Library Board - August 2026

Um, everyone appears to be here. So, I won't do a formal roll call or anything um as we will do our um ice breakers. I have last. No. Okay. Just say introduction and election. services >> and I missed that on the other. Okay. Well, we won't elect anybody. >> Yeah, that's done. Um but yes, we have a quorum. Um welcome to our our advisory board. Um let's quickly approve the minutes. Um we do me in line. Um, so are there any corrections or discussion on last month's minutes? Did anyone get a chance to look at them? >> I have a question. Who Who does the minutes? >> Tracy. >> I figured those are the best minutes I have ever seen in my life. And I'm old by a cloud of amount. So >> I I had to find out. >> They're wonderful. >> Great. She keeps us all here. Um, I need a motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Great. Excellent. Our minutes are approved. >> All right. Um, public invited to be heard. Any members of the public would like to hear, Jason, you can count as that if you'd like to. Okay. All right. Great. Um, then let's move to our icebreaker. Okay. So, and last month we did introductions and we do have a few new faces from last week. So, um as we do the icebreaker, which is just we kind of settled on a casual what are you reading right now? Um or it could be what are you watching right now? What are you cooking right now? Whatever kind of what is going on in your life that you'd like to share with everybody. So, pretty casual. Um as we do that, let's just make sure we say our names. Um and if Jeff and I if you want to say a little bit more about about your roles. Um, and maybe just mention your role if you're not a board member for every for for our new core member anymore. Um, so I can start. Um, I Nicole Galifrey. I'm the now chair of the library advisory board and um, I have been reading Ann of Green Gables for my book club which I have not read in 20 years or something. So, it's been a little it's been fun to go back to England. So, if anyone hasn't read that, it's it's cute. England. >> Oh, really? >> She's a She's talkative. She reminds me a lot of my daughter, honestly. So, >> yeah. Yes. Always in trouble. uh Brian Lewick and uh one of the board members uh reading Annie Jacobson's biological warfare a scenario uh terrifying book uh but I highly recommend all of her books. Uh she does extensive interviews with the DoD and uh she's had a memo on nuclear warfare if that were to ever happen and it's like edge your seat kind of book. I do recommend it despite how it goes. >> I'm Julia Jacobs. I'm the acting library director and I'm rereading one of my favorite books called uh redeeming love by Francine Rivers because I want to watch the movie comparing. Um I'm Tracy Steel, the administrative coordinator here at the library as well as the board secretary. Um and I'm always reading lots of picture books um and some chapter books. my daughter and I've just recently been chapter books um read chapter a night. Um, but I've also been reading um, Sing Unburied Sing by Jasmine Ward reading that. It's spent forever on my to be read pile. Uh, been really enjoying it, but it's very heavy. It's very hard to read as a parent. Um, so it's just been, yeah, both really really well written, uh, very lyrical, very poetic, um, but also very heavy content. So, it's very highly recommended, but yeah, be prepared. Uh Carrie Dempy, she her I am reading um also something that's been on my list forever, The Book Thief. Um it is also a little heavy that really talks about the power of books and stories which >> Well, I'm Jeff Dolman and and this is my first board meeting as a new board member and the book titles I have are so long it's going to take a while. Um so the first one is the fix saving America from the corruption of a mobstyle government by Barbara Mcuade who is a who is a uh former um former US attorney in in Michigan and now teaches at the law school University of Michigan. Uh Tom Hartman who many of you have heard of the last president a broken man a corrupt party and a world in on the brink. Um, and on courage, how to be a dissident in an age of fear by Julie Angley. Uh, and obviously from that list, I need to come to the library and get some novels. Too deep. I'm Sean Kelsey and I'm currently reading well I joined a book club on Zoom during the pandemic with a friend from Maryland because they're book club on Zoom and this year they are reading starting in October we're going to be reading books by Virginia Wolf and then in between a book in a similar topic or vein by somebody else currently. So, I thought I I haven't read anything from Virginia Wolf in a long time. So, uh I found a book at the Senate and it's called The Waves and it's She writes in a very stream of consciousness kind of thing and half the time when I start reading I fall asleep because nothing happened. But it's really interesting because it's how people feel inside what their internal dialogue is with themselves as they're interacting with Wanda Ferguson with friends of Longmont Library. Um I I really doc literature all the time. So I'm totally not I mean I'm a fiction reader. So we're read my book club is reading mysterious bakery of Rudy right now which is really a funny one with Edy Woods um we we finished yesterday year with Clara and then Cynthia Swanson the book seller is another one reading now and then I also belong to a to a serious book club that is this young man who's in his 40s um a college professor so we're reading the westerners and it's a modern account of West was so it's very difficult to read that when you're reading I don't know so I try hard so I try to keep up I'm reading a woman's place u by Danielle Steel as really haven't read very many of her books but it's about a a woman in the 1900s who is part of the aristocracy in Britain and she marries an industrialist which terms all of her friends, family, and other aristocrats against her. >> So, so that's new. Um, but then her husband uh dies in an accident and he leaves all of his businesses to her and where women are not even allowed to work, she's taking over his businesses. So, >> I'm Jason Merrell. I'm head of technical services here at the library. I oversee a lot of what happens in the back um and the computer lab. Um right now I'm reading more books with my teenagers right now than anything. So I'm listening to a series called The Unwanted. >> Oh yes, >> a pretty good one. My kids are really enjoying. So, >> I'm Jeffrey Zern with the community enrichment department which the library is a part of. I'm reading a murder mystery called Kill Game and it's about a group of retired police officers that get together and they try to solve cold cases. >> Interesting. >> All right. Great. Thank you all for that. Um, okay. Next for new business is the motion for the grocery. >> Um, so to this, so please forgive me in advance, but um, we would like to request some or get the approval by the board for some funds to um, reconstruct the train that is going to be removed from the library. And um we are requesting $6,000 um to be approved to be appropriated to the library from our library moer fund um for for the um upkeep of this and for the um and to to create the train. So, um I guess I didn't know this, but I guess that it has to be approved by the library board for us to get the funds from the motion fund. Otherwise, we'll have to absorb the cost in our in our budget. >> And so, okay, this is new to me, Charlene. I don't know if you >> Yeah. No, I must have been out for one of >> No, I remember uh John bringing the purchase of the band for the lockers to us for this from this fund. >> Okay. and we approved it. That was like $75,000. So, >> um do you mind giving the board and myself um like an overview of the Mosher funds and our role in why we are approving this? The moer funds are monies that belong to the library um to um to keep the library updated and to um it's it's solely used to be for the library. So um in order to use those funds, we do have to have I think that they were donated funds. Do you know Jason? Yeah. um donated funds to the library are used specifically for the library. So um in order to use those, we do have to get approval from the board and then also from the city council. Is that enough information for you? >> Do anyone have any other questions? >> Yes. I guess I'm curious about the size of this fund and kind of what percentage of a request this is. >> I mean I heard $75,000. So this seems small in comparison, but just for context, Do you know that amount? >> I don't have specific numbers for that, but I do know that yeah, this is something it's not, from what I found, it's not part of the bylaw specifically, but it is something that's like a procedural document that is something that the board had cur over several weeks ago, like 10 10 11 years ago. Um, I think they were moving to actually approve that and include that in the bylaws, but it never happened. I don't know specifically why not. that that context I've never really not been clear on but um it is part of that the board's perview specifically for that fund for the trust funds of libraries um to approve any amount of appropriation the exact amounts or like percentages I'm not sure on how that's decided I think that's just been brought forth with what those needs are um so that that like context I guess would be helpful to have I do think it would be worth having in the bylaws but that is up to the board to decide whether that's important to have them list their specific order. It isn't isn't it is not posted online from what I've been able to find uh specifically except for that reference with that last >> kind of a procedure question. Um if if the board denied that, isn't that just an advisory opinion and and therefore not binding? I'm just I'm just trying to get a lay of the land. Yeah, because it's really just um at your recommendation and so I do have a little bit more information about the motion fund and requesting information about that. So the board I believe would vote vote um anything less than $10,000 will require a majority vote and anything greater than $10,000 but less than $50,000 will require or both board members vote. And I can send this all to you if you want. Thank you. And then anything over $50,000 like for the ben would require a unanimous vote if that helps at all. >> Yeah. And I believe that we can only spend the interest that is generated each year that we can't touch the principal amount. That is correct. >> And were you able to find the amount that you're not? >> I I have it. Yes. >> Okay. in a >> you guys sending out with the um >> yeah just sending maybe with the minutes or whatever just sending out a little overview of the mure fund for all of us >> I believe there's another fund that you have as well that we mentioned so just making sure what was it fund >> the fund okay so making sure that we're all aware of what is and I will say um as part of our duties from the bylaws or something um it does say to make recommendations to the city council as to the expenditure