HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_03.03.2020Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
March 3, 2020
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the staff conference room of
the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street.
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 and Dana Hendrix = Fine Arts Librarian.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board Chair Kelley.
Regular Agenda
A. Citizens wishine, to address the hoard. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak
on items other than what was posted on the agenda. No action required. — Michael Kelley,
Board Chair.
B. Introduction of new board member David Garlock._— Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Garlock
introduced himself to the Board. He is a retired professor of Journalism from the University of
Texas at Austin. He said he enjoyed working with librarians at the Perry-Castaneda Library on
the UT campus. He has lived in Georgetown for 16 years. Before coming to Texas he worked as
a journalist in Long Island, NY. Each board member introduced themselves to Garlock as well.
C. Consideration and 1DOSSIble actio arove the Feb rua 4 200 Libras Advisor Board
minotes. Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Motion by Sinwell, seconded by Thielmann to approve
the February 4, 2020 Library Advisory Board minutes. Approved 6-0.
D. Review of Libras Advisor Board laws and attendance olio Y - Eric Lashley, Library Director.
Lashley reviewed the purpose of the Library Advisory Board and explained that the bylaws
require a 75% attendance. He noted some absences can be excused due to illness. If members
know they will be unable to attend, it is best to contact Lashley or Administrative Assistant
Lawren Weiss. Lashley reported the Mayor and Council appoint the Chair (Kelley), and the
Board elects a Vice -Chair and Secretary. The role of the Vice -Chair is to lead meetings in the
Chair's absence and the Secretary reviews the minutes taken by staff for accuracy.
E. Discussion and ossible;action to elect a Vice -Chair and Secretary to the Library Adviso Board:
Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Kelley asked for nominations for the positions of Vice -Chair and
Secretary. Motion by Schaffer, seconded by Cooper to elect Sinwell Vice -Chair. Approved 6-0.
Motion by Sinwell, seconded by Schaffer to elect Thielmann Secretary. Approved 6-0.
H. Consideration and �ssible a tion re ardin future rneetin dates and tines: — Michael Kelley,
Board Chair. [Chair Kelley moved Item H to be considered prior to Item E.] Kelley asked if
anyone felt the need to change the traditional day and time of the board meeting. Schaffer
stated she would be unable to attend the April meeting, but did not have any problems keeping
the day and time the same. The April meeting will be Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m.
F. tion. — Dana Hendrix, Fine
Arts Librarian. Hendrix informed the Board Lashley had asked her to lead a project to determine
the best use of the second -floor reference study area and determine a proposed budget.
Hendrix showed members the preliminary results of a patron survey being conducted on the
second floor. She said she was looking at: creating a glass partition to allow for more quiet
study; new furniture to allow individual workspace for more users; and maximizing the use of
the small study rooms on the opposite side of the second floor. She shared types of furniture
being considered (see attachment). Schaffer asked how the change would impact the Texas
History room. Hendrix and Lashley replied eventually the usage of the Texas History Room
would need to be evaluated. Board members were supportive of the change. The Board moved
the meeting to the second floor to tour the reference study area and the Texas History Room.
There was much discussion on whether a self-service scanner would be best on the second or
first floors.
G. Consideration of the Libra Director`s re ort, — Eric Lashley, Library Director. — Lashley
reviewed the January library statistics (see attached), including circulation, which equaled
44,704 for the month, an increase of 809. Visitations equaled 35,422 and bookmobile
circulation equaled 2,276. The Library checked out 4,212 a -books and added 1,452 items and
withdrew 1,065. Study room use accommodated 793 individuals in 317 reservations. Lashley
reported the parking lot had not been completed. He showed an image of the two murals
dedicated behind City Hall during Black History Month. He reviewed library programming and
discussed the possibility of having the Farmers' Market located in the Monument Cafe parking
lot move to the new parking lot across from the Library on 8th Street. Lashley asked Sinwell to
give an update on HARP Tax Aide. Sinwell reported the tax assistance had been going smoothly.
Lashley read the patron comments for January. He reported Council will reappoint Kelley and
Sinwell to the Board on February 11 and the Mayor is nominating Kelley to be the upcoming
Chair.
Chair Kelley adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ITN;
k
Michael *ey
Chair
Richard Thielmann
Secretary