Library Board Minutes for Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Minutes of the Board of Trustees

April 8, 2026

MINUTES of the regular meeting of the Pitkin County Library Board of Trustees on April 8,
2026. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM in the Dunaway Room.

1. Roll Call:

Trustees Present:

✔ Pres. John Wilkinson (JW)
✔ V.P. Elizabeth Nix (EN)
✔ Sec. Anna Lookabill (AL)
✔ Tres. Audrey Ellis (AE)
□ Ashley Connolly (AC)
✔ Chris Keleher (CK)
✔ Elizabeth Stewart-Severy (ES-S)

Alternate Present:

□ Andrew Travers (AT)

Staff Present:

✔ Genevieve Smith (GS), PC Librarian
✔ Anna Steinberg, Assistant to PC Librarian
✔ Ginny Beesley, PC Circulation Supervisor
✔ Jodie Grady, PC Assets & Project Manager

2. Approval of Minutes for March 11, 2026

Moved by Elizabeth Stewart-Severy 2nd by Audrey Ellis

Passed by the Board, unanimously

3. Public Comment:

• None

4. Trustees Comments & Librarian’s Report:

Trustee Comments-

• John Wilkinson had a Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) meeting last week- the funding at the State level is good.

Librarian’s Report-

• Austine Stitt is honored with the plaque but doesn’t want a to-do. Genevieve will order the
  plaque and once here a small gathering will be organized to honor Austine.
• Staffing & Operations:
  • Summer Seasonal Positions – two 40-hr-wk positions have been filled for summer
    season (May 3rd to November). Jennifer Hanson, returning for 3rd season & Katherine Rodas, currently a temporary employee transitioning into seasonal role
• Governance & Trustee Updates:
  • The BOCC confirmed Anna Lookabill’s renewal term and Chris Keleher’s appointment as a full Trustee on April 7 th .
• Strategic Plan Update:
  • Draft community needs assessment has been received and is being finalized to present to the board in May
  • Data Mapping is nearing completion- they worked with Ginny Beesley and PC GIS dept.
  • Mission & Vision Statements- Staff & Committee have refined the statements and the finals will be presented to the Board to adopt
  • Option A
    • Mission: We pique curiosity, strengthen connection, and open pathways to
      opportunity.
    • Vision: To be a trusted resource for learning and belonging, where our
      community is strengthened through access to ideas, resources, and one another.
  • Option B
    • Mission: Building community, inspiring connection, learning, and opening the
      door to mountains of possibility.
    • Vision: To be the welcoming heart of our vibrant community, where our
      community is we are strengthened through access to ideas, resources, and one another.
• Security, Facilities & Building Updates:
  • Safety Barrier Project: please refer to updated designs. The plans now include additional bike racks and parking- but do not note the existing
    racks. And a proposal to sandblast sandstone pavers instead of drilling into the concrete as a compromise to bring in the element while avoiding modifications to existing concrete.
  • Security Camera Project: is in final stages and will be operational in April. Please refer
    to FAQ sheet- Pitkin County Library’s approach follows those recommendations by:
    • Not recording audio
    • Not actively monitoring cameras
    • Limiting footage retention to 30 days
    • Tightly restricting access to footage
    • Excluding small meeting rooms, computer screens, and collections from
      recording
  • This approach is designed to support safety while respecting the privacy and
    confidentiality that are central to library service.
  • Patron Behavior Issues: continue to trend downward
    • January 2025 (14) vs 2026 (9)
    • February 2025 (10) vs 2026 (7)
    • March 2025 (12) vs 2026 (10)
• Annual Report (Infographic): Ginny Beesely presented data points via a PowerPoint slide show
  and infographics to the Board about the Library’s annual report required by State Law to be
  submitted via a survey design and administered by the Colorado State Library (C.R.S. 24-90-
  109 (2.5)).
  • Comments from Board included asking staff how we self-promote this data to make
    sure the City of Aspen, County, and patrons understand the role the Library plays in the community.
  • Board also asked about the average number of footfalls on a daily basis for comparison.

5. Old Business-

• Safety Barrier Project: Update by Jodie Grady
  • Design as it currently stands has been approved by the BOCC and will go out for bid to hopefully be executed in August/September of 2026.
  • The plans now include additional bike racks and parking- but do not note the existing
    racks- the board agreed for staff to look into replacing the current racks to meet the
    needs of larger wheels and electric bikes that are more popular with patrons.
  • And a proposal to sandblast sandstone pavers instead of drilling into the concrete as a
    compromise to bring in the element while avoiding modifications to existing concrete.
  • Board had no objections to the current plan
• Electrification Project Update: Presented and led by Jodie Grady
  • Site visit end of March provided blue tape to indicate areas that will be closed off to
    accommodate the scaffolding needed to reach the ceiling for the support beams to hold the added weight of the five new electric components of the project. Areas will be
    enclosed to limit dust and noise, and the most disruptive work will be completed after
    hours.
  • Currently, the project is planned to begin May 11 th and scaffolding will be removed by
    the end of the month. Some items while prepped for will not arrive until later in the
    summer- so the project will not be fully complete until a later date. A calendar will be
    updated with more details and provided - TBD.
  • The board toured the areas planned for closure and learned what mitigations will be
    done for the computer and seating areas that will be disrupted.
• Library Mission & Vision Statements:
  • Option B Mission with some modifications was Moved by Chris Keleher and 2nd by Elizabeth Stewart- Severy
    • Passed by Board, unanimously
  • Option B Vision with some modifications was Moved by Elizabeth Nix and 2nd by Audrey Ellis
    • Passed by Board, unanimously

6. New Business-

• Establish a Policy Review Subcommittee: Tabled
• AV Demo: Presented by Michael Faas, Adult Services Librarian- Full Demo Tabled

7. Review Future Meetings Schedule 2026

May 13, June 10 (Annual Meeting), July 8, August 12, September 16* (3rd Wednesday), October 14

8. Adjourned @ 1:08 PM

Moved by Elizabeth Stewart- Severy 2nd by Audrey Ellis