of any funds or securities that may have been may be devised or given to the board or the city for library purposes. So it is one of our duties. Um so that's probably where that all comes from. Um any other question I do where how does this relate to the budget process? Will we be discussing the moer the moer fund in um in tandem with your budget requests or will this be separate from that? >> This is separate. >> Okay. >> And then one other question. Is there any change to the to the plans for the train or is it the same as what John told us? >> I have an update for you. I was going to share that with a library director's update, but I can share >> I think I think talking about I think that was the other thing that people probably want context on is what's happening, why it's happening, and what's replacing it. >> Yeah. Um, so I think you all know as far as what's happening with the train. Is that correct? >> No. Okay. So, um, we had requested that the Boulder Road Company remove the train and maybe remake a new one that's a little bit smaller because we need the space in the northwest corner of the children and teens um area. It's huge area. It's probably as big as this room. Um and so uh it's in talks with the railroad company with John um they came to an agreement that we would they would remove the train and that um they would use parts from the old train which is loved by our community and by staff to build the new train. Um, so we met with the train company and um, they were really they were actually really um, thankful that we had the train for 30 years. They said that sometimes they don't last 10 years in their area and so they were really thankful that it lasted here for 30 years and um, we came to an agreement that they would remove the train on August 29th and August 30th. they would start removing it and then um start the creation of the new train which will be out in the west lobby here. There's a sign where I think this is the sign that is >> to show um what will be what the train might look like and some of the um characteristics it will have with it. Um but in order to start the new train, they have to take the parts from the old train to get that started. And so the creation of the train is going to cost about $5,000. That's what the we're requesting for you. And then they've also requested that um we pay a $200 maintenance fee, which I think is fair um for them when they come out and have to repair the train or change it or get a new motor or whatever they have to do for it. Um so that's in a nutshell. That's the train. Um like I said, the train is well loved in our community and it's going to be missed, but we're going to have a really nice train um updated train with one lock. um the sugar mill and a lot of long walk lots um um popular places. Yeah. Thank you. >> I have a question that I guess it affects the friends more than anything. We our book sale obviously uses that space since we're having our book sale on September starting September 16th. >> They won't be constructing the train during that time only. >> I specifically asked them to wait till the book sale is over in September um to start that. So, um, that was one of their questions and >> I did tell them about So, so it will be after that that they'll start. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> The $200 rate fee is per >> per year. >> Per year. >> Um, and so will that be part of the library's annual budget? >> Yes, it'll be a part it'll be part of this voter fund that we're appropriating for budget. the fund will pay something annually >> that we're taking from this to appropriate for that. >> Wait, no, the 5,000 will be for the >> the So, the $1,000 will cover the length of the agreement that we have with them. Yeah. Um and and according to our attorneys, we have to have that $1,000 set aside for the length of the agreement. We're still finalizing that. So, we don't have a agreement yet, but Julia and I met with them both a week ago or so. I think we're in general agreement, but the we've had our attorney update it from our side and we're going to send that back to them and should have that approved soon. AI from city law says there's about 65,000 in the trust fund. Okay, thank you for finding that. >> That number seemed low to me. Okay. Yes, >> especially if you're only using the interest. >> I'll get that. >> I remember John talking about this to me and he specifically said this was a fund that had been languishing for many years. So, the interest has built up significantly. So that's that's why it seems that's why he was able to pull out that 75 grand for the van is because the interest has accumulated over the years and the library didn't use it at all. So they just kind of at least 15 years since the last we got to buy a van. Are there any other upcoming projects that I don't know exactly how much is available but would if this goes forward would conflict future projects or >> um >> no not that I can think of um we do have a literacy center that's set up already um >> no >> and what exactly is replacing it and that's when it stays in there >> a literacy center And how is that being? >> Um, okay. Um, >> well, part of part of the storage or the the bookshelves that we bought two years ago are on rollers so that we have the ability to do like story time in there, roll all the books back out of the way and be able to do that as well as then use the meeting room for other things. So it really will provide us more flexibility to not only do story time but offer other things in the library at the same time that we can't do right now with the with the train there. >> So it's it's not going to be an enclosed space like upstairs. >> Yeah. Makes a lot of sense. >> Would story time fit in that space? >> It's a pretty large space. Um, >> probably not for all story times. >> Yeah, story time that I think would fit in that space. >> Some of our smaller story. >> Okay. >> There's there's a big demand for that. There's just not enough space in one. >> Any other questions on the motion fund anyone has? Um, so for this you need a majority vote >> at this meeting because we we'll ask we'll send it to council next month or in October for >> Yeah, majority vote. Yes. >> Okay. Um, I can entertain a motion to approve motion. >> Move to approve. Second. Yeah. >> Um, anyone opposed? >> All right. >> Motion carries. I don't know. >> Okay. So, the motion foundations approved. >> Thank you. >> I'll practice that. I'll make it more official. Um, all right. Great. Thank you all. Um, on to old business. Okay. We didn't really discuss how we wanted to present or discuss this at all. Um I was not around when the feasibility study happened. Um I don't know if either one of you actually I saw Jeff I saw your name on it. >> Yeah. >> Um I don't know if either one of the three of you maybe want to do a quick overview of what it was some context around it. I don't know if it was 100 plus page pages. I don't expect you all to regret it. I think I did read through most of it for the first time I saw it when I joined um the board, but I have not reread it all the way through. So maybe we can do an overview and if anyone has any questions or specifics um discuss those. So, the feasibility study was um a study done in the city of Longmont to um to evaluate what the library has to offer and to suggest um ways that the library could move forward with keeping up with our population and um keeping library the library a um in the for to keep the the library um up to date with library resources and things that we have to offer with a growing population. And so, um, what happened was they did a study with the long with Longmont and found that Longmont was under under the library was, um, is an area that needed growth. The library needed growth. And so, um, this was from 2021, and I feel like it's updated, honestly. But um I don't know if you all had a chance to read through it, but it did show that um how the population has grown and how compared to other libraries that it it's behind. Is there any questions? Did anybody read it? >> Nice. My notes. Does anyone have questions based on what they've read that they want answered? >> Well, I have Mr. Solomon and I were talking back and forth about introducing a um a business approach at the library somewhat to support the SGDC which we would like to also increase. We get a one day a week from SBDC in Longmont and we would like to increase that and allow people to have the resources that the library has at their disposal during those sessions. For instance, be able to be on the computers, if they're going to work on websites, if they're going to create new business plans, that kind of thing. And John mentioned that there you have some librarians that are certified as business librarians. So it seems like this might be a nice chance to take that step where we're trying to encourage SBDC to spend more time and where they just have a very small room at the Chamber of Commerce that they could maybe offer a class at the library where there's resources for them to use. Yeah. business people to use the resources the library. So I that was not in the feasibility study because you say it's kind of we've come a little ways since then and that's the direction that we want to go in general with the chamber of commerce and it would be nice to be able to use library resources for it. So does that seem like that might be feasible now? >> I think so. Can you explain what SBDC stands for? >> Uh, small business development. >> Okay. >> I don't know. I don't know what the C says. >> And so you're asking if the library is able to move in that direction. >> Yeah. >> I I think that was the reason that we have a business librarian is to open up that connection with Chamber of Commerce and to go in that direction. So I think that's definitely what we want to do. Um, it would take time and staffing. Um, that was across here to Jeff. We haven't seen the budget yet, but I know that John was talking about another half time >> and we'll talk more about what we ask for later tonight yet. Um, I I think what what we might be able to should do is maybe you and I and and Julia should sit down and talk about what you and John talked about because I I don't know that I heard anything. >> Yeah. Okay. And just so we have a better idea and then we can look into what we can or can't do. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But it sounds like there's an appetite for it. Interesting. >> Yeah. Okay. So I think maybe for our new members we should say that the feasibility study was done like just before a ballot issue went out and that was that ballot issue that had like the moon and the stars and a new rec center and ice rink and all this kind of stuff and it went down to defeat but that wasn't that the motivation for doing these study >> part part of it I I At the time, there were a couple of the the board members that were really interested in taking the library in a completely different way and uh creating a special district that uh would serve the library. Um and so they didn't really have any money. So this the city agreed to pay for the feasibility study. And uh it it it was kind of a start and stop thing where we started with one group and the the couple that was working on it decided to go out of business. So then we got tied in with uh Seagar and uh as it was going through then Nancy who was the library director at that time uh decided to leave and that's that's when I got involved which I didn't know anything about libraries and I didn't actually know that I was going to be involved with a library but it's been a great experience but I guess the the one thing that I think really came out of uh the study is it really identified uh for a community our size how how far behind we were in in the funding and staffing and space that uh we're providing for again a community of 100,000 people and and so I I know that uh past liaison from council have uh helped tried to advocate for that and Diane has tried to do that. Um, don't know where the budget's going to be this year or or what it is, you know, good or bad or how we're going to do in that, but it it was really the driver that put it on the ballot. I think it as council looked at um the three questions that were on the ballot at that time at the same time. Um the adding a a new branch library which could have been attached to um the uh new rec center as well as a performing arts was just daunting and and really no way that people were willing to fund all of that. What what I will say is uh in my time with with the city um when it comes to the satisfaction surveys that are are done in the community generally it's police, fire and library. Library is always very well received and I think respected in the community. I don't think that vote indicated that the community was not supportive. I just I just think the timing and the number of questions were were difficult. So I I I certainly wouldn't want to just throw throw this study uh on the shelf and leave it there. I think there are some good things there. Um but I don't think that anybody really at this point in time is uh advocating for the district anymore. So I think it really is more about what can the city do to expand services >> and consider the library a core service. >> Yes, absolutely. >> I think we maybe have missed that. >> Yeah. >> Or taken it for granted that library is just always here >> but we have to continue to fund it to keep up with the times. >> Yes. Absolutely. And and I think part of the the whole locker outreach is really trying to demonstrate that, you know, the community is getting larger. If we can make it more convenient for people to access our services and if they do that with lockers, maybe uh a storefront library or or something would be the next step rather than building something brand new. Yeah. Great. Yeah, I do I do think uh the feasibility study is interesting as a historical document. It does go through a decent amount of comparison to the other libraries which is helpful when we talk about things like funding. Um I do think the the next steps that are included there which basically say can the municipal government get us to a preferred level service. It was like if not will the voters vote for a district which I don't like like you said I don't think there's I mean the the previous makeup of the board was interested in that but I don't think there's been a lot of interest in making it a district. Um it's a lot of work. Um and so the the if neither of those things happen you get your municipal library with a baseline level of service which is kind of what we're at right now. I think being more creative about lockers and storefront libraries and things like that can kind of get us closer to that preferred level of service as well as working with city council to request hey these are actually the things that we really need from our budget um which is I think where the advisory board can come in. So if you haven't taken a look through that that doc most of new board members have um just to get some historical background is helpful. Any other questions on the feasibility study? Awesome. Um, the strategic plan. That's okay. Um, so the library, all of the library staff had input in making a strategic plan. Um, we haven't had one here, I don't think, since I've been here. So, it was really helpful to see a vision and, um, make that happen. And we have some goals that we made that were reflected from the strategic plan that I can share with you next time if you'd like that have been implemented and some of them completed. Some of them are ongoing but it's um we we made a new mission statement um for the library with this and collected some vision visions core values and um and what we would like to provide to our community. Um so that's what the strategic plan is. It's a five-year plan. Um, did everyone have a chance to read that and review that? So, um, we've got a lot of good stuff here, um, that we've put into place um, as far as our goals for 2025, 2026, and then we'll be working on 2026 and 2027 goals next year, too. And we're using this as a baseline of how we can provide those and how it fits into what our community would like to see from the library and what we we would like to provide to our community. Any questions about it or I like um I have to print things out on screen. I like how there's a it's really brief summary for each of the areas, collection, space, staffing, and the last um but you know what needs to happen and what expected outcomes because that makes it more specific and more doable than just mission statement. So I I really appreciate that. And then we can as a board we can kind of look at some of these things in more detail say well how could we help with that or do we have some ideas how we could help you guys? Um some of the things that have come from this are um a customer service task force that we started here at the library that includes many of the departments um are at least one from each department so that we can work on our customer service how we can keep that um satisfactory and how also customer service within our staff as well. Um something else that has come from that is the literacy center um that has come from the strategic plan and um many many things I probably have a list of 20 things that I can share with you next time if you'd like to see those could we ask that in for the September meeting um you presenting I'd love to see the goals for the year and what your progress is on them. Yeah, >> that'd be awesome. And then maybe we can do we can kind of look at if there's anything that the effective board can comment on for any of those. I'd love to share that. Great. >> Anything else on the strategic plan and for new board members this is just these are things that have been presented over the past like year or so just to get you guys all up to speed on on the context of of what the library has been trying to do. Um the last one here is the annual report which we um John presented a month or two ago. Um it has a decent amount of um it's it's a as we've discussed in that meeting it's a it's a marketing material. So, it has a decent amount of um kind of what's been going on in the library um with some some numbers attached, but not necessarily um like metrics of success or anything like that, like anything kind of specific to um uh like rating, you know, performance of the library or anything like that. Um but it is interesting in terms of getting everybody here up to speed on what kinds of things have the library done over the past year. Um Julie, I don't know if you want to call out anything specific in it or >> from the report. >> From the annual report, >> um yeah, we have well over a million circulation checkouts, which um I've mentioned this many times, but our circulation is right up there with older with their five branches. So, um we also have had a lot of the digital circulation um increased in that. We've increased in um in our checkouts and our I'm sorry our uh our patron usage which I think is the top usage in the city if I'm not mistaken. The city the library has the most visits in the city departments. Um yeah just shows how far we've come and compared to our last year. And we're also going to show you um with the uh budget request how you can view that information yourself um from the Colorado State Library compared to other libraries this information. So we're really proud of how much we can do with what we have. >> Is there any questions on the annual report? So this says it said it's the 2025 in report but that's for 2025 26 >> 202 >> 26 will be done at the beginning of next year once this year >> okay I was you know what's the what's the year >> okay >> and and just a note Julia I think one of the things that maybe we could include in the report in the future that is some of the the numbers and and results of our strategic plan. I think that really would relate to the board and then also get that info to city council. And Julia, I know you weren't part of the discussion that we had with John obviously um but we had discussed one thing that could be added to the annual report is that you were saying oh there's more digital checkouts than there was last year. Doing that actual math or the percentage increase would be very very helpful to kind of see how the library has grown year after year. Any other anything else on those reports? Awesome. Let's move on to the budget wish list items. Sure. So, the budget, what we're going to talk about is um the the budget request that we put in for um 2026 and I think that Don reviewed with you a little bit um of what the requests were. Yeah. >> Let let me do just kind of a summary of the budget process before you go into >> that. Sounds great. >> I have the level one and everything if that's what you're talking about. >> Say that again. >> I have level one and all of that. >> No, we'll get No, just a broader thing. >> Okay. So, so we as as staff in April are requested to submit a budget for our capital improvement projects and then in May our operating budget requests and we have generally the month of May to be able to do that and then sometime in late June we as staff have the opportunity to meet with uh the city uh leadership ersship in the finance department to justify our our uh requests that we've made for the year. Once that meeting is done, it goes to the the city manager and his staff and he has to put a balanced budget together before September 1st and present that to city council. With that, city council then holds different meetings throughout the month of September where we talk about these requests. They have the opportunity to ask any questions uh to hear our justification and to make recommendations to again to the city manager and staff of what should or shouldn't be included in the the budget. Then in generally in October there are public hearings where the public can come in and give comment and city council on two readings approves the budget for 2027. So once once we get done as staff with that meeting in June where we're meeting with uh leadership and finance, that's