May 12, 2026
Library Advisory Board Minutes: May 12, 2026
For Multnomah County Library Advisory Board
The Multnomah County Library Advisory Board (LAB) met for a virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The meeting began at 5:34 pm.
Board members present were:
ALife Allah, David Jarvis, Jade Chan, Jose Ramirez Reyes, Kate Fleming, Kelsey Fong, Kristi Ketchum, Megan Parrott, and Nikia Solbjor.
Domiè Newton and Joe Marquez were not available; and Ingrid Jacobson, London Sorcinelli, Madison Riethman, Naomi Margolis, and Tia-Theo Thompson were absent.
Staff members present were: Annie Lewis, library director; Jen Studebaker, library community services director; Maddelyn High, management analyst; and Stephen Houser, library deputy director. Commissioner Jones-Dixon, District 4, Multnomah County was also in attendance.
Library staff members Danielle Jones, Jacqueline Partch, Kate Carter, Mandy Tuthill, and Natasha Forrester Campbell were also present.
WELCOME & CHECK-IN
LAB Co-Chair Jade Chan welcomed attendees, who shared introductions. Attendees participated in a group icebreaker.
MCL YOUTH SERVICES
Danielle Jones, Youth Development Manager, joined with members of the Library’s Youth Development Team to share an overview of youth services provided by MCL, including youth reader services; early childhood services; teen and tween services; and youth educator and student services. Staff shared information about the library’s array of offerings, as well as goals and approaches to serving youth, tweens, teens, their families, and educators.
A LAB member asked a question about how LAB, particularly its youth members, might work more closely with the library’s Youth Services Team. Members agreed that more discussion is needed to enhance leadership development opportunities for youth members, and around intention for youth member advisory more generally.
Staff noted that if any questions about Youth Services arise, LAB members are welcome to share them with LAB liaison Maddelyn High to pass along to staff for response and follow-up.
UPDATES FROM LIBRARY LEADERSHIP & DISCUSSION
Library Director Annie Lewis shared recent systemwide updates and highlights from the Director’s Report, including:
- The East County Library public opening on Saturday, May 16, with celebrations that included a huge lineup of programs and well-attended events all weekend
- Presentation of the library's draft budget on May 20, which will include summary remarks by LAB Finance/CBAC leads
- Some shifts in LAB member meetings based on feedback, including building more intentional opportunities for engagement and advisory services
In response to a question, Lewis shared that we don’t yet fully know the impacts of county budget cuts on library staff. The county’s budget adoption is expected on June 4, and we do expect some bumping in accordance with seniority guidelines and rights laid out in our union contract.
LAB members also shared excitement about the new East County Library, encouraging others to check it out as they’re able.
BOARD BUSINESS
Nikia Solbjor shared an update on Membership Committee activities. The first part of this year’s recruitment (application receipt and review) is complete, with 31 applications received for four open positions. Of those, 13 candidates are advancing to conversations with the Membership Committee in late May and early June. New candidate recommendations will be shared at LAB’s June 9 board meeting for consideration and a vote. LAB will also vote to elect leadership at the June 9 meeting.
The Membership Committee is also working to develop a LAB member survey to gather input around what’s working and suggestions for improvements, and to inform LAB’s operations going into a new fiscal year (FY2027).
Finance Committee members shared that Madison Riethman and David Jarvis will present a summary of LAB’s FY27 budget memo at the library’s May 20 budget work session.
LAB’s newest emergent workgroup, focused on inclusive culture, had an initial meeting in early May, although two interested members weren’t able to attend.
Meeting minutes for April 14, 2026, were approved with no changes.
CLOSING
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maddelyn High, director’s assistant
Multnomah County Library, Oregon