NEW CASTLE COUNTY
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
February 10, 2021, 2020 5:30 p.m.
Via ZOOM
DRAFT MINUTES Library Advisory Board
Present: Excused: Guests:
Abdullah Muhammad Kay Bowes
Connie Malin Margaret Ann Ryan Anita Sterling Subira Ibrahim Rose Passarella Judy Taggart Sophia Sotilleo Jim Young Janet Dean
Cheryl Rice-Moore Jessica Glassco
Community Services:
Diana Brown, Community Services Manager
Catherine Wimberley, Programs and Services Coordinator, Interim Manager BHL
I. Call to Order – Introductions
Chairman Abdullah Muhammad called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm.
II. Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Judy Taggart to accept the December 9, 2020 Meeting Minutes.
Seconded by Connie Malin. The motion passed, all in favor.
III.Chairman’s Report
Chair forgoing report in order to focus on conversation regarding the board’s focus moving forward.
IV. Committee Reports
Ad-Hoc Committee - review and feedback of the “Libraries: Supporting Our Communities” program on January 13:
o Abdullah Muhammad - the program was a positive way to highlight what libraries have been able to accomplish in the past year despite adversity and restrictions caused by the pandemic.
o Jim Young – Stated the allocation of time and the presentation itself were excellent. Unfortunately, few legislators were able to attend and that should be addressed for future programs. Diana Brown stated this may partially be due to the fact the Delaware Library Association was running a similar program a little later in the month.
o Judy Taggart – Staff did a great job. In the future, it would be nice to have more of a back and forth with the legislators and would be better to have more Friends Group representatives involved.
Ad-Hoc Committee recommended a meeting with the Friends groups and Library Advisory Board in the fall, preferably, November 2021.
o Kay Bowes motioned to have a Friends and LAB Forum on November 10, 2021 at 5:30 pm, in person if possible. Judy Taggart seconded the motion.
Motion carries, all in favor.
V. Manager of Libraries Report
Reopening:
o County administration continues to monitor infection/vaccination rates in the community.
o Libraries in the state are tentatively planning to reopen. After suspending them in the fall, Dover Public Library is planning to resume limited in person services on March 8.
o While libraries have had multiple confirmed COVID cases, spread between staff members has been limited. The new COVID variants may change this. What has impacted libraries are the number of staff who have had to quarantine due to family exposure.
o County Executive is supportive of library staff being included in Phase 1b of vaccine distribution. No word yet whether this will occur. Staff cannot be required to receive the vaccine.
o Libraries will meet with the security company next week to determine availability of guards, which are necessary to reopen.
o Libraries are anticipating staffing challenges in maintaining curbside services while resuming limited in-person services.
Libraries created a series of virtual events for World Read Aloud Day. NCC Libraries offered live story readings on their Facebook pages between 9am and 7pm, with a new reader starting every 30 minutes. Guests included the County Executive, authors David Teague and Cindy Callaghan, and NCC Officer, Nikko the Dog and his human friends.
DLA Legislative Action panel discussions: Day 1 participants were familiar with library services, but second day’s panelists had strong engagement with libraries.
Libraries are working with Nehemiah Gateway and AARP to facilitate tax assistance.
Black History Month Celebrations – Several libraries are hosting storywalks; Bear library installed theirs at Glasgow Park. Libraries are offering a full calendar events which can be found on LibCal or Facebook.
Libraries are partnering with Delaware Readiness teams to distribute “Ready to Learn” and “Kindergarten Readiness” bags through curbside pickup.
Wilmington Library continues to offer a wide variety of programs.
In January 87,000+ items were checked out through 16,640 curbside pickups despite weather. Print on demand requests increased by 200 last month.
VI. Library Managers’ Reports
Jessica Glassco, Library Specialist & Makerspace Coordinator at Route 9 Library, presented on 3D printing during library closure.
o 3D printing on Demand – patrons can fill out a form, submit an .stl file and request a library print an item on the 3D printer. The service is popular and provides an opportunity for library staff to connect with patrons. Requests usually require follow-up conversations about file setup, design changes, etc. It becomes a learning experience for the patron.
o Examples of items printed during closure range from a knob for a broken toaster, action figures, to robotic arms requested by homeschool groups.
o NCC Libraries are offering programs on 3D design on March 11, April 8, and May 13. There are discussions to offer an intro to 3D printing (what it is, how it works, elements of good design) in the future.
o Jim Young – Wondered whether some sort of 3D print/design competition could be offered to get people interested as it could be a career avenue.
VII. Unfinished Business
Pros and Cons of the virtual Delaware Library Association - Legislative Day Webinars:
o Abdullah Muhammad – Appreciated hearing from legislators about their experience with libraries. The program was nicely done, a short program that was topic specific and stayed on target.
o Judy Taggart – The attendance was in keeping with past years when the meetings were held in-person. The program gives the LAB ideas for what they could do in the future.
o Subira Ibrahim – Stated that her legislator was disappointed that they had not been invited. Catherine Wimberley, Judy Taggart and Kay Bowes explained that because the program was happening virtually, that panel needed to be targeted in its focus. DLA’s Legislative Action Committee decided to focus on inviting legislators on the JFC and Bond committees and new legislators. Sophia Sotilleo stated this could be an opportunity for LAB, the board could invite older legislators. Sophia further suggested
“Thank you” notes that include something that would keep libraries in minds of legislators throughout the year.
VIII. New Business
What can we do to make our meetings more meaningful?
o Ad-Hoc Committee recommended inviting at least two library managers to each meeting as it would be informative. Diana Brown agreed with the concept with the caveat that due to COVID libraries are not functioning normally. Suggested it might be more impactful to focus on a service and invite two different library staff members (not necessarily managers) to discuss as there is a lot of communality. The LAB was in favor of the suggestion.
o Sophia Sotilleo– Discussed finding more ways to be more supportive of libraries and managers through the LAB members’ Friends groups and other means. Kay Bowes stated some groups aren’t active, which led to a conversation regarding how help the Friends be more engaged.
o Jim Young – Proposed the question be ongoing with a discussion each quarter.
Judy Taggart suggested an organizational hierarchy of the relationship between the Delaware Library Association, Delaware Division of Libraries, NCC Libraries, Friends groups, and the LAB would be beneficial.
IX. Announcements
Jim Young – Digging has commenced for laying the foundation of the new library. The fundraising campaign has not been a focus for the last couple of months due to the weather. Fundraising is in a very good position, however, despite the challenges of the past year. Currently, the public is directed to call the library to donate, there is not an online option.
o Judy Taggart offered to connect Jim with Newark Friends to walk through setting up a PayPal account.
o Diana Brown suggested offering a presentation on how to set up for online donations might be a topic that draws attendees to the November 2021 forum.
Subira Ibrahim – Wilmington Library is having a sweet potato pie contest on February 23. The library will be giving out a cash prize. The program is for Wilmington residents only.
Peg Ryan – On February 25, Corbit-Calloway Library is hosting Susan Clayton Goldner who is a former Delaware native and author of A Bend in the Willow.
Program will be held on Zoom.
Judy Taggart – On March 7 the Newark Library is hosting an author event with Brian Reardon.
Subira Ibrahim – Will distribute program flyers to her email contacts.
Abdullah Muhammad – On February 26 AARP is offering a screening of Amazing Grace, a film about Aretha Franklin.
X. Adjournment – Next Meeting
Motion to Adjourn made by Jim Young, seconded by Kay Bowes.
Next Meeting:
March 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM
