HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_08.18.2014Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
August 18, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
The Library Advisory Board met on Wednesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the staff conference room of
the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8"' Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Nix, Lois Case, Margaret Thompson, Michael Barnes, Tom
Hagen, Pete Rose, and Stephanie Blanck
Regular Session
A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. None were present.
B. Consideration of minutes of the June 16, 2014 meeting. — Tom Hagen made the motion
to accept the minutes of the June 2014 Library Advisory Board Meeting and Michael
Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Consideration of Library Director's report — Eric Lashley — Lashley asked Pete Rose to
introduce himself to the board and the board members went around and introduced
themselves to Rose. Rose was born in Cleveland, Ohio but, spent most of his life in
Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife Mel moved to Sun City seven years ago. He and Mel
volunteer at the library on Sundays and were selected one of the volunteers of the year for
the library in 2014. Rose had a career in government accounting and finance.
Lashley noted the circulation statistics for June were up by 1,119 over the previous year
and circulation was slightly down by 950 for July over the previous year. Visitations were
up for both June and July compared to the same time period as the previous year.
Lashley reported attendance to children's programs for the fiscal year to date equaled
11,117.
Lashley reported Internet usage for June equaled 6,622 and July equaled 7,465.
OverDrive e -book utilization equaled 1,558 for June and 1,869 for July. Audiobook
utilization was steady at 363 for June and 384 for July. Bookmobile usage remained high
with 2,854 checkouts in June and 2,285 checkouts in July.
Lashley informed the board he would be taking Thursdays and Fridays off for the month of
August and September and if the board members needed to reach him, they should contact
him Monday through Wednesday.
Lashley reported the Ralph Dixon Love window has been installed and there was a small
dedication ceremony held on Sunday, July 27. Lashley reminded the board members to
see the Texas Society of Sculptors show currently being held in the library.
Director Lashley informed the board of a new program called Wired Wednesdays. There
are two components to Wired Wednesdays. First, every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
staff will assist patrons with our OverDrive and Zinio products. Staff will assist patrons in
setting up an account and show them how to use their devices to access these resources.
Every third Wednesday of the month, the library partners with the local 4-H club and club
members and staff will assist patrons with any computer, phone, or other technology need.
Lashley noted the library has begun to offer a free notary service for our patrons.
Lashley reported staff had to call the police a number of times due to inappropriate
behavior of library patrons. Lashley noted he was concerned that with the police
department's imminent move, more inappropriate behavior will occur at the library. Lashley
feels the police are a deterrent for many individuals and without the police presence small
crime may take place.
Lashley noted construction work has begun on 8th and 9th Streets surrounding the library.
Lashley also reported he will be making a proposal to the Arts and Culture Board for a
public art project next fiscal year that will involve the Library's Red Poppy Caf6 plaza. He
asked if any member of the board would like to serve on a committee to select an artist to
let him know.
Lashley read the patron comments for June and July.
D. Report on the status of the Library Parking Lot Agreement between the City of Georgetown
and Williamson County — Eric Lashley — Lashley reported the City Council had voted on
August 12, 2014 to approve an agreement with Williamson County to build a parking lot on
the corner of 8th Street and Martin Luther King St. The City is seeking approval by the
Historical Architecture and Review Commission to demolish the two existing buildings on
the site. The City has hired an engineering firm to design and engineer the lot. The City
hopes to have the work completed by April.
E. Report on future staff vacancies at the Library — Eric Lashley — Lashley reported Leslie
Bradley will be leaving the library in mid-September and Judy Fabry will be retiring from the
library in December, but her last day will be October 31. Lashley noted these are two major
positions within the library and there is a possibility of restructuring the two positions in the
future. Lashley reported the staff will identify a staff member to take over the volunteer
coordinator position soon to have a smooth transition from Bradley to the new volunteer
coordinator.
F. Report on Proposed library budget — Eric Lashley — Lashley handed out a copy of the
proposed library budget for fiscal year 2014-15. Lashley noted the few changes. Board
members were concerned the book budget was not increased. Lashley noted he would like
to see the book budget tied to population in the future. If population stays flat the book
budget would remain flat, if population grows, then the book budget would also grow
automatically.
G. Report on the meeting of chairs of the Arts and Culture Board, Convention and Visitors
Bureau Advisory Board, the Main Street Advisory Board, and the Library Advisory Board on
July 30, 2014 — Linda Nix, Eric Lashley — Nix reported there was a meeting of the chairs of
the various boards plus a representative of the Parks and Recreation Department,
Williamson Museum and the Palace Theater to discuss the projects happening in each
department and organization. Linda was impressed by the number of parks and trails
within the City. This group intends to meet quarterly to keep members of each board
updated on the happenings within downtown and the Downtown and Community Services
Division of the City.
H. Report on the outcome of the Downtown West proiect presented to City Council on August
12, 2014 — Eric Lashley — Lashley reported City Council voted to move forward with plans
to relocate the City Hall into the Old Library and to move Municipal Court operations in the
old Williamson County Appraisal District Building at 9th Street, across from the Old Library.
Plans for the #•'• Station and Festival area are on hold. The current City Hall will be
sold and the City may or may not sell the current Council Chambers building at the corner
of 7 th and Main Streets. Lashley noted he would like to see a small police substation in the
new Municipal Court building to have a police presence in the downtown near the library to
deter crime.
1. Consideration of dates of future Board meetings — Eric Lashley — The board noted the next
meeting will be held on September 15, 2014. There was no motion to move the meeting
date or time.
--y
Margare hompson, Secretary Linda Nix, Chair