HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_06.02.2020Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
June 2, 2020
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Friends Room of the
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 81h Street.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Michael Kelley, Richard Thielmann, Thom Sinwell, Susan Cooper, and Linda
Schaffer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Garlock.
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. Citizens wish!"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. - Michael Kelley, Board Chair. No action
required.
B. Consideration arid ossible action t Drove the March 3 2020 Libra Advisei Beard minute
Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Cooper noted the Board did not meet during the month of April
due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Motion by Schaffer, seconded by Thielmann to approve the
March 3, 2020, Library Advisory Board minutes. Approved 5-0 (Garlock absent).
C. Consideration of the Libr-rV Director's re ort. - Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley presented
a PowerPoint presentation (attached). He discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on
Library services. The Library closed to the public on March 16 and reopened on May 1. During
the closure, staff offered various services including virtual programming and enhanced digital
resources, including a -books and e-audiobooks. The Library saw a dramatic increase in a -book
usage and the Friends provided funding to purchase additional copies of a -books to meet
demand. Library staff offered curbside pickup service using the bookmobile. When the County
Judge issued Stay at Home orders the staff shifted gears and organized a home delivery service.
Staff first organized deliveries by zip code and then used a mobile app to create the most
efficient routes. Staff used the new home delivery van purchased with funds provided by the
Friends of the Library. When the Stay at Home order was lifted, staff moved back to curbside
pickup service and when Governor Abbott allowed libraries and museums to open at 25%
capacity, the Library reopened on May 1 with "Grab and Go" service allowing patrons to select
materials and pick up reserves, but not to stay long periods of time in the Library. Limited
bookmobile services were reinstated on May 19. Patrons are not allowed inside the vehicle and
each stop is different. Some stops are only for reserve pickup and others allow patrons to
browse and select from a limited number of titles. Staff use tables to create a barrier to
maintain social distancing. All staff have their temperatures taken daily and are required to wear
masks when they work out in public. We encourage patrons to wear masks. Lashley provided
the Board with the different phases of re -opening and read the patron comments.
D. Review of Librar 's current buidcyet r iuest for FY 2021. - Eric Lashley, Library
Director. Lashley reported the Library materials budget had taken a $30,000 cut due to the
0
coronavirus pandemic. Lashley reported the City is waiting to get better data concerning sales
tax revenues before deciding if further budget cuts are necessary. Lashley reported he
submitted his budget and requested funds to replace the Library's public access computers,
additional funding for ebooks, and traditional library materials. Kelley noted he had heard at the
Board Chair training the Mayor and Council had not been forwarded the letter the Board had
submitted earlier in the year. Lashley said he would follow up. Schaffer asked to have an item
on the July meeting agenda to draft an additional letter concerning the budget to the Mayor and
Council.
crrcernrn errorrs me rrenos to a ort Cne Leta dtirr ttte nestt gar, — Eric Lashley,
Library Director. Lashley introduced Kobrin to the Board. Kobrin discussed the challenges facing
the Friends organization. Like the Library, the Friends shut down operations from March 16
through May 1. Most of the Friends' revenue comes from the Second -Hand Prose bookstore.
Until visitations increase at the Library, the revenues will be lower than normal and therefore,
the Friends will need to adjust their projections and gifts to the Library. The Friends are using
this opportunity to launch a new fundraising effort called "Our Library, Our Lifeline." Kelley
noted there was a front-page article in the following day's edition of the Williamson County Sun
(June 3) about the fundraising effort. Kobrin announced the Friends had a large reserve fund but
wanted to take a conservative approach until the pandemic is over. The Board thanked Larry
and the Friends for their support.
Consideration and osbie action re ardin future tneetin dues and times: —Michael Kelley,
Board Chair. Kelley reminded the Board that during the summer, the board often met during
the morning instead of meeting at 6:00 p.m. Members agreed to meet at July 7, 2020 at 10 a.m.
Lashley said he would ask staff members to attend. Lashley noted that Ann Evans, the new
Reference Librarian, would make a good guest.
Chair Kelley adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Kelley
Chair
i
Richard Thielmann
Secretary