Minutes for August 2026 meeting of Library Advisory Board

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Library Advisory Board Minutes: August 18, 2026

For Multnomah County Library Advisory Board

The Multnomah County Library Advisory Board (LAB) met for a hybrid meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The meeting began at 6:41pm.

Board members present were: 

Nikia Solbjor, Madison Riethman, Jade Chan, Simon Xu, Yolanda Sanchez, Dominique Newton, Kristi Ketchum, Jeana Chulim-Ellis, and Kelsey Fong

MCL Staff present were: 

Annie Lewis, Stephen Houser, and Maddelyn High

WELCOME & GROUP CHECK-IN

Introductions of LAB members and staff. Skipped ice-breaker in the interest of time.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No members of the public present. 

LAB INTERESTS & MEETING TOPICS

MCL staff were asked to leave the meeting so that LAB could have a more open discussion (keeping in mind that minutes are public record). 

Review of possible discussion topics from LAB survey in 2025 (many were incorporated into LAB meetings over 2025–26). Action Item: If topics that have already been covered and there are slidedecks available, would like to compile those into a shared folder that LAB can easily access.

Topic Suggestions:

  • Cross-Departmental Services, particularly thinking about the MCL budget to efficiently use Library resources and reduce duplication/collaborate with other County Departments. Ex: Mobile Library could be at a Parks event to promote Summer Reading program. 
    • Do other County Departments have Advisory Boards and can LAB meet with them?
  • How to determine what programming is offered through MCL; how resources are used. 
  • What are all the parts of the MCL system? Deeper dive beyond what’s available on the MCL website. Is there an org chart available and how do those different parts interact? Any significant changes to programs/services that LAB has already learned about?
    • Could prioritize this for the September meeting since new members have joined.
    • Review of LAB shared agreements/expectations; how-to of accessing past documents (noting there could be challenges with High leaving end of August).
  • Outreach and Volunteer Services (not yet been covered, but is an existing topic of interest).
  • Accessible services information (ex: Having brochures/handouts in common languages at events and Library branches in general). 
    • Presentation of how equity is applied in practice? 
  • Clarify roles and responsibilities of LAB/Bylaws training; when something is outside the scope of LAB members, who is the MCL point-person(s) who can advise/assist?
    • Suggestion to open up agenda planning time to Chairs of each Committee (LAB Co-Chairs and MCL Liaison/Director meet a week before LAB meetings).
      • The Governance Committee is re-launching and can help.
      • Have there been any significant ordinance changes around Advisory Boards?
    • Some visioning and goal-making started by Co-Chairs, guided by the recent LAB member feedback survey. Can plan time to debrief survey results.
  • 2026 Strategic Plan
  • MCL Policy Teams restructure; opportunity for LAB to contribute. 
  • State Legislative impacts on MCL/County in general with upcoming long-session.

Temperature check on not having all MCL staff not attend LAB meetings. No significant feelings; for some LAB members, it was helpful to have staff to ask questions while present, but could always make sure to gather any loose ends/questions that come up in LAB meetings and send them to MCL liaison to follow up on.

Reminder that LAB Co-Chairs are available to reach out to if uncomfortable emailing the whole group.

LAB SOCIAL EVENTS

What makes after-LAB socials compelling to attend and what would make it easier to attend? 

  • 1:1 opportunities with other members/Chairs or smaller gatherings, especially for folks who are more introverted. Can also be more accessible for youth members.
  • Social gathering after a LAB meeting is convenient, but suggests to include opportunities outside of LAB meeting days. Rotating schedule? 
  • Themed topics or activities (ex: Media interests or hobbies like crafting).

WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS

LAB members acknowledged High’s support as LAB Liaison over the years and expressed appreciation for her dedication to serving LAB. MCL leadership will have more information on LAB support moving forward after High’s departure.

The meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted by:
Kelsey Fong, LAB member

Multnomah County Library, Oregon