HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_06.16.2014Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
of the City of Georgetown
June 16, 2014
The Library Advisory Board met on Monday, June 16 at 6:30.m. in the staff
conference room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8t Street.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE: Linda Nix, Lois Case, Margaret Thompson, Michael
Barnes, and Tom Hagen.
Regular Session began at 6:30 p.m.
A. There were no citizens wishing to address the Board.
B. Consideration of minutes of the May 19, 2014 meeting. Lois Case made the
motion to accept the minutes of the May 2014 Library Advisory Board Meeting and
Tom Hagen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Consideration of Library Director's report — Eric Lashley — Director Lashley reported
circulation was slightly down over the previous year, but visitations were slightly up.
Lashley noted OverDrive e -books had a circulation of 1,521 as well as 393 for
downloadable audio books. The bookmobile circulation was 2,553 for the month of
May.
Lashley noted volunteers hours surpassed 1,000 hours and for the fiscal year the
library has had over 6,717 hours of volunteer service.
Lashley reported Congregation Havurah Shalom donated $1,000 to the library for
hosting the Anne Frank exhibit.
Director Lashley reported Laura Helpert has been hired as a part-time Library
Assistant. Laura is a long time library patron and has worked over a year as a
temp/on-call. Laura speaks Spanish which is a benefit for the library. Lashley also
reported that Julie Wagner will be leaving to take a full-time position at the State
Library of Texas.
Lashley reported Williamson County had blocked off the parking lot across the street
from the library and was emptying the building in preparation for its demolition. The
City hopes to begin construction of the parking lot in the late fall or early winter.
Lashley used his iPad to demonstrate the new Zinio product. Zinio allows patrons to
download full content magazines for free. He noted it was a little confusing the first
time you use the product but after installing an app the service is fairly easy to use.
He said the library will be tracking usage the same way we track OverDrive users.
Director Lashley shared with the board a request the library had received to remove
the DVD Body Double from our collection. He reported he had spoken to the patron
who made the complaint and informed the patron the library would not be removing
the item. Lashley asked if the patron wanted to appeal his decision to the Library
Advisory Board but she did not wish to take her complaint further.
Lashley also informed the board that a group of political protesters had been at the
library handing out political materials at the south entrance to the facility. Lashley
informed them that they were not allowed to hand out political materials at the
library. Lashley has asked the City Attorney to clarify our policies regarding
politicking on City property.
Lashley read the patron comments.
Michael Barnes asked about the discussion at the last board meeting concerning the
possibility of the library issuing passports. Lashley explained that staff members
attending the Texas Library Association meeting went to a panel discussion in which
other libraries spoke about offering passport services. Lashley contacted the
Houston Public Library and the Anacortes Public Library in Washington to get
information about how they implemented this service. He also explained that
residents in Georgetown were not happy with the service of the local post office and
the library is researching whether or not we wish to offer this service.
D. Update on the Citv Council workshop to consider development of a Government
Center in downtown Georgetown — Eric Lashley — Director Lashley reported that
Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager, conducted a workshop with City Council on
May 27, 2014. Council had questions concerning the costs, funding mechanisms,
and adequate parking. Laurie will bring this item to Council for a vote shortly.
E. Presentation of video: TED talk by Andrew Roskill, "Get a Read on This: Bridaina the
Digital Divide" — Eric Lashley — Lashley played the video of Roskill's talk. The main
theme of the video is libraries have competition and to stay relevant they need to
practice the 3 E's: Easy, Elegant, and Engaging. Roskill also recommended that
libraries use the advantage they have over Google and other information providers,
which is the physical presence of the library building.
F. Consideration of and possible action to update the Georgetown Public Library's
strategic plan — Eric Lashley — Lashley discussed the need to update the strategic
plan by December. He noted that staff would be using short -targeted surveys to
special user groups. For example, the library would like to target mothers who
attend story times, tweens, teens, computer users, volunteers, Friends, meeting
room users, study room users, bookmobile users, and staff. Board members
recommended adding surveys for the schools, top circulation patrons, history room
users, e -book patrons, and other City departments.
G. Consideration of dates of future Board meetings — Eric Lashley — Michael Barnes
made the motion to cancel the July Library Advisor Board meeting, Tom Hagen
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Margare` ompson, Secretary Linda Nix, Chair