Trustee Newsletter October 2020

31st Annual Meeting

Thank you so much to everyone that was able to join us for Pioneer Library System's 31st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 14. Hopefully, the evening proved to be a wonderful break from the stress of the past few months.

Congratulations to all our OWWLie Award winners, including Trustees from Geneva Public Library and Walworth-Seely Public Library. I would also like to acknowledge the recipient of Livingston County's Ludlum-Holroyd Service Award, Joyce Wechsler from the Wadsworth Public Library. I feel grateful that despite the ongoing uncertainties, we were able to have a good time and acknowledge the hardworking, dedicated, and talented library staff, Trustees, and volunteers from our 42 member libraries.

System-Wide Delivery

We continue to closely monitor the ongoing public health concerns in the Finger Lakes region to guide decisions on system services to the 42 OWWL libraries including delivery. With students returning to school, and some COVID-fatigue, we have seen an uptick in cases in our communities. Even though our region has had relatively low rates throughout, hot spots can quickly develop. Our approach has been designed to keep quarantine practices in place for the safety of our drivers, system staff, member library staff, and the library communities and we intend to continue on that path.

On August 26 PLS resumed moving materials between the OWWL libraries, and on September 14 OWWL cardholders were able to once again place Holds on items owned by other libraries. All libraries are now receiving delivery once a week. On Monday, October 5 (yesterday) an additional delivery run was added for the libraries who have heavier delivery loads as determined by circulation statistics. Our goal is to gradually increase delivery runs to libraries and work towards re-implementing full delivery.

All decisions regarding delivery will continue to be made with guidance from local and state government agencies. We will continue to adhere to all Executive Orders issued by New York State as well as the mandates in NY Forward. In accordance with recommended safety guidelines from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), all outbound library materials continue to go through a quarantine period, meaning items may take longer to be transported. Staffing and budget constraints at the system will also influence the rate of delivery.

We will continue to update Directors on all decisions as they are made so they can prepare appropriately and publicize relevant information to their communities.

Monthly Board Meetings

The Executive Order allowing the suspension of in-person meeting requirement of Open Meetings Law has been extended until November 3 in Executive Order 202.67. We encourage library Boards to continue to take advantage of this provision for as long as they are able. If there are any questions or you would like assistance setting up an online meeting of the Board of Trustees, please reach out.

Planning 2021 Trustee Workshops

To help plan our 2021 Trustee Workshop schedule, we're asking Trustees and Directors to complete this quick questionnaire to let us know what they are interested in learning about.

The Community Web on Owwl Docs is the best place to find all of the information we discussed in 2020.

A Fond Farewell

On Thursday, October we said "Goodbye" to Cindy Gardner after 42 years of service to the Pioneer Library System. Current and former system employees, member library staff, and Trustees from across the system showered Cindy with a lot of love and appreciation sending cards, pictures, flowers, poems, and videos wishing her well. We will all miss the knowledge, experience, and joy she brought to the system office. I wish Cindy all the best in this much-deserved next chapter.

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