MINUTES

CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS

LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

March 23, 2021

Website - http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com

CALL TO ORDER

5:03 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North,

North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030

ROLL CALL

(Trustees attended the meeting virtually via telephone.)

TRUSTEES PRESENT

Chairwoman Henry

Vice Chairwoman Esparza

Trustee Berry-Johnson

Trustee Lockhart

Trustee Powers

Trustee Reese

TRUSTEES ABSENT

Trustee Gomez

STAFF PRESENT

Library Director Lewis

Chief Deputy City Attorney Eidsmore

City Clerk Raynor

Deputy City Clerk/Recording Secretary Calma

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - BY INVITATION

Vice Chairwoman Esparza

PUBLIC FORUM

There was no public participation.

AGENDA

1.	Approve Library District Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Agenda of March 23, 2021. (For Possible Action)

ACTION:	APPROVED
MOTION:	Vice Chairwoman Esparza
SECOND:	Trustee Berry-Johnson
AYES:	Chairwoman Henry, Vice Chairwoman Esparza, Trustees Berry-Johnson, Lockhart, Powers, and Reese
NAYS:	None
ABSTAIN:	None
ABSENT:	Trustee Gomez

CONSENT AGENDA

2.	Approve Library District Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2021. (For Possible Action)

ACTION:	APPROVED
MOTION:	Trustee Lockhart
SECOND:	Trustee Powers
AYES:	Chairwoman Henry, Vice Chairwoman Esparza, Trustees Berry-Johnson, Lockhart, Powers, and Reese
NAYS:	None
ABSTAIN:	None
ABSENT:	Trustee Gomez

BUSINESS

3.

Ratify Submission of Grant Application in the Total Amount of $4,990; $3,000 in Grant Funding and $1,990 in In-Kind Funds for the 2020 Library Services and Technology Act Mini Grant, Which Will Be Used to Create Grab and Go Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEAM) Kits, in Support of the Summer Reading Program. (For Possible Action)

Director Lewis stated the grant funding would be used to purchase grab and go STEAM kits for elementary students, including additional kits for the teen program and preschool program which would be centered around literacy learning.  He stated the kits would contain activities such as origami and STEAM related programs, noting that written instructions would be inside the kits as well as video instructions that could be obtained by scanning a QR code.  He noted that if the libraries are not open by summer, the kits would be available through curbside service.

In response to Vice Chairwoman Esparza, Director Lewis stated the kits do not need to be returned back to the library and would be designed to be used and kept at home. 

In response to Trustee Powers, Director Lewis stated that feedback on the kits could be submitted digitally or on paper.

ACTION:	RATIFIED
MOTION:	Vice Chairwoman Esparza
SECOND:	Trustee Lockhart
AYES:	Chairwoman Henry, Vice Chairwoman Esparza, Trustees Berry-Johnson, Lockhart, Powers, and Reese
NAYS:	None
ABSTAIN:	None
ABSENT:	Trustee Gomez

4.	Accept Presentation Regarding the Library Reopening Plan.

Director Lewis shared that the North Las Vegas Library District has utilized staff for various projects during the pandemic such as volunteering with the Three Square food bank, the Southern Nevada Health District for contact tracing, and working with the City to distribute CARES Act dollars to both businesses and residents.  He stated that library staff has been working with the Fire Department and the City on a vaccination project where library staff would schedule appointments for residents to receive the vaccine, noting that they are also working on an upcoming project to get vaccinations to home-bound residents.  He stated that the library is working in conjunction with The Friends of the Library on a program through Lyft to get donated rides for people who have transportation issues and are not able to make it to vaccination centers.  Director Lewis noted that library staff is continuing to provide curbside and digital programming services.

Director Lewis stated that the North Las Vegas Library District’s opening plans would take place in the upcoming months but was pending final approval from City management, noting that the opening plans would be brought before the Mayor and City Council in April.  He stated that the downtown library at City Hall would be the first location to open on April 19, 2021, the Aliante Library would open around May 1, 2021 and the Alexander Library would open at the end of May to coincide with the end of the school year as the SNUMA Academy was being held at that location. Director Lewis stated the libraries would be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a possibility to have the libraries open six days a week, noting the services would be limited to browsing.

In response to Trustee Reese, Director Lewis stated there are no plans to have in-person programming during the summer and that students have access to Brainfuse for homework assistance.   He stated that the Summer Reading Program would be digital and the STEAM Grab and Go kits were to compliment the Summer Reading Program, noting the program information would be distributed to schools.

In response to Vice Chairwoman Esparza, Director Lewis stated that the library is evaluating the situation with the Emergency Operation Command (EOC) to see what other services the library can provide in a safe matter.

In response to Trustee Berry-Johnson, Director Lewis clarified that the library budget presentation would be on the agenda at the next Library Board meeting on May 25, 2021.  City Clerk Raynor clarified with Director Lewis that the City would have its first budget presentation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year at the City Council meeting on April 7, 2021.

ACTION:		PRESENTATION ACCEPTED
	STAFF ITEMS

Director Lewis shared the following updates:

• The final submittal for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant for the North Las Vegas Library District’s Five-Year Strategic Plan that was approved at the January 26, 2021 Library Board meeting is in process.
• Library systems nationwide have received the latest round of stimulus funding of 200 million dollars and each state is guaranteed at least two million dollars to be dispersed through grant funding and programming.
• A bill is being proposed to Congress that would set aside five billion dollars to build new libraries and update infrastructure across the nation.
• The proposed partnership with the Clark County School District in relation to registering students for a public library card when registering for school has progressed and the City Attorney’s Office is reviewing the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• The North Las Vegas Library District has been working with the California Library Association to have a digital conference in May that would contain over 100 hours of conference programming.  A partnership with the Nevada Library Association would allow members to attend the digital conference and drop the conference fee from $350 to $150.  There are 66 scholarships for Nevada Library Association members to attend the conference.  Non-members can apply for the scholarship and would be granted an honorary membership through the end of the year.  More information would be sent out when the details are finalized.
• The North Las Vegas Library District has been named a finalist for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Out of 15 museums and 15 libraries across the country, the North Las Vegas Library District was the only institution in Nevada to make it to the finalist list.  Each finalist is designated a special day to be honored at the institution and he stated that April 22, 2021 would be the designated day for the North Las Vegas Library District. Then in May, only three libraries and three museums from the finalists would receive the medal.  Director Lewis thanked the Board, library staff, and City staff that helped get the library nominated for the medal.

In response to Trustee Reese, Director Lewis clarified that the option to sign up for a public library card during school registration is only for Clark County School District students and not for charter school students.

BOARD ITEMS

Chairwoman Henry shared that the 50th Anniversary for the Week of the Young Child would take place on April 10, 2021 to April 16, 2021 and stated that it would be great to recognize the younger learners during that week.  Director Lewis thanked Chairwoman Henry for the information and stated he would promote it.

PUBLIC FORUM

There was no public participation.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.

APPROVED:

/s/ Tameka Henry

Tameka Henry,

Chairwoman

ATTEST:

/s/ Jessica B. Calma

Jessica B. Calma,

Deputy City Clerk/Recording Secretary