HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_07.20.2015Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
July 20, 2015
The Library Advisory Board met on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Staff Conference Room
of the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Baldwin, Michael Barnes, Lois Case, Tom Hagen, Tom Milburn, and
Pete Rose.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric Lashley- Library Director, David Morgan- City Manager, and Nat Waggoner -
Transportation Analyst.
Regular Session
A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. — None were present.
B. Consideration of minutes of the June 15, 2015 meeting. — Tom Hagen made the motion to
accept the minutes of the June 15, 2015 Library Advisory Board Meeting. Pete Rose seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Introduction of new Library Advisory Board member, Tom Milburn. — Eric Lashley. Milburn
introduced himself to the board and each board member introduced themselves to him. Milburn
has been a library patron for over 10 years and a volunteer for the last 3 years.
D. Introduction of the new City Manager, David Morgan. — Eric Lashley. David Morgan introduced
himself to the Library Advisory Board. Board members asked Morgan the likelihood of the
Cataloging Librarian position being placed back in the budget for FY 15-16. Morgan explained that
the meeting held on July 17 was only the first meeting in a process to develop the budget. He
assured the Board that he understands how important the position is to the library and that he is
working to have the position included.
Rose asked Morgan about the budget process. Morgan stated that he would like to make changes
to the way the City budgets. Morgan plans to have a retreat with City Council early in fiscal year
2015-16, to review the budget processes that will impact the following fiscal years. Morgan wants
to develop a more formal budget process.
E. Report on proposed City of Georgetown Public Transportation Plan. — Nathaniel Waggoner,
Transportation Analyst. Waggoner presented a report drafted by City staff and Capital Metro to
establish a four route bus system in Georgetown. Waggoner said the report needs to be adopted
by Council in order to be eligible for federal funds for future public transportation projects.
Waggoner explained that the plans include a transfer station, to be located the library. Board
members had questions about costs, fares, and routes.
F. Consideration and possible action to draft a letter of support for the proposed City of Georgetown
Transportation Plan. — Eric Lashley. Board members discussed the pros and cons of the
proposed Public Transportation Plan, including concerns about costs and ridership. The Board did
not vote to support the plan.
G. Consideration of the Library Director's Report. — Eric Lashley — Lashley reported that visitations
were up for the month of June but circulations were lower. This is a result of the backlog of new
materials in the library. Lashley reported that the library's current cataloger, Brenna Normann,
resigned to take a new position near Portland, Oregon.
Lashley reviewed the statistics for June, noting that Overdrive checkouts for downloadable e -
books and audiobooks were slightly up for the month.
Lashley reported that the new AV system had been installed in the Hewlett and Friends Rooms
and the video equipment will be installed in August. Meetings held in these rooms now have the
capability to be recorded and shown on the City's local access cable channel 10.
Lashley and Bethni King attended the annual American Library Association conference in San
Francisco, California in June.
The library's new website is now live. Lashley explained that it's a work in progress. Staff
members are taking notes on necessary improvements that need to be made. These changes will
be implemented as the problems are found.
Lashley noted that there was a public meeting concerning the Downtown West project held at the
library on July 15. The project will include a renovation of the old library on 808 Martin Luther King,
into a new City Hall facility and municipal court, as well as other changes to the surrounding area.
Many who attended were concerned about parking and traffic. Other expressed concern that a
proposed festival area would take up existing library parking. Lashley informed the Board that he
will relay the parking concerns when he meets with the architectural firm hired for this project, the
Lawrence Group Architects.
H. Update on budget for FY 2015-16. — Eric Lashley. Lashley noted that the City Manger's
proposed budget for next fiscal year includes the Cataloging Librarian position and market
adjustments, as well as other items. The library will receive increases in line items such as
travel/training, supplies, DVD's, subscriptions and dues, and electronic materials. The library will
also be able to purchase new public computers and laptops.
I. Consideration of dates of future Board meetings. —Eric Lashley. Lashley reminded the Board that
they voted to cancel the Library Advisory Board meeting for August. They also voted to schedule
all future meetings to the second Monday of the month, at 10 a.m.
Chair Linda Nix adjourned the meeting at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Hagen, Secreta� Linda Nix, Chair