Directors Zoom Recording & Notes
NOVember 25, 2020
Notes from the call:
Mari Martin (Director, Libraries Branch)
BC is not going in the direction of Manitoba. There’s no concern for libraries being a hot bed of transmission. We have put a lot in place to make things more safe for staff and patrons.
Children 12 and under are exempt from masks
Cabinet will be announced tomorrow around 2 pm (Thurs)
Conversation about essential services and libraries. Concern that BC libraries won’t go in the direction of Alberta and Winnipeg where libraries closed.
VIRL update from Rosemary about writing a letter to Premier Horgan with request for VIRL to be declared as essential.
Desire to know more information about what “essential services” really means. Libraries Branch is doing some research on that. Once we learn more, we can decide whether this is something we want to advocate for or not.
(25:00). Confidential portion of call begins.
Further conversation about “essential services.”
What impact would being declared “essential” have on budgets or funding?
(45:37). Question and comment about masks vs face shields, and exemptions, what does it actually mean. Lack of clarity around how to handle medical accommodations.
If you have a problem with someone not wearing a mask that’s escalating towards an incident, walk away and call the police.
We can’t enforce the wearing of masks if they say they have a medical accommodation. We have to take them at face value, we can’t ask for proof.
Important that library staff don’t put a barrier to service when someone says they have a medical accommodation. This could create human rights issues.
NOVember 18, 2020
Notes from the call:
(1:20). Guests from the Coop: Kevin Millsip (Executive Director), Tami Setala, and Scott Leslie.
Tami Setala re: online databases.
Using funds to buy Lynda.com and Tumblebooks, and RBDigital. Licensing deals and pricing has been finalized except for RBDigital.
Postponing Lynda.com launch until Feb 1, 2021 due to migration from Lynda.com into LinkedIn
Subscriptions - if you already have a subscription to Tumble Books and/or Lynda, you’ll receive an invoice but it will say $0. In terms of refunds for those libraries who are already subscribed, Tami will send notifications to the impacted libraries with the refund amounts, and to ask for EFT transfer information.
Next steps: starting marketing plan, training to be set up in January
(12:15) Scott Leslie re: connectivity.
1) Planning Guide to Lendable Connectivity (ie hotspots, tablets, phones) - https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lending-Connectivity-Tools-guide-final-Nov2020.pdf This project involves a relationship with a TelCo company. And they’re not really incentivized to do this. Even large libraries have challenges with this. The ones that have been successful its been through a combination of good planning, a good relationship with the Telco, and at a scale that’s hard to achieve unless you’re a really big library. Coop encourages you to join a larger table to do this together. If we can achieve a scale through cooperating with many libraries through a Telco that has a province wide reach, then we could do something that has a significant impact for patrons. If that’s of interest, after reading these links and discussing amongst yourselves, please get in touch and we can talk about it down the road if there’s enough interest.
2) Introduction to Networking for Public Libraries - (a guide) https://wiki.libraries.coop/doku.php?id=public:network-tech-guide:start This is a technical guide meant to give an overview of the components to get your network going. Will give you some vocabulary and understanding of your networks, and offer suggestions of specific brands and devices especially for small and mid-size libraries.
3) Connectivity Consultant - https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/connectivity/connectivity-consultant/
If you’re thinking at all about improving your network, either external connection or internal hardware, Stephen Forrest is very much available and willing to talk with you. That engagement can be as little as an hour’s conversation or as long as many weeks investigating options for you. There’s no constraint within reason.
Connectivity Top Up Fund - https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/connectivity/connectivity-top-up-fund/
Strategic Network Hardware Fund - https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/connectivity/network-hardware-fund/
Successfully Grantees to Date - https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/connectivity/successful-grantees-to-date/
The Coop is not seeing the uptake they had hoped. Please take advantage of these resources because we have them now, and it can’t hurt to reach out and see how we can help.
(27:41). Guest Mari Martin, Director of the Libraries Branch.
Right now, there’s no specific COVID relief fund for libraries to go after. Deb Koep (North Van City) shared that the COVID relief funds have been distributed and she thinks it’s unlikely libraries will see any of those funds. Good idea to share with your municipalities about how much extra money you’ve spent on COVID.
(35:26). Mari provided an interim report about the technology grants, highlighting the kinds of projects BC public libraries are doing.
(56:11). Conversation about Masks. (This was an open conversation with guests still.)
Interlink libraries shared they haven’t received much push back and there’s been pretty high mask compliance.
Some libraries have experienced push back about wearing masks, or else mask compliance is just very low. Nelson received 12 letters to their board.
(1:02:40). Staff are required to wear masks but no enforcement for the public.
(1:09:53). Libraries can enforce a Code of Conduct.
(1:15:00). Our job is to keep our staff safe. We can only do what we can to help the public.
north van city library customer service guidelines
Applies to staff and customers:
We are a trust-based community – We trust one another to do the right thing. We assume best intentions and raise concerns with curiosity, not judgement.
We treat others with respect – We treat others as we would like to be treated and speak to others as we would like to be spoken to.
We promote critical thinking and act based on evidence – We make decisions based on research and the guidance of local health authorities and WorkSafe.
We educate with empathy – Our role is to promote safe practices, not enforce public health recommendations. We recognize that individuals makes choices for their own reasons, which may not be apparent to others.
Safety is paramount – When people act in ways that put others at significant, immediate risk we will first inform and respectfully request a change. Individuals who are not following library safety policies may be asked to leave.
We are doing our best when we’re not at our best – We recognize that people are struggling with pressures and worries. Sometimes we lose our tempers or forget our manners. We will try to do our best and forgive others and ourselves when we are not at our best.
Be calm. Be kind. Be safe.(1:23:00). Guests left. Confidential part of conversation began.
(1:25:00). Libraries as “essential services.” We’d like more advocacy around this, and understanding that libraries are critical services for society and need to stay open. We don’t want to be surprised by a library shut down order. It’s a good idea to start planting seeds with your municipality and letting them know there’d be no reason for libraries to shut down again, that we’re set up to continue offering services, even if we go back to curb side pick up.
(1:32:30). Question if anyone is bargaining virtually with their unions. Scott shared that he’s aware of roughly 25 municipalities who have engaged in wage and term negotiations (generally 2% per year with no major changes). Basically placeholder type agreements until we can get into more of a position of more certainty.
Okanagan Regional meetings are scheduled for Dec 2020.
Richmond is moving forward with a roll over deal. If you’re about to sign your roll over deal, do it fast because you’ll be matching Richmond’s deal. It’s 2.25%, then 2.5%.
(1:37:20). Any updates about your 2021 funding levels?
Okanagan Regional just approved 0.75% increase.
FVRL just approved library increase of 1.98%.
Powell River board just approved 3.6% increase. But this increase will just cover the increased janitorial required for covid safety. Which is why it’d be great for municipalities to share some of the covid relief funds.
Richmond has gone forward with a 2.31% increase for 2021 - still draft but supported by city finance right now.
Terrace was asked to cut our budget this year (2020) , and cut our budget next year as well.
Grand Forks asked for a 6.5% increase but won’t know if we got it until a quarter of it is spent
(1:42:40). Rebecca in Powell River met with WorkSafe. The person there mentioned that he been made aware by his boss that they will be focusing on restaurants and libraries.