Loading...
Minutes 05-27-26MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON MAY 27, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AT BOYNTON BEACH CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E OCEAN AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435 PRESENT: Stephanie Colaianni, Chair Christine Hunter Verna Henry Lisa Miller ABSENT: Dr. Ellen Jones I. Call to Order — Stephanie Colaianni, Chair Chair Colaianni called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. II. Approval of Minutes — April 22, 2026 Motion Tiffany Pagan, Library Director Chair Colaianni moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Hunter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. Correspondence and Communications None. Public Audience (Individual Speakers Will Be Limited to 3 Minute Presentations) There was no official report from the Chair, however, Chair Colaianni stated she just left the Library and she complimented Donna Sherrill in the Non -Fiction Section of the Library. Ms. Pagan stated Ms. Sherrill is a Research Librarian and agreed she is awesome. Ms. Pagan also stated that there is enough room for libraries and Al. She commented if they are not particular about the prompts they enter, it can generate incorrect information. She said that they try to have Al Tech Classes to keep the public informed. She noted they automated some of their book ordering, and the vendors they use can create carts and there is software that can look into the cart to avoid double orderings, so less human error, but it will never replace a person. Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 27, 2026 IV. Unfinished Business: Staffing update Ms. Pagan said they have three vacant positions: the Assistant Director, the Teen Librarian, and part-time Librarian Associate. She mentioned that she is setting up interviews for the Teen Librarian and working on the job description for the part time Librarian Assistant to add some preferred qualifications, because when they advertise the positions, they get inundated with applications. She announced the Assistant Director position is on hold at the moment, but she has great staff to assist her. She restructured Library operation duties for some to her staff, so they are all sharing the load among five senior librarians. V. New Business Participation in Library Events Ms. Pagan said a list of events was provided by Beatriz Barreca-Garcia for June. The purpose for asking for help is not only the extra set of hands, but to advocate for what they are doing and assist with crafts. She reviewed the handout as contained in the meeting materials. June 5t" is the Summer Reading Kick -Off Party and she pointed out all the events will be outdoors. She explained the Kick-off starts at 5, but it is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and any time volunteered would be helpful. She emphasized members are not expected to stay for the entire event duration. The theme is Unearth Your Story, which is a dinosaur theme. In addition to Kids Summer Reading Program and they are holding another Adult Summer Reading event. She clarified they used to hold the adult reading programs in the winter. She pointed out they are also having an America 250, Florida event, which is heavily geared to America 250. She said the prize is a blue sparkly cup, and bucket hats. There will be prizes to give out to adults, gift certificates from Papa John's and the Links, and the goal is to read and earn a cup and a hat and a ticket for raffle which will also help the Friends of the Library. Applied for two (2) Library Services & Technology Act Grants Ms. Pagan announced they applied for the Library Services and Technology Act grants, (LSTA) which are from the State through the State Department Library Division. Staff originally heard there were no grants due to lack of funding, but in early April she got a email saying they are open and they had a short window to apply. She wrote one grant, Connecting Community to collections, digital access for local history archives and Family History Research list for $29,080 and will purchase 26 new desktop computers for the public in the adult and youth sections, and purchase a recording device to conduct an oral history. She said they have local archives and oral histories, but they have not added any new oral histories recently. She wanted the Archivist to conduct at least one oral history and upload it. She said there is a lot of history in Boynton Beach. She said they have family search the public tech trainer will create a guide on how to use it and offer a popup K Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 27, 2026 or tech talk on family search. She also stated they will create A Library of Things, We the Makers. She said Brian Reagh the Makers Space Librarian, wrote the grant, together with Library Associate Rebecca Schiebel. She explained the term Library of things, it is a collection of non-traditional library items, such as power tools, dewing machines, small items patrons can check out and take home. She said the grant was for $7K. because the window to spend the funds from June to September. They will also address shelving and storage equipment and the items to be checked out. She said they have to acquire the items, catalogue them and getting it out to the community. She explained the State graded the grants and they are recommended for funding so it looks favorable they will receive the grant funds. Request to Cancel June 24, 2026, Meeting Mr. Pagan said she will be at a conference in Chicago from the 24th to the 28th, and she does not have an assistant director, so she requested to cancel the meeting. This is the American Library Association's 150th anniversary and they attend it every year. She noted that she sent three staff members to the Florida Library Association Conference and they came back energized and full of ideas. There was agreement to cancel the meeting. VI. Library Director's Report/Statistics March & April 2026 Monthly Report Ms. Pagan announced they recently enrolled a student in the Career Online High School and she has two scholarships left. She explained that students in this program achieve an accredited High School Diploma, not a General Equivalency Diploma. At completion they receive a certificate and can enroll in a career course of their choice. She advised they had 34 graduates over the years, and the State funded the program in the past, but the Library also purchased scholarships so those purchased by the Library will be used to fund City residents, 19 years or older and that have a library card. Ms. Pagan explained the program and said upon completion, the student will obtain a certificate in a specific career area. She said the City had funds left over for other grants, so she hoped they could get another 10 scholarships and will keep the Board apprised. She noted that even though students have to complete the prerequisite course and pass the interview, scholarships can be rescinded and that has happened in the past. She clarified that in those instances, the student returned and completed the program. She advised that the scholarships are $1,200 each. VII. Announcements Summer Reading Kick off Event — June 5, 2026 `First Friday' collaboration with City Events team 3 Meeting Minutes Library Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 27, 2026 This was previously discussed. Next Library Board Meeting — July 22, 2026 Ms. Pagan stated that she will send out a reminder that the next meeting will be in July. IX. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Chair Colaianni moved to adjourn. Ms. Anepete seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. &IVUW� ry Catherine Cher k Minutes Specialist rd