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Serving the public since 1963 Cooperative Library Services
Tigard Public Library Board Minutes—July 09, 2025
1. BOARD MEETING
A. At 6:30 p.m. Board Chair Ristau called the Tigard Public Library Board Meeting to order.
B. Chair Ristau called the roll.
Present Absent
Helen Allen V
Mary Bogert V
Candice Coleman V
Lili Diaz ✓ (virtual)
Pam Michael ✓
Kate Ristau (Chair) ✓
Jenny Stoffel (Vice-Chair) ✓
Jessica Lin (Alternate) ✓
[VACANT] (Alternate)
C. Call to Board and Staff for Non-Agenda Items— None.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
A. Follow-up to Previous Public Comment: None
B. Public Comment—Written: None
C. Public Comment— In Person: None
D. Public Comment— Phone-in or Video: None
3. APPROVE MINUTES
A. Board Member Coleman moved to approve the Library Board minutes for the May 14,
2025 meeting as edited. The motion was seconded by Board Vice-Chair Stoffel to approve
as edited, and the motion passed unanimously.
i. Edit closure of parentheses on Board Vice-Chair Stoffel's title under section 1. B. of
the May 14, 2025 minutes.
4. ICEBREAKER
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Library Director Bernard asked everyone in attendance the icebreaker question: What's a noise,
sound, or phrase that reminds you of an earlier time in your life? For example, the sound of a
rotary phone being dialed, or being asked "leaded or unleaded?" at a gas station.
5. MEET THE TEAM
Our "Meet the Team" guests were Stephanie Milbrodt (Senior Librarian) and Sandy Macke
(Librarian) from the Technical Services division.
Stephanie shared that she and Meagan Gibson (former Acquisitions Supervisor) attended the
April 2025 Oregon Library Association annual meeting to informally present the Tigard Public
Library's 200s reclassification project poster session that all Technical Services teammates
collaborated on. The poster session was placed on display for Library Board members to view
during tonight's Board meeting.
Questions from the Board:
1. Board Member Coleman asked three questions 1) Are there open numbers waiting to be
assigned in Dewey? Sandy replied yes, but that it's getting smaller and that there are also
retired numbers and reused numbers. 2) Is there another section [of the collection] that
could benefit from reclassing? Stephanie said yes and used another recently completed
Tech Services reclass project in the music section (780s) to illustrate. Here, Tech Services
altered Dewey to reflect how our patrons use the collection by reclassing to group and
separate books about music vs. books of music notation. Sandy talked about "cuttering,"
adding letters to the end of numerical call numbers to further group like items, and how
TPL cutters the music section by band. For example, all the books about the Beatles are
now together under 781.66 BEA, thereby making it easier for patrons to find all books
about the Beatles together on the shelf. 3) Do different libraries across the US use
different classification systems? Sandy replied that libraries use what fits their collection.
Two examples of common classification systems used in the US are Dewey and Library of
Congress. Board Member Colemen further inquired asking if Dewey numbers are
universal. Sandy replied that Dewey numbers are suggested numbers for a subject and
that call number assignment may be slightly different from library to library. Stephanie
added that at TPL we do shelf-listing of items and catalogers review and decide where to
place a book so it sits with its friends on the shelf to make browsing easier. This contrasts
with libraries that use shelf-ready services from vendors where the vendor assigns and
decides the call number for them.
2. Vice-Chair Stoffel asked why the international films are interfiled on the shelves rather
than being separated by language or country. Sandy replied that we interfile to say these
are our films. She further added that current filmmaking practices make it difficult to
shelve international DVDs under one country because they are typically joint ventures
spanning multiple nations. Sandy said that the purpose of the online public access
catalog is to bring like items together which helps us avoid biased groupings of materials
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on the shelf. Stephanie added that it's more common to separate by country of origin in
academic libraries because these libraries typically use the Library of Congress
classification system.
