Library board approves 2024 work plan; to gather public input on outdoor classroom and highlight environmental stewardship

The Los Alamos County Library Board approved a revised work plan for 2024 that prioritizes public outreach for an outdoor classroom project, continued promotion of library initiatives such as the Seed Library and Library of Things, and increased collaboration with other county boards and the inclusivity task force.

The board approved a plan to launch a public survey on February 14 that will remain open for about two weeks to gather feedback specifically on the outdoor classroom design. “We will have poster boards and paper surveys in the lobby at Mesa and in the vestibule in White Rock,” said Gwen, the library manager. She encouraged board members to staff outreach tables at upcoming events and identified two early opportunities: a gardening panel at Mesa Public Library on Feb. 15 and the Seed Library’s third anniversary event on March 1.

Board members discussed adding environmental stewardship language to the work plan so the board’s outreach could emphasize design features that minimize tree removal and avoid negative impacts on water flow and erosion. The board amended the work plan language to include “design features which would protect natural resources” alongside the outdoor classroom outreach item.

The board also agreed to continue distributing monthly summaries and library highlights to broaden public engagement, to repeat a reduced schedule of 10 board meetings in 2024 with two meetings at the White Rock branch, and to explore new collaborations with county departments such as Parks and Recreation and Public Utilities where relevant to the outdoor classroom.

Cook Young, a member of the county Inclusivity Task Force who attended the meeting, said the task force plans to give final recommendations to county council on improving inclusivity across county programming and offered to review the library’s foreign-language and multicultural collections.

Manager’s report figures discussed at the meeting showed January circulation of 30,401 total items, of which 9,404 were digital (about 31%). Staff also reported upcoming programs, the planned continuation of evening social services hours once a month at both branches, a sound study contract for Mesa Public Library, and a White Rock Library 10th anniversary celebration planned for July 26.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (Jan. 6 meeting): Motion to accept minutes as presented was moved and seconded; minutes were approved by voice vote (no roll call recorded). - Friends of the Library liaison appointment: The board moved that Frances serve as liaison through August and that Michelle serve for the remainder of the calendar year; motion seconded and approved by voice vote. - Work plan: Motion to approve a slightly edited version of the work plan (including added environmental stewardship language) was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

No vote tallies were recorded in the transcript; motions were approved by unanimous/voice consent as recorded.