LIBRARY AND LITERACY COMMISSION Tuesday, October 13, 2015 5:30 p.m. CITY HALL MCCRACKEN MEETING ROOM 291 NORTH MAIN STREET PORTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL Esther Figueroa, Chair (10/2015) Allan Bailey, Vice-Chair (10/2015) Jennifer Biagio (10/2016) Tamara Bishop-Mitchell (10/2016) Patience Christenson (10/2015) Catherine E. May (10/2016) Edith La Vonne (10/2015) III. ORAL/WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC All items not scheduled should be addressed to the Library and Literacy Commission at this time during Oral Communications. Anyone wishing to address the Library and Literacy Commission should state their name for the record. In order to proceed in a timely manner, please limit the duration of your comments to three (3) minutes. IV. REPORTS This is the time for the Library and Literacy Commissioners to report on advocacy activities. V. CONSENT CALENDAR Consent Calendar items are considered routine and informational in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these matters unless a request is made, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar. 1. Library and Literacy Commission Minutes from September 8, 2015 2. September Monthly Highlights Re: Consider approval of monthly highlights report for September. 3. Literacy Report Re: Consider approval of monthly Read to Succeed program report. 4. Chamber Ambassador Report Re: Consider approval of monthly activity report from staff. 5. Library Foundation Update Re: Informational report from staff. 6. Strategic Planning Update Re: Informational report regarding efforts from the Ad-hoc Committee. 7. Announcements Re: Informational report regarding upcoming activities of interest to the Commission. VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS 1. California Library Association Statewide Survey Request Re: Review and Discuss information to be submitted in a survey for a Library Facility Needs Assessment. 2. Commission Advocacy Opportunities Re: Consider the November Schedule. 1
VII. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS The Commissioners opportunity to comment on any item or issue that is under the purview of the Library and Literacy Commission that is not on the agenda. VIII. SCHEDULED ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Agenda items for subsequent Commission meetings. IX. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Ralph M. Brown Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, or to be able to access this agenda and documents in the agenda packet, please contact the Office of City Clerk at (559) 782-7464. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting and/or provision of an appropriate alternative format of the agenda and documents in the agenda packet. Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Library and Literacy Commission after distribution of the Agenda packet are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Library, 41 West Thurman Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257. The mission of the Porterville Public Library is to be a visible learning center by providing literacy materials and services for all ages throughout our community for personal enrichment, the power of information, and the joy of reading. 2
1. Library and Literacy Commission Minutes September 8, 2015 LIBRARY AND LITERACY COMMISSION Tuesday, October 13, 2015 5:30 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:34 pm. Roll Call: Chair Figueroa, Commissioner Bailey, Commissioner Bishop-Mitchell, Commissioner Christenson, and Commissioner May. Also Present: Vikki Cervantes, City Librarian; Anthony Arellano, Library Supervisor. Oral/Written Communications from Public: Vikki read a Thank You letter from a member of the public. Reports: Chair Figueroa gave the report to City Council. Consent Calendar: Commissioner Bishop-Mitchell pulled item #7 for Vikki to add updated verbal comments. Commissioner Bailey motioned to approve all, except item #7. The motion was approved. Consent Calendar Item #7. Vikki verbally reported the main holdings of Peter M. Brown that were left to the Porterville City Library. A complete detailed list is not currently available. Scheduled Matters: 1. Library Designs. Vikki reported regarding the article and potential local possibilities. 2. Central Library Fieldtrip. Vikki led the Commissioners through the library, discussing the possible potential options for the Children s Area, a Family Restroom, the Community Room, the Local History Room, and the Elevator. 3. Commission Advocacy Opportunities. Commissioner May volunteered to attend the October 1 P&L Commission meeting. Commissioner Bailey will serve as an alternate to the October 20 City Council meeting if Commissioner Biagio is unable to attend. He will also read the Thank You letter as his report to City Council during the September 15 City Council meeting. Commissioner Bishop-Mitchell will try to attend the Friends of the September 9 Friends of the Library meeting if Commissioner La Vonne is unable to attend. Chair Figueroa encouraged the Commissioners to attend the September 14 Youth Commission meeting if any of their calendars allowed. Comments from Commissioners: Chair Figueroa announced that Anthony Arellano would be receiving his 10 year service award at the next City Council meeting. She also reminded Commissioners, whose terms would be ending, to submit an appointment form. Staff will prepare the forms for the Commissioners signatures. Schedule Items for Future Meetings: As discussed. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:53pm. 3
