Historical Records Commission Minutes January 12, 2023

Members present:
Eric Stanley (Chair)
Margaret Purser (Vice-Chair)
Gretchen Emmert
Steven Lovejoy
Michael Mueller

Members excused:
None

Associate Members present:
Amanda King, Secretary
Deva Marie Proto, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters
Erika Thibault, Interim Director, Sonoma County Library
Deborah Doyle, Library Commissioner and Liasion to HRC

Guests present:
Zayda Delgado, Supervising Librarian, History & Genealogy Library

1. Call to order 4:04 pm
2. Introduction of Guests
3. The December 8, 2022 minutes were approved
   1. Motion by Margaret Purser
   2. Second by Gretchen Emmert
   3. Approved
4. Election of Margaret Purser as new Chairperson
   1. Motion by Steven Lovejoy
   2. Second by Gretchen Emmert
   3. Approved
5. Election of Gretchen Emmert as new Vice-Chairperson
   1. Motion by Steven Lovejoy 
   2. Second by Eric Stanley
   3. Approved
6. Margaret assumes role of Chair.
7. Budget Discussion
   1. Balance is $3,796.07
8. Continuing Business
   
   1. HRC Commissioners Report
      1. Margaret's report:
         • No report
      2. Gretchen's report:
         • No report
      3. Michael's report:
         • No report
      4. Eric's report:
         • No report
      5. Steven's report:
         • The Heritage Network is meeting by ZOOM for the January 14, 2023.
   2. Library Commissioner Report  
      1. Update by Erika Thibault:
         • Noticed an uptick in our patron visits and circulation
         • When we opened on Sundays, we’ve had a 320% increase in visits
         • We have twice as many people coming in as this same time last year
         • MasterClass through the Library
         • Hit 1,000,000 checkouts in OverDrive – digital content is really popular and using it. OverDrive is a digital media product that you can check out e-media with.
         • Received a second Book Locker in Guerneville but it came damaged. It was sent back and we’re waiting for a new locker to be sent.
         • Making sure the Westwind location [the Archives] is water-tight and is being checked on regularly to make sure everything is safe and in good condition.
      2. Update from Deborah:
         • No Cloverdale or Sonoma Commissioner yet
         • Been working with an executive recruiter to identify a permanent Library Director. Hoping to make an announcement at the February LC meeting.
         • Library spending is on track with the budget
         • Roseland Library is proceeding
   3. Archives Activity Report
      1. Update by Zayda Delgado:
         • Month of December, we received 28 resources requested from 1 county departments and 7 unique requestors
         • H&G Library staff, Joanna and Simone, will be going to Los Angeles for a week-long training for the Memory Lab
   4. Collections & Archives Recognition Awards
      1. discussed at end of meeting
   5. Outreach
      1. “Researching the History of a Sonoma County Property” pamphlet update:
         
         • Commission to review each March for updates to be published in June.
      2. Other California County Historical Records Commission
         • No update
   6. County Recorder update on the status of the Restrictive Covenant Modification Program
      1. Still meeting with vendors
      2. Working to have the RFP prepared by end of January.
9. New Business
   1. None
10. Public Comment
    1. Library Commission meeting, February 1, 2023, 6pm, on ZOOM.
    2. Sonoma County Heritage Network Meeting, January 14, 2023, 10AM-12PM, on ZOOM.
    3. Museum of Sonoma County Exhibits:
       1. Art of Risk: The Innovative Sculpture of Michael Cooper, December 10, 2022-May 28, 2023
    4. Sonoma County Historical Society’s Annual Meeting, March 12, 2023, 11:00AM-2:00PM, Flamingo Hotel and Resort, Santa Rosa
    5. Sonoma County Finding History Day, October 21, 2023, 10:00AM-2:00PM, Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa
11. Collections and Archives Recognition Awards
    1. Received five nominations:
       1. Betsy Penn, Deputy Clerk-Recorder employee at County Clerk-Recorder’s Office - submitted by Rachel Hirschi, co-worker
       2. Ed Gilardi, Board Member at Cotati Historical Society – submitted by Judy Gustafson
       3. Roberto Esteves, Archivist at Russian River Historical Society – submitted by Chris Pattillo and Jane Barry
       4. Solange Russek, Collections Manager at Petaluma Historical Library and Museum –submitted by Linda Buffo of the Petaluma’s Women’s Club
       5. Sonoma County Library – submitted by Jaime Anderson of the Sonoma County Library
    2. Prior awardees were provided categories: Special Projects, Individual Excellence, Education, and Collaborative Partnerships
    3. Motion to accept nominees and award 4 for individual excellence and 1 for special projects.
       1. Motion by Steven Lovejoy
       2. Second by Eric Stanley
       3. Approved
    4. Margaret to prepare Press Release for Secretary to provide to County Communications
    5. Margaret to prepare letters to the awardees notifying them of the award and request their presence at the awards ceremony.
    6. Secretary to send Margaret prior year documentation
12. Meeting adjourned at 4:45PM

Next Meeting - February 9, 2023 - ZOOM, 4:00PM