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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/08/2026 Minutes _ Tigard Public LibraryMember of ark g Washington County Serving the public since 1963 Cooperative Library Services Tigard Public Library Board Minutes —July 08, 2026 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. A quorum was present. Present Absent Lili Diaz `7 Jessica Lin ✓ Abe Manion `7 Pam Michael ✓ Kate Ristau (Chair) ✓ Brandy Shockley `7 Jenny Stoffel (Vice-Chair) ✓ Vacant (Alternate) Vacant (Alternate) `7 Tom Anderson (Council ✓ Liaison) 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVE MINUTES: June 10, 2026 i. Board Member Manion moved to approve the Library Board minutes for the June 10, 2026, meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Stoffel, and the motion passed unanimously. B. APPROVE POLICIES: (adopt/readopt and endorse/reaffirm) I. LIBRARY POLICY: Postings and Distribution of Materials Policy (Last Approved: January 10, 2024) 1. Board Member Lin moved to readopt the policy. Board Member Michael seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. II. ALA POLICY: Public Library Trustee Ethics Statement (Last Reviewed: May 14, 2025) 1. Vice-Chair Stoffel moved to endorse and reaffirm the policy. Board Member Manion seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES —Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 1 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments@tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library • Board Member Lin asked if there is a procedure the board follows if materials are rejected for posting and appealed to the board. Library Director Bernard said that the policy states: "Rejections of materials for posting or display may be appealed to the Tigard Public Library Board." 3. PUBLIC COMMENT A. There was no public comment at June's meeting, so no follow-up was provided. B. The Board did not receive any public comments before the meeting. C. No one signed up to give public comment. 4. DISCUSSIONS & REPORTS A. ICEBREAKER I. Library Director Bernard asked everyone in attendance: What are you reading, watching, listening to, or otherwise enjoying right now? B. MEET THE TEAM I. Our "Meet the Team" guest was Carolina Velazquez, Bilingual Youth Services Librarian in Readers Services. Carolina's most recent role was at the Forest Grove City Library, where she established their bilingual programming. When Carolina interviewed with us, she impressed us with her creativity, relationship-building skills, and passion for serving Spanish-speaking communities. Velazquez shared with the board that she knew when she was job hunting that she wanted to work at Tigard Public Library because the community very much supports the library. She is excited to be here in a supportive environment where she works with other children's librarians. She said that at her previous job at Forest Grove City Library she was a solo children's librarian. Velazquez wants people to feel seen when they walk into the library regardless of language barriers. She developed a bilingual sing-along program here at Tigard Public Library called Canta Con Amigos: Sing with Friends. This interactive program blends English and Spanish through music and movement. Canta con Amigos is a welcoming space to learn, connect, and celebrate language and culture together. Attendance at the most recent sessions doubled from the previous session. In the fall, she is excited to introduce Tigard Public Library's first Dia de los Muertos community ofrenda (altar). TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 2 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments©tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library Director Bernard asked Velazquez to speak to the link between early literacy, song, and language. Velazquez responded that starting with music and song to learn a new language is an easy, inclusive, and accessible route. Board Chair Ristau added that using a sing-song voice with kids helps them develop language skills and hear syllables more distinctly. Board Chair Ristau asked Velazquez what she envisions for the Dia de los Muertos community ofrenda (altar). Velazquez responded that she wants to keep it traditional with items such as paper marigolds and photographs of departed loved ones. She added that she enjoys seeing how others like to honor their families because she is close with her family. Vice-Chair Stoffel asked if there will also be a pet ofrenda and Board Member Manion asked where the ofrenda will be set up. Velazquez said that there will be a pet ofrenda and the ofrendas will be set up in the glass display cases. Board Member Lin asked if there are any plans to offer bilingual storytimes in languages other than Spanish. Velazquez said that currently we partner with a consultant, Heart Strings Mandarin, who leads children and their parents as they sing, move, play instruments, and tell stories in Mandarin, English, and American Sign Language. Velazquez would be very open to exploring providing storytimes in languages other than Spanish and an all-Spanish language storytime. Director Bernard added that Spanish is the next most commonly spoken language other than English in our community, and we consider community need when developing new programs. C. DIRECTOR'S UPDATE • 2,600 community members have signed up for Summer Reading, and 52 community members have already finished the challenge. Everyone gets a free book when signing up for Summer Reading, and finishers receive a special-edition sticker or button for reading or completing bonus activities throughout the summer. Kids and teens receive a second free book upon completion. Each Summer Reading sign-up also counts towards a community goal and helps earn prizes that benefit the entire library. 