Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian, has invited everyone to join him at informal meetings at locations across the city to talk about the future of The Seattle Public Library. This Community Conversation was focused on our innovative services that meet the public's changing needs and interests, and our goals and priorities that support learning for everyone. The conversation was held at the Columbia Branch from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. About 30 people attended.
Turner shared an overview of our Strategic Direction, which guides planning and decision-making for the Library. The Strategic Direction focuses on three things: what we're doing to promote individual growth and learning, how we're impacting the greater community and how efficiently we're performing as an institution.
He then discussed increased Library services and resources made possible by the 2012 Library Levy: increased hours (including at the Columbia Branch), all Library locations open on Sunday, collections, technology and building maintenance. About the Carnegies like Columbia Branch, he said, "These buildings are an investment; they have been in the communities for many years." Turner also showed two financial charts: where Library funds come from, and how they are spent.
Turner acknowledged Minnie A. Collins in the audience, who participates in the African American Writers' Alliance group that meets at Columbia Branch, and mentioned other local partnerships like The Refugee Women's Alliance, The Rainier Art Center, The Rainier Chamber of Commerce, and the Dearborn After School program.
He asked if we should focus on any additional partnerships. The audience suggested the King County Legal Bar's free clinics, and Youthcare, an organization focused on serving insecurely housed youth.
Turner described how our Fresh Start program, funded by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, has helped 700 teens to have their Library accounts cleared of fines and fees.
Turner then addressed the recent South Seattle Emerald article about the Library’s Rules of Conduct (ROC) and youth excluded for inappropriate behaviors from libraries in the southeast region. He said that exclusions are a last resort, after many conversations. Librarians live in the communities they work in, and know the kids and their families.
Turner said that the Rules of Conduct are usually reviewed when we find that a specific rule isn't working for the Library anymore. This year, the Library is establishing a task force to look at all of our Rules of Conduct.
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Turner briefly mentioned other Library services, including the Museum Pass program, Lynda.com, access to Consumer Reports, language learning services, genealogy tools, and access to market research databases for your business.
Turner said that we don’t ask the race of patrons when interacting in service to them or when we are dealing with disruptive behaviors in our libraries. Staff will note observational information for other staff to ensure continuity of service and approach. An article used this observational information to make the claim, but it is not reliable data. Regardless, the Library is concerned by those findings and will be undergoing a full review of our Rules of Conduct and their impacts beginning this fall.
Turner noted that the Library's commitment to patron privacy and intellectual freedom makes this issue difficult. However, we do use data from Library surveys to look at the Library's response to issues, and we are in a continuous state of engaging with community to understand their needs and experiences.
Turner replied that we need to get everyone in a region together to talk about it. Community and Library perspectives need to align.
Turner said the people in uniform are Library security officers.
Turner said the Library would do all that. To put these exclusions in perspective, last year, the Library had 852 exclusions out of over 5 million successful visits. That's less than one-half of 1% of the visits.
Turner said that the Library's Rules of Conduct are available on the website and in a brochure. The Library can look at adding the steps to exclusion to the website.
Turner said it will include Library staff and administrators, and members of the community -- both youth and adults.
Wei Cai, regional manager, said no. Turner said that we can look into contracting with people so staff can learn how to use the studio.
Turner noted that Columbia is a Carnegie library and historical landmark, so there are lots of restrictions on what we can do. For instance, when the Library rebuilt the Queen Anne Branch's chimney, we had to take it apart and rebuild it with the exact same brick. It's possible that we might be able to expand Columbia in the basement area.
Turner introduced librarian Erica Sternin, who connects with schools around the Columbia Branch. He also said that he recently met the new Schools superintendent at the Broadview Branch, where they talked about how to enhance the school district’s relationships with the Library.
Turner said that the Library's marketing department is encouraging staff to do more outreach with social media. Regarding opera and ballet, the Library is definitely interested in offering more of those programs.
Turner summarized her requests as: adding more non-fiction children's books on science and math; adding math vocabulary to story times; and expanding Summer of Learning programs with more science and math for kids.
Turner said that we have to think about the Library's time and money, but can definitely look at hosting a pop-up science lab.
Turner said that free printing is always a budgeting issue. He acknowledged that King County offers free printing, and said that it's something the Library is always revisiting.
Turner said that the Library is teaming up with Seattle Public Schools to discuss programs. Our focus is on informal learning, during after school times. We want kids and teens to come to the Library for learning after school.