HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board of Trustees - 01/19/2023 - Advocacy
Advocacy Committee Minutes Thursday, January 19, 2023 – 6:00 pm
Present: Library Trustees: Rebecca Stazi - Chair, Holly Painter, Penne Tompkins, Stacey Pape Staff: Library Director Jennifer Murray
6:05 p.m. Call to Order
Additions or deletions to the posted agenda None
Comments and questions from the public not related to items on the agenda There were no members of the public present. Jennifer Murray informed the committee members that Trustee Lee Freeman has resigned from the Library trustees and the Advocacy Committee.
Approval of November 17, 2022 minutes
Holly Painter made a motion to approve the minutes and Penne Tompkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Review of current Advocacy Projects
1. Thank You Video Rebecca reported that she was able to work with a friend (Olli Birgisson) who is a professional video camera person for WPTZ on creating a new version of the initial video, working with the outline and new video material recorded in December. The video length is 1 minute, 20 seconds. The process took over 4 hours. Rebecca showed the video to the committee which was appreciated by all and will be finalized within a few days. There was discussion about how the committee can acknowledge this volunteer for his time. Rebecca will ask the volunteer about his preferences. There are no credits listed on the video itself outside of a required music credit. Next steps for distributing the video were reviewed: the original video will “live” on the SBPL YouTube channel. Distribution:
• 1st priority: email to donors, segmented between regular donors and naming level donors: Penne to contact Kevin to work on this project.
• SBPL website - identify multiple pages where it can be linked, SBL Foundation website
• Via library monthly newsletter, March
• City News in a few weeks – via Jennifer to city staff
• And then on social: Foundation FB, tagging library and Library Instagram (Foundation does not currently have an Instagram account)
• Jennifer also noted that the library’s page on donations for Foundation needs to be updated.
2. Window clings This is a previously discussed idea for visibility. Discussion followed about what text or visual would be used. Members agreed the text to use reflects a larger need for the new library to have a tag line and it was agreed that Stacey would put this topic on the next full trustees meeting agenda.
3. Visual version of the library strategic plan The Strategic Plan Committee wanted to task the advocacy committee with creating a “rack” item graphically interesting version of the library’s key strategic goal statements. Next steps: Stacey will share back to the members the approved strategic plan and Penne will reach out to Samantha (graphic designer) about the project. She has done work for the Aspire campaign in the past.
4. Bus Signs The possibility of using interior bus signs to announce and help bring new users to the library had been explored previously. Rebecca will share the costs that were previously identified. Since this would be a new expense, it was thought this might be a good item to include in a grant request, and the idea will be shared with the Foundation grants committee.
5. Ongoing Advocacy activities:
• Reminding trustees to follow, like and comment on SBPL posts on FB and Instagram
• Ask trustees to write short blurbs about things they like about the library, reading, poetry – material appropriate for sharing on the library blog
• Develop a system for helping the library staff to distribute flyers about upcoming programs- there had been a volunteer who did this for years who is no longer doing this so it is a new need
• Immediate need: help library promote the annual #libraryshelfie Instagram campaign January 25 by sharing a photo of him/herself in front of a library bookshelf with a favorite book- preferably at the SBPL or at home. Stacey will share that request with all trustees ASAP.
Communications Planning Framework discussion was tabled until February.
Upcoming Amplification opportunities Jennifer shared descriptions and dates of upcoming special programs that will benefit from spreading greater awareness about them:
• Seed sharing with an Abenaki presenter, experienced gardener February 8
• Music history series about German music during the WWII presented by library staff Lois Price – 4th Thursdays thru April
Other Business Penne mentioned the upcoming public meetings regarding the city’s updating of the comprehensive plan; there is not any specific meeting geared towards the library but there is one on Community and culture. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Penne Tompkins, Advocacy Committee member