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Minutes 01-27-21 MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021, AT 6:00 P.M. VIA ZOOM ONLINE MEETING, IN BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: George Feldman, Chair Craig Clark, Library Director Dr. Stephanie Hayden-Adeyemo, Vice Chair Jeannie Taylor, Assistant Library Director Lindsay Karten Joyce Pernicone, Senior Librarian Elizabeth Sherlock Marcia Levine Robyn Boucard Victor Gaud Cabrera, Alternate Sara Brown, Alternate Absent: Ace Tilton Ratcliff I. Pre-meeting announcement from Craig Clark Library Director At 6:05 p.m. Mr. Clark read a statement explaining how the meeting would proceed and how the public could participate. II. Call to order— Board Chair— Introduce new Board Member(Alternate) Sarah Brown Mr. Clark introduced new member Sarah Brown. Ms. Brown explained she is an upper school Librarian at American Heritage School in Delray, working with youth ages 6-12 for five years. Before that, she worked for the City of Boca at the Spanish River Branch in the account services and collections development. She has lived in Boynton for 15 years and was looking forward to working with the members. Mr. Clark advised he received an email thatMx.. Ratcliff may be late. Chair Feldman explained this was his second year with the Library Board and this was the first time they had a full Board. III. Annual Organizational Meeting — Election of Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary) Mr. Clark explained the members need to elect a Board Chair and Vice Chair. The Secretary is not needed as there is a recording secretary. He explained the Ordinance requires that the Board Chair and Vice Chair be appointed by the City Commission. He read from a memo from Crystal Gibson, the City Clerk, explaining the members could Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 recommend to the City Commission who they would like to serve as the Board Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. Clark advised as Board Liaison, he will place the recommendations on the next Commission agenda. Mr. Feldman will remain Chair until the City Commission votes on the recommendations. Dr. Hayden—Adeyemo inquired if this was a new provision. Mr. Clark explained he was informed the information was contained in a February 16th agenda item, but it was new to him. He received an email from the City Clerk indicating how this would be handled going forward. The City Commission appoints all members of the Library Advisory Board and the Advisory Board reports to them and makes recommendations. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo was confused where the City Commission formally wrote about recommending who is the Chair and Vice Chair as the Library Board members normally do so. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo stated on the record the City Commission should not be recommending who is Chair and Vice Chair because it would supersede the reason to have an advisory board. Mr. Clark explained it is an Ordinance and a law. At the request of Mr. Clark, the Minutes Specialist explained the Ordinance was passed in the last half of 2020 to provide uniformity among the advisory boards. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo understood the manner in which the Chair and Vice Chair would be handled going forward and that is put on the record at the City Commission meetings. She interpreted the provision Mr. Clark read as if the City Commission did not approve the Board recommended individuals, the City Commission could select other Library Board members to serve as Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. Clark confirmed the City Commission has the authority to do so. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo then questioned the need for the Advisory Board. She thought it was quasi, and repeated that if the City Commission did not like who was the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board, the Commission could do what they want. She expressed it seemed to be a push back on some comments brought up at a City Commission meeting, and she was being respectful of the time and their Chair and Vice Chair, but it sounded like the Commission was trying to do ad hoc, quasi, running all the Boards from the dais, which was her push back. Ms. Sherlock noted the City Commissioners do not know the members and what their focus is on if they never met them. She asked if they had to interview for the positions. She inquired if members could serve on two boards and learned they could. Mr. Clark explained the procedure is for him, as the Board Liaison, to place the recommendation on the agenda and includes information about any member interested in serving as chair and discussion or consensus the Board has had regarding the issue. He requested Chair Feldman take a vote on who wants to serve as Chair and Vice Chair and then a vote. Chair Feldman nominated Marcia Levine serve as Chair starting in February after City Commission approval. 2 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo asked if someone could serve as chair of two boards. Mr. Clark did not know. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo wanted it on record that she thinks there are people sitting enacting ordinances who are not thinking, ethically correctly, because she is a forward thinker and she can see ahead this is problematic. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo seconded the nomination for Marcia Levine for Chair. Ms. Levine inquired how long someone can serve as Chair and Vice Chair and learned there was no limit, but they must be reappointed every year. Ms. Levine accepted the nomination. Chair Feldman asked if someone could nominate themselves and learned they could. Vote The vote for Ms. Levine unanimously passed. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo nominated herself as Vice Chair. Chair Feldman nominated Ms. Boucard for Vice Chair, however, Ms. Boucard declined. Ms. Sherlock nominated Mr. Feldman as Vice Chair. Mr. Feldman accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations received. Motion A vote for Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo as Vice Chair was taken. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo was elected Vice Chair by vote of 4-2 (Chair Feldman, Ms. Sherlock dissenting and Ms. Levine abstaining.) A vote for Mr. Feldman as Vice Chair did not occur as Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo was accepted by the majority of the Board for the position. Mr. Clark requested Ms. Levine and Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo send a brief summary of their backgrounds to include in the agenda item. III. Approval of Minutes — Meeting of December 9, 2020 Motion Ms. Levine moved to approve the minutes. Chair Feldman seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. V. Correspondence and Communications— None 3 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 VI. Public Audience (Individual speakers will be limited to three-minute presentations) - none VII. Chairs Report- none VIII. Unfinished Business Staffing update —Craig Clark Mr. Clark announced they are promoting Nael Simonaire, a part-timer to a full-time Library Associate and they will have a part-time Library Aide position available. If anyone is interested in the position, they should check the City's website. AmeriCorps Program —Jeannie Taylor Ms. Taylor briefly explained the program and the services they offer. There are three AmeriCorp volunteers working full time in the Library. There is an adult volunteer handling ESL, a full-time afterschool homework help, working with younger children and a full-time teen helper with homework and college prep. She advised the program is a very good program. Career Online High School — Jeannie Taylor Ms. Taylor explained the Career Online High School program. She elaborated they have four people in the high school, one almost done, two are halfway through and one just beginning. They take a two-week prerequisite class to ensure they can keep the schedule and can use the learning style. After the prerequisite class, she and Mr. Clark interview the student before a scholarship is given. The scholarship provides the rest of the program free. They have a total of 18 months to complete the classes, with credit given for any other high school classes taken. So far, there are 10 graduates and it is a life changing program. IX. New Business: Maker Space Update —Joyce Pernicone, Sr. Librarian-Customer Relations Joyce Pernicone, who oversees the Maker's Space, gave an update on some of the equipment coming in. The Library received a Library Services and Technology Act Grant for $40K to begin a Maker's Space and help introduce patrons to creative entrepreneurship. She reviewed some of the machines received included an Oculus Quest 2. They spent months purchasing the machines and staff is getting acquainted with the machines and setting them up. The Oculus Quest 2 allows individuals to participate in Virtual Reality webinars. They have a Cricket Maker which allowed people to make cards, transfer images on tee shirts and bottles, it is a vinyl transfer system. There is a design space where one creates the designs and the machine creates the 4 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 stencils to adhere to various items. They have an embroidery machine that does a thousand stitches a minute. Someone could design an applique and if it sells well, and staff teaches the business end as well, they can mass produce items which could be a at home small business for someone. They hope if people become proficient with the equipment, they could purchase their own machines and use them at home. They have ordered a 3-D printer, which allows individuals to queue up jobs and people can email 3-D printing jobs and staff will approve the jobs and print the item. The Library has augmented reality headsets, which is paired with the 3-13 scanner to have meetings where individuals can scan items and bring them into virtual discussion rooms. The headsets can also be used to learn how to play the piano. The Oculus headset has apps so individuals can travel all over the world virtually, learn Tai Chi and art, although the technology is mostly for relaxation. There is a sculpture app that individuals can create sculptures and translate the sculpture to images they post. The Library has a beta test group of 10 people that will go through the program consisting of learning the equipment, the creative entrepreneurship end and obtaining guest instructors to clarify things. Those individuals can graduate into the business incubator on the first floor. The City has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to get someone to open the incubator. As individuals graduate from the Library programs, they can receive further help on the business edge. It is cutting-edge equipment and technology, and it is hoped individuals impacted by COVID, could find something to do at home to supplement their income. Chair Feldman asked if the equipment could handle the City's embroidery needs. It was noted staff time is limited, and staff needs to train patrons. Chair Feldman clarified he meant it could be an account for a new start-up business. Ms. Pernicone explained for the duration of the grant, which runs through September 30th, staff is limited to what they could do, but after the grant period is concluded, they could explore other options. Mr. Gaud Cabrera asked who has been thinking about incorporating the incubator with the Library. Ms. Pernicone explained they are two different spaces: the Library has the Makers Space with equipment and then there is a separate City project with the Business Incubator. The City has issued an RFP for an entity to run the Business Incubator as it is a City project, but the RFP process is not yet complete. She explained further information can be found on the City's website. Ms. Pernicone also pointed out the other part of the project is a Giclee Art Printer that allow someone to paint a canvas, scan it and the machine will copy the same art piece onto blank canvases. If they do not want to paint, there is a drawing tablet which allows one to create art without supplies and copy it onto canvas. There is also a professional grade camera that would allow individuals to create family portraits which is a favorite around the holidays when the demand is high. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo saw something online and noted the City has the Library Board and Education and Youth Advisory Board and they were thinking how to re-engage youth during COVID. She commented these are extension enrichments, which could be 5 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 used in partnership with schools, particularly South Tech. The Library also has the Online High School and these programs could be flushed out as strategic initiatives or Pandemic Literacy project that the Library and Education and Youth Board could work on together. Ms. Pernicone explained equipment such as the Cricket Maker is simple to use, but some equipment is complicated. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo liked the synergy between the two Boards and the equipment and thought it was a win-win. Ms. Pernicone commented the technology has advanced so much that the possibilities are endless. They want to make people aware of it. Mr. Clark noted they are not yet ready to launch. Dr. Hayden-Adeyemo thought children were on the cusp of technology and most are already using the technology in some form at school. List of Volunteer opportunities/FLA Legislative Advocacy Platform — Craig Clark Mr. Clark explained the list of volunteer opportunities was included in the agenda backup. The advocacy items could be done at any time, but the volunteer portions would be post-COVID, which he hoped would be in the near future. He also attached the Florida Library Association Advocacy Platform. The Florida Library Association hired a lobbyist to lobby for funding initiatives. He checked items that directly affect the Library, such as State Aid to Libraries, the Library Cooperative Grant Program, which funds services for the Southeast Florida Library Network (SEFLIN.) The Library is part of SEFLIN, which is an organization that handles resource sharing to cut costs on items such as databases, helps with delivery services that transport books to other libraries and for appropriation of$750K to public libraries for the Career Online High School. He noted the Governor vetoed the allocation for last two years. He encouraged the members to contact their local legislators and advocate for Library funding. Chair Feldman requested a list of legislators Mr. Clark thought would be most helpful to be sent to the members. Mr. Clark agreed to do so. Adult Reading Club—Jeannie Taylor Ms. Taylor explained the Adult Reading Club starts in January. People sign up and have to read 10 things, and get a reward, which is a tote bag. The bags were ordered and may take three weeks to arrive. The totes are popular. The program usually gets a couple hundred people signed up. She encouraged all to join in. Kinetic Art Symposium — Kids Kits from Youth Library— Jeannie Taylor Ms. Taylor explained the kits will enable youth to make pinwheels. Youth can pick up a kit and make the pinwheels in the Library or at home, so youth can be involved in the art event. The kits not ready for pick up yet, but they will be advertised on social media. There will also be first, second and third place winners and all the youth's kinetic artwork will be displayed in the library. 6 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 Little Libraries Program — Craig Clark Mr. Clark announced they built three Little Libraries, which is a box on a pole in the ground. The City of Lake Worth has about 125 Little Libraries. The Lake Worth program is huge and is run by a non-profits that host the boxes at the volunteers' homes. Boynton's program is different. They will have three locations: Oceanfront Park, Sara Sims Park and one at Barrier Free Park. People can take any books from the boxes or leave a book for someone else to read. This program should be up and running within three weeks. They are working with Legal on some legal issues and staff will check them twice a week. The boxes are already installed and have the new Library logo and the City's logo on them. The front of the boxes say "Boynton Beach City Little Library." Dr. Hayden- Adeyemo noted some of the volunteers have them in front of their homes and Delray Beach has some as well. Staff was also working on a disclaimer about COVID. Ms. Boucard asked if the books are to be brought to the Library or to the boxes. Mr. Clark responded people can place the books in the boxes. X. Library Director's Report/Statistics November and December 2020 Monthly Reports Mr. Clark explained circulation is increasing and the Library is getting busier, especially this month. Circulation was more now than in the entire year. Mr. Clark thought the gate count was not accurate and noted the gates are new, but the circulation counts were accurate. First-floor visitors can walk around the gates and he thought the figures were low. Ms. Levine thought attendance was great. She loves the Florida Room in the back, and if no one can find her, that is where she goes. It is like her escape room. Most of the time she is by herself, but not anymore. Mr. Clark pointed out to the members, when AmeriCorps submits their monthly report, they do not use the student's real names. Mr. Clark thanked also Ms. Taylor for attending the meeting while on vacation. XI. Announcements Next Library Board Meeting — February 24, 2021 —Via Zoom Meeting Mr. Clark announced the above meeting. Ms. Sherlock looked through the website and observed the woman who handles story time for the kids. She noted kids like to see pictures in the books and when the reader holds up the pictures, the youth only get a glimpse of the picture. She thought the 7 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 27, 2021 pictures should be viewed up close and for a longer amount of time. Dr. Hayden- Adeyemo suggested a poly-cam may help. She also announced she loves the Library, but she sees a lot in print and the media about City students falling behind. She thought there needed to be a tighter synergy between the Library and the Education and Youth Advisory Board and thought the Education and Youth Advisory Board is to actively engage youth. They want to take steps for the City and the benefactors will be the youth. XII. Adjournment Motion Ms. Sherlock moved to adjourn. Dr. Hayden Adeyemo seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 8