3. Board Member Allen asked for the 200s reclass project, what was harder than you
expected and what was easier than you expected? Both Stephanie and Sandy agreed
that what was easier than expected was using the conversion table to convert call
numbers from the current 200s Dewey table to the alternate Dewey table. Stephanie
thought that what was harder than expected was the shifting part of the last phase. She
said that Tech Services Library Assistants Diana Sperstad and Liz O'Donnell came up with
a good plan for this, that there were 3,800 items in total, and that shifting had to be
done before the library opened in the mornings. Sandy thought what was harder than
expected was the volume of materials they had to reevaluate the current numbers on to
be more reflective and accurate. But, in the end, this also helps make the section easier
to browse. Library Director Bernard mentioned that it's amazing how much work goes
into putting books on the shelf, and that it all results in expanding access for patrons to
search and find what they are looking for. She praised the TPL Tech Services team for
leading the way in cataloging expertise and ingenuity in our cooperative and in Oregon.
4. Vice-Chair Stoffel asked when the project began. After the meeting, Ledja Johansson, the
Confidential Executive Assistant at Tigard Public library, confirmed that it began in
August 2024. Sandy said that it's a living collection so there is continual evaluation and
reclassing as information and patron needs change.
6. POLICY REVIEW
A. LIBRARY POLICY: Fee-Based Services Policy (Last Approved: September 14, 2022)
I. Director Bernard shared that we are working to standardize the header and footer
of all our policies. The only change to this policy is the change from "Tigard
Library Board" to "Tigard Public Library Board".
II. Vice-Chair Stoffel moved to readopt the policy. Board Member Bogert seconded
the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.
B. ALA POLICY: Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender Identity,
Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation (Last Reviewed: January 12, 2022)
I. Director Bernard stated that we are reviewing this policy now to affirm everyone's
access to library services and resources. This review includes an edit to our
document to say "Tigard Public Library Board" instead of "Tigard Library Board".
II. Board Member Coleman moved to endorse and reaffirm the policy. Board
Member Allen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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III. Board Chair Ristau mentioned that she enjoyed seeing the library at the Tigard
Pride event in June.
7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
At the beginning of the director's report, Library Director Bernard shared the following notes
and updates with the Board:
• New Library Board alternate Abe Manion will be appointed by Council at the July 22,
2025 meeting.
• There is an opportunity for board members to participate in Leadership Tigard —The
application deadline is September 14, 2025. Library Director Bernard, Board Chair Ristau,
and Councilor Ghoddusi have participated in prior years, and learned more about many
aspects of leadership in our community. Board members can find more information on
the Tigard Chamber of Commerce website Leadership Tigard - Tigard Chamber of
Commerce.
• There is an upcoming opportunity for Library Board members to attend the ALA United
for Libraries virtual conference for Trustees, Foundations, and Friends July 29-July 31.
Library Director Bernard shared updates on library operations and funding, including:
• Colorful sound-dampening acoustic panels have been installed in Tigard Public Library's
three study rooms to facilitate studying and meeting in the library's spaces. All 3 rooms
were also repainted. In the past 12 months, Tigard's study rooms have been booked for
6,567 hours, or the equivalent of 273 24-hour days. Board Member Allen requested a
note be made to include study room statistics in the 2026 Library Board annual report to
Council.
• With input from Teen Library Council, the Teen Scene got new structurally supportive
seating to replace our old bean bags. This seating will support both teens and our
Library Use Policy.
• Elena Gleason, Adult Services Supervisor, and Adult Services teammates completed the
Seating Use Study on the second floor. They will now enter and analyze the data which
will help guide the second-floor revamp project. Subcommittees for the revamp project
will begin meeting in July 2025 to develop recommendations for aspects of the space
such as seating accessibility, access to technology, ADA compliance, and more
appropriate lighting for the large print area.
• In coordination with the City's IT team, the out-of-date public computers will be replaced
this summer and updated from Windows 10 to 11.
