November 11, 2025
Library Advisory Board Minutes: November 11, 2025
For Multnomah County Library Advisory Board
The Multnomah County Library Advisory Board (LAB) met virtually on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The meeting began at 5:34 pm.
Board members present were David Jarvis, Ingrid Jacobson, Jade Chan, Jose Ramirez Reyes, Kate Fleming, Kelsey Fong, Nikia Kae Solbjor, and Taryn Sauer.
ALife Allah, Domiè Newton, Joe Marquez, Kristi Ketchum, London Sorcinelli, Madison Riethman, Megan Parrott, Naomi Margolis, and Tia-Theo Thompson were unavailable.
Staff members present were Annie Lewis, library director; Dave Ratliff, integrated services director; Johnette Easter, HR director; Katie Shifley, finance & facilities director; Kim Sutton, MarCom director; Kirby McCurtis, location services director; Maddelyn High, management analyst; Sonja Ervin, equity manager; and Stephen Houser, library deputy director.
WELCOME & CHECK-IN
LAB Co-Chair Jade Chan 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:
- The upcoming closure of Northwest Library to allow for transition to the new bond-funded Northwest Library
- The recent reopening of the refreshed Rockwood Library on October 24, and the refreshed Sellwood Library opening on Friday
- Completion of patron engagement (with ~2,600 responses) about metal detectors at Central Library, a summary of which has been shared with the County Chair’s and COO’s offices. Lewis shared some highlights from the analysis of survey responses, noting that county leadership is still reviewing the library’s full analysis on weapons detection.
- Library events and programming in celebration of Native American Heritage Month
BUDGET BASICS
Finance & Facilities Director Katie Shifley shared high-level content about the county and library budget process, in preparation for the start of Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).
Background and structure:
- A budget is a plan based on what we know at the time, with the goal of balancing revenue and expenditures while providing the best level of service possible to the community.
- While budgets are time-bound, the library is also thinking about library services and sustainability into the long-term future.
- Local governments have a unique responsibility to communicate and to be responsive to the community, which is why Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBACs) and a board approval process exist.
- MCL strategic goals and service priorities are the guidepost for library budget decisions.
Shifley shared a brief history of historical library budget/funding milestones; in particular, state-level property tax limitations instituted in the ’90s; and that the establishment of the library district in 2012 provided a dedicated, permanent funding for library services.
Shifley explained the difference between the Library District Fund and County Library Fund, noting that the library contracts with Multnomah County for internal services (like IT and facilities support); and provided an overview of the library’s major spending categories (over 60% is for personnel).
Bond funding is managed by the Department of County Assets, so these dollars don’t show up in the library budget.
The library’s budget is divided into administration (internal functions) and public services, and organization by what the county calls “program offers” (grouped services and activities). Development begins in November every year, and in June, County Commissioners adopt department budgets.
The county economist delivers a county general financial forecast, and a library-specific forecast. The library’s revenue is heavily dependent on whatever is happening with property taxes, and what’s going on with personnel costs. The library’s taxation rate (a range was determined in the 2012 library district levy) is also a factor. (The current levy rate is $1.22 per $1,000 of assessed property value compared to a maximum of $1.24.) This cap, paired with rising costs (for personnel, security, digital materials, and more), creates a known structural operating deficit.
Shifley reminded folks of LAB’s unique role as the library Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC), and a brief discussion about the projected costs for any potential enhanced security measures and staffing at Central Library ensued.
Chan and Co-Chair Kate Fleming thanked Shifley for this presentation.
BOARD BUSINESS
Approval of September and October meeting minutes was deferred, as a quorum was not present.
LAB liaison Maddelyn High shared a reminder for folks to complete committee meeting scheduling polls as soon as possible.
CLOSING
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maddelyn High, director’s assistant
Multnomah County Library, Oregon