Library board outlines staff presentation topics, outreach schedule and early summer‑reading signups

The Los Alamos County Library Board on Tuesday discussed a proposed schedule of staff presentations for the coming year, outreach opportunities and early participation numbers for the summer‑reading program.

Library Manager Gwen said the board typically schedules three recurring presentations each year — a strategic plan update (around December), an annual report for the state library (September or October) and a summer‑reading planning session — and asked members what additional topics they wanted staff to present. “About this time of year is when we start thinking about the coming year's worth of meetings,” Gwen said, explaining staff presents 20–25 minute briefings so board members can follow operations and projects.

The board suggested repeating presentations on collection development and withdrawal processes, digital resources, community engagement and the library's needs assessment and revised collection development guidelines that are due to the state library. Brian, a board member, asked specifically about the library's online resources and whether staff had considered a library subscription to a large language model such as ChatGPT. “If there is a move to get sort of a library subscription to one of the large language models like chat g p t, what if any plans are in the works for doing something like that,” he asked.

Gwen said the annual report presentation in September or October would include how Los Alamos ranks nationally in the state library database and that a digital‑resources overview and a 12‑month look at the new website would pair well.

The board also reviewed outreach plans. Chair reported recent outreach at Earth Day with the seed library volunteers and outlined upcoming opportunities: a senior health fair on Thursday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the senior center (Norma is attending from library staff), PrideFest (library will have a table), and farmers market booths where county councilors will host a booth on Aug. 2, Sept. 25 and Oct. 23; board members were invited to sign up for one‑hour shifts at the council booth. Gwen said library staff planned to attend several summer concerts and other community events as well.

Manager's report: Gwen said May circulation totaled 23,526 in print and 8,983 digital checkouts (about 28% digital). She reported new and recurring programs, including a creative studio at Mesa on Tuesdays and a repeat of the popular "read with a..." series in White Rock. Summer reading opened that day with 40 adults, 7 teens and 37 youth signed up through the Beanstack app.

Gwen also reported project work: a front‑garden refresh at Mesa Public Library with new bike racks, a bike repair station and benches; a sound/acoustics study at Mesa to improve study‑room acoustics; and progress on an outdoor classroom, for which staff will bring design and cost details next month and seek the board's support and recommendations before presenting to the Parks and Recreation Board.

Personnel: Gwen said Daniel Gagan has resigned to take a position at Pikes Peak Library District and that a national recruitment for his replacement will begin soon.

Procedural action: the board moved and seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the April 7 meeting; the motion was seconded by Sarah and no objection was recorded in the transcript.

The board set the next meeting for July 7 and confirmed August as a month off; members were asked to check and confirm a planned September meeting date (noted in discussion as Sept. 8).