HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_07.02.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
July 2, 2019
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. in the first floor Conference Room,
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: John Hudson, Lindsay Cooper, Michael Kelley, Richard Thielmann, Thom
Sinwell, and Linda Schaffer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cale Hart.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley — Library Director.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 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. Cansideration and possible action to approve the June 4 2019 Libra Advisory Board minutes. —
Lindsay Cooper, Chair. Motion by Hudson seconded by Kelley to approve the June 4, 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 notified
the Board that the City would be hosting a Budget Open House on Monday, July 8, 2019 at the
Council and Court Building at 510 W. 9th Street.
The annual Texas Society of Sculptors Show has started with over 70 pieces. Lashley mentioned
the library is averaging an approximately 82% satisfaction rate according to the Quick TAP
survey results from the last few months.
D. U date re arcling the library's proposed Communit Outreach Van from the Friends of the
Libra — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reported he and Kalena Powell gave a workshop
presentation for City Council on June 11, 2019, The same evening, the City Council voted to
accept a grant from the Friends of the Library to purchase an outreach van. A committee of the
Friends are working on a name and a marketing plan. The Williamson County Sun ran a front
page article about the outreach program.
Report on the American Library Association Conference. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. While
at the ALA Conference in Washington, DC Lashley attended a presentation by Eric Klinenberg
(author of the book Palaces for the People) and Carla Hayden (Librarian of Congress) on the role
of libraries creating healthy communities; and Michael Stephens (from San Jose State University
Library School) called Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance. Both
Klinenberg and Stephens used the term "radically inclusive". One question Stephens thought
libraries should use in their surveys was" "What would make your life easier?" Lashley said
Georgetown was a leader in this regard providing free feminine hygiene products and diapers.
Getting rid of fines has become a national trend. Diversity was a topic covered in many of the
sessions.
F. Report on research on satellite branch library systems.. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley
listed a number of cities which employ satellite branches in retail centers: Tulsa, OK, Camden
County, NJ, London Public Library, Ontario, Juneau Public Library, AK, Moreno Valley Public in
CA, and Dallas Public. Thielmann noted Dallas only pays $1 per year in rent for the satellite
branch, and board discussed if this could be an option for Georgetown.
G. Consideration of future meeting dates.,— Lindsay Cooper, Board Chair. The next meeting will
proceed as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, August 6 at 6 p.m.
Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Kelley Lindsay Cooper
Secretary Chair