• Library teammates continued to work with the IT department to troubleshoot the
transition to laptop computing. The laptops are an improvement and convenient and
portable for varying work tasks.
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• Two new employees will join our Tech Services team this month: Jessica Beavers, our new
Senior Library Assistant, who will work on interlibrary loans until ILL services are
centralized with WCCLS, and our new Acquisitions Supervisor, Hilary Robbeloth.
• Becca oriented four new volunteers to be Garden Leads and Garden Helpers. The new
volunteers weed, planting, mulch, and other outdoor tasks to help the garden flourish.
• Tech Services staff continued to cover additional duties while we await our new Senior
Library Assistant and Acquisitions Supervisor. Tech Services is currently down 64 hours of
staff time every week while still managing to add 2,453 items to the catalog and process
229 ILLS in June.
• There has been a significant increase in patrons visiting the library, and we are getting
close to pre-pandemic levels of 1,000 visitors per day. Mondays had the most patrons
utilizing the library with an average of 850 visitors each day. On two Mondays, over 900
people visited the library.
• We created 288 patron library cards in June, the highest number of cards created since
August of 2024.
• The next funding and governance work session is scheduled for July 14t". Tigard's
participants in this process are Director Bernard, City Manager Stockwell, and Project
Manager Ezell. The latest updates on this process are found on the WCCLS website:
Washington County Libraries: Writing Our Future Together I wccls.org
• The WCCLS local option levy will be on the ballot this November. Library Director Bernard
will share WCCLS' levy communication guidance with the board as soon as she receives it.
• City Council approved the FY26 budget. More information on the budget is available on
the City of Tigard's website: City Budget I City of Tigard
• Community Engagement: We connected with community members at several events in
June: Family Promise Summer Kickoff (25 meaningful interactions); the first DHS Free
Food Market of the summer (103); the Parks and Rec Health & Fitness Summer Kickoff
Fair (93); the City's Juneteenth Celebration (interacted with 115) and the Pride Festival
(so, so busy, approximate engagement: about 400!)
• Some Adult Services programs last month: Craft Swap, Sound Bath Meditation, First
Foods & Indigenous Cultural Lifeways of the Columbia River Basin, Northwest Sites and
Scenes staycation, Way of the Independent Writer, Water Wise: Sustainable Strategies for
Summer Gardens.
• Jack Baur (Senior Librarian) held 4 one-on-one Tech Help sessions, helping a total of 11
patrons. Micah Newsome (Librarian) conducted one-on-one job help for 3 patrons.
Library Director Bernard encouraged the Board to share information about the one-on-
one services these patient and skilled librarians provide with friends, family, and
neighbors. They can help with many technology questions, resume writing, etc.
• Mila Palmer (Librarian) gave out 87 take-and-make kits for a dragon egg keychain.
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• Coming in September in time for the start of the school year, Youth Services is excited to
announce an exciting new format in our J Kits collection: Voxbooks and Wonderbooks!
These are picture books and early readers that have a pre-loaded audiobook player
permanently bound to the inside cover. The new Vox/Wonderbook kits will replace most
of the existing books with CDs in the J Kit collection to keep pace with current
technology. We will still retain the language learning J Kits on CD.
• Teen Library Council hosted an enjoyable family game day for 18 attendees. And
storytime was a real team effort in June, with several members of the team stepping in to
present storytime sessions in each other's absence.
• School Outreach information: Youth Services school visits in May and early June reached
5,430 students overall and left quite the impression. As one staff member reported, their
summer reading spiel was interrupted after just one sentence by a kid who announced, "I
ALREADY KNOW ALL ABOUT IT. A librarian came to my school!"
• 2,693 community members have signed up for Tigard's Summer Reading adventure
since the program began on June 1. For the first time, every sign-up is counted towards
community goals, and Friends of the Tigard Library will fund additions to the Library of
Things at sign-up milestones. So far, the library has hit the milestones to add six new
board games and three new lawn games. When the community hits 3,000 sign-ups, the
library will earn two new role-playing game kits.
