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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_02.20.2018Minutes of the Meeting of the Library Advisory Board City of Georgetown February 20, 2018 The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 6 p.m. in the second floor Small Conference Room, Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Michael Barnes, Lindsay Cooper, John Hudson, Pete Rose, Linda Schaffer and Thom Sinwell. 't 2 STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley - Library Director and Eric Johnson — Capital Improvements Manager for the City of Georgetown. Chair Rose called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Regular Agenda A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than what was posted on the agenda. No action required. B. Review of minutes of the January 16 2017 Library Advisory Board meeting_ — Pete Rose, Chair. Motion by Sinwell; second by Hudson to approve the January 16, 2017 Library Advisory board meeting minutes. Approved 6-0 (Baldwin absent). C. Recognition of Michael Barnes for the service to the Library Advisory Board. — Eric Lashley, Library Directory. Barnes was recognized for his years of service to the board. No action required. Lashley asked Chair Rose if Eric Johnson could present his portion of agenda F. The rest of item F would be discussed in the normal order. Chair Rose allowed the change. F. Discussion of Strategic Planning process. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley introduced Eric Johnson, Capital Improvements Manager for the City of Georgetown. Johnson presented plans for a potential outdoor red poppy shade structure for the library plaza. This addition to the library was included in the new City Hall campus project. Board members discussed design features for the plaza. Motion made by Hudson; seconded by Sinwell to support the red poppy shade structures proposed by Johnson. Approved 6-0. (Baldwin absent) D. Consideration of the Library Director's report. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed monthly statistics, the Community Resources Coordinator's report, and the community outreach report. Lashley read patron comments from the library's suggestion box for January 2018. No action required. E. Consideration and possible action to forward a recommendation to the City Council; seeking permission to apply for a Texas State Library and Archive Special Project grant to fund the Communitv Resources Coordinator position for a third year. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley explained the library had received two previous years of funding from TSLAC for the Community Resources Coordinator position. The library is eligible for a third and final year of funding. However, Council needs a recommendation from the Library Board in order to give staff approval to submit the grant application. Motion by Sinwell; seconded by Hudson to recommend Council give staff permission to apply for grant for a third year. Approved 6-0 (Baldwin absent) F. Discussion of Strategic Planning process. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Board discussed creating focus groups to collect remaining data for the strategic plan. Lashley noted many libraries are moving away from fines, and asked the Board to consider not charging fines for a trial period. Following discussion, motion by Hudson; seconded by Cooper to suspend fines for 3 months, before a final determination is made. Approved 6-0. (Baldwin absent) G. Consideration of future meeting dates. — Pete Rose, Board Chair. The March meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. No action required. Chair Rose adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pat Baldwin Pete Rose Secretary Chair GPL Community Resources 2017 Report In 2017, GPL conducted 139 conversations with patrons regarding social services. The vast majority of these conversations were conducted by the CRC in person, over the phone, and via email. For the year, 63.3% of interviews were conducted with women versus 36.7% conducted with men. Summary of Patron Interviews Our patrons' need breakdown is below. 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Emergency Fin. Assistance Benefit Housing Assistance Patron needs, 2017 Mental Health Physical Health Legal Needs included under 'other' and their frequency are listed below: • Transportation —10 • Education (GED, ESL, food handler's license, etc.) — 7 • Grief and loss — 5 • Older adult care/support — 5 • Currently occurring domestic abuse — 4 • Employment — 4 • Child care - 2 • Permanent housing/help finding rental housing — 2 • Art resources —1 • Drug rehabilitation —1 • Sexual assault —1 • Housing rights advocacy —1 Education Other Only a patron's two most immediate presenting needs (as determined by both patron and CRC) are tracked within this data. If all patron needs were to be tracked, many patrons would have needs in so many areas that this tracking tool would be rendered meaningless. Below, patron interview are broken down by month: 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Patron Interviews