January 13, 2026
Library Advisory Board Minutes: January 13, 2026
For Multnomah County Library Advisory Board
The Multnomah County Library Advisory Board (LAB) met virtually on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The meeting began at 5:32 pm.
Board members present were:
David Jarvis, Jade Chan, Jose Ramirez Reyes, Kate Fleming, Kristi Ketchum, Madison Riethman, Megan Parrott, Naomi Margolis, Nikia Kae Solbjor, and Tia-Theo Thompson
ALife Allah, Domiè Newton, Ingrid Jacobson, Joe Marquez, Kelsey Fong, and London Sorcinelli were unavailable.
Staff members present were: Annie Lewis, library director; Dave Ratliff, integrated services director; Jen Studebaker, community services director; Johnette Easter, HR director; Jon Worona, director of innovation & technology; Katie Shifley, finance & facilities director; Kirby McCurtis, location services director; Maddelyn High, management analyst; Sonja Ervin, equity manager; and Stephen Houser, library deputy director. Commissioner Jones-Dixon, District 4, Multnomah County; and a member of the public; were also in attendance.
WELCOME & CHECK-IN
LAB Co-Chair Kate Fleming welcomed attendees, who shared introductions and participated in a group icebreaker.
UPDATES FROM LIBRARY LEADERSHIP & DISCUSSION
Library Director Annie Lewis shared recent systemwide updates and highlights from the Director’s Report, including:
- Opening of the new Northwest Library. Over 1,900 folks visited opening events on Saturday January 10.
- The official launch of the Everybody Reads program
- Unexpected temporary closure of Troutdale Library due to a needed roof repair
- Temporary short-term closure of Sellwood Library for about a week (it is now back open) for additional bond work.
- Receipt of a special grant from The Carnegie Corporation of New York (via The Library Foundation) to honor Carnegie libraries. Three current MCL locations are Carnegie libraries – North Portland, Albina, and St. Johns libraries. The old Gresham Library location was also a Carnegie library.
- Continued progress on bond projects, including the recent early receipt of occupancy certification for the new East County Library – opening timelines will be announced soon.
In response to a question, Lewis shared how Everybody Reads program books are selected in partnership with library staff trained in readers advisory, and with Literary Arts, who hosts the event (and who vet options based on their own criteria). Author and book availability are considerations for book selection, as well as representation of diversity of experience/opinion.
A LAB member mentioned that they recently participated in a training on intellectual freedom offered by the library’s general Volunteer Services team (as part of orientation), inquiring about the availability of this training for LAB members. High committed to looking into it.
Lewis closed by expressing appreciation for LAB committees, which meet outside of general monthly LAB meetings, acknowledging the additional time commitment and extra work.
BOARD BUSINESS
Meeting minutes for the December 9, 2025, meeting was approved with no changes.
LAB member Taryn Sauer has resigned as of this meeting, due to an inability to participate in meetings and committees.
Membership Committee members shared a quick update on committee work, noting that committee members will meet after this meeting adjourns. The committee hosted an in-person gathering in late December, which a few folks attended, and hopes to offer another gathering in the near future.
Finance Committee members shared that their work is ongoing. The committee has met once so far.
LAB’s Equity Committee hasn’t yet kicked off in its new formation. High committed to sending a new meeting poll.
High also reminded that the February 10 LAB meeting will be hosted at Gresham Library before its closure later in March (in preparation for the new East County Library). Staff from the library’s Youth Services team will present. The March 10 LAB meeting will be held at the new Northwest Library, during which LAB members will vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 CBAC memo.
CLOSING
The meeting adjourned at 6:23 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maddelyn High, director’s assistant
Multnomah County Library, Oregon