06/14/2023 - MinutesTigard Public Library Board MINUTES – Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Tigard Public Library | 13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 | 503.684.6537 | www.tigard-or.gov | Page 1 of 4
Library Board Minutes
MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 6:30 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Hybrid Meeting; 2nd Floor Conference Room with Virtual Link for
public.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Mary Bogert called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Chris Allen (virtual), Helen Allen, Mary Bogert, Candice Coleman,
Shirley Edwards, Kate Ristau
Alternate Present: Bart Hawkins, Alan Smith
Council Liaison: Councilor Jai Raj Singh (virtual)
Teammates Present: Halsted Bernard, Director of Library Services
Margaret L. Reh, Confidential Executive Assistant
Liz O’Donnell, Library Assistant-Tech Services
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
One written comment was received via email and distributed to the Board prior to the
meeting from Wayne Lela of Downers Grove, Illinois, who provided feedback on how
we celebrate Pride Month.
Public comments were provided virtually at the meeting by the following:
Jose Ramirez Reyes, Portland—support of Pride month programs
Mylène DiPenta, unincorporated Washington County—support to the library for
difficult decisions that had to be made regarding the Drag Queen storytime program.
4. APPROVE LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes from the May 10, 2023 Tigard Public Library Board
meeting. No changes were suggested. Motion by Shirley Edwards. Second by Candice
Coleman to approve the May 10, 2023 minutes as written. Motion was approved
unanimously. The minutes will be posted on the City website.
Allen, C. – Aye Allen, H. – Aye Bogert – Aye
Coleman – Aye Edwards – Aye Ivler – Resigned 5/18/23
Ristau – Aye
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES – Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Tigard Public Library | 13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 | 503.684.6537 | www.tigard-or.gov | Page 2 of 4
5. AGENDA ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
Kate Ristau requested to add an agenda item to discuss creating a statement of
support for the Library from the Library Board. This will be added after the Director’s
report.
6. ICE BREAKER
The question of the evening was “What is one strange thing about your hometown?”
Not only was it interesting to hear where everyone hailed from, there were some
unique things shared about these hometowns.
7. MEET THE TEAM: LIZ O’DONNELL, LIBRARY ASSISTANT-TECH SERVICES
Our guest tonight was Liz O’Donnell. Liz is our Library Assistant in Tech Services. She
shared her part of what goes on behind the scenes of the library. One of her favorite
parts of her job is getting to be the first person to see all the new books as she
unpackages them. She is excited to get them processed to make them available for our
community members.
Another part of Liz’s job is mending books. Books are marked as needing repair by
teammates or patrons. She determines if the book is past the point of being mended
and needs to be withdrawn, or if she can work some magic and return them to
circulation. She shared some samples of the successful repairs she has done.
8. RECAP OF JOINT CITY COUNCIL/LIBRARY BOARD PRESENTATION
The Board’s annual presentation to the City Council took place on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Library Board members attending were Mary Bogert, Kate Ristau, and Shirley Edwards.
Teen Library Council member Sarah D’Hondt and Teen Youth Librarian Lisa Elliott also
attended. Library Director Halsted Bernard was also in attendance. A discussion took
place of what went well. The Teen Library Council had a great time working on the video.
The City Council and our City Recorder were impressed with the presentation. We
reviewed some opportunities for improvement for next year’s presentation, like creating
multiple-choice trivia questions and following up after each answer with more
information.
9. LIBRARY BOARD MEMBERS TERM ENDING AND REQUESTING REINSTATEMENT
Jim Ivler tendered his resignation on 5/18/23. This opened a midterm position that
needed to be filled. Our alternates were interviewed for this position. Bart Hawkins is
being recommended to the City Council on June 27, 2023 for appointment to the
position.
Commented [HB1]: Add that I was at this meeting
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES – Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Tigard Public Library | 13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 | 503.684.6537 | www.tigard-or.gov | Page 3 of 4
There are four members whose terms are ending on 12/31/23. One has expressed
interest in being reinstated. Recruitment for the January 1, 2024 openings will begin at
the end of June to fill three voting positions and one alternate.
10. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Library Director Bernard presented the Director’s Report, which contained updates on
library services and programs.
Library Director Bernard also addressed the cancellation of the Drag Queen Storytime
program, summarized below:
Last week, the Tigard Public Library’s Drag Queen Storytime program was cancelled
due to repeated threats of violence and information from the Police Department’s
sources that the safety of our community was at risk. Out of an abundance of caution,
the Library was also closed to the public for the day.
The City of Tigard is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive
community for all. Hosting LGBTQIA+ inclusive programming like Drag Queen
Storytime is one way the Tigard Public Library affirms our commitment to that goal
through programming that fosters learning about and celebrating diversity, and that is
representative and supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community we serve.
We respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and caregivers to choose what is
right for their families, and we invite families to participate in library events and
programs that are of interest to them. If an event is not a good fit for a family, they can
choose not to attend. We will continue to serve families with the resources that they
need as we become a community hub for knowledge and enrichment where everyone
feels welcome.
Of note this past month:
We will soon welcome a new Youth Services Supervisor. Dre Dictor impressed us with
their knowledge of early literacy, enthusiasm for serving youth & families, and breadth
of youth services experience. Dre will join us at the end of July.
All employees received a copy of the City of Tigard’s new Racial Equity Action Plan. At
our last all-employee meeting, we learned about new citywide training related to the
plan.
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES – Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Tigard Public Library | 13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 | 503.684.6537 | www.tigard-or.gov | Page 4 of 4
Youth Services made in-person visits to schools this year for the first time since 2019, to
share excitement and information about summer reading. As of June 13, Youth Services
visited with 4,171 students.
11. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Discussion took place regarding creating a statement of support from the Library Board
about providing equitable and inclusive programming. A subcommittee was formed to
work on the statement. Since the July and August meetings have been cancelled, a
special meeting will be called when the statement is ready for the Board to review.
12. OTHER BUSINESS
No other business was discussed.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bogert adjourned the meeting of the Tigard Library Board at 7:34 p.m. We will
continue to conduct the meetings as hybrid meetings. At the May 10 meeting, the
Board decided by consensus to cancel the July 12 and the August 9, 2023 meetings.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023
at 6:30 p.m. Those in person will meet in the 2nd Floor Conference Room and those
attending virtually will connect via Microsoft Teams. The public may join by following
the link on the website.
Minutes submitted by: Margaret L. Reh
Date approved: __________________ September 13, 2023