by Month, 2017 January February March April May June July August September October November December There are noticeable spikes around the holidays and summer breaks, times when Central Texas weather is most harsh and when children are out of school, not receiving free or reduced -cost lunches. It is possible that these spikes will be ongoing in future seasons. Increasing awareness around the CRC position did not seem to indicate a significant increase in the number of interviews conducted over the course of the year following CRC's hire in November 2016. In addition to library patrons, CRC also fielded social service inquiries from a variety of individuals not considered GPL patrons from the general public, including City of Georgetown HR, Parks and Rec, and GUS Departments. Social service inquiries came from GPL staff and volunteers. Faith communities and other social service providers contacted CRC on occasion to explore information on local resources. Highlighted Populations In considering this data, it is important to bear in mind that the CRC uses no standardized intake form, script, or data collection tool when speaking directly to patrons. Patrons are free to express as much or as little regarding their current situation as they like with the goals of: • Establishing trust with GPL as a whole and with the CRC specifically • Allowing patrons to view their experience GPL as supportive and without embarrassment • Encouraging patrons to return for typical library use and/or for follow-up meetings with CRC We can assume that the percentages in this section are low in relation to the reality of GPL patrons' lives as not every patron will volunteer all demographic information nor will the CRC necessarily have directly inquired regarding each of the populations below. The CRC views GPL as a protective factor in the lives of its patrons insomuch as library use and the resources offered by GPL (e.g., climate control, water, safety, socialization, entertainment, access to job applications) are presumed to be associated with a lower likelihood of problem outcomes for our patrons. The CRC assumes that library use by patrons in need of social services reduces the negative impact of a risk factor (e.g., poverty, poor health, social isolation) on problem outcomes. Children in the household 26.6% of patrons reported that they have children in their household. Domestic violence 18% of patrons reported histories of being victims of domestic violence. At the time of the interview, four patrons reported currently occurring abuse in their homes and one patron reported being the victim of recent sexual assault. Veterans 4.3% of patrons reported being a veteran or having a veteran in their household. Available Local referrals Patrons in need of social services were able to leave GPL with an agency referral within Georgetown in 57.6% of interviews. However, this data does not capture the complexity of the issues facing many patrons. For example, if a patron presents with a variety of needs including emergency housing due to homelessness and a physical healthcare need, he or she may be referred to Lone Star Circle of Care to receive care and to potentially sign up for Medicaid. While the patron may receive a referral and is consequently recorded as such, the larger issue of being literally homeless has not been addressed. We can assume that percentage of patrons in need who leave GPL with substantive referrals that will address their most Immediate need is lower than 57.6%. The CRC remains unable to refer patrons locally for issues of emergency housing (including on nights with freezing or inclement weather) or those fleeing or otherwise coping with the effects of domestic violence. Staff Training In 2017, GPL staff were trained in Mental Health First Aid by Bluebonnet Trails Community Services and identification of opioid overdose and administration of Narcan (an anti -overdose medication provided within GPL) by The Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team Staff also participated in a simulation training led by CRC regarding addressing difficult topics with GPL patrons including mental health, grief, and establishing professional boundaries. LIBRARY BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 2018 GPL OUTREACH REPORT Kalena Powell Community Outreach Assistant Berry Creek Country Club (BCCC) 11t and 310 Wednesday of every month 10-11am. We had 0 patrons. It was cold and rainy. We'll give it the standard 6 visits before we reevaluate. • Berry Creek Tennis Club (BCTC) 1St and 3rd Tuesday of every month 4:30-5:30pm. 5 visitors, one new library card sign up. Not bad for poor weather. Might need to adjust the time and push it back a little later. No visitors until 5:00. ILL's meet Outreach • Kalena is now on a working team with Rita and Robert processing ILL's. Kalena is excited not only for the opportunity to work closely with coworkers to improve an important library process but to also see what outreach/home delivery process improvements are potentially revealed through this work. Details to come! ENGAGED LEADER SERIES