St. Helens library director says state received partial LSTA drawdown; outlines summer programming, makerspace and local history plans

Suzanne, St. Helens library director, told the Public Library Board on April 14 that the State Library of Oregon had received one LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) drawdown of $411,000 and that remaining funds for LSTA 2024 competitive subgrants totaled $569,428. She said the drawdown included payroll for 12 affected state library positions.

The drawdown came after national-level staffing changes at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Suzanne told the board, and followed a period in which most states’ LSTA funding had been frozen. “The state library had received 1 of the LSTA 2024 grant drawdowns,” she said, attributing the information to an email from State Librarian Wendy Cornelison. Suzanne also referenced the multistate lawsuit, “Rhode Island versus Trump,” while describing the fast-moving federal situation.

The LSTA program, Suzanne explained, is administered by IMLS and distributes funds through the State Library of Oregon; the advisory council reviewed 16 competitive grant applications this year focused on underserved communities. She said about $350,000 in competitive grants would be available in “up to $50,000 increments,” and that final award information would be shared by the State Library when distributions are confirmed.

Suzanne detailed local library operations and upcoming programs. The Summer Library Challenge runs June 16 to Aug. 9 this year; staff expect larger participation than last year, when Suzanne said the program drew “500 and more” participants across youth, teen and adult events. The city’s communications staff will issue a press release about the schedule in roughly a month.

She reported progress on a new makerspace and an adjacent local history room. Shelving donated by the North Bend Public Library will be installed, and library staff Brenda and Nicole are inventorying and planning cataloging so materials become searchable online. Suzanne asked the board to consider naming the local history room and proposed convening a temporary subcommittee to gather name suggestions for a city-council decision. “Any name that we might use would be approved by city council,” she said; board members agreed Suzanne would circulate an email soliciting suggestions and the item would be on next month’s agenda.

On health and safety services, Suzanne said the library continues to distribute free Narcan, COVID-19 tests and masks obtained from Columbia County Public Health. “There’s an uptick in COVID, so we’ve also seen an uptick in tests distributing,” she said, noting a recent weekend drawdown of about 20 test kits.

Facility work includes new and repaired overhead lighting, spring HVAC maintenance and plans to enhance ventilation in the new makerspace because it will see higher occupancy and equipment use. She said the building’s original furnaces sometimes require replacement parts and that public-works staff are assisting with electrical and upcoming plumbing work for the makerspace.

Operational notes: Suzanne said the library will soon post a hiring announcement for a summer teen intern to help run the Summer Library Challenge and form a teen library council; she will also attend the Oregon Library Association conference and the state library board meeting later in the month to monitor federal/state developments.

Mayor Massey, who attended the meeting, praised library staff and volunteers. “I just wanna applaud all of you for the time and effort you guys put forward and especially you, Suzanne, for all of your communications,” she said.

Suzanne told the board she will continue submitting monthly reports and attends city council work sessions to answer questions about services and the library’s needs. Board members asked questions and confirmed they would circle back on naming the local history room after reviewing the email Suzanne will send.