Approved Minutes - 2022-11-09 PMCITY OF LAKE OSWEGO November 9 , 2022
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Present: Mark Pontarelli, Patricia Walls, Kent Watson, Sherry Swackhamer, Patrick Walsh, Ed
Steinberg, Antoinette Awuakye
Staff Present: Melissa Kelly, Allison Arnold
Others Present: Phil Wikelund, President, Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library
Excused: Councilor Rachel Verdick, Genevieve Nguyen
1. Call to Order and Roll Call / Introductions
The Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting was called to order by Chair Kent Watson on
Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 at 7:06pm.
2. Minutes- Motion to approve by Walls, seconded by Walsh.
Minutes for October 12, 2022 were approved by the LAB (7-0).
3. Public Comment –None
4. Council Report- Councilor Verdick
On behalf of Councilor Verdick, Kelly relayed that next Monday there is a special pickleball
meeting, and at the next Council meeting they will be discussing demolition tax, the North
Anchor project, and street maintenance fees for pathways among other topics.
On December 6th affordable housing will be discussed.
Reunion Farmers Market - November 19th
Tree Lighting Festival – November 25th all at Millennium Plaza
5. Director’s Report – Melissa Kelly
Library Visioning:
Kelly relayed the latest updates on the Library Visioning Project and that a lot of documentation has
been submitted for review by chosen consultant Berry Dunn. Berry Dunn will also be conducting a
drive-time analysis to review access and what drive times to the library look like with regards to the
current library, as well as to a possible future location. A social pinpoint site will be set up online to
gather feedback and input from the public. Steinberg suggested validating the relationship between
drive times and usage.
Kelly noted she would review this with Berry Dunn. Discussion was held as to if library cards may be
used in other counties and Kelly said that yes you can receive full service library privileges with the use
of a LOPL library card. Watson suggested that it would be good to know of Lake Oswego residents
that use a different library in the County as their primary library.
Kelly relayed a list of current questions that the visioning process was looking to address, Walsh
requested a copy so he may consider the questions and return ideas to Kelly. Outreach opportunities
will include surveys – in person, in groups, and one on one. An online Social Pinpoint, outreach to
different groups at events, via a whiteboard and other ideas are being considered. Languages will
include English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
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Swackhamer emphasizes that it is important to reach groups that are not using the library due to
distance from the library and have affordability challenges. Discussion ensued on the best strategies
to reach out to all in the community, including those that are not currently using the library.
Presentation to Council is December 6th. Berry Dunn will also be attending virtually. Kelly emphasized
that it is important to be intentional to listen to the needs of the community vs requesting a facility or
upgrades as a foregone conclusion.
There will also be a community visioning task force, of which there will be a LAB member in the group.
The role of this group will be process the findings of the public engagements and determine what could
be the library’s role in meeting these community needs. Berry Dunn recommends no more than 15
people on this force and the idea is for members to offer multiple perspectives on the community needs
for library services. Kelly will be meeting with Mayor Buck and Councilor Verdick to get their input on
this task force, and the final candidates will be approved by resolution of City Council.
Martha Bennett is tentatively scheduled to speak with the LAB on January 11th ; she has demonstrated
support for the library visioning project.
Thursday, January 12th is the tentative date for the Boards and Commissions Summit, which is planned
to be in-person. Breakout groups that include a mix of boards and commissions members are planned
as well. Kelly also relayed initial plans to have the new Council tour the library, along with LAB
members. The Council visit will be posted per city policy if needed.
January 21st is the Council Goal Setting retreat, typically a full-day.
LAB is not expected to attend, but Melissa will attend and report back on Council goals for 2023.
Fundraising:
Kelly shared the fundraising letter as well as the informational trifold. This is the typical year-end
appeal letter and the mailing will include the trifold and an envelope to return a donation via mail.
Also working on an “I love my library because” campaign and will be including quotes and releasing
some complementary videos via social media. In addition, the ask will be sent out via the e-newsletter
which will also go out to 7-8000 people and include a link to donate online.
LO Reads prize baskets: 50 promotional clings on order, and LOPL is putting together a list of benefits
for sponsors. Watson clarified if it is OK for LAB members to “knock on doors” to approach sponsors.
Facilities:
Roof recoating is completed - it seems that there was a drain issue that was causing additional leaks.
There is an overflow valve that needs to be replaced, there are some access challenges that the
facilities team is currently working on. Regular drain cleaning will be included in future maintenance
contracts, as it is not a part of the current contract.
HVAC boiler has been replaced with high efficiently boiler and temperature controls can be set
remotely. Rooftop unit that heats the upstairs floor is scheduled to be replaced in December.
Facilities is working with architect to put a proximity access card on internal doors that have
public-facing access.
A Pilkington Park book drop is scheduled to be added soon.
Watson proposed the question on where to prioritize what is needed to keep the current facility
upgraded vs. wait and build a newer building.
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After some discussion, Kelly noted that this prioritization will be determined via feedback analyzed by
BerryDunn in the public visioning process.
Kelly referred to the LINCC strategic direction document and requested that the LAB send their
feedback if they have remarks to share.
Oregon Library Association (OLA) standards will be reviewed starting in January, 2023. The OLA
standards are a tool that library staff and advocates use to ensure that the library is meeting baseline
standards. Kelly requested that the LAB begin to review these standards over the next few meetings
beginning in January – she will send out a link for preview, and there will be one or two paper copies to
share at the LAB meetings starting next year.
6. New Business
Discussion ensured regarding submitting the 2022 LAB Annual Report, and a draft was shared.
A draft copy of Library Advisory Goals for 2023 was also shared. Kelly invited input on the final draft
and it will be reviewed again at the next meeting in December.
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7. Chair’s remarks – Kent Watson
Watson thanked the LAB and Melissa Kelly for their work supporting the library.
8. Friends of the Library (Friends) – Phil Wikelund
Wikelund indicated that the Friends treasurer will be resigning soon, and there is a callout
for a replacement volunteer. A new member has been added to the board, and there is a new
BOOKtique manager in place. The manager has embraced growing online sales, and the
sales via the Amazon channel have grown exponentially.
Eight new volunteers have joined the Friends BOOKtique team, which is great news.
9. Youth Liaison Remarks - None this month
10. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Swackhamer, seconded by Awuakye.
LAB was adjourned at 8:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nell Diamond