What is the Library Advisory Board (“LAB”)?

The Multnomah County Home Rule Charter, which details the formation of the library district, also creates a 17-member advisory board (see Chapter 9). The Board of County Commissioners is the governing body of the library district, and the library advisory board (LAB) is an advisory body made up of community members impacted by Multnomah County Library services and resources. 

Broadly, LAB is charged with advising the library on policies and its annual budget. In the past, LAB has interacted most with the library’s Executive Management Team; and a staff liaison (Maddelyn High, Library Director’s Office) provides coordination and support.  

LAB also serves as the library’s Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBA). LAB’s Finance Committee meets several times throughout the year with a subset of MCL folks to learn about the budget process, financial forecast, and priorities as the library’s budget is developed for each fiscal year. LAB then prepares a CBAC report with recommendations to the board of county commissioners prior to the library’s budget approval.

What is LAB currently working on?

Since the pandemic and for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022, LAB is focused on internal strategic planning to better define its role, build its advisory capacity and connect to MCL staff, and to better diversify and strengthen its membership. In the past, LAB has been involved in development of various library policies (including financial policies and our privacy policy) and other ad hoc projects. LAB members also spread the word about MCL programs and services and lift up feedback from their respective communities and neighborhoods to EMT. Going forward, LAB hopes to complete a strategic visioning process at the start of each fiscal year to identify a work plan that aligns with current MCL goals and priorities. 

Past efforts LAB has led or supported

• Creation of a fiscal reserve policy (as part of CBAC work)
• Symphony migration user testing
• Input for MCL website redesign
• Input on library capital planning leading up to Measure 26-211
• Input on Summer Lunch program
• Update of MCL user privacy policy
• And more!

LAB membership

LAB strives to recruit members from across the county representing diverse lived experiences and different types of library users. When a vacancy opens up, current LAB members (with support from the LAB staff liaison) recruit and vote to recommend new members to the Board of County Commissioners, who approve new member appointments. LAB’s bylaws stipulate at least two youth members between the ages of 13-17. Youth members serve one two-year term, and other members may serve up to two four-year terms.

Current members

• Clare Wilkinson, Co-Chair (she/her)
• Megan Parrott, Co-Chair (she/her)
• David Jarvis (he/him)
• Domiè Newton (she/her)
• Ingrid Jacobson (any pronouns) - youth member
• Joe Marquez (he/him)
• Jade Chan (she/her)
• Kate Fleming (she/her)
• Kelsey Fong (she/her)
• Kristi Ketchum (she/her)
• London Sorcinelli (she/her) - youth member
• Madison Riethman (she/her)
• Naomi Margolis (she/her) - youth member
• Nikia Kae Solbjor (she/her)
• Taryn Sauer (she/they)
• Tia-Theo Thompson (they/she/he)

How to connect with LAB members

LAB meetings are currently held virtually on the second Tuesday of every other month (view LAB schedule), and meetings are open to the public. Agenda and meeting minutes are publicly posted. 

Why should you connect with LAB? LAB members are interested in hearing from you about:

• Opportunities to provide input on programs, services, projects, and policies
  • What do you want help problem solving?
• Opportunities to learn about your work or the work of your team
• Special events or programs you’d like to highlight
• Other opportunities to connect and learn