Kalena has been accepted into the City of Georgetown Engaged Leader Series. Candidates are selected based upon quality of work performance, representation of their department, work performance and tenure. She will meet with the selected group 1 x month over the next 6 months to participate in sessions covering topics such as: • Presentation skills • Principles of Public Service & Municipal Government Finance • Emotional Intelligence & Customer Service • Leading Teams & Meetings Effectively • Process Improvement & Project Management BOOKMOBILE CHANGES The new desk top on the bookmobile has been installed and is fantasticl It improves the ergonomics of bookmobile work and improves the quality of service to our patrons. Hooray Change!!!! • Ed Rollman also installed new no -slip strips on the stairs to help keep our patrons safe on rainy days. Hooray Safety!!!! STUFFED ANIMAL ROAD TRIP This Year's Stuffed Animal Road Trip will be an inter -departmental collaboration with the city of Georgetown Police and Fire Departments. WHAT IT IS The Stuffed Animal' Road Trip ss a fun<way for the little citizens of Georgetown to experience the role of cpmmunity,helpers, the.fun in public spaces and the joy ofm comunity service hrough the eyes of their'favarite stuffed animall This event happens every year during Spring Break. Destinations in the past have included the Art Center, Georgetown Public Library, San Gabriel Park and Georgetown Animal Shelter. WHAT HAPPENS We visit two locations in the city, take a billion photos of the stuffed animals participating in the chosen activity, make a photo album (with captions) for each child that has entrusted us with their precious stuffed friend then we return the stuffed animals and give the photo albums to the kiddos on their regularly scheduled bookmobile day. This year we will be offering this event to the preschoolers at The Learning Tree @ First United Methodist Church. SUMMER STOPS We are adding 4 new stops during the summer at a few of the public parks in town. 2 moring stops and two evening stops. Old Town Park (1262 S. Austin Ave.) THURS 6:30pm-8:00pm ON THESE DATES June 14th & 28th July 1211 & 26th August 16th & 301h San Jose Park (1707 San Jose) THURS 10:00am-12:00pm ON THESE DATES June 14th & 28th July 1211 & 2611 August 16th & 30th Katy Crossing Park (224 Katy Crossing Blvd. WEDS 6:00pm-7:00pm ON THESE DATES June 14th & 28th July 12th & 26th August 16th & 30th Summer Crest Park (1201 Ashberry Trail) THURS 6:30pm-8pm ON THESE DATES June 14th & 28th July 12th & 26th August 16th & 301h Community Outreach Librarian report — Feb 12, 2018 Volunteer Coordination Great response from the 2 minute volunteer survey! More than 30 volunteers took a few moments to fill out the survey so far. It will be available until the end of February, then results will be compiled. Tax help started on January 27th! In addition to our regular tax volunteers, Betty Ann Sensabaugh and Rusty Bristow are volunteering to sit at a check-in/reception area to help alleviate the issue of people signing up when they do not have all of the documents that they need. Four new adult volunteers have gone through orientation. One is a student from Southwestern who will be able to help shelve in the Kids room on Thursdays. We had one Boy Scout complete volunteer hours to get a badge. He had so much fun that he may return again. Two students taking a Business Ethics course at TAMU will be completing 6 or 12 hours of volunteering in a community agency with us this semester. Southwestern has contacted us to be a location for their "The Big Event" volunteer day on Saturday, March 24tH The annual volunteer appreciation luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, April 111h Volunteers with Special Needs — A former GISD student with special needs started volunteering at the library with his caregiver. He will come every other week and be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A staff person from BlueBonnet Trails did a work skills observation with client. The client had previously filled out a volunteer application with us. We are looking to pair this potential volunteer with a mentor volunteer. WOWlmobile-- We continue to have new families sign up for library cards at the WOW!mobile stops! However, no one turned out for the first morning Berry Creek stop on Wednesday, February 7th. It was bitterly cold that morning, however, and we think that once the weather starts warming up that more folks will turn out. Outreach — Sheri met with someone from BBVA/Compass Bank who is interested in doing some financial education workshops at the library. In addition to our usual Wired Wednesday, Sheri drove out to The Delaney Retirement Community to assist a patron in getting set up with Overdrive. Additionally, we are exploring the idea of spreading out tech help throughout the week rather than only one hour on Wednesdays as well as whenever folks approach the desk with their device. We would need a pool of volunteers on hand in order to do this. Some current volunteers have expressed interest in helping Sheila with home deliveries.