HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_06.04.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
June 4, 2019
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the first floor Conference Room, Georgetown
Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Lindsay Cooper, John Hudson, Michael Kelley, Linda Schaffer, Thom Sinwell, and Richard
Thielmann.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cale Hart
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley — Library Director,
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Cooper.
Regular Agenda
A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other
than what was posted on the agenda. No action required.
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the May 7 2019 Library Advisory Board minutes. — Lindsay
Cooper, Chair. Motion by Sinwell; second by Kelley to approve the May 7, 2019 Library Advisory Board
minutes. Approved 6-0 (Hart absent).
C. Consideration of the Library Director's report. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed the library
statistics and patron comments as provided in the agenda packet. Lashley reported the Summer Reading
Program kicked off with the theme A Universe of Stories.
Library staff received and reviewed 30 art proposals for 13 slots available for the library's 2020 exhibits.
Lashley reported the Adultish program sponsored by Thom and Vicky Sinwell, Summer Sips, was a big hit on May
17t". Lashley discussed other well attended programs such as GPL Cinema's screening of "The Last Suit" on May
8 and Live Music Sunday with Minnie and Ella Jordan on May 19.
Lashley and Community Outreach Assistant Kalena Powell will be presenting at a workshop with Council on June
11 to discuss the Outreach program and van the Friends of the Library would like to purchase for the library.
Lashley will be attending the American Library Association Conference in Washington, DC on June 20.
After more than a decade of service, Reference Librarian Suzette Davidson will retire from the library on June
20. There will be a reception for her at 2 PM on Sunday, June 30 on the 2nd floor bridge area.
Lashley met with representatives of the Texas Institute of Letters about a potential conference here in
Georgetown in March 2020. He will also give a presentation at Senior University on June 6 and two workshops
for the Texas Main Street Program on June 13. No action required.
D. Report on the Texas Library Association Conference. — John Hudson, Board Member. Hudson spent two days at
the conference and relayed the story of Lashley receiving the 2019 TLA Librarian of the Year Award to the board.
He said he was pleasantly surprised by the large number of LGBTQ publishers and materials for young adults.
Hudson noted the Georgetown Library is ahead of other libraries in terms of programming, but were holding our
own in terms of Technology. Hudson recommended to Lashley the library take advantage of an Edge
Benchmark assessment. Edge Benchmarks provide a comprehensive framework of key performance indicators
for public libraries' digital inclusion efforts and community leadership role.
There was a lot of discussion of libraries providing social services. Hudson spent a lot of time in the Exhibits Hall
looking at furniture. Hudson suggested that with the amount of debt the City currently has, a satellite model of
services versus a branch library maybe appropriate. Thielmann asked about difference between a branch and a
satellite branch. Hudson explained a branch is a bigger bricks and mortar facility, whereas a satellite could be
rented space in a retail shopping center. The board and Lashley discussed the benefits of a satellite model.
Hudson mentioned a number of articles published recently talking about the importance of neighborhood
libraries. Lashley mentioned the book Palaces for the People which was a sociological study of the importance
of libraries in neighborhoods. No action required.
E. update on library's budget and fiscal year 2019-2020 budget requests. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley
reported the Assistant City Manager will give a report to Council on June 11. At this time, there is a good chance
the Circulation Supervisor position will be included in the City Manager's proposed budget to Council. That
position would manage the circulation desk schedules and the staff in Public Services. Lashley also hopes
Amanda Still's position as Arts and Culture Coordinator will be bumped up to full-time. No action required.
F. _Consideration and possible action regarding the library's strategic plan. - Eric Lashley, Library Director. There
was little discussion about specifics in the Strategic Plan. Hudson wants a future discussion on technology and
satellite model of service. Lashley will try and research on satellite branch services and see if he can speak with
libraries who have the service at the ALA Conference in Washington. The board discussed having a half day
retreat in July to go over the Strategic Plan. The board proposed a retreat on July 20th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No
action taken.
G. Consideration of future meeting dates. — Lindsay Cooper, Board Chair. The board decided to continue to meet
on July 2d, but move the meeting time to 4:30 p.m. Motion by Hudson; second by Kelley to move the July
Library Advisory Board's meeting time to 4:30 p.m. Approved 6-0 (Hart absent).
Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ti
1 l
i
Michael Kelley
Secretary
i"W "'7ft r
Lindsay Cooper
Chair