05/20/2021 - Minutes City of Tigard
Tigard Public Library Board Minutes
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MEETING DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:30 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Virtual Teams Meeting with phone bridge for public listening.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Katie Harris called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Christopher Allen, Mary Bogert, Shirley Edwards, Katie Harris
Members Excused: Jim Ivler, Kate Ristau, Suzanne Sikora
Alternates Present: Helen Allen
Alternate Excused: Gail Stephens
Council Liaison: City Council President Heidi Lueb
Staff Present: Halsted Bernard, Director of Library Services;
Margaret L. Reh, Confidential Executive Assistant
3. APPROVE MINUTES
The minutes from the April 15, 2021 Tigard Public Library Board meeting were
reviewed. No changes were requested. Motion by Shirley Edwards. Second by Mary
Bogert to approve the April 15, 2021 minutes as written.
Allen —Aye Bogert —Aye Edwards —Aye
Harris —Aye Ivler—Absent Ristau —Absent
Sikora —Absent
4. AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
It was suggested to add a discussion about the proposed Library Backyard project prior
to Agenda Item No. 5-Recap of Joint City Council/Library meeting.
5. LIBRARY BACKYARD PROJECT
Library Director Bernard shared some background information with the Board
regarding the open area just north of the Library. Staff have received comments from
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES - Thursday, May 20, 2021
City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 1 503.639.4171 1 www.tigard-or.gov
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community members over time inquiring what will be done with that space. Bernard
met with Public Works teammates and external consultants and came up with some
options for development that will incorporate three thematic components: play, gather,
and learn. Community input of what they would like to see in the Library backyard is
being sought through an online survey. The survey can be found on Engage Tigard at
https://www.engage.tigard-or.gov/backyard
Public art will be a part of this project and the Tigard Public Library Foundation has
expressed an interest in funding some of this art. Discussion ensued.
6. RECAP OF JOINT CITY COUNCIL/LIBRARY MEETING
Chair Katie Harris thanked everyone who was able to attend the joint meeting with the
City Council. She gave a shout out to Library Board Member Chris Allen for all the work
he put into creating the video they presented. The City Council appreciates the
uniqueness of the Board's presentations. Sharing news of what the library is doing is
valued, especially this past year during the pandemic.
7. LIBRARY OPERATIONS
The library is in Service Level 3 and the doors are now open for limited in-building
services. We are continuing with non-contact Library Takeout services for patrons who
are not yet ready to come into the building. Director Bernard expressed her thanks to
the Board Members for their assistance with the soft launch the week prior to opening
the doors to the rest of the community. The Governor is scheduled to change the Risk
Level for Washington County down to Low-Risk this coming Friday—we are skipping
right over the Moderate-Risk level. This will mean we will be able to increase visit times
from 15 minutes to 30 minutes and increase the capacity from 20 people to 40 people in
the building at a time. This should eliminate the lines, and some of the frustration people
have experienced having to wait in a line outside.
An update was provided on programs, activities, personnel, and decisions made since
the April meeting.
Statistics for programs and circulation in April include 19,138 requests to fill (RTF) holds.
Last year the number of RTFs was zero, as the building was completely shut down due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Staff helped 4,321 patrons in Library Takeout services in April.
Our 24 virtual programs were attended by 523 patrons. There were 342 reference
questions answered by phone and 60 answered by email and now that we are open, 94
reference questions were answered at the Reference Service Desk! Tech Services added
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES - Thursday, May 20, 2021
City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 1 503.639.4171 1 www.tigard-or.gov
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2,226 new items to the collection last month and processed new materials in an average
of 15.8 days.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
Director Bernard stated there is an option for hybrid meetings in the works.
This would allow half of the Board to meet in the Conference Room with the capability
of the rest of the Board and the public to join virtually. This would accommodate the
various comfort levels members may have with gathering in person.
Library Board Alternate Helen Allen expressed her excitement for the Novel Eats program
that is currently in place. Library leadership has been working with Community
Development teammates to schedule alternating food carts in the library parking lot
throughout the summer. They have been focusing on local entrepreneurs who are just
starting a food service. The current food cart is Bubbles and Treats, who will be with us
through June 5.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Katie Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. The next virtual meeting of the
Tigard Public Library Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: Margaret L. Reh
Date approved: June 17, 2021
Tigard Public Library Board MINUTES - Thursday, May 20, 2021
City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 1 503.639.4171 1 www.tigard-or.gov
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