Library staff presented monthly and quarterly reports showing program attendance, facility updates and staffing changes, and highlighted two new sensory rooms and a rise in electronic resource usage.

Angie (library staff) reviewed the quarterly program report requested by the committee and the monthly dashboard for September. The dashboard showed 4,813 total program attendance for the month and noted increases in electronic resources and web page hits, while several physical formats such as adult audio CDs declined as the library shifts to platforms like Hoopla and Libby. Angie said the fiscal year runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 and that the committee’s annual statistical report will include year-to-date comparisons with the prior year.

Staff described two sensory rooms that opened in October: one at the Joy (location name as presented in meeting) and one at the Moss Library. The Joy location room is upstairs near study rooms and can be checked out with an adult library card for 30-minute sessions; Moss’s sensory room is in a family place area downstairs. Angie said the public health department provided funding and design support and that the library will seek training from public health staff to better serve patrons with sensory needs.

On staffing, Angie said the library has been moved under the city’s Department of Health as part of a citywide reorganization. As a result, the library director title was reclassified and staff now describe the on-site leadership as an assistant library director or operations manager; the department is recruiting to fill that position and interviews were expected. Angie encouraged members concerned about the reclassification to contact their city council representative. Dr. Timberland (Department of Health director) was referenced as the departmental director with whom staff will coordinate.

Staff also highlighted upcoming events: a book sale and a children’s book festival tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, with featured author David Bowles; details and the final schedule were still being confirmed. The committee proposed presenting a recognition plaque to Mr. Ortiz at the December meeting for his years of service after his resignation.

The committee set its next meeting for Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. and asked staff to circulate flyers and coordinate publicity with the city public information office. No formal votes were taken on program or staffing items during the meeting.