HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_04.19.2016Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
April 19,2016
The Library Advisory Board met on Monday, April 19, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Small Conference
Room of the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Baldwin, Michael Barnes, Lindsay Cooper, Tom Hagen, Pete Rose,
and Jonathan Sherwin.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric Lashley- Library Director
A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. — None were present.
B. Introduction of board members. Pete Rose. New board member Jonathan Sherwin
introduced himself to the board. Board members introduced themselves to Sherwin.
C. Consideration and approval of the minutes of the March 1, 2016 meeting. — Rose noted an
error in the minutes concerning the start time of the March meeting. The meeting on March 1
began at 6:00 p.m., not 10:00 a.m. Michael Barnes made the motion to accept the
minutes of the March 1, 2016 Library Advisory Board Meeting, as amended. Lindsay
Cooper seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
D. Review of bylaws, strategic plan, and attendance policy. — Pete Rose. Rose noted that
the attendance policy allows 3 absences per board member. Lashley instructed board
members to notify him or Lawren Weiss of an absence prior to the meeting. If the absence is
due to illness, it will be excused. Lashley explained the purpose of the Library Board as
written in the bylaws and recommended that if the board needs to communicate with Council
they should write a letter to the Mayor and City Council. Lashley reviewed responsibilities of
the Vice Chair and Secretary with the board. Lashley reminded board members about the
Open Meetings Act and encouraged them to communicate with staff liaisons about various
topics instead of amongst themselves. Discussion ensued about the library's strategic plan
and the potential tool lending library, and Community Resources Coordinator.
E. Election of Vice — Chair. - Pete Rose. Jonathan Sherwin moved to elect Tom Hagen as
Vice -Chair of the Library Advisory Board. Cooper seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
F. Election of Secreta!y. — Pete Rose. Sherwin moved to elect Lindsay Cooper as
Secretary of the Library Advisory Board. Pat Baldwin seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
G. Consideration of Library Director's report. - Eric Lashley. Lashley reviewed the library's
statistics from March 2016, noting that visits and circulation was slightly down. Overdrive
usage of audio and e -books continue to rise.
Lashley noted that staff members attended the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference
in Denver, Colorado and will attend the Texas Library Association (TLA) Conference in
Houston later this month. Lashley will be on a panel to discuss why Georgetown has one of
the highest levels of circulation per capita in the state of Texas.
The library has hired a new Cataloging Librarian named Kristina Gonzales Zepeda who will
start on Monday, April 25. Lashley hopes the addition of another full-time cataloger will
increase the number of materials cataloged and therefore, increase circulation.
Lashley read the comments left by patrons in the library's suggestion box and noted library
events of the month, such as the successful 501h Anniversary Gala on March 5.
H. Overview of librar rV policies, budget, staff, and library operations. — Eric Lashley.
Lashley briefly reviewed procedures regarding a request for reconsideration of library
materials. Occasionally, a patron will appeal a decision by the Library Director to have library
material(s) removed from the collection. The Library Advisory Board has the authority to
override the Director's decision. If the Library Advisory Board upholds the Director's
position, the patron can appeal to City Council. Lashley explained that in his 16 years as
Library Director the board has never overridden his decision, nor has anyone ever appealed
the board's decision to City Council.
Lashley reviewed the library's staff directory and noted each of their duties. Lashley also
provided a copy of the library's annual budget (attached to these minutes), noting that the
majority of the budget is for personnel. Much of the library materials budget is subsidized by
the Friends of the Library organization.
I. Consideration of future board meeting dates. —Eric Lashley. Following discussion, board
members decided to meet at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. next month. The next Library
Advisory Board meeting will be May 17, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Rose adjourned the meeting at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lindsay Cooper
Secretary
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Pete Rose
Chair