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09-18-2024 Special Meeting Agenda LABPerson County Public Library Advisory Board Meeting Agenda Wednesday, September 18th at 2:00 PM Zoom Link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84889333639?pwd=k6on26aXL86aN59riF1U7XbuB9pnBv.1 1. Call to Order, roll call, and certification of quorum - L.A.B. Members Present: Anne Gibson, Charles Harvey, Kyle Puryear, Susan Powell, Jonathan Bradsher - Library Staff Present: Nikki Scoville, Drew Heath, Sharon Holding • ACTION ITEM: Approve agenda for September 18, 2024 Advisory Board Meeting - 1st Anne Gibson - 2nd Jonathan Bradsher - Ayes – unanimous • ACTION ITEM: Approve minutes from the April 8, 2024 Advisory Board Meeting - Anne requested addition – Commissioner Puryear requested Charles Harvey and Jonathan Bradsher to reapply for terms that were expiring and that Puryear would discuss with county commissioners. - Board accepted Gibson’s proposed changes. - 1st Jonathan Bradsher - 2nd Susan Powell - Ayes – unanimous 2. Staffing Update • New Library Director Bio - Brian Hart shared that Von Yeager from Charleston, SC would begin employment as Person County Public Library’s Director on October 7th. He gave a summary of Yeager’s work experience in libraries and updated the LAB that Yeager has been involved with Youth Services Librarian interviews. • Children’s Librarian Update - Brian Hart updated that 1st rounds of Youth Services Librarian were completed and that chosen candidates would be contacted later this week and in person interviews would be scheduled by HR. • Library Associate Update - Brian Hart shared concerns about degree requirements for this position and wanted to exclude requiring an MLIS degree for this position as the chosen candidates in the past requested higher pay than could be met with the job’s current classification. Brian also mentioned wanting to table the hiring process until both the director and Youth Services librarian are onboarded. - Susan Powell questioned why the library has had so much turn over, especially with the director position. Hart explained that our previous director was moving on with their career and had earned her doctorate while employed with Person County. 3. North Carolina Room Discussion -Harvey discussed the 6-year plan Kayli Reyna had proposed. He Mentioned the action plan included an action item to move the NC History collection and opened the discussion to decide the placement of the collection to either remain in its current location in the multipurpose room or to move it back to the Previous location which is now the Library Director’s office. - Anne Gibson proposed the collection remain where it is, as the collection is in a secure area that is ADA compliant. She then discussed the importance of the collection remaining ADA compliant. She noted the small size of the previous room where the collection was housed. - Jonathan Bradsher argued that the collection should be moved back into the original location. He stated that the current location is not private and that users of this collection are entitled to privacy. He also voiced not understanding why the old space was not ADA compliant. - Scoville replied that when the consultants were here they determined the space in its previous set up was not ADA compliant and that they consultants offered several options to make the library building ADA compliant. Scoville stated that she did not know the exact specifications of their determinations. Scoville also stated that it would not be currently possible to move the collection back into the old location as the shelving that had been holding the collection had been repaired multiple times by the Person County General services team members and that when the collection was moved that the shelving fell apart and that all new shelving would have to be purchased. The cabinets that currently hold the collection are significantly larger than the old shelving and will not all fit in the old NC History Room. Scoville also explained that the collection has grown since it moved into the Multipurpose room. - Ann Gibson argued that the collection remaining secure outweighed the need for user’s privacy. Gibson also mentioned that there is a room divider for those who want privacy. Gibson cited importance of keeping staff area ADA compliant and voiced concern that moving the collection again would impede on staff area ADA compliance. 4. Microfilm Reader Discussion - Bradsher questioned what was wrong with the microfilm machine. Gibson explained that it was an issue with the machine not powering on. - Question was raised if attempts at repair were made. - Scoville answered that Person County IT was contacted. PC IT tried replacing the power cord, but the machine did not respond. PC IT could not figure out what was wrong with the Microfilm Reader. Scoville also stated that the cost to have the machine serviced in the past for its yearly servicing fee was $1,000.00 and this cost would not include the cost to repair. Scoville also stated that toner for the printer on the Microfilm machine cost $500.00 when it needed to be replaced in 2023. Scoville expressed concern over cost of repair may be more expensive verses replacing the Microfilm reader with a newer model that would be compatible with computers and our current printer services. Scoville also stated that the Microfilm machine was purchased over 5 years ago and the current owned mode (MS6000 MKII) had been discontinued so it may be very difficult and/or expensive to purchase replacement parts in general. - Hart stated that he had been in contact with other libraries to consult on the matter and was looking into other options to borrow and/or rent, or purchase a Microfilm reader and is waiting on details and stated he would report back with new information. - Gibson suggested that Hart should also look into State Surplus Equipment in Raleigh. - Gibson also suggested digitizing the microfilm collection either instead of or in addition to purchasing new Microfilm machine to accommodate a wider variety of collection users and abilities. Gibson also suggested applying for grant funding for microfilm digitization. - Scoville stated that Kayli Reyna had already looked into digitizing the collection through grants and that the LSTA Grant stipulations would not allow Newspapers on Microfilm to be digitized. Reyna had already received a quote for the costs of digitizing the collection, but Scoville could not recall the exact cost. - Bradsher suggested another option to fund digitizing the microfilm would be to team up with a Private University that has more funding suggesting Fermin or Duke. - Gibson stated that she was also a member of the organization The Friends of the Library (Person County) and that Reyna had requested help in paying for the cost, but stated that the FOL does not have the funds to pay for a new microfilm machine or digitization of microfilm at this time. Possible options discussed: - Acquiring another location to house either the NC History Collection or another part of the collection that would be open to the public during set hours. Hart suggested one of the Housing Authority Community Centers that Victor Felts had offered usage of. - Leaving the collection where it is but making it more “private”. Hart suggested the possibility of a Room patrician since there are two entrances to the Multipurpose room. Also stated that we would need to look into fire codes and regulations before pricing out this option. - Moving the collection to another area of the library to remain ADA compliant. Next steps: - Puryear appointed Hart to look at ADA again. - Puryear requested Hart to present costs for moving collection back and ADA compliance assessment on both collection and staff area. Stated if the collection can’t be moved because of ADA then it stays where it is. - Board members want ADA information and costs by next meeting on Monday, October 14th. - Hart requested to enlist Scoville to assist with investigating costs and assessment. - Once a final decision is made about placement of collection, Board wants to publish a newspaper article explaining why location was moved and the goals for the future expansions of the library building. 5. Adjournment - 1st Bradsher - 2nd Gibson - Ayes – unanimous (Gibson, Bradsher, Havey, Puryear)