FLF Meeting Notes: July 11, 2020

by | Jul 16, 2020 | FLF Meetings, Meeting Notes

FLF Meeting Notes: July 11, 2020

Meeting NotesFelton Library Friends Steering Committee

July 11, 2020, 9 am – 11:00 am via Zoom

In attendance: Donna Ziel, Nancy Gerdt, Michele Mosher, Jim Mosher, Diane McCormick, Judi Sherman

Guest: LIbrarian Jackie Danziger

Outcomes:

  1. Strengthen relationships among members
  2. Shared understanding of current/future Library and FSCPL activities 
  3. Agreement on Steering Committee membership
  4. A plan for the next Steering Committee meeting and future FLF meetings

Library System: Jackie reported. Looking to August to talk about what services can happen in Fall. No new program proposals till September. Focusing on curbside pickups; gathering info about how to walk slowly into opening. Discussing how to address needs: connectivity; maybe lend out chrome books; what can we accomplish with limited staff and furloughs (a Friday every other week; system wide for full time employees).

Felton Branch: Jackie reported: summer reading demanding lots of her time; virtual programs; edit preschool story times; supporting Zoom programs; and virtual writers open mic night; equity team. No opening date for Felton identified; operating under a model of flexibility and will roll out opening as possible, follow guidelines from health dept. Possible that Felton might put laptops in the patio. Jackie contacted Water District and Parks for virtual programming options. 

Questions for Jackie:  Any small programs on the patio? Probably not – virtual access only now. Is there a place for virtual volunteering? Possibly as program support; need to have a staff member for any programs. Other options? Research? We can certainly publicize any programs. Jim in touch with Carly Blanchard, water district environmental program director, to discuss programming in the park. After summer reading, could we move forward with some of the projects inside like cabinets,  getting teens together virtually to ask for their ideas on the Teen Room and give them some ownership; low shelving unit on north side

Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries

MIchele reported as FLF Chapter rep on the FSCPL Board. Executive Director, Marsa Greenspan, resigned from her position.  Martin Gomez will hold Interim director position for at least 3 months. He will hire an office manager and begin a search for an ED, if board decides that is the next step;  Board will discuss reorganization

July is when board terms expire and are renewed; Gail Levine, SLVUSD Trustee,  will join the board.

Presidents and Treasurers of Friends Groups are meeting with Susan Nemitz about how virtual funding is distributed.  Nancy and Michele will meet with Laura Whaley and Susan about accountability for FLF funds given to the Library.

Felton Library Friends

For now, the FLF Steering Committee will hold regular meetings first Tuesday of the month at 4:00pm.

Newsletter: Michele and Nancy preparing a newsletter for FLF, profiling staff and news about North County Dems award that they received

FLF Steering Committee Membership 

We defined SC membership of up to 12 people using the following positions.  We need to develop a nomination process for the position at large.  

  1. Officers: President Nancy Gerdt; Treasurer Michele Mosher; Secretary Judi Sherman (officers are currently responsible for newsletter and website)
  2. Donor relations and Fundraising (grant writing; outreach to big donors over time; looking for new donors)  Nancy Gerdt will outreach for volunteer 
  3. Events: Diane McCormick, Co-Chair
  4. Park (activities and volunteers) Nancy G. will outreach for volunteer  
  5. Community-led Learning
  6. FSCPL board member from Felton.  Michele Mosher will outreach
  7. 5th district representative on Library Advisory Commission; Michele will outreach to Commissioner
  8. Diversity of library users: teen, connected to schools, parents Nancy and Diane will outreach
  9. Position at large: need to define

Future FLF meetings for general membership

We agreed that the timing for the first larger meeting will be based on the library schedule, possibly October.

Purpose of meetings: 

Provide information about what’s going on; provide opportunities for participation

Recruit for teams

Meet the new librarian and branch manager

What’s happening at the library and the park?

Build relationships among people

Next Steps

Next meeting: August 4 from 4-5:30pm via Zoom

New members as participant observers: Let Judi know about status of ask

Define Steering Committee Position-at-large

Plan October all FLF meeting

Discovery Park status

Jackie – library update

Treasurer’s report

Orientation for new members (need to plan)

Report from FSCPL

Follow up: Consider priorities for reopening (e.g. puzzles and manipulatives on north wall) – with Jackie. Plan orientation for new members – Judi, Michele, Nancy