HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_04.08.2013Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
April 8, 2013
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Lois Case, Margaret Thompson, William (Bill) Hammonds,
and Charles Aguillon.
ABSENT: Tom Hagen, Linda Nix, and David Ciambrone
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley — Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: None
FTTICTA �
Minutes of last Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Lois Case at
6:30 PM. Bill Hammonds made the motion to accept the minutes of the March 2013
Library Advisory Board Meeting and Margaret Thompson seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
Citizens wishing to address the Board: None
Director's Report
Director Lashley asked Aguillon to introduce himself since Charles had missed Hammonds'
first meeting. Aguillon said that he is currently Associate Principal at East View High School
and previously served on the City's Arts and Culture Board.
Lashley reviewed the monthly statistics with the board:
Circulation was slightly higher than the previous year with 45,324 checkouts.
Visitations were down for the month of March at 32,142.
Attendance for children's programs was up at 1,213.
Bookmobile circulation was 2,073 with more than 10,000 checkouts since October 2012
Volunteer service also up for the month of March at 1,045 hours.
Lashley reported the Library received a donation of $1,000.00 from Pedernales Electrical
Cooperative for our summer reading program.
Lashley announced the spring break events at the library were a great success.
Director Lashley reported Kristyn Krogman was hired as the new part-time storyteller for the
children's department. She currently is a graduate student in Library Science and expects to
graduate in May.
The Holocaust Remembrance Day event held on April 8, 2013 in conjunction with
Congregation Havurah Shalom was a big success. Approximately 160 attended the screening
of The Power of Good: The Story of Nicholas Winton.
Lashley read aloud the patron comments.
Lashley noted events for the Georgetown Reads selection One Amazing Thinq by Chitra
Divakaruni will be held May 13-18.
Director Lashley reported that Matt Graves, a volunteer at the library, has filmed and edited a
public service announcement for the library. Lashley has reviewed the video and was very
impressed by the quality. He will screen the video at the May Library Board meeting.
Lashley reported the Williamson County Sun newspaper is no longer carrying the library's two
monthly columns. In the future, the library will need to submit press releases to the Sun to
have information published. Lashley stated the library is having a difficult time getting publicity
for library events. The Sun seems to be willing to cover events after the fact.
Consideration of and possible action on the following:
1. Responses to orientation materials distributed at March meeting — Eric Lashley:
There were no questions or concerns about the materials distributed at the March meeting.
2. Update on Georgetown Art Center — Eric Lashley: Lashley reported the construction
had been slow and the City has hired a new general contractor to finish the construction
job. He stated he still hoped the Art Center could open June 1, 2013. On March 26, 2013
Lashley presented to the City Council the Arts and Culture Board's strategic plan and it was
well received.
3. Library budget 2013-14 — Eric Lashley: Director Lashley reported the City may move to
upgrade part-time positions to full-time status due to the national health care bill. The
library currently has 4 part-time positions which Lashley said he would prefer to have
converted to full-time if possible. He also reported the library will need to replace some
public computers next fiscal year and he would like to increase the e-book budget.
4. Report on Friends of the Library Long Range Planning — Eric Lashley: Director
Lashley reported the Friends of the Library have been so successful, raising approximately
$50,000 to $60,000 a year, that they have formed a sub-committee to look at dedicating
more funds to savings for major projects in the future.
5. Library staff openings — Eric Lashley: Lashley reported that Earlene Scott, a long-term
employee of 15 years, has retired due to a prolonged illness. Lashley also reported the
staff has had difficulty filling the Teen Librarian position. An offer made to a student at
Indiana University was rejected. Lashley also stated that Kathleen Bowling intends to retire
at the end of May. With all of these openings, the Library may not be fully staffed until the
end of summer.
6. Dates of future board meetings — Eric Lashley: Lashley reported that Tom Hagen had
expressed concerns that he would not be able to attend future meetings if they are to be
held the second Monday of the month. Lashley asked whether the board would consider
moving future dates to accommodate everyone's schedule. The four board members in
attendance agreed it would be possible to move the meeting dates, but preferred not to
have meetings on Thursdays or Fridays. Members wanted to have this discussion at the
next board meeting when more members could participate.
Vice Chair Lois Case adjourned the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
CC^
Margaret T mpson, Secretary Lois Case, Vice-Chair