Zoom Meetup Recording & Notes

MAY 18, 2022

Watch the Recording

(0:05) Welcome and Introduction

  • Leigh Anne Palmer welcomed attendees and introduced guests.

(1:15) Mari Martin – Covid 19 Relief & Recovery Funding Summary

  • Mari provided an overview of the $8 million of funding, released at the end of March. 

    • $4,225,000 - directly to libraries specifically targeted for Covid 19 Relief & Recovery and Emergency Planning & Preparedness 

    • $775,000 - to the BCLTA, BCLA, the Coop, and Federations for provincial initiatives around accessibility and inclusion, including  $100,000 for the Summer Reading Club 

    • $2,500,000 - to the Coop to support provincial eCollections

    • $500,000 - to Public Library Network, Technology and Connectivity Infrastructure Support

    • The funding is intended to be flexible to meet the diversity of needs libraries have based on their local experiences

    • Interim reports are due August 15, 2022 ; final reports March 1, 2023  

    • The Ministry will provide a template for interim reports

  • The Coop, BCLA, and Federations will attend future Zoom meetings to share more information with members regarding their plans for the funding grants. 

(28:40) Accessible BC Act 

  • Deb shared that ABCPLD and the Coop met to discuss the potential for a sector approach to implementing the Act. Government has provided $3 million dollars of funding to the Disability Alliance of BC to support a sector response to the legislation.  The DABC is looking for proposals from sectors.  More updates and information will be communicated as work progresses.   

(37:40) Customer Service Training

  • Cari was looking for suggestions for providing customer service refresher training to staff post Covid. Members suggested InterLINK’s work with Mark Colgate.  The modules are already built. For more information connect with Michael Burris.  

(39:35) Ideas for use of one-time funding

  • The membership discussed plans and ideas for spending CRR funds, including:

    • Recovery & Relief Grant Expenditures

      • Indoor Space Enhancements - Building renovations, front automatic sliding door, new circulation desk with adjustable height; new staff workstations, accessible patron stations, water fountains

      • Outdoor Space Enhancements - Sun shades, tables,  benches

      • Technology - Wifi outdoors, replacement computers and monitors, lendable Wifi hotspots, network boxes, new server

      • Services - Refreshed programs, SRC, SEED catalogue, expanded online library service hours for patrons, enhanced children’s spaces with play tables and physical interactives

      • Staff supports - Tech training, resiliency supports, increased security 

    • Emergency preparedness funds:  

      • transition to cloud based data storage 

      • Reserves for extra hours to keep library open in event of an emergency (i.e. heat dome situation)

      • access to more air purification and water sources such as bottle filling stations

      • upgrades to cleaning protocols 

      • subscribing to a cloud backup service (3 years of service subscription to allow for time to find resources to continue this service beyond 3 years)

  • There was discussion about the merits of using grant funds for heat and cold activations for library spaces when this responsibility should fall to municipalities. 

  • There were questions regarding whether this funding will continue in the future.  The partners are considering engaging a lobbyist to work on achieving sustainable, ongoing increased funding.  This was discussed briefly at the Spring AGM and is documented in the minutes.  

(1:02:45) Announcement – Elizabeth Tracy

  • Elizabeth shared that she has resigned from her position as Library Director at Whistler Library and will be moving on into the role of CAO for the Village of Pemberton. Her position has been posted.  

 

The next Zoom Call meeting will be held on Wednesday June 15, 2022 from 2pm to 3pm.