2/2024 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Prudence Doherty, Collette “Nikki” Khajehali, Jessica Wignall, and Lauren Read City Staff Present: Nate Eddy and Ray Coffey Call to Order by: Collette Meeting Start Time: 6:35 PM Minutes Recorded by: Collette Handouts Provided: Yes II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Prudence Second: Lauren III. Public Comment No members from the public were present. IV. Committee Member Updates Nothing significant to report. V. Library Updates l Programming – same adult and youth offerings, partnering with Audubon Vermont for a birding program for kids. Reached out to Intervale three weeks ago regarding the summer veggie program; sadly, Intervale will not be providing it this summer due to funding and staff limitations. However, Intervale is planning for winter for monthly distributions. Green Up Day is this Saturday, May 4 th . l Library stats were continuing strong this month! Compared usage from last year from Jan – April 2023 vs Jan – April 2024 – visits up 28%, circulation is up 16%, demand for e- resources is up as well. l Staffing side – Donna will be going out for leave – last day is Friday and will be out until mid-July. Mary will be filling in but will be in tough spot for the remaining 16 hours granted by City Budget that will go into effect July 1 st . May need to bring another person onboard. VI. Review of Draft Library Programming Policy Policy was drafted based on recommendations from Vermont Department of Libraries. Nate provided the Committee a draft of the Library Programming Policy. The Committee gave helpful feedback on the policy and Nate will make edits accordingly. The Committee will review the revised document at the next meeting in June.  VI. Review of Draft Library Programming Policy Policy was drafted based on recommendations from Vermont Department of Libraries. Nate provided the Committee a draft of the Library Programming Policy. The Committee gave helpful feedback on the policy and Nate will make edits accordingly. The Committee will review the revised document at the next meeting in June. VII. Planning for Community Listening Sessions l No building updates to provide currently and have not heard back from Champlain Housing Trust or the architects. l Work has been happening, but it would be helpful to identify some dates and time for sessions – propose a draft timeline. Perhaps having a joint committee meeting with the Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission and Library Committee would be a good idea. One idea is to have one or two public sessions. There was discussion around Listening Sessions vs. Information Sessions. Discuss with the community the new library space, costs, new footprint, and programming. l What do we need from the public? Recommendation to tee up questions for the community where they can give productive feedback. l What questions can we ask at this juncture and how much information can we share publicly? Ray will meet with Taryn and get that information from her. l Recommendation was made to leverage social media and online resources to educate and keeping the public informed on the progress of the library transition. l Some upcoming Winooski events: ¡ May 18 th Plant Swap – out. th ¡ First Farmers Market is May 26 . Advertise June 6 th WML meeting. ¡ June 30 th is French Heritage Day. ¡ July 10 th first Winooski Wednesday. ¡ Blingo on Tuesdays in Winooski. ¡ Senior Chat at the Senior Center. l The stand and deliver meeting would be the next Winooski Memorial Library Committee Meeting. And the community events would be handouts and general information. Recommended that Taryn would join the meeting. l June 11 th is the next meeting for Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission Meeting. l June 6 th as possibly the first community meeting with SHCP. l Discussed space options for the WML while the new library is being constructed. TBD. VIII. Other Business None IX. Adjourn Motion to Adjourn by Jessica, Second by Lauren