2. September Highlights The Porterville City Library partnered with The Tulare County Fair staff for a Read to Ride Mini Reading Program. The Tulare County Fair offered free ride tickets to students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Participants earned 2 free tickets for any ride of their choice for every reading log that they redeemed. Staff gave out 100 free tickets. The month of September was Library Card Sign-up Month @ Your Library. There were 356 library cards processed in the month of September. Saturday Game Day @Your Library. Participants had the opportunity to play a variety of card, board, and video games. There were 43 participants. Bring Your Own Game Day is held every Sunday in the Community Room at the Porterville City Library from 1:30 pm 4:30 pm. There were 133 participants for the month of September. September 10, 2015, Eagle Mountain Casino Health Fair. Staff had an informational booth to promote programs, services, and upcoming events. There were 153 participants. September 15, 2015, Sarah Stinson and her family accepted the Library Card Sign-up Month proclamation at the City Council meeting. September 16, 2015, staff conducted two library tours for the Kindergarten students from Buckley Elementary School. Staff read them a story and promoted library programs and services. There were 48 participants. September 23, 2015, staff conducted three tours for Preschool and Kindergarten students from Pleasant View School. Staff read them a story and promoted library programs and services. There were 70 participants. September 25, 2015, staff conducted four tours for the Kindergarten students from Summit Charter Academy Mathew Campus. Staff read them a story and promoted library programs and services. There were 138 participants. September 26, 2015: Family Literacy Day was held at Centennial Plaza Park from 10 am 1 pm. The Library booth passed out passports to each participant to visit each informational booth in order to earn their entry into a drawing. The library had an informational booth, using the Spin n Win wheel for library and literacy related giveaways. Other attractions included a Bounce House, Air-Brush Face Painting, Story Times featuring The Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 & Thing 2, Family Health Care Network Iron and Blood Pressure screening, Parks & Leisure informational booth, Porterville College Admissions, CHIRLA, Voter Registration, and Veterans vendors had informational booths on site promoting their services. Special thanks to the following volunteer groups: Read to Succeed Adult Literacy, Porterville College MECHA Club, and Porterville High School Health Science Academy students who assisted with activities throughout the event. The library staff provided popcorn and drinks. Various prizes were raffled. There were 360 participants who attended this fun event. Lego Club @ Your Library. Participants had the opportunity to play with a variety of Legos. Staff had a competition for building a 37" tall castle. The winner won a Stars Wars Lego movie. Staff also raffled a Lego Vehicles book. Participants watched the Ninjago season 2 movie. There were 45 participants. 4
September Monthly Volunteer Hours 5 Volunteers: 116 hours 1 Community Service: 30 hours Staff conducted 1-Hour courses on the following Computer Topics: Intro to Email Intro a Internet (Spanish) Intro a Correo Electronico (Spanish) Job Scout Intro a Word (Spanish) Total participants: 16 Tuesday Morning Story Times: preschoolers enjoy singing, dancing, and books. There were 241 participants. Tuesday Evening Spanish Story Times: preschoolers enjoy Spanish stories, Spanish songs, and crafts. There were 67 participants. Boppy Times for Babies: parents and their babies get to play and bond together. There were 7 participants. Sunday traffic counts for September: Sunday, September 6: 244 Sunday, September 13: 258 Sunday, September 20: 197 Sunday, September 27: 192 3. Literacy Report May- July Tutors trained: 1 Learner assessments: 2 Tutor matches: 3 Learners Achievement Corner Tutor Maria R. - reported that both of her learners, Amani and Al have improved their writing skills. Amani successfully learned how to write a simple paragraph with a topic sentence and Al is writing journal letters. On September 15, 2015, special thanks to the following English as a Second Language tutors Maryam Rasekh, Pauline Meachem, Mandy and James Parr for attending and accepting the Adult Literacy Awareness proclamation at the City Council meeting. On September 26, 2015, Family Literacy Day was held at Centennial Plaza Park from 10 am 1 pm. Special thanks to volunteers Julianna Glyndon, Dennis Smith, Daniel Penaloza and Cathy Christensen for their assistance, dedication and time. English as a Second Language Conversation Circle group currently meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. The group is currently utilizing the Life Skills series and continues to work on vocabulary phrases, expressions, and greetings. The Tutors have separated the students into 3 levels; Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. There were a total of 73 participants. 5