really our last opportunity to give feedback unless we're called with specific questions. Um and with that, I'll turn it over to Julia and she'll share what we've requested for next year. Um, so you may hear you may hear a lot of a repeat of what John expressed a little bit in his meeting when he gave me a review of this budget, but um, so this nice presentation was made by Tracy. Thank you, Tracy. >> It was made, sorry, >> Tracy made it >> for us or for some. >> Oh, wow. Um so this is going to show the um the importance of the budget requests and give a little idea of what we requested. Um you'll see in here that we have a level one requests which are usually uncontrollable costs like um inflation or credit card processing fees um subscription increases and stuff like that. Stuff that is really out of our control. So, it's just an increase for that. Um, you'll notice um you'll hear about level two, which are requests to support the continued growth of Longmont um and increasing needs of our community. So, some of these examples could be um expanding our ebook collection, our physical book collection programming and stuff like that. And then you'll see um something called one time requests which are request purch requests for purchases that do not rep represent an ongoing expense but would only need to be funded one time. Some of them some examples of that might be public seating or printers or something that would just replace one time. Um so you'll see those three levels up here on the screen. We have level one and like I said, these are usually outside of our control here at the library, but um we have a total amount requested of $75,114. Um we were asking for an increase of 22,500 for credit card transactions, um software subscriptions, and audiobooks and ebooks. Um, and then there was a $29,000 400 $29,440 for tax services, admin and adult services for our ILS, which is um Sierra. We are a part of Marmet. You all familiar with Marmet? Um, so that's a system that helps support our cataloging, circulation, and related library technology. Um, so that's an increase with that that we have to pay every year. It's been increasing um about 3% or so. And then um and then we have a request for a temporary wage and the adult services for the literacy center to help provide coverage for the desk and um for to help u training and literacy classes. We also have an increase for physical books. um that is just uh inflation prices mostly an increase in that. So those are all the requests that we have for level one that we requested through the state of blah blah and um any questions about that one. Would the ebook one cover our current existing ebooks that the the library that we have now? It would only be it would only be for the current ones that we have, but it would cover that. It would not add any. >> Is this a pretty standard on the looks for a level one request year over year? >> Um, yeah, I think so. Um, >> it depends on the year and what you're asking for, but I'd say that's probably pretty consistent to what we've been doing. It is very close. I know with some of our costs, especially with our ILS right now, um, Marmont has given us several years without very large increases, and they're trying to just catch up with some of that. And so we have had a little larger increases for the last couple of years. >> Oh, and I have a question. Have you had to do more in-house with processing since you're a major vendor out of business? >> Everything is 100% in-house process right now because we have no vendor who can adequately provide the services we need for that. >> Yeah. Did you have to hire more staff or because of our current situation, we've not been able to hire more staff. >> So, it back. >> So, we we've been spreading the load, but it's >> Yeah, >> we've had ups and downs. >> It's not sustainable. >> Yeah, I used to be a tech services and CEO. Just >> so do you have a plan for I mean are you going to have to request >> there is a request staff >> there is a request for that in here. >> Oh background for >> Yeah. Okay. So I can provide a little bit of background. Last year um towards the end of the year we had a major vendor for libraries go out of business Baker and Taylor. Um, they were one of our main vendors for processing materials. They could send us materials that could go right on the shelf. We didn't have to do much more than just check them in and they're ready to go. Um, this vendor when we went out of business, um, left us with one other vendor we had previously used. that vendor at current has not been able to provide us with materials that we feel fit our collection very well. We buy materials from them and we have to process them in house and we had just made an effort to move all of that out of out of the library and then that happened. So the timing couldn't have been spent two years trying to get that done. Unfortunately, it's the trend of the of the industry because that happened to us too. >> Yeah. Our our major vendor decided not to do US business anymore and then the one we were buying are subscriptions substantial scientific subscriptions went out of business. >> So, it's down to >> you know maybe one it's just not >> it's a tough situation. We work with it best we can. >> They do the one vendor we have do does a good job providing us with the materials as we order them. They just can't process them. >> Yeah. >> Is resolving the processing situation not considered a level one request? >> It should. >> It should have been. >> Yeah. I didn't see it. >> It's in. >> We put in multiple requests with this one trying to help with processing. So, I have three or four different requests in staff >> and then sorry just and the the effect of this is just that library employees are overworked at this point for this problem. backlog of getting our um our items on the shelf. >> How long will the backlog? >> Um it depends. >> Probably towards the end of the year. >> Yeah, currently we're keeping within a month of when we receive something to when it gets to the shelf. When it gets down to the end of the year, um we receive large quantities of material. So it can sometimes be 3 to 4 months. >> You want us >> previously with the vendor and stuff helping us, we could have it out on the shelf the same week sometimes. So >> it's tough. >> Is this something that would come up in those like questions meetings with Harold? >> It did. Yes. >> Oh, that already happened. >> Yeah. Did you? >> Okay. John was here still. I think in fact it was John's second to last day. >> Okay. His last day. >> So the city is aware that this is not sustainable. >> Yes. >> Any other questions about level one requests? Um the level two requests are ongoing services that we would like to keep up um on our services to increase them um to meet the needs of the community. Um, some examples of this would be to increase our ebooks, our physical books collection, a programming uh budget which we don't have here at the library and um other resources that we could use to expand and meet our community needs. So, um, one of these level two requests is for Canabita streaming services, which I think you've all heard about before. Um, it's really popular. We get asked about it a lot. Um the increase to ebooks for children and teen. Um physical books 50,000 for um children and adult programming and supplies budget which is for the ongoing programs that the library holds. um contract contracted program performers um authors is like to get um services in here and have hold programs that what the community is asking for um some popular authors and um performers and stuff like that. In here also we have the increased attempt wages for tech services which is what Jason was talking about and then also the children and teen area and also adult services I believe. Um so this would help um with the literacy center or um with Jason's backlog for the cataloging and for the processing of books and then also for the budget for the children and teen services. they have an increase um in uh in story times and programs that they get every every week. So um to help stay on top of that. Um and then for additional outreach staff because Lily is our um outreach our full-time benefited outreach staff person. She's the coordinator of bilingual outreach and she has one part-time um staff member, but she really needs like two full-time people. So, this is just um an increase for outreach staff, which would help reach the community that doesn't come to the library, and she does a great job with that. Um and then increase staff training. So, we really don't have I think we have like $5,000 in staff training, but there's many conferences that pertain to libraries that would the library would benefit, library staff would benefit and also the community because of those. So, we just asking for an increase in that so we could attend more. Um and then reclassification of staffing positions, a library technician to a full-time um a full-time library technician which would be for the computer lab to help. Is that prior to Jason? >> Uh the last computer lab coordinator to fulltime services. So um the library technician to a librarian one because um this library technician has really gone above and beyond to provide services for the library with the C library and discovery passes and has really done much more than just her library technician position. So there the request to move her to a librarian one and then moving a library technician to a full-time library technician in the children's and teens department to help alleviate some of that. um the children's and teens temporary budget and then a uniform budget just so we can have t-shirts that say Lmont Public Library where we're doing outreach in the community and people can see that we're from the library and we can represent the library. Are there any questions about level two budget requests? >> Yeah. >> How much each year We just approved 6,000. Like how much each year is the the fun for these kinds? >> It depends. Um like last year it was for the van that was 75,000 and then this year um we're asking for 5,000 for that or 6,000 for the train. So it varies depending on what the limits are. >> Well, we went a long time without using that OSHA fund. It was long long time. But I'm sure it can't be used for >> not for >> So that kind of leaves out most of >> Well, except for the train, but >> Well, that's tiny. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's not like your contract with the ILS. >> Another bit of context for new board members is that the pattern to generalize a little tiny bit, the pattern has been that level one requests generally get approved. Level two and level three requests generally do not get approved. So, anything that you're seeing requested on level two, unless this council really changes or the city really changes things around this year, are likely not to be approved. Does that am I misrepresenting that situation? >> Uh, we could make the argument, well, we've never tried just fully funding the library. Let's do that this year. >> I think that sounds great. Let's do it. >> We'll come and speak for you. Yeah. And and also to note um things like programming and the contracted program performers have never been funded by the city. Um that comes from the friends of the library. Um which is amazing that we have that. But it means that if something were to happen and or the friends decided not to approve things, then the library does not have any programming at all. Um there's zero budget from the city for programming at at the library. Um, and so this request is basically like, can we just get a bit of funding from the city that's guaranteed year after year as part of the budget so that we have that, you know, whether it's backup or that little bit that, you know, can get us some programming, some funding. Um when so Shony and I went to city council and spoke and the I did not know about some of the things that were being requested here that I think I would now go back to city council and be like I also these things are also important but at the time I was requesting based on this is um I was a member of the public speaking on behalf of the library board um and I was I've been hearing a lot about ebooks ebooks people had been talking about you can't you need a you need a library card from a different public library if you're going to read a book on living because the long list is so long. It's so many months before you get a book. And so that was one of the big things that I've been hearing a lot from the public obviously another branch um which we've been trying to solve in creative ways but um at least saying to city council like hey it's crazy that we just have one branch for the size of our population. Um and the other thing I had mentioned >> that was and I I spoke about the street too because I was here at the same time. Oh, it was the programming. Yeah, >> I was saying it's it's >> it's a damn shame that we do not have programming budget. So, so those are big things that you're seeing represented in these level two requests. Hopefully, we will get some of those approved this year. Anybody else have any comments on level two? Um, so then lastly, we have the one-time budget requests which are perfect purchases that will um not be an ongoing expense and that would only be funded once as part of the 2027 budget. So in here we have to replace the public seating. Um which if you've taken a walk around library, you'll see the rifts and tears in the seating. Um so that's $100,000 for that. Um and then to replace three stack printers, which we have not replaced in how many years, Jason? >> Eight. eight years and then to replace the public computer monitors which also have not been updated for about five years. >> The public ones are five six. >> So that is the one time funding that we requested. >> So some of the one time funding requests have been approved in previous years. Is that true? Yeah. Okay. Um some of them the literacy center was one. >> Yeah. Okay. um the speaker system and the shelving and TV which is now up. It's really nice. >> Where did the lockers >> council paid for one and the other city? That was >> the Harold the city manager and then council. >> We have a contingency fund and we funded the one at last station the city manager funded the one. >> Okay. Personally >> no contingency. >> Oh, well that's generous. >> And that was outside of the budget cycle, right? Yes, it was. And one thing I feel like I need to say because city has been very supportive of the library. It has over a $5 million budget, but that budget is pretty flat. But $5 million is is a significant budget. But if we are to grow with our community, we certainly need to have more funding. >> And we're looking at an additional 500,000 in this. So Tracy come this cool calculator um that shows for every dollar collected how much value and return it has and the website is up there also on the right um to get the calculations you'll need the um stats from the library which is you can get from the Colorado State Library website which is on the right there. Um so this is um this shows that the library has a strong return on investment for what we provide to our community compared to other libraries. >> I think it's cool too that the little snapshot to the right really shows the comparison between our library and then the statewide kind of average for each of those stats which is why I included this here so you can kind of get a sense of where we're at compared to like the statewide average. So it's really awesome that the Colorado State Library has these kind of comparative data reports and all of this is something that anyone can go onto their website and pull things for. And that uh value of your library calculator is pretty popular within libraries. Um just to kind of compare like based on how many times you use meeting rooms or how many items you check out a year, you can really see what the value of that investment into your library provides to you. So very cool tools. I'll say that. So that total operating expenditures line, that's that $5 million budget that you're talking about, Jeff. >> Yes. Um, and it looks like per capita it breaks it down and then it's average statewide per capita and it's about a little more than half, little more than 50% of the average >> and yet all the other ones are we meet or exceed >> right >> the statewide average. >> Yeah. So we So while the $5 million is a apparently a decent budget per capita, it's not really comparable to >> I I I did not say that it was it was what we need. I said 5 million is still 5 million. >> I'd love 5 million. Sounds great, right? >> I'll take that too for me. >> But yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So most most municipalities fun their library, but I just looked it up. So it looks like Longmont's budgets 512 billion or half a billion whatever. Yeah, it's right if you look at total operating expend that line is right there. >> Is for most other municipalities is more like 2% is it or >> instead of like well it's even less than sorry that just sounds like most municipalities are like double give or take the budget. Okay. Does this include if this is the state statewide it's including districts and stuff like that. It's not just including municipal libraries. >> Yeah. Public libraries. >> Yeah. >> It's really cool. You should >> do you mind Tracy? Do you mind sending out um this presentation to everybody? >> Yes. Awesome. It's great. Thank you so much. I don't know if this is the end of it. >> No, not yet. >> Oh, okay. So our next one is um mama compared to our peer libraries which most most of them are around the same size of population and um we have a strong use of the physical collection still which um I would say that 60% are non-fiction books that are still being checked out here at our library. So um but we also have a high circulation in ebooks. It also shows like that we are likely to be um impacted by weight times because of that. >> Yeah. Just comparison to with the school collection news that number could be higher but because of the availability issue um I don't think it is as high as it maybe would be with that availability of the temples themselves. This is also through that same website through the library resource service library. And the next one shows our program attendance, which is amazing compared to our um sister libraries. Um it's almost double the attendance and the programs that we hold at the library. It's an amazing stat here. is the percent of total attendance total attendance of all of the library to that like sum total of all four. >> Okay, cool. >> So not super relevant but it's just to say yes% of people attending programs at these four in this area. Yeah. Thank you friends. And then the next the last slide here just shows um Longmont versus other libraries and kind of gives a benchmark of of our circulation and our visits and um program attendance. Um, I think it kind of breaks it down the very bottom with three three little boxes there, but I mean it it just um kind of shows that comparison. We're very similarly matched with 100K um population average of about 10.32 per capita. Um so really kind of aligning with that state average. Um but I mean we you know our staffing about almost half per thousand served which is also lower than state. So it's obviously saying you know we kind of achieve the same uh outcomes if you will with that kind of like half the staff essentially. Um and then again yeah with the program attendance we have high attendance based on the staff we should see. So uh once again just kind of showing that that um really kind of compares to the state average that way. And that's budget presentation. >> Anyone have any questions? >> I kind of have one as a movie just kind of a very global question. >> Why is it that we're doing so well with with such such scarce resources? I don't mean that jar like why why is it more efficient? better reputation um you know stronger reputation more support among the population in Longmont compared to LLN for example >> we have less our staff is strongly dedicated to the community and it's our goal to serve that that's why we're here to serve and so um we also rely a lot on the friends for that support um not only with programming but with supplies or um many other things that we need to to use for the library to do outreaches and we've built a lot of connections with our community. Um and so we do have their support. Our our library is well loved as you can see. Um people like to come here just to check out books or to have a cold place to to sit or look for a job online or um yeah, it's it's our community. I think that that builds our that helps us to stay steady with our our goal of of comm of serving them. Do >> you have anything to add, Jason? >> I would just say that a lot of it is the people who come in love what we do and because of that we want to do more of what we do in general. So, >> and we have a 100,000 population. So, we're just the one library. So, very popular. >> Do you have anything to add to that, Jeff? >> Uh, I think the other part is Llama tends to be pretty lean staff-wise compared to many of the other communities. And so, there's an expectation that staff does a little bit more. I think that you would see that across the the whole city. Anything else on that? >> Well, is it possible that we're also bookish as a culture? >> That's what I was sitting here thinking. I was like, I mean, Longmont is different from a lot of these other cities in a lot of ways, right? >> Love not a good place to discuss books, I guess. >> Yeah. because I mean I mean the things that you guys said about you know the staff really loving the community like I'd hope that most public libraries are feeling that way right um but I I do wonder I mean a little bit I actually wonder about having one central location um which I know is not ideal for a lot of people but it does bring a lot of people together in one place as opposed to having a city where it has a bunch of different branches and maybe it feels more disperate um I'm not sure it's going