HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember Minutes-2015MINUTES OF THE
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
September 15, 2015
The Library Advisory Board held a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., September 15, 2015 in the Downey
City Library, Cormack Room, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California.
Present: Betty Monroy — Chair (arr.6:44 p.m.), Theresa Ford — Vice Chair, Kimberly Hayes, Beverly
Mathis, Karol Morrison
Staff and Guests Present: Shannon DeLong — Library Director, Amber Wysopal — Admin Clerk,
Leonor Marroquin for Eunice Hammond, FODCL
Welcome to Members and Guests:
Vice Chair Ford welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Roll was called and a
quorum was verified. The Board welcomed Kimberly Hayes as the new LAB member for District 2.
Written Communications:
1. The minutes of April 21, 2015 were considered. Board Member Mathis motioned for approval
and Vice Chair Ford seconded. By unanimous consensus, the minutes were approved.
Non - Agenda Public Comment/Oral Communications:
There were none.
Reports:
1. Library Incident Report: The incident report was received and filed. The Board expressed concern
about situations that library staff has to encounter with library patrons but believed that staff is now
trained and knows how to deal with situations appropriately with the training they received.
2. Library Director's Report: Shannon DeLong reported that the New Book Wall now contains only
books which are less than three months old; books four months and older are shelved in their regular
places. The reference collection has been weeded and interfiled, and some volumes are now available
to borrow. Staff Development day theme was Useful, Useable and Desirable, in which staff emphasized
a user - focused experience. Staff also received training from the Downey Fire Department on new AED
(Automated External Defibrillator) installed in the library. The Downey Police Department provided a
session for staff and coached staff when to call the police department.
3. Friends of the Downey City Library ( FODCL) Report Ms. Leonor Marroquin reported that the
Friends of the Downey City Library's Newsletter will be posted on the City of Downey's Website. The
Board was notified of upcoming fundraisers to be held at Knights of Columbus in Downey and the
Downey City Library which are noted in the Newsletter.
Board Business:
1) Updated Study Room/ Meeting Room draft Policy Staff is considering adapting existing
offices to be used as public meeting room /study rooms. The Board considered revisions to the
room use policy as provided from the last Board meeting. After clarifying the food policy (pre -
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packaged food items and covered drinks only), Chair Monroy motioned for approval and Vice
Chair Ford seconded.
2) Discuss repurposing of the Adult Reference Area. Chair Monroy confirmed the Board's
interest in using an array of donations to fund the purchase of new furniture and potentially
enlarge the Young Adult section. There is interest in updating the Downey City Library
comparable to Downtown Downey's new updated look.
3) Discuss May 18, 2015 tour of Whittier Library, Whittwood Branch Chair Monroy noted the
tour of Whittwood Library was a nice visit and the Library was inviting. The Board noted the
tremendous display of community support, particularly through financial contributions. They
remarked on how much bigger the library felt, even though it is actually smaller in square
footage than the Downey City Library. Of note, the Board appreciated the design of the
community room and restrooms, which are accessible even when the library itself is closed to
the public. Chair Monroy requested more frequent tours of nearby libraries, specifically ones of
similar size and /or libraries that are city libraries.
Board Member Comments:
Based upon Ms. DeLong's explanation of user - friendly design to include more inclusionary vocabulary
rather than library- specific vocabulary, Vice Chair requested and Member Hayes seconded the request
for further explanation and discussion at a future meeting. The Library Annual Report draft for fiscal
year 2014 -2015 was presented to the Board, and the Board was asked to send comments and
suggestions to Ms. DeLong by Tuesday the 22 "d of September.
Ms. Delong also reported that 2 new cameras will be set up in the Library. The cameras are to be
monitored by Downey Police Department. The Board members complimented the new mural in the
Cormack Room, noting the Cormack Room was used as a Concierge for the Special Olympics.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
The meeting adjourned to 6:30 p.m. on October 20, 2015 in the Downey City Library, Cormack Room,
. Downev, California.
Shannon DeLong
Library Director
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