HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_06.17.2013Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
June 17, 2013
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Linda Nix, David Ciambrone, Lois Case, Margaret
Thompson, William (Bill) Hammonds, and Tom Hagen.
ABSENT: None
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric P. Lashley — Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: None
® Minutes of last Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Chair Linda Nix at
6:30 PM. David Ciambrone made the motion to accept the minutes of the
May 2013 Library Advisory Board Meeting and Tom Hagen seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
0 Citizens wishing to address the Board: None
Director's Report Director Lashley announced circulation was down for the
month of May. This was due in part to school letting out later in the month and
the bookmobile being down for maintenance the last month of May. He reported
e-book usage jumped to 1,042.
Lashley reported Charles Aguillon had resigned from the board due to his having
moved to Lakeway, Texas. The City is looking for a replacement. Lashley asked
the board members to encourage friends and neighbors to apply if they are
interested.
Staff changes: Kathleen Bowling retired at the end of May and her position has
been converted to a professional position. Interviews will be conducted soon for
that position. Debbie Scott was hired as the new library materials processor and
Melissa Mote was hired as the new Teen Librarian. Kristyn Krogman has
resigned as our storyteller to take a professional librarian position in Midland,
Texas.
The Friends of the Library has donated $10,000 for e-books, $2,500 for the
summer reading program, $2,300 for a laminator, $3,000 for an early literacy
computer station, and $1,000 for programming for the 20-something age group.
Other news included the announcement that the library received the 3rd year of
funding from the Texas State Library and Archives for the bookmobile librarian
position; that the Friends' Hill Country author series with author Karen Valby was
very - successful; and that the Texas Society of Sculptors will hold their annual
show from July to September.
Lashley reported he had met with the two new Council members; John Hesser
and Steve Fought. Both council members had nice things to say about the
library.
Lashley shared an article from the ' Wall Street Journal that dealt with libraries
selling e-books and physical books from their online catalogs. He stated he
would place an item on the August agenda to discuss whether or not our library
wanted to pursue this source of revenue.
Director Lashley read the patron comments for May.
Consideration of and possible action on the following:
1. Art Center Update — Eric Lashley: Lashley announced that the City is targeting
August 1 for the opening of the art center. He shared an article in the Focus
magazine about the art center and Georgetown Artworks, the nonprofit that will
operate the center.
2. Cultural District Application — Eric Lashley: Lashley shared an article from the
Community Impact newspaper concerning the City of Georgetown's application to
the Texas Commission on the Arts' Cultural District Designation program. Lashley
said he believes Georgetown has a great chance of receiving the designation.
3. Library Statistics — Eric Lashley: Lashley informed the board the library was
doing a better job of using the reporting features of our automated computer system
to show the return on investment to our taxpayers. The library estimates residents
save approximately $12 million through the use of our materials. He said the staff
was doing a better job of tracking top users and search terms to better serve our
patrons.
4. Summer Reading Programs- Eric Lashley: Lashley gave the board members a
calendar of events for the summer reading programs. Board members had a few
questions about the programs. Lashley said attendance at the kick-off seemed to be
larger than in previous years. The circulation statistics have been high the first
couple of weeks of June.
5. Dates of future board meetings — Eric Lashley: There will be no meeting in July.
The August meeting will be *the third Monday of the month
Chair Linda Nix adjourned the meeting at 7:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
V
V
Margaret ompson, Secretary Linda Nix, Chair