Library Board Minutes for Wednesday, June 18, 2025

MINUTES of the Annual meeting of the Pitkin County Library Board of Trustees on June 18,
2025. The meeting was called to order at 12:01 PM in the William R. Dunaway Community
Room.

Roll Call: 

Trustees Present:

Pres. John Wilkinson (JW) 

Sec. Anna Lookabill Scott (ALS) 

Austine Stitt (AS)

Elizabeth Stewart-Severy (ES-S)

Alternates Present:

Chris Keleher (CK) – Voting Member

Staff Present: 

Genevieve Smith (GS), PC Librarian

Anna Steinberg, Assistant to PC Librarian

Raleigh Bacharach, Pitkin County Public Health

Mugsy Seldeen, High Rockies Harm Reduction

Bradley Peate, PC Adult Services Supervisor

Lily Wymer, PC Young Adult Programming & Outreach Librarian

Approval of Minutes for May 14, 2025
 

• Moved by  Austine Stitt 2^nd by Elizabeth Stewart-Severy

• Passed by the Board, unanimously

Public Comment: 

• None

Trustees' Comments & Librarian’s Report:

Trustee Comments- 

• Audrey Ellis emailed to compliment the summer reading program launch. Elizabeth Stewart-Severy also congratulated the program and its partnerships, especially the police officers' reading.
   
• Heather Kendrick formally resigned as an alternate as her long-term housing in Pitkin County is still in flux. She will no longer attend as ad hoc and the board feels the current situation is sustainable for now.

Librarian’s Report- 
 

• Library New Programs Updates included: 

  • Library Kick-Off Party was June 6^th- for the summer reading program- Great turnout despite the rain!
  • French Chat on Mondays in June
  • Escape Room June 28^th
  • Also a new community-wide game of clue spearheaded by the Wheeler Opera House but includes the Library.

• Building Updates:

  • Library Door Locking System Outage- On May 12^th, a malfunction was discovered in the locking system, and it stopped responding to updates. The diagnosis was a failed network panel & software, which was replaced on May 22^nd, and it is now fully operational. This resolved issues with power outage vulnerabilities, all systems wre testing correctly, a manual override remains unavailable, but is requested when the system is upgraded. The facilities team plans to move the emergency lock buttons with the new service desk installations later in the year. The locking system is overseen and managed by Pitkin County Facilities, which is looking to replace the system as it reaches the end of its useful life. 

  • Pods & Service Desks Update-  service desks and pods have been ordered along with some expanded shelving. Delivery TBD. 

     

• Operations Updates:  

  • Naloxone New Distribution site at the Library-
  • Library Outreach Position- the temporary position has been approved to become a term-limited, part-time role (21 hours/wk) through the end of 2027 which allows for library services in Redstone and in Snowmass Village. The successful Pilot program demonstrated the value and reception of the outreach to the outlying communities.

Old Business:

• Trustee Homework from training- Tabled

New Business:

• Naloxone aka Narcan Distribution at the Library- Public Health & Community Safety: As part of Community Safety and Public Health, Mugsy Seldeen, High Rockies Harm Reduction and Raleigh Bacharach, Pitkin County Public Health, presented on Naloxone, a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The Library will now be a distribution site for free Naloxone to anyone who asks while the State continues to provide the resources.
   
• Summer Reading Programming: Bradley Peate and Lily Wymer presented on the summer reading program for adults, young adults, and children. Two more board members signed up as a result of the presentation! 
   
• Review of 2024-25 Goals:
  • Goal 1- Align Library Policies w/ state recommendations & best practices- which was completed in April

  • Goal 2- Explore Snowmass as satellite library station- was explored and put on hold due to the escalating costs.

     

• Goal Setting 2025-27
  • Proposed Goal- Develop & Adopt a comprehensive strategic plan reflecting community needs. A board consensus agreed to the proposed goal, which is currently budgeted for.
  • Proposed Goal- The library is a safe & welcoming space for all patrons and staff- updating and implementing safety & security protocols - this goal may/ will probably rise to the top as a priority through the strategic planning process.

• Appointments to the nominating committee & nominations for the annual June meeting. The committee included: Ashley Connolly, Austine Stitt & Elizabeth Stewart-Severy.

  Austine Stitt motioned for the nomination of Board Members for the same slate of Board members who are currently serving the roles to continue doing so for the next year. Elizabeth Stewart-Severy seconded the motion. Passed by the Board, unanimously

Review Future Meetings Schedule 2025

• July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10

Adjourned @  1:24 PM

Moved by  Austine Stitt 2^nd by  Elizabeth Stewart-Severy