505 community members of all ages attended the Summer Reading Kickoff and WCCLS Birthday Party on June 13, where attendees enjoyed snacks, crafts, and games. • 303 community members filled out the Library Strategic Plan community survey, and an additional 81 answered in-person questions through intercept surveys. Many additional community members participated in three weeks of engagement activities in the Library Welcome Area. Library teammates are now compiling and analyzing responses with plans to take the next engagement steps in August. o Vice-Chair Stoffel and Board Member Manion helped with conducting intercept surveys. They shared that it was a positive experience and enlightening and satisfying to hear the thoughts of library patrons. TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 3 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments©tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library • June was busy for Library outreach, with school visits reaching 2,580 students over the course of the month. Library teammates connected with a total of 4,895 students during Summer Reading school visits this spring. Library teammates also shared information at the City of Tigard Health & Fitness Summer Kickoff Fair, Cordero House, Family Promise, City of Tigard Juneteenth, and the Oregon Department of Human Services Free Food Market in June. • The Library continues to make a meaningful impact in many ways. Here are just a few of the past month's stories: o A group volunteered in the Library's Native Garden that included our youngest volunteer -- 16 months. She and her grown-up deadheaded beach daisies. The adult cut off the dead blossom, and the 16-month-old diligently carried it over and dropped it in the waste bucket. That means this year the garden has officially welcomed volunteers from age 1 to 93! We accept all volunteers here at TPL. o A community member left the following feedback in the Library's comment box: "The Pride display is the first time I've ever seen my pronouns (ze/zer) in public! I didn't think it would matter so much, but I had to sit, read it, and cry for a minute to absorb it. It was so special to experience." o A community member reached out to WCCLS to share this feedback: "The Tigard Staff is GREAT. They always go the extra mile with a big smile. It is a pleasure to get to know them. THANKS Tigard staff." • We have had some staffing changes since our last board meeting. o Congratulations to Lee Harlow, who will be our new Senior Library Assistant in Circulation, beginning Tuesday, July 14th! o Our Library Social Services Coordinator Ryn Starr's last day was June 30th. • In their final month as our Social Services Coordinator, Ryn had 101 support and referral interactions; provided 1,011 Basic Needs Bookshelf items; worked to sunset or hand off their projects; and communicated with patrons and community partners about their departure. Multiple patrons came to the library to wish Ryn well on their last day, including a patron who had shared with staff earlier in the month that she was in the final steps of securing stable housing for herself and her dog thanks to Ryn's assistance navigating the complex housing systems in Washington County. o Our Library Experience Manager Morgan Sohl's last day was June 26th. Morgan is now the Oregon City Library Director. TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 4 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments©tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library • In preparation for Morgan's departure, Library senior management worked with the HR team to support our Tech Services operations and PIC work by offering temporary assignments to Sandy, Micah, and Mila. All these temporary assignments will continue for the duration of FY27. • July is Disability Pride Month! Each July we celebrate people with disabilities and commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We have bookmarks, buttons, coloring pages, zines, and info sheets about Disability Pride at our Checkout Desk as well as a book display on the 2nd floor. And this year, the City's Equity Advisory Committee is flying the Disability Pride flag at the Library for the first time. • Director Bernard shared some notes on the Library Board and Library Advocacy: o As members of an advisory board, acting in your official capacity includes assisting with policy setting and sharing your perspective as members of our community, but you do not have responsibility for the budget or the direct oversight of any library employees. o Your primary role in advising Council is by preparing for and presenting the annual report on library operations each April. o The Friends of the Tigard Public Library is a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for the Library. In the past, the Library Board has had a liaison to the Friends of the Library attend