Library Innovation Subcommittee Minutes

October 11, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

Virtual (BlueJeans)

 

 

Present: Renee Daley (ROM), Leah Fritsche (DEE), Laura Fuller (PLO), Elizabeth Clauss (MNT), Alicia Woodland (MCM)

Recorder: Tamara Ramski

SCLS staff present: Rose Ziech, Craig Ellefson, Tim Drexler, Jean Anderson, Tracie Miller, Mark Jochem, Tamara Ramski

 

1.      Call to order time 9:03 a.m.

a.      Introduction of guests/visitors

                                                    i.     Introductions were made for new member Elizabeth Clauss, Monticello Public Library Director.

b.      Changes/Additions to the Agenda: None

c.      Requests to address the Committee: None

 

2.      Approval of previous meeting minutes: August 9, 2022

a.      Changes or corrections: None

b.      Approved by motion:  Leah Fritsche , Renee Daley

 

3.      Action items: None

 

4.      Reports

a.      Social Work Intern Cohort (report given by Mark).

                                                    i.     Collaboration between SCLS and social work department staff at UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison to place social work students into libraries to provide social services, to work on social service projects, or provide library staff training.

                                                   ii.     One intern has been placed for the current semester. Planning and recruitment will take place for future semesters.

                                                  iii.     Patron and staff surveys are being created by UW-Stevens Point partners. The survey will be available in next couple months.

b.      IDEA Team

                                                    i.     Purpose: To facilitate and organize statewide learning on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for Wisconsin library workers, with a focus on race and racial equity.

                                                   ii.     Planning the 2022-2023 LSTA-Funded CE project. Continuing last year’s focus on racial equity and libraries. Website with content from last year is on the meeting page.

                                                  iii.     This year’s planning process includes the formation of an Advisory Committee. The application period is open between October 10 and October 30.

                                                  iv.     The advisory committee will provide input to the IDEA Team on content and process of planning the CE opportunities in 2023.

                                                   v.     The IDEA Team hopes to have candidates from a wide variety of library positions and identities.

                                                  vi.     Links to the Call for Applicants and Application Form are available on the meeting page.

c.      Collection Development User Group (Tracie Miller)

                                                    i.     Three people joined the first meeting. A second meeting is scheduled for November.

                                                   ii.     Still determining the group’s needs.  

                                                  iii.     Join the email list for the group for meeting reminders, to ask questions, and to provide suggestions to the group. The link to join the group is in the meeting page.

                                                  iv.     Laura: Their Youth Services Librarian (Nicole), mentioned talking to Shawn about availability of books on the topics of states and countries. Does every library need a book about every country, could this be coordinated throughout the system? This could be a topic for the User Group to discuss.

 

5.      Discussion

a.      2022-June 2023 IDEA Team planning follow-up (see report above).

b.      Visits to libraries.

                                                    i.     Jean: Saw on social media that Reedsburg took a bus trip to visit other libraries for a staff training day. Leah liked this idea-may plan it for her staff.

                                                   ii.     Alicia: Recently visited a library and was reminded of how important way-finding, color schemes (atmosphere), and positive/encouraging patron interactions are. She observed a lack of these things in the library she visited.

1.      Examples of what not to do can also be a good learning experience.

2.      Need to ask patrons how they view your space and how can it be made more comfortable. Staff thinking something is great does not mean patrons think it is great.

                                                  iii.     Leah: Staff recently started wearing name tags. It was a small change that made a big difference in interactions and relationships.

                                                  iv.     Alicia: Has heard Florida libraries have struggled to continue providing services after the hurricane. She wonders if Wisconsin libraries are prepared for natural disasters.

c.      SCLS Facebook page content suggestions (Mark Jochem).

                                                    i.     Shawn and Mark are posting content on the SCLS Facebook page. The page had been inactive for a while, but content will regularly be added going forward.

                                                   ii.     SCLS has friended all member libraries’ pages.

                                                  iii.     Suggestions for content for SCLS’ page:

1.      Alicia: Recommends Daily posts with wholesome memes from Reddit.

2.      Submit photographs of library events, programs, or community involvement to Mark.

3.      Leah: DEE had a stuffed animal sleepover. SCLS can repost any of the photos.

4.      Laura: Behind the scenes delivery content is good, it helps patrons to learn what it takes for books to get to them. Maybe do a series following a hold on an item.

                                                                                                                i.     Leah: Recommended Mt. Horeb’s video.

5.      Alicia: Using content that helps patrons see what SCLS does can be useful.

6.      Jean: Will talk with Corey (SCLS Delivery Coordinator), to see about creating new delivery related content. Mark Ibach and one of his sons had created a video for YouTube.

a.      Leah will mention it at the next Delivery Committee meeting.

b.      Mark: Brinnan has made a story (slide show) of some of Delivery’s services.

 

6.      Items from clusters (for Committees only): None

 

7.      Potpourri:

a.      Jean: Scholarships are available for the WLA Conference. Links are in the meeting page.

 

8.      Plan for next meeting: December 13, 2022 (9:00 a.m.), Via BlueJeans or in-person at McMillan Memorial Library (Wisconsin Rapids). RSVP to Alicia Woodland if attending at MCM.

a.      Determine meeting dates, times, and formats for 2023.

b.      Updates on the Social Work Intern Cohort, IDEA Project, and Collection Development User Group.

c.      Library visits.

 

9.      Adjournment: 9:52 a.m.  Alicia Woodland moved to adjourn, Leah Fritsche seconded.

For more information about the Library Innovation Subcommittee, contact Rose Ziech

 

SCLS staff are available to attend cluster meetings to share information and answer questions pertaining to this committee meeting and other departmental projects.

Library Innovation Subcommittee: 2022-10-lis-minutes