The Library has partnered with the Police Department Thunderbolt Program staff. We currently do not have any students who are meeting with Tutors for assistance with their writing assignments. 4. Chamber Ambassador Report September 2: staff attended the ambassador luncheon in the chamber offices sponsored by Hoagie s Heroes. September 4: staff attended First Friday Coffee sponsored by Sierra View Medical Center and a ribbon cutting for Maxfit Gym. September 16: staff attended the ribbon cutting for Scentsy with Wayne and Vernettie Manley. September 23: staff attended the ribbon cutting for Central Valley Diagnostic and Sleep Center. 5. Library Foundation Update Staff continues to work on the assembly of a discussion panel with regional representatives on this topic. There has been a delay in communications with regional representatives due to competing schedules. 6. Strategic Planning Update Staff does not have any new information to report at this time. 7. Announcements Mini Reading Incentive Program Catch a Dragon by a Tale runs October 1-31, flyer attached Teen Read Week October 18-24, flyer attached Business Showcase at the Fairgrounds Thursday, October 22, 5:30pm-7:30pm Food For Fines runs October 19- December 18, flyer attached Friends of the Library Week October 18-24 Halloween Costume Contest Saturday, October 31, 4:30pm-5:30pm, flyer attached CITY COUNCIL City Council will have a place on their Tuesday, October 20, agenda for the Library & Literacy Commission to report. Commissioner Bailey has volunteered to deliver the report. City Council has scheduled a proclamation for National Friends of the Library Week for Tuesday, October 20. 6
SCHEDULED MATTERS 1. California Library Association Statewide Survey Request The City Librarian was asked by the State Librarian, Greg Lucas, to complete a survey for the California Library Association by November 1. California last conducted such a survey nearly a decade ago, so a new look at the conditions of libraries around the state is overdue. While the library association created the survey, the State Library had some input. Mr. Lucas reflects that in his visits to libraries around the state, his impression is summed up by the old Kevin Costner movie quote from Field of Dreams, If you build it, they will come. He further emphasizes that modern libraries staffed with awesome librarians are community anchors and assets. As a refresher of information previously shared by staff, at the start of this year s 2015 legislative session, Senator Lois Wolk, one of the California Library Association s strongest library champions at the State Capitol, indicated her interest in carrying legislation to assist libraries in need of new public library facility construction or renovation/remodel projects. The California Library Association s Legislative Committee deliberated and determined that it would greatly benefit CLA s ability to advocate on behalf of a statewide library construction bond if they had more detailed information regarding the public library construction needs in each community. The last Needs Assessment was completed in 2006. The State Library, in years past, has had a fully functioning Office of Library Construction (OLC), which was responsible for conducting comprehensive Needs Assessments, which were then used in helping to advocate for SB 3 the 2000 library construction bond, which the voters approved, as well as Proposition 81, which the voters did not approve in 2006. As the OLC is no longer active, CLA is at a disadvantage in not being able to tap this resource for the most current data regarding facility needs and associated costs. In light of this, CLA is embarking on an effort, in conjunction with the State Library, to compile information that will provide a complete inventory of library facility needs. Staff is including in your packet a copy of the survey and would like the Commission to focus on the survey s questions #9 and #10. The assessment information collected statewide will bring the California library community one step closer to determine the fiscal scope of a future bond. This information will also help to satisfy the legislators that the library bond needs are indeed credible and that now is the time for improving our services, one library building at a time. 2. Commission Advocacy Opportunities Upcoming meetings: P&L Commission November 5 Council Chambers @ 5:30 pm. City Council November 17 @ 6:30 pm. Friends of the Library November (Cancelled) Library Local History Room @ 4 pm. Youth Commission November 9 Council Chambers @ 4pm. **Special request from Staff- Request for Commissioners to volunteer to be a judge for the Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday, October 31, from 4:15pm to 5:45pm. VII. VIII. IX. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS comments on any items or issues not on the agenda SCHEDULE ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS ADJOURNMENT Adjourn the meeting 7