HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_10.01.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
October 1, 2019
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the first floor Conference
Room, Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8`h Street
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Thom Sinwell, Lindsay Cooper, Michael Kelley, Richard Thielmann, and
Linda Schaffer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Hudson.
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 Se tember 3 2019 Library Advisory Board
minutes. — Lindsay Cooper, Chair. Motion by Kelley; second by Schaffer to approve the
September 3, 2019 Library Advisory Board minutes. Approved 5-0. (Hudson absent).
C. Consideration of the Library Director's report. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed
monthly statistics with the board, noting the Library had 2,000 additional visitors for the month
of August and 4,000 additional checkouts over the previous year. Bookmobile circulation was
down for the month of August due to air-conditioning malfunctions.
Lashley reported the new meeting room software is up and running and patrons can request
their own meeting electronically through our website. All staff now have the ability to book
meeting rooms. Lashley read a list of past events and reported on upcoming events: GPL World
Cinema will feature Tea with the Danes on October 16, the Genealogy Jamboree will be held on
October 18 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Austin Opera Live — October 20 at 2 p.m., and a number
of Halloween programs for children and teens.
Lashley discussed the Letter to the Editor of the Wiffiamson County Sun dated September 25,
2019 concerning the Library's screening of the horror movie Us. Lashley reported the Library
had not received any other complaints in person or on social media since the letter was written.
He explained a staff committee proposes films to be screened and the committee looks at
reviews for movies that would attract and appeal to adults in their 20s and 30s. Lashley listed
passed Oscar award winning films that were all rated "R".
Lashley read the patron comments from September 2019 submitted through the library's
suggestion box. No action required.
D. Consideration and possible action to approve library's strategic plan update. — Eric Lashley,
Library Director. The board discussed making some grammatical changes to the draft Strategic
Plan. Sinwell asked to enhance Goal IV - Objective 4 in terms of recruitment and retention of
volunteers. Kelley expressed pleasure with adding the bestseller lists of the Wall Street Journal
and Publisher's Weekly along with the New York Times bestseller list. Motion by Thielmann;
second by Schaffer to approve the Georgetown Public Library 2020-2025 Strategic Plan with
changes discussed. Approved 5-0 (Hudson absent).
E. Consideration and possible action to write letter to City Council a dvisi ng Council concern in
future Library budgets. — Lindsay Cooper, Chair. Lashley distributed a draft letter he had edited
from a draft letter he had received from Thielmann. The board discussed changes to the letter
and asked Lashley to provide additional statistics. Motion by Sinwell, seconded by Thielmann
to authorize Cooper and Kelley to draft a letter to be presented to the Board at the November
meeting. Approved 5-0 (Hudson absent).
F. Consideration and possible action t❑ approve Ingram, Inc. as the primary vendor for the
purchase of library materials. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley discussed the difference in
pricing between Ingram and Baker and Taylor; the two largest wholesalers of books in the
country. Ingram provides the larger discount and the Library has been very satisfied with the
service they provide. Motion by Sinwell; second by Thielmann to recommend to Council the
selection of Ingram, Inc. as the primary vendor for the purchase of library materials. Approved
5-0 (Hudson absent).
G. Consideration and ossible action reparding the future meeting dates. Lindsay Cooper, Chair.
The November meeting will be held as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at
6:00 p.m.
Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
It v
Michael Kelley
Secretary
I
Lindsay Cooper
Chair