HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_12.12.2011Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
December 12, 2011
MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE. Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Marisue Miller, Shana Forte
Nichols, Lydia Harkey, Karen Limbaugh, and Glenn Mautner.
ABSENT: None
STAFF IN ATTENDENCE. Eric Lashley - Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE: Linda Nix — CTLS Lay Representative
AGENDA•
1. Minutes of last Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Chair Betty Ann
Sensabaugh at 6:30 PM. Shana Forte Nichols made the motion to accept the
minutes of the October 2011 Library Advisory Board Meeting and Glenn
Mautner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2 Introduction of new member, Karen Limbaugh — Karen introduced herself Karen
is a former educator and school librarian from Santa Clanta, CA. She retired and
moved to Georgetown in January 2011. Betty Ann and the other board members
welcomed Karen to the board.
3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Lashley reported circulation was slightly down for the month of October, but
was slightly up for the month of November. Eric reported the downturn in circulation
was due in part to the lack of availability of new books. The library has been unable to
catalog as many books as normal due in part to not having the cataloging librarian
position filled. The circulation should rise as the backlog of new materials gets resolved
now that the library has hired a full-time cataloger.
Eric reported the library had a successful Halloween party in October as well as two
musical events.
Director Lashley informed the board Rachael Pattillo was named the 2011 Library
Employee of the Year at the City's annual employee appreciation luncheon.
Eric informed the Board the Arts and Culture Board had provided funding for an art
banner project that hung on the lamp posts around the square and the library. These
banners will be hung each year in celebration of October as the month of the arts. The
Friends organization held a number of successful fundraisers in October and
November. They had two successful Hill Country Author Series events with Sarah Bird
and David Lindsey. They also hosted a luncheon in honor of Dr Morton King, a
founding member of the Friends organization.
The Georgetown Symphony Society held a successful concert by the critically
acclaimed pianist James Dick on November 17.
The Georgetown Reads committee has selected Listening is an Act of Love: A
Celebration of American Life From the StoryCorps Project as the next Georgetown
Reads title. The committee is working on programs that will compliment the book.
Eric announced Billy Cryer, a graduate student from Indiana University, had completed
his internship this semester and has gained employment with the McAllen Public
Library.
Director Lashley reported Brenna Normann had been hired as the new Cataloging
Librarian and Noreen Rafique was promoted to a full-time Library Assistant. Noreen's
promotion leaves the library with a part-time Library Assistant position to fill.
U pcoming Events — Eric reported the music group Cactus Groove will be performing
S unday, December 18 at 2.00 PM and there will be an evening Christmas party for the
children on Friday, December 16.
Director Lashley read aloud and discussed the patron comments for October and
N ovember.
CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING.
1. Bookmobile — Eric Lashley Eric reported the Friends were close to meeting
their goal of $128,000 for the purchase of the bookmobile. The Friends had a
successful Wine and Dine event that made approximately $5,000. The delivery
date for the bookmobile is March 1 Eric noted the library will be applying for a
$2,500 Texas Book Festival grant to purchase materials for the vehicle.
2. Wifi usage at library — Eric Lashley: Eric handed out a printout of a report
showing the usage of the library's public access points. In October, there were
2,790 distinct users of the public Internet access points The high usage of the
public Wifi access points has led to a slow down of the network at times. Library
staff computers have been moved off of the public network to avoid having to
deal with a slow Internet connection.
3. OverDnve Consortium— Eric Lashley* Eric reported Sheri Miklaski and Brenna
Normann will be attending a meeting of the Central Texas Digital Library
consortium on Friday, December 16 in Pflugerville to discuss the management of
the consortium. The consortium has grown to 31 libranes and there is a need to
coordinate the collection development of all the member libraries to better serve
our patrons Georgetown patrons continue to be heavy users of the consortium.
4. Cataloging Librarian position — Eric Lashley: Eric reported Brenna Normann
has been hired as the Cataloging Librarian Eric informed the board that he had
received a complaint about the lack of new books on the shelves. When Eric
responded that the lack of materials was due in part to a lack of staff members,
the library was criticized for not have an adequate plan to deal with the staff
shortage Eric hopes that once Brenna is trained the backlog of new books will
be resolved and circulation will rise.
5. Board member terms and future applicants — Eric Lashley: Eric noted 3
current board members will leave the board due to term limits; Sue, Glenn, and
Shana David Ciambrone's position will remain unfilled until February. So, a
total of 4 new members will come on board in March. Eric encourages board
members to ask anyone they felt was a good candidate to apply online for
membership to the board.
6. Schedule of future meetings - Eric Lashley: There were no changes to any
future scheduled meetings.
Chair Betty Ann Sensabaugh adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM
Respectfully submitted,
(.)
1 : z-.GZi! r: • t
Marisue Miller , Secretary Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Chair