Friends' meetings, and vice versa, since you have different but complementary roles to play in supporting the Library. o The American Library Association's United for Libraries website (https://www.ala.org/united) is a thorough and trusted resource for library boards and Friends of the Library organizations. United for Libraries was developed by library supporters to "support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries." o Some other resources to learn about trends in public libraries and advocacy opportunities include EveryLibrary (https://www.everylibrary.org), Library Link of the Day (https://www.tk421.net/librarylink), and Library Research Network (https://libraryresearchnetwork.org). o With enough lead time, Director Bernard is happy to prepare and present on any pertinent topic or trend. Questions from the board: Chair Ristau asked what is different with Summer Reading this year from last year. Director Bernard answered: • We had the kickoff party in conjunction with the WCCLS 50th birthday party celebration. TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 5 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments©tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library • We implemented the Summer Sign Up Squad (SUSS). Tigard Teens signed up 545 patrons for summer reading, made hundreds of prize buttons, supported the kickoff party and more! Becca and Lisa did a great job training and setting up our new teen volunteers for success. • Each Summer Reading sign-up also counts towards a community goal and helps earn prizes that benefit the entire library. Each year we have a Summer Reading signups display in our display cases with a mascot that moves along a path based on the number of signups, showing how close we are to our shared goal. • We've been encouraging more adult participation over the past several years. Chair Ristau expressed interest in working with the Friends of the Tigard Library on the upcoming Banned Books Week proclamation to Council. She also mentioned that when the board is submitting or giving public comment to Council board members can identify as a board member but can't speak on behalf of the board. For a board member to speak on behalf of the board, a board action and vote is needed first. Vice-Chair Stoffel asked if we are keeping a tally at service desks of patrons asking to be connected to resources that former Social Services Coordinator Ryn Starr would have handled. Director Bernard said that we are tracking general patron comments related to patrons expressing that they want social services to be provided at the library, but that we do not track social services-specific questions. Chair Ristau asked if the elimination of the Social Services Coordinator position had posed an undue burden on local community partners. Director Bernard said she is in regular meetings with the Homelessness City/County Liaison, Megan Cohen, who has not indicated an undue burden on community partners at this time. For the next meeting agenda, Chair Ristau requested that Director Bernard's director's update include the following: • WCCLS Centralized Collections • Liaison from the Friends board attending Library Board meetings and vice versa • Procedures for handling a "Request for Reconsideration of Materials" Director Bernard proposed to the board that she can meet these requests and allow for enough time for discussion during the August meeting if she provides an abridged director's update, we do not have a "Meet the Team" guest, and we do not conduct policy review. The board agreed to these changes to the usual agenda. D. STRUCTURE OF FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS Director Bernard discussed her proposed new structure of the board meetings that was communicated to the board prior to the meeting. She explained that it is based on Robert's Rules of Order and that the intention is to streamline meetings and be more intentional with TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 6 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments©tigard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library the agenda. For example, instead of having a "meet the team" guest and policy at every meeting, taking these items off the agenda if there are agenda items that require more time for discussion. Since the proposed new meeting structure includes a consent agenda, Chair Ristau asked how a consent agenda would accommodate policy review discussion of policies with substantive changes. Director Bernard said that in that case the policy would not be in the consent agenda and instead its own agenda item to allow adequate review and discussion. Vice-Chair Stoffel mentioned that she would like discussion and presentations about library trends. Director Bernard said that she wants to hear from the board about specific topics they would like to hear about and that with enough lead time, she can present on requested topics. E. NON-AGENDA ITEMS - NONE 5. ADJOURNMENT At 7:55 p.m. Chair Ristau adjourned the meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Prepared by: Ledja Johansson Approved on: August 12, 2026 TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES—Wednesday, July 08, 2026— Page 7 of 7 13500 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.684.6537•TPLcomments@tgard-or.gov•www.tigard-or.gov/library