• July is Disability Pride Month! Each July we celebrate people with disabilities and
commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Thanks to our
volunteer event last January, we have buttons, coloring pages, and info sheets at the
Checkout Desk for everyone. Library Director Bernard shared something she recently
learned how to do in Microsoft Word which is to activate the accessibility checker. This is
a useful tool because, for example, it will alert the user that red text is not accessible to
people with color blindness.
• Ryn Starr, Social Services Coordinator, had 69 support and referral interactions in June,
including 8 from drop-in hours. Ryn can help connect community members with
resources like food, housing, and medical needs.
• A community member who had received support from the Library Social Services
Coordinator visited to let them know that he got a job, toured an apartment, and would
hopefully be able to move in at the end of the week. He had been unhoused since he
was evicted in April and was chronically homeless before then. He said that he wanted to
share his news because the Library Social Services Coordinator was so helpful. The
Library Social Services Coordinator helps community members with support for food,
clothing, public benefits, education, housing, or mental health services.
• The Basic Needs Bookshelf is stocked entirely by donations. Support for the Basic Needs
Bookshelf can be provided via the Amazon Wishlist, or by coordinating a donation with
our Social Services Coordinator directly at ryn.starr@tigard-or.gov or 971-495-1179.
• Adventure passes are back! Community members can get free passes to 10 local
attractions with the newly reintroduced WCCLS Adventure Pass. Included in the
attractions are Pittock Mansion, the Portland Japanese Garden, and the Portland Art
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Museum, among others. Any WCCLS library cardholder who is over 18 years old is
eligible to reserve passes, which are released on a rolling basis up to 4 weeks in advance.
• The WCCLS-Tigard Public Library Holds Locker Pilot was a two-year partnership with the
purpose of testing the holds locker for usability, staffing and IT requirements and to
provide that data to WCCLS libraries so that they could make informed decisions for
their locations. Overall, the lockers were used by a small fraction of Tigard patrons (less
than 1%), averaging just 36 users per month and with the high workload required it was
not feasible to maintain them at TPL. The lockers will be removed on July 16, concluding
the pilot. Library Director Bernard expressed that the library was honored to be selected
for this project and to be able to provide this useful data to WCCLS.
Questions from the Board:
1. Board Member Michael asked where the lockers will go when removed from TPL. Library
Director Bernard replied that they will be decommissioned by the county. Board Chair
Ristau brought up a previous discussion about the possibility of adding lockers at the
library for patrons to store belongings in. Library Director Bernard responded that the
individual locker sizes are too small to be useful for storing belongings.
2. Vice-Chair Stoffel asked how Micah is interacting with patrons about using Al as related
to job help. Has it come up in the job help sessions? After the meeting, the library's
Confidential Executive Assistant Ledja Johansson reached out to Micah who said, "I'd say
the only context in which Al has come up is regarding automated processing of
applications, which I usually discuss when I'm talking about making sure resumes mirror
the language of job listings. I haven't had anyone coming in with particular questions
regarding Al yet." Library Director Bernard added that we don't rely on Al in the course
of our work at the library.
3. Board Member Allen asked who helped the library staff switch to laptops. Library
Director Bernard responded that it is a citywide effort developed and executed by the
city's IT team in coordination with Library teammates Jack Baur and Amber Bell.
4. Board Member Lin asked about the timeline for the HVAC replacement in the library
building. Library Director Bernard said she does not know the exact timing yet, but she
hopes to have an update for the Board next month.
8. NON-AGENDA ITEMS
There were no non-agenda items.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:36 p.m. Chair Ristau adjourned the meeting. After the meeting adjourned, Chair Ristau
initiated a field trip to see the 200s sections on the shelves.
Prepared by: Ledja Johansson
Approved on: August 13, 2025
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13500 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcommentsatigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library