HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_02.05.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the first floor Conference Room,
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8 th Street
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Pat Baldwin, Lindsay Cooper, John Hudson, Michael Kelley, Pete Rose, Thom Sinwell, and
Linda Schaffer.
A. 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.Rprove minutes from -
-PeteRose Chair� �Qnd�n�VKeUey s��nn��y�|nmoeUtoaAprouetheminuteshnm]anuam/smeeting.,
Approved 7-0.
C. ftegcqgPi��� -and Pete Rose fo )f service or) the Libr � Adviso i Board. - Eric
�brar Directo�r. Lashley and board members thanked Rose and Baldwin or their service. Rose and Baldwin
stated they enjoyed their time on the board and wished the board and library the best for the future. Charlotte
D. EhcLash|e�Ubra/yDire�or. Chair Rose asked for kemEtobe
moved up in the agenda. Therefore, item Ddiscussed after Item E.AU members were in agreement ofthe
E. -BepQrt from Pa work with he Pyblic Libra As� ce lic ibrary
L_-__��ssociation's Social Work Taskfor
jl��Patrick Lloyd, Community Resources Coordinator. Lloyd
explained if a patrons seeks answers inside our walls a regular library employee will assist the patron, but if the
patron needs something outside our walls he handles the questions. Lloyd discussed his work with the Public
Library Association's Social Work Fask Force. He also discussed hi5, recent article published in Public Library
Quarterly. The goals of the PLA Task Force is to create awareness of the work social workers are doing in a
handful of libraries across the country.
Lloyd gave an overview of social services agencies in Georgetown and the greater Georgetown area. The board
asked numerous questions about the capacity of the social service agencies to assist our residents. Hudson
asked about the concept of Peer Navigators, Lloyd said he did not think there was political will or budget in
Georgetown to have Peer Navigators. Hudson asked Lloyd if he would assist with the library's strategic plan and
help create a vision of what he would like to see with his job cluties. Lloyd agreed to assist with the strategic
plan. Cooper asked what the two biggest holes in services in Georgetown were. Lloyd explained there are so
seems to be less political opposition for those issues.
Concerning the issue of homelessness, Lloyd would like to see an assessment from an organization like the
University ofTexas, The City and County do not have data to assist them in making decisions for what is best to
tackle homelessness, L|ovdhears"goodintentionedpeop|e"vviUmakededsionowhichmaynutbeappropriate
for this community.
Lloyd explained what itmeans for the library tobeaprotective factor. Aprotective factor helps patrons find a
safe space and help mitigate risks |ntheir lives.
D. Eric P.Lashley, Library Director, Lashley reported the passing of staff
member Leaf Walker. Lashley noted the staff, volunteers, and friends held a celebration oflife for Walker on Friday,
February1.
Lashley reported the hiring ofAmanda Still asthe C)t/unew Art and Culture Coordinator. ,Acquisitions Manager
Valerie Barber was recognized for her 20 years of service by the City of Georgetown.
Library staff turned onanautomatic renewal function in the automated system, which will automatically renew
items for patrons as long as the items are not on reserve for other patrons or have not previously been renewed.
This is pilot program. The monthly report may indicate an increase in circulation due to this change. The change is
not being done specifically for that reason, but it may be a consequence of the change.
Lashley reviewed the monthly statistics and read comments from the library's suggestion box.
Lashley reported the Cello Festconcert was ahuge success. More than SOpatrons were unable toattend the
concert due tuthe high attendance. Hudson reported the performers were kind enough tocome out ofthe room
and play some songs to patrons would could not get into the room.
Lashley read the patron comments.
Lashley showed board members a PowJerPnint presentation of the conceptual outdoor plaza space between the
library and light and waterworks buildings completed byCovey Landscape Architects, The overall comments by the
board were positive. There were concerns about restnooms,the food truck area, and shade. Board members
agreed special lighting in the plaza and of the smoke stack would be a great addition as well as the children's
outdoor space. Outdoor sculptures and places to meditate and reflect were also desired. Lashley reminded the
board the drawings were just conceptua|. No action required.
F. Eric P. Lashley,
Library Director. Lashley reported his chi|dren's staff met with the G|SD middle school librarians to discuss the Battle
ofthe Books program. Library staff are hoping to meet on a regular basis with the school librarians. Board members
discussed ways tnincrease users ofthe library byteens. One idea was tohave G|SDprovide obus totransport
students to the library after school or have the bookmobile visit the high schools during lunch periods.
G. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Hudson suggested the library schedule a
retreat tocomplete the strategic plan, once the new board members begin their term next month. No action taken.
H. Consider�ation of �future��. — Pete Rose, Chair. There was no need to move the February meetint4
Vate or time, The March meeting will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 6:00 p,m,
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