to be a good or a bad It may be the history of long, you know, the first public library in the state because here it's a tradition that started say something. >> Yeah. >> When we visited um the friends, we were considering online sales, which I'll talk about that in a minute, but we visited the Fort Collins friends and we saw how we thought we were going to really see a an amazing process. you know, for college, they have five li five libraries and all this. And we were just like, what in the world? They they have a central place where they the votes are dropped off. The city doesn't really support them, the friends. Like we we have the support of the free space in the basement here of the library, which is invaluable to us. So when we have book sales, we just bring them up from the basement to upstairs. They have to go from the drop off center, they take it to a warehouse. the warehouse to the sorting area is another building that they've had to rent and you utilize. Then they have to bring those all back to the place where they have the sales. So I'm I'm looking at every book they have and they're all older people like you know we are well I am but anyway um those books are handled five times in a truck before they're actually sold and that's that was what we thought we were going to model and we were like so we were really happy. So, I think um Longmont is a very um bookish community. We I mean all of our money comes from books that people donate. I mean, it's amazing the amount of books that come in here and it's all the public, you know, the public long, you know, giving books and the books can be resold and they're buying them. So, it's it's I I think it's amazing. Longmont is an amazing place and I've been to the Erie library and the I have cars at all the various libraries and these district libraries are great in terms of money that they have but I don't think the resources are used any better than the long city library is used in terms of the way that people interact with the patrons and all the services that are provided here. I don't think anybody is any better. These district libraries are not better. They might have more ebooks. Anyway, that's fine. >> That also um a lot of the time we get comments from the patrons at the desks that they want the Lamont Library to remain and have the small community feel still and so they get that when they get here and that's important to keep I think here with the Lmont Library. >> So, it's a community hub as well. I would say that's true. >> And well, I think also um the need for more space to have community meetings here, you know, more meeting space. That's why it's good that the train is moving, the room will be more available because I noticed a lot. To me, there's kind of another aspect um and that is the cumul cumulative effect of really good community service in this city. Uh in other words, I I think that the library does its job and people feel good about it. So when they go to another city service, they have that expert. Well, I was treated well at the library and they go to this other agency and they're treated well there and they're treated well there. That's been my personal experience throughout the city and and I I really do think it's a funeral effect >> makes it a fantastic city. >> All right, let's end there. >> We'll we'll continue talking about the budget. Yeah, nobody wanted to say that. >> Um the other thing that we had attached um to the the email with the minutes and all that is the the talking points draft. Um this if you haven't if you haven't gotten a chance to take a look at it, this was something that we've been working on on the board um you know for a little bit. Basically, um it was inspired by last summer, um we did a decent amount of um attending various events in the community. Um partially to get to talk to people about what their feelings and thoughts are on the library uh on the library and then also um educating them on all the things that the library has to offer. So, it was kind of like this like community leazison thing that we that we volunteer to do. Um, and as we were doing this, we realized that a lot of the board members didn't know all of the things that the library does because honestly, the library does so many things. So, we pulled together these kind of talking points um started out as something for board members um just to make sure that we were all on the same page about all of the, you know, quick tips and facts and um things that the library might need um and then also what people in the public can do for the library, all of these things. Um, however, in addition to that, we've been talking to um, you know, city council might be interested in getting kind of a rundown of everything that the library has to offer. Um, I know the friends were doing a presentation on the library for >> well, we put together um, quantify. You've got a library card. It's free. Anybody anybody can get one, but then what does what value do you get with this card? So we quantify if you were to to get tickets to an event that the library pays for the friends library of things. If you were to, you know, just utilize a couple of those things, the computer lab upstairs, the 3D printer, all those things we came up with a minimum that library card is worth $7,500 to a family per year if they if they utilize their card that all that they could. So, we're going to take that to the community because we found through our outreach efforts from the friends that nobody really knows. I mean, we I am I'm just amazed at the number of people don't know anything about this library. >> You know, there's plenty of people million people using it, but I'm just saying the rest of your card what it's worth. >> You know, you're not paying for that card, but you can get all these things if you need your card. So, we thought, you know, we're going to talk to Lillian about utilizing that talk with her when she reaches out out to the Hispanic community because I don't I don't think a lot of the people the single mothers, single fathers, they don't really know what they could get with this little card. It's free. I mean, it's amazing. >> That's true. >> So, this is for outreach also. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We uh I'm I'm not I'm there. We can come back to that in a minute. Um do you have do you have a copy of these documents? I don't know if you can trace. >> We we don't we're glad. >> Okay. I'll make sure we can send this to you. Um okay. So basically what we were thinking in terms of like you know action items for this is that if if we can have the new board members um take a look through them and you might not know the the facts whether it's true or not. You guys can just trust us that these are probably true but um way any thoughts or ideas that you might have on how we can um reformat things, reword things, rebrand it, how how we can use it, how we can utilize it. Um, so it could be brainstorming new ideas for it or if we could kind of distill this. What we were kind of thinking is that we could be able to have as little as possible on like a card that we could be, you know, carrying around and and sharing with people. Um, we were thinking that the um we could maybe create a flyer. If you see like the last page, it can create a flyer with QR codes to the program calendar and how you can volunteer for the friends and how you can um apply to be on the library advisory board and and how to get a library card, these kinds of things. So you could actually have a flyer that has just a bunch of links for to hand out to the community. So um we won't, you know, do a big review and discussion of this this month. Um but if you want to take a look about it at it and think about it, unless you have any, you know, pressing concerns or ideas that you would like to share? >> I created a flyer for it. >> You created a flyer board. Excellent. Okay, that's done. >> I sent it to you. I don't know if we'll >> Great. Okay. So, then maybe maybe we can attach that for this month. And >> yeah, I wasn't exactly sure where it's going, but >> No, that's great. Um, so then in September, we can look at the flyer. >> Okay. >> And also, um, kind of look over all of these these things. any other. >> Yeah, >> I think that sharing the library brochure too when that comes out will help will show a lot of useful information too. >> The Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, we always have that >> to hand out to people. But >> I think the the just the one little page with with those QR codes and links. So, because otherwise people don't follow through and talk about it, >> but if they got a little thing that they can do with their phone, they'll do it. >> I even thought this was too much like stuff I looked up. It's like it's like you have 3 to 5 seconds to catch someone's attention before they move on. >> They're only going to read like 20% anyway, >> right? you know, so >> and really the talking points thing, my point of view was it's for us >> to review before you go out to one of these events, you know, and then if somebody has a question or they bring up a topic, it's one of those things, >> you've got the you've got the numbers right there at your hands and then just the one page with the links to so that they can actually go do something if they follow. Lily may have a QR code. Did she do you know she Lily? She may have a a whole page with all of the QR code. >> I I haven't seen that. >> Okay. I can reach out to her for that. Is there a Spanish language version also? >> Probably. Yeah. >> So, I think we can probably get from a variety of sources, but maybe if Lily already has the QR codes, we can make sure that because it probably doesn't have all of the ones that we thorough. >> She does. >> Yeah. >> Um, so we can we can see if maybe we utilize that and we can add to it if we need to. >> Um, great. >> Anything else on those? And again, yes, they're mostly for us for if um if you're talking to somebody in the community, if you're asking questions about what their needs are, um knowing what the libraryies needs are in terms of funding and things like that. Um and then again, if we're talking to city councilors, all right, on to reports, library directed reports. Um I don't have much to share this month. Um the children's and team summer reading program uh was just 10 10 um applicants short of their goal of 2 or 1,500. So um they've got 1,490 returns, but they had over 5,000 people take the new parts. So um just 1,490 will return. So um we also have Was that more than last year though? >> The 5,000 the 1,490. >> Yeah. Okay, cool. Um the 5,000 was definitely bingo cards taken was definitely over there um from last year and then we had 107 adults returning bingo cards upstairs. They kind of coingled them so that if they're having their children join a summer reading program, the adult the parent can also join. And so that was um an accomplishment. Um and then just the train update which I you gave. Um you'll also see starting next week there will be um an imple implementation of new