HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_05.09.2011Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
May 9, 2011
MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Mansue Miller, Shelley Karp,
David Ciambrone and Glenn Mautner.
ABSENT: Shana Nichols and Lydia Harkey
STAFF IN ATTENDENCE• Eric Lashley - Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE: Linda Nix — CTLS Lay Representative
AGENDA•
Minutes of last Meeting:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Betty Ann Sensabaugh at 6:30 PM David
Ciambrone made the motion to accept the minutes of the April 2011 Library Advisory
Board Meeting and Glenn Mautner seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously
Director's Report
Director Lashley reported circulation and visitations for the month of April both were up
over the previous year.
Eric reported April was a very busy month: the Friends kicked off the WOW! bookmobile
campaign, the library celebrated Earth week, we had Georgetown Reads! programs,
staff attended the Texas Library Association conference in Austin, we had a volunteer
appreciation luncheon, and the Picture Circus event took place.
Eric announced that Sue and Linda were recognized as volunteers of the year at the
volunteer appreciation luncheon.
Director Lashley reported two sculptures had been purchased from among the
sculptures being displayed in the library by the Texas Society of Sculptors
Eric announced Susan Mallory would be speaking at the library on Tuesday, May 10 at
1 PM and a reception for the 9th grade art show would be held at 6 PM. After a number
of years of waiting, a grand piano to be used for music events at the library will be
delivered to the library by the Georgetown Symphony Society. The first event will be
the "Meet Johannes Brahms' on Sunday, May 15 at 2 PM This is a preview event for
the Georgetown Festival of the Arts. The Summer Reading program will kick-off on
Saturday, June 4.
Director Lashley read the patron comments for the month of April.
CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING.
1. Report on TLA and CTLS issues — Eric Lashley- Eric reported that no new
funding was expected from the State budget for the Central Texas Library
System and he had heard a rumor that CTLS was considering merging with
another nonprofit library system to work to provide continuing education
opportunities and training for public libraries state-wide. The Texas State Library
will be laying off approximately 30 employees and they will no longer be
providing continuing education opportunities for public libraries Eric also
reported staff attended the TLA conference in Austin and found our library was
staying abreast of library trends and may be ahead on some trends.
2. Report on Picture Circus — Eric Lashley- Eric displayed the front page of the
Williamson County Sun showing an acrobat and a clown from the Picture Circus
event. The event was well attended. It was the first large outdoor event we have
had in a long while and staff learned what to do and what not to do for any similar
events for the future.
3. Bookmobile — Eric Lashley- Eric distributed photos of a vehicle similar to the
size and model of the bookmobile the library is considering purchasing Director
Lashley reported the Friends sent out solicitation letters on May 5 and look
forward to seeing what type of response they will get Eric reported the Friends
were still waiting to hear from grant agencies.
4. Georgetown Reads! — Eric Lashley: Director Lashley reported the Georgetown
Reads! program launched on April 1 with a chili tasting at the Hill Country
Bookstore. The staff has had a successful canned food drive, cook book give-
away, wine tasting, and cooking demonstration. The wine tasting and cooking
demonstrations were so successful, patrons have asked us to make these
regular events. Lashley reported a new winery may be willing to do a wine
tasting prior to their arrival in town and an idea of having new restaurants assist
with cooking demonstrations to help promote their businesses was also
discussed.
5. Harper Collins eBooks — Eric Lashley- Eric reported he participated in a
conference call with other public librarians in Texas, the staff of the Texas Library
Association and Harper Collins, and also a subsequent meeting with selected
public librarians, TLA staff and a representative of the American Library
Association's executive committee to discuss Harper Collins' new 26-checkouts
policy as it relates to eBooks. Eric explained Harper Collins has established a
policy in which libraries that purchase the license to use their eBooks can only
use the eBooks for a total of 26 checkouts. This has caused a huge backlash
among libraries across the country and many libraries have decided to boycott
Harper Collins. The Georgetown Public Library as well as the Central Texas
Digital Consortium has decided it does not make economic sense to purchase
eBooks from Harper Collins Eric explained the copyright laws do not allow
Iibranes to truly own, trade, or lend eBooks the same way we do other library
materials Eric and other librarians are concerned if Harper Collins policy of 26
checkouts becomes the norm, libraries or consortiums will never be able to build
a core collection of eBooks to meet patron demand. Unfortunately, the
technology and market is so new for eBooks, it may be a while before libraries
and publishers come to an agreement that mutually benefits both parties.
6. Schedule of future meetings — Eric Lashley: Board members did not have the
need to make any changes at this time to future meeting dates.
Chair Betty Ann Sensabaugh adjourned the meeting at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marisue Miller , Secretary
-=L3<, .
Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Chair