Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_09.01.2020Minutes of the Meeting of the Library Advisory Board City of Georgetown September 1, 2020 The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. virtually using a Zoom meeting. Consistent with Governor Greg Abbott's suspension of various provisions of the Open Meetings Act, effective August 1, 2020 and until further notice, to reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission, all City of Georgetown Advisory Board meetings will be held virtually. MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Michael Kelley, Richard Thielmann, Thom Sinwell, Susan Cooper, David Garlock, and Linda Schaffer. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley — Library Director The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board Chair — Kelley. Regular Agenda A. Discussion on how this virtual conference will be conducted to include options for public comments and how the public may address the Commission. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley explained to the Board how the meeting would proceed if a member of the public wished to join the meeting. Lashley asked for Chair Kelley to call roll when voting on an agenda item to allow for a clear recording of the vote. No action required. B. Citizens wishing to address the Board. -Michael Kelley, Chair. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than what was posted on the agenda. No action required. C. Consideration and possible action to approve the August 4 2020 LibrarV Adv1sorV Board minutes. -- Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Motion Schaffer, seconded by Thielmann to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2020 Library Advisory Board meeting. Approved 6-0. D. Consideration of the Library Director's report, - Eric Lashley, Library Director. Before Lashley reviewed the monthly statistics, he informed the Board the staff were experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic. Lashley reported the staff have used many days of sick leave due to stress and anxiety. Staff have been working directly with the public since May 1 and they're exhausted. Board members expressed their concern and asked if more volunteers could be used, hours could be reduced, and other solutions to help the staff. Lashley noted additional stress was experienced by staff members deciding how to handle the opening of school. Lashley will allow children of employees to use the Library's study rooms during the day to do their schoolwork virtually. The Library brought back volunteers starting August 28. Sinwell asked why the Library had brought back volunteers on a limited basis. Lashley explained the staff were concerned about having additional individuals near them in their workspaces. Lashley informed the Board a minority of the staff were extremely concerned about bringing back volunteers. When librarians Melissa Mote and Kristin Zepeda left the Library, it became easier to convince the staff they could not handle the workload without more assistance. The Library is bringing back the volunteers on a limited basis for a few weeks to raise the comfort level and will then add volunteers every day. The Library will continue to open later on Wednesdays to assist staff in dealing with the workload. Lashley will give a presentation on how the Georgetown Public Library has reopened services at the September 11, 2020 Central Texas Library System's Annual meeting. Lashley reported visitations for July were 18,184 as compared to 37,413 in July 2019. Checkouts equaled 40,002 in July as compared to 57,301 in July 2019. Lashley felt those numbers were remarkable during a pandemic. The Inter -Library Loan service has been suspended until the beginning of 2021. The ILL service was one staff needed to suspend to focus on other core services. OverDrive checkouts remained strong with 5,654 ebook checkouts and 2,593 downloadable checkouts. Volunteer hours equaled zero in July but should start going up after September. Meeting room usage equaled zero and will remain unavailable until the beginning of the year. Lashley reported the Library plans to continue with Grab and Go service until the new infection rate per 100,000 was 1.1 and the positivity rate of test was at or below 5%. Schaffer asked where the Library received the infection rate data. Lashley reported he had daily access to the County Health Department figures. Schaffer worried the numbers weren't accurate. Lashley said there was concern with schools opening in -person and larger group gatherings the infection rate would spike. The main concerns are without immunity or a vaccine, the Library will have limited services. The Library is looking into creating in -person outdoor children's programs for the fall when temperatures are lower. Lashley informed the Board of the Friends of the Library's annual membership meeting which will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 8 at 10 a.m. Lashley reported the Confronting Racism: A Community Conversation program had technical issues and the staff were looking to find a way to recreate the event and broadcast it on YouTube or other social media platforms. No action required. E. Review of Library's current budget and budget requests for FY 2021. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reported the Library's proposed budget is going to be very good considering the uncertainty of the current economy. The Library will have a small cut to its Travel and Training and Office Supplies budgets. The $30,000 budget cut from this fiscal year will be restored. Most staff will receive both a market adjustment and a merit increase depending on their evaluations. Property tax figures came in higher than expected. At the Council budget workshop, it was noted (as well as reported in the Sun) that there was a very large number of residents that responded to the City's citizen survey that they wanted the Library budget to be increased. Lashley and Kelley felt this was important in keeping the Library's cuts to a minimum. F. Consideration and possible action to draft letter to Ma or and Council co nce rn 1 ng Lib rar services and budget. Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Kelley told the Board he felt it would be a good strategy to wait to send a letter to the new Mayor and Council members after the November election. He felt it would be a good idea to inform them of the Library's strategic plan and need for a Circulation Services Manager. Lashley reported he was scheduled to present to Council on December 8, 2020 and felt the timing would be appropriate. Board members agreed to begin drafting a letter, but not send it until after the election. No action taken. G. Consideration and possible action regarding future meeting dates and times. — Michael Kelley, Board Chair. The next meeting will be held as regularly scheduled, on Tuesday, October 6, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Chair Kelley adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Kelley Chair Richard Thielmann Secretary These minutes were approved at the virtual Library Advisory Board meeting on October 6, 2020.