lighting around the library um with LED lights. These have not been changed since I've been here last 25 years. So um that that'll start next week. Um the other thing is if you send anything, please send it to me as well. That way I'm aware of what's being shared with Tracy. I think it's your flyer. >> That's all I have. You have any questions? Anybody? >> Well, how are you liking the new job? >> I like it. It's learned. It's um looking at things from a new perspective. So, it's a much more bigger overview and a lot of personnel stuff involved. And it's really fun though. I'm a I'm a go- go person. I can't stay still. I'm not doing anything. So, this is right. This is my jam. This is what I'm used to, the go go go. Um, but I I love um that I've been chosen to um lead the library and keep assisting stable and money when it um yeah, it's it's really fun. I'm honored to have this testing position. >> That's good to hear. We're happy to have you leading the library. >> I think I shared this before, but it's much more than just like a job for me because this is my child's library. >> Thank you for asking. >> For the new members, I don't know if you know what the Friends of Watermont Library is a 100% volunteer organization. We operate completely non volunteers. We have we only have one paid staff person. She's our social media outreach person. So Bridget, so other than that, we are 100% volunteer. Um so we rely on our volunteers a lot. And with uh our new idea about doing Amazon and online sales, that's new for us. And so we have um a committee in um several several members from the workshop and then also friends at large are on that committee. And um so we are uh doing outreach trying to find um volunteers that might help us with categorizing our books and and sort of and you know just on the online sales part of of the friends which is something new for us which we're really excited about and we're looking at a potential of you know maybe $30,000 a year increase in our income because of online sales um because Amazon Amazon sales make it really easy for organizations like ours So anyway, that's that's something new for us that we're working on. Um I guess unity in the community is happening at the end of the month and the library and friends will be joining on a booth new deal. So that's Friday the 28th. >> That's a big deal. That's thousands of people come out for the unity in the community. So Jason will be there. >> I will do that. >> It's great great time for outreach. um we were able to give uh $10,000 to Level Up for their for their activities to get that going, you know, early on. So they really So our goal is to always say 100% yes to every funding request we get from from the library staff. That's that's why we're here. So I think we're achieving and and we're really excited. Um I don't know if any of you have read The Dog Stars by Peter Huller. He's a Colorado author and his movie is coming out on the 28th. Actually, the dog stars at the regional theater here, but he's going to be able um one of the librarians helped us. He's going to be coming here in March um paid for by the friends to speak. So, that'll be the next offer and he'll be speaking at the museum. So, put that on your agenda and go see that movie because it's all about the Eerie Air Park. It's, you know, post a popular movie, but it's features of Erier Park, part of it's in Grand Junction, Dolores Canyon. So, it's all kind of Colorado. It's all this front range area. So, when you're reading the book, you realize he's it's it's just it's really fun. And I guess it came out 15 years ago. I mean, we my book club just discovered it a few months ago. So, we would you got to get this guy in here to talk. He's written a lot of books. So, this one features the front range. So, it's it's kind of exciting. So, we're we're happy about that. >> And I'm sorry, what's the name of the film? >> The Dog Stars, The Dog Stars. Um, so, and I think we already talked about we're preparing a talk, um, a dog we're calling a dog show. We're going to go out to the public with with uh the value of the card because I I really think um a lot of schools the chamber definitely we're involved in the chamber and so they're they're they're always amazed at what the library can offer. They just nobody has really an idea and honestly I didn't as a community member myself until I got involved with realized all that the library that that card can give you if you utilize it. So, um, we've been able to upgrade a lot of the computers used by the staff. Our bookshop operates is just around the corner there, but you can get a book, but it's the library stuff that checks it out and takes the money for it. So, that operates as long as the library is open. That bookshop is open. So, it's a it's a really good funding. It gets about $85,000 a year. that book that little bookshop around the corner generates that much money and um and I think it's uh really helpful to have the staff be taking care of the money so they keep the money for those >> the income's going to go up since I've been every time I come in the library I get that >> more often than not you know I go home with something that's good to switch that's exactly Um, so I I guess that's it. If anybody has any questions of it for me, >> the next book sale >> is Yeah, I passed out the flyer for that. Um, it's coming up in September, September 16th. And uh, it only costs $15 to be a member of the Friends per year. I mean, pretty minimal. And um, so the special night for for our members is is Wednesday. They from 3:00 to 7:45. they get to have first dibs that we've set out. So, it's >> you always are. >> I also I recommend volunteering at it. It's also fun to um to get involved in that way. So, it's a good way. >> We're really trying to push um children's books out in the community. Um it's um through through our we're we're involved with the women's chamber that happens twice a month. So there's a there's a number of um daycare centers that are that come to that. So we've been able to get books for them to their not only to their facility but to the parents that have the children at the daycare centers. So um if you know of anybody who's looking for children's books, we are drowning in children's books and we would love to get them out in the community. So that's one thing I really hope for. Um, >> and I I misplaced my I had a copy of your agenda from last month. Um, your annual meeting. Did you >> um we're we're in the process of going to be having that, but we just realized that we're just like, well, okay. >> So, we'll we'll be putting that out our annual meeting. And at the annual meeting, we hope to give our talk about the library part, but also show a short film relate like the librarian or something. So, >> and that's something that the board has been invited to attend in previous years. So, it's a good one to kind of get to know the members of the friends. >> Yeah. And um just just I don't think in the past there hasn't been much out. The friends haven't really done any community outreach. So, that's this last year we've been doing a lot of community outreach and through that we've got a lot more books and money from the from the community because I think they now they now know us the people with their their annual giving with their you know for their tax reasons we're starting to become part of that so it's really exciting what's happening and that just helps support the library so all the programs >> I'm curious how much um is generated by the book sales >> apart from the >> from the we we average um 13,000 per book each >> each each sale. >> You know that's our average >> and we've started um doing you know selling Yeah. So it's about 13,000. So >> it's a pretty intense work over the four days but it's it's a good matur organized. Their meetings are very very well done. Um, and they do I mean they you guys you have they have a healthy budget. Um, and they're always approving requests from the library. So, it's a it's a really amazing uh partnership that the library has >> and I think it's this community donating the books because it's all about the donating the books. So, I don't you know, everybody keeps talking about nobody's reading books anymore. >> Julia, you see them? So, we we do start our if you want to see our operation, if you're interested at all, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, we sort books in the basement of the library starting around 10:00. We usually finish about 12, but we take all the books that have been donated and we sort them into categories and so forth. So, it's it and so we have a number of volunteers that come on Tuesday mornings and Thursday mornings to do that. So, you're showing them just visit with us. We can show you our little group on there. And we always hope that the city will always give us that space. >> I don't know. I looked at Fort Collins and I thought, "Oh my goodness, >> they spend over $2,300 a month for a space that's probably twice as big as this >> that they offer you because, you know, space is expensive. I mean, as the city knows. So, so we're not going to complain about our little space anymore. I love the creativity of the gift baskets and the book um the little libraries that you >> Yeah. Well, we started that um I don't need too long, but we started that a couple well two years two years ago. We made gift baskets at Christmas time that would appropriate couple of books and then a couple little items that people could give as a gift >> already made. So that that was a real huge generator of money. We couldn't believe it. Um, we lost we lost one of our our male sorters because he thought that was just too frivolous. But anyway, it was what are we selling books or gifts? I don't know. But yeah, it was it was fun. But it it has it has been so it's more fun for our our volunteers to for merchandising to be able to put those gift basket. Last year we sold 37 gift baskets at our December sale. So, it was really successful. >> Thank you. All right. Uh well, uh we're going into budget season. There's a lot of uh a lot of needs this year and uh tight revenue stream. So, we'll see how it goes. It'll be some good arm wrestling and yeah, maybe some more straining call. Um so um looking at that, that's kind of where our our aspect is is we're trying to figure out where our priorities are as we have um new council members this year and um so that we can tailor our decisions that way. Um so I don't know if I have much more to say about that. I do um I did notice in my inbox or my email that the Lmont Rotary is looking for projects and things to support. >> Oh, they are also always looking for speakers and I wondered if maybe you'd like to speak to Rotary. >> We are um pursuing that and they've also get they're making us um they're giving us the money that they raise this month. Yeah, the Rotary is >> because of a great librarian. >> Yeah. >> Advocated for us. So, yes, we're going to be getting more involved with the program. I think that's a really good idea. >> D they're they're definitely a resource. >> So, >> and they're always looking for speakers. I think your idea of, you know, pushing the library is a good is a good idea, too. So, if you're interested, >> so you information Okay, that's all I have for not very interesting tonight. And did you just want to um in terms of I know in September Octo September you're doing discussions on the budget in October it's public hearings on the budget. Is that correct? >> Correct. And then is it every meeting in October? I don't know what >> pretty much. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's almost relentless. Some people find that some counselors find that a little tedious. So, it's a great time to come and and offer something interesting to the council in terms of com commentary. >> It always stands out at that time. >> Yes, it does. >> Yeah. All right. So, a thing to note um it would be on behalf it' be a public a member of the public. I think if we were to organize a library advisory board statement, it' be a difference. we have to like talk to you about getting on the agenda and stuff like that. So, but if you would like to make a statement to the city council as a member of the public on the budget, it would be a meeting in October. Does that make sense? Okay, cool. >> Yeah, we would not be represent. We would not you could say I believe you can say I am a member of the library advisory board, but you would not be saying on behalf of the library advisory board here's our recommendation. That would be something that we would have to organize separately. If there's interest in that, we can discuss. Um, but I'll probably otherwise just go and talk as a member of >> I don't live in the city of Longmont. I live outside county. >> Yeah. So, but I do have rental properties in Longmont. I mean, I do I have a property over there in Long. So what is the deal? >> We just had this conversation preession because we want to include people that are invested in the city, but we don't quite have the mechanism to determine who's who doesn't live here and isn't invested and who is just, you know, adjacent to and is invested. Um, and we don't have a solution yet. >> So I can just lie. >> Well, you can share your rental, >> right? Yeah, there you go. >> I feel like that's a big investment. >> Yeah, you gain access to the campus. >> You do. I think you when you speak, you write down your address as your >> up to you how you want to answer that. I guess >> I I was just always confused like you know are you allowed to speak as a you know that's that's >> and anyone can speak at second call but that is often very late in the evening. So if you can get through public invited to be heard and I would think as much as you contribute to the city that there will be no problem with that. We just um at one time had people coming from Lafayette having to talk about policy issues and you know we're going to do us and you do you know so we didn't really necessarily want to hear that >> but people that are invested here we do want to hear. Any other questions for Dian? >> Um, upcoming engagement opportunities, Tracy? >> Yeah, a couple of things coming up in September. Um, couple couple of these are bigger like festival or fair type of events. So, that first one just kind of overview of election security about accessing voter rights. That's what the county clerk Molly goes after. Uh, that happens here at the library on September 14th. And then later that week, we have Level Up. This is in its second year this year at the Long Museum. Um, it's really just all about play. We're kind of trying to focus on that theme a little bit more than like just gaming, but it's still obviously centers around a esports um tournament with Street Fighter 6. If you're familiar with gaming, you might know that. Um, but then yeah, I mean, it's it's really just familyfriendly gaming all throughout. Uh there's even board games, there's video games, there's tabletop games, card games, anything that you might think of uh within the play realm. We even have like giant board games in the in the courtyard area. So, lots of different opportunities to join us and really just kind of have fun together. Um really um and some of that also is really kind of geared towards like a digital literacy aspect as well and really helping others to um explore some opportunities even within workforce development of those different uh like realms that you might learn uh you know robotics and things like that cyber security data security. Uh so all those things are kind of tied into it and they're kind of hidden in the way um of us being able to just kind of share a game but then also learn by it. Um so it's kind of the the locus of that uh festival. Um really again it's just kind of to get bring the community together. We've gotten a lot of support over 20 supporters. Um most of those are sponsors this year. Um and just a lot of uh just in general support from our you know our previous attendees and players themselves from last year. Attention library guests. The library will be closed in 15 minutes. If you need to make copies or have items to check out, please do so now. Um, and then that last one is that last weekend of September. Um, and it's really just a, as it says, a Spanish English bilingual resource fair. Really just sharing all of the things that the library already does with our community. Um, but specific to those who speak both Spanish and English, or one of the other, uh, one or the other. Um, and really kind of helping them, uh, feel like they are seen and feel like they have supported here at library. So, it's a little bit of an outreach effort, but it is here at the library. Um, and so there's some fun events. There's a piñata, there's a dance performance. Um, lots of different things happening. But again, it's kind of that booth kind of fair atmosphere. Uh, just to really share those those resources with our community more. If I understand it correctly, I think that Molly Fitzpatrick has gotten pretty much a national recognition as being one of the top county clerks >> around. Yeah. >> What does that entail? Is that a competition? >> I I don't know. >> That's cool. But >> Okay, cool. Um, and then the Oh, I just wanted to call out that the Unity with Community is happening on the 28th. Um, I'm planning on attending at the beginning. No, just just attending kind of as just popping in to say hi. Um, like with my kids. I'm not planning on like staffing the booth or anything like that, but um, I'll be there. I think Charlene, you said you'll be there for a little bit. >> I can do the second half of it. >> And it's not don't feel like you have to do it. It's not an obligation, but if you want to pop in and say hi to library staff and visit that, you can. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, library board comments. Okay. Um, any agenda items that anyone has ideas for for September? Things that they want to discuss, like to know more about. Well, if you're going to start a talking to council um proposal, maybe we should come up with sticking points. Do we want to do we want to do this as a as a board together and make a commitment to would we be able to get on an agenda for >> I wouldn't advise it. I would think that you'd have more luck with the public invite to be heard. >> Okay. But if you have like we have a large range of topics especially our talking points maybe choose your favorite topic concerted effort of you know members of the public where we all take a section because it's five minute limit on still free so I mean do we want to discuss that maybe in the next month in September and see if we can come up with a date to and it can be separate dates and stuff. Okay, great. So, that could be Tracy, you got that for an agenda item. >> Um I had um before this group um we had um Rowan was is a um college student, a a graduate student who came and presented did a presentation. They spoke to John and did some research on the library and did a presentation on kind of funding and things like that. Um they briefly spoke to us two or three months ago. Um which was is very cool to see their research and things like that. Um and we suggested that maybe they come back and give a presentation. Um so I'm thinking that I'll invite them back for September. Um and obviously if they can't make it then October, November, whatever. Um if that sounds good with everybody. And then similarly, I assume that Harold is not >> free in September or potentially ever for a long time. Yeah. So, so this is this is kind of for the future. Um Harold's the city man city manager. Um he we're hoping to have him come and just give an overview of the whole budget process from a you know city manager point of view. Um but it might be like January, so don't hold your breath. Um and then great >> well and we also wanted to have people from different departments of the library come and talk about what they do and introduce themselves to us because >> we had discussed doing that starting in about January. Um does also is there the the new library director role is a thing that's happening? >> Yes. >> Attention library. The library will be closed in 10 minutes. >> If you need to check on items, please do so now. The outside elevator and the doors to the underground parking will be locked in 5 minutes. Wow. 15 minutes. Like remember public trying to panic as a whole. >> Okay. So, we're adding Jeff to the agenda for uh September for library director. >> Um >> anything else for agenda? Um, the one thing I want to call out, so our next meeting is Monday, September 21st at 6 PM. Any conflicts or any concerns about that? And then the next Friends meeting, I believe, is the 23rd, November 23rd. Um, at 5:00 p.m. here in this exact same room. Um, would anyone like to volunteer to attend that from our board? And so then the friends will won't attend our September meeting and then we'll invite them back for the October meeting. Okay. Does that sound right there? >> Um if anyone can make that would you like to do that? Great. Excellent. So Brian will do that for September. And so for those of you that are thinking about this going forward, the next one would be November. Um obviously if things get tight or weird around the holidays because that that one generally might shift and things like that. Um, we can also we don't have to necessarily do whatever you want, but it's nice to have that relationship. So, thank you, Wanda, for coming this time. Anything else? Is the next meeting August 26th? >> 23rd. >> September. Oh. Oh, yes. Sorry. >> When are we meeting? You should attend. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. It looks like it's 26. >> But the September one is Wednesday. It's two days after this one. So, we'll be spending a lot of time for that. >> Okay. >> The fourth Friday. >> It's at 5 p.m. on >> 26. No, >> the fourth Wednesday. >> We start at 5:30. >> Oh, 5:30. >> 5. We can make sure do you mind adding to that one? >> Awesome. You're the best. >> All right. Um, if there's nothing else, I will call this meeting adjourned at 7:52. 7:52. I can't do 7:52 p.m.