HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_08.19.2013Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
August 19, 2013
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Linda Nix, Lois Case, Margaret Thompson,
William (Bill) Hammonds, and Mark Bobinger.
ABSENT: David Ciambrone and Tom Hagen
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric P. Lashley — Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: None
F-IT04
1. Minutes of last Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Chair Linda
Nix at 6:32 PM. Lois Case made the motion to accept the minutes of
the June 2013 Library Advisory Board Meeting and Margaret Thompson
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Citizens wishing to address the Board: None
3. Introduction of new member, Mark Bobinger: Mark introduced himself
to the board. Mark is currently a pilot for Fed Ex. Each member of the
board introduced themselves to Mark.
4. Director's Report:
Director Lashley reported circulation for June 2013 was slightly down, but
circulation was up for the month of July. Eric reported e-book usage continues to
grow: June circulation equaled 1,116 and July equaled 1, 154. Downloadable
audiobooks was also higher with circulation equaling 191 in June and 258 in July.
Lashley reported we had some significant donations for June and July: the Sun
City Kiwanis donated $1,000 for the children's summer reading program, the
Friends donated over $18,000 for various library projects, and Linda Walke
donated $2,000 for the greatest need.
Eric noted Leslie Bradley was promoted to Evening Librarian and will also take
on the responsibility of the volunteer coordinator. Kristyn Krogman resigned as
the Library Assistant storyteller. Kalena Powell was hired as a full-time Library
Assistant storyteller. Kalena had previously worked for the library in a part-time
capacity. The library still has a part-time Library Assistant position to fill.
Lois Case announced that Senior University was looking for new instructors and
asked the library staff and the board to let her know if they knew anyone that
would be interested in teaching classes for Senior University. Lois also wanted
the board to know that Senior University was for all senior residents of
Georgetown and not just residents of Sun City.
Lashley informed the board that the proposed City budget has funds for a parking
lot at the corner of 8 th and Martin Luther King Jr. to be used primarily for the
library.
Lashley read the patron comments for June and July.
Consideration of and possible action on the following:
1. Downtown Master Plan update — Eric Lashley: Director Lashley thanked
the members of the board who attended the kick-off meeting for the
revision of the Downtown Master Plan held on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
Eric reiterated the importance of the master plan in future of the
properties surrounding the library. Lashley informed the board they
could complete a survey at dtmasterplan.georgetown.org or participate
in future meetings.
2. Art Center update — Eric Lashley: Lashley announced construction was
slowly progressing. He also said the City had been informed that
Georgetown will be receiving the Cultural District designation from the
Texas Commission on the Arts at their September 5, 2013 meeting.
3. Summer Reading Programs — Eric Lashley: Lashley reported all of the
summer reading programs were successful. Bethni King had a goal of
having children checkout 50,000 items and that goal was achieved. For
the finale, Bethni kissed a frog, rabbit, and hedgehog, to reward the
children for reading 50,000 items. The grand prize drawing for the kids
that registered for the summer reading program was an iPad mini.
4. Writer's College — Eric Lashley, Dave Ciambrone: Lashley showed the
board the handouts for the Writer's College. Enrollment for the courses
began on August 18.
5. OverDrive eBooks program — Eric Lashley: Lashley played an audio
recording of a National Public Radio (NPR) news segment that aired on
August 5, 2013, E-Books Strain Relations Between Libraries, Publishing
Houses by Lynn Neary. The segment was part of NPR's series on public
libraries. The program discussed the difficulties libraries are having
providing e-books to their patrons due to the high cost and restrictions
placed upon them by publishers. The program discussed libraries, such
as the Douglas County Library system, that were creating their own e-
book platforms for their patrons. Eric discussed the difficulties our library
has had keeping up with the demand for e-books.
6. Dates of future board meetings — Eric Lashley: No board member
requested to change the date of the next board meeting, so the next
meeting will be held September 16, 2013.
Chair Linda Nix adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
MargaretAompson, Secretary Linda Nix, Chair