HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_07.07.2020Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
City of Georgetown
July 7, 2020
The Library Advisory Board met on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Friends Room of the
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Michael Kelley, David Garlock, Richard Thielmann, Thom Sinwell, Susan
Cooper, and Linda Schaffer.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Lashley- Library Director, Ann Evans- Reference Librarian, Dana Hendrix-
Adult Services Librarian, Sally Bernier —Technical Services Librarian, and Rachael Pattillo — Marketing
Coordinator.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Board Chair— Kelley.
Regular Agenda
A. Citizens wishinly 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 and ossible action t Drove the June 2 2120 Lib Adviso Board minutes..
Michael Kelley, Board Chair. Motion by Thielmann, seconded by Sinwell to approve the June 2,
2020, Library Advisory Board minutes. Approved 6-0.
C. , Consideration of the fibre Director's re ort. - Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley combined
Item C and Item D. As he made his report, he introduced staff members and they updated the
board on projects and their current work duties. Rachael Pattillo, Marketing Coordinator and
member of the adult programming team talked about promoting the Library during the
pandemic and the Library's first Pride programs and upcoming anti -racism program. Kelley
complimented Pattillo for her work on social media especially when negative comments were
given during the Pride events. Lashley reported Melissa Mote, Teen Librarian, has resigned and
will be moving to Tennessee after working the Library for 7 years and doing a fantastic job.
Lashley noted that reinstatement of library services and bringing back volunteers would depend
on 14 consecutive days of declining infection rates. Sinwell asked if the City was considering
furloughs or layoffs. Lashley stated the City Manager was committed to having zero furloughs or
layoffs. Schaffer asked how the City determined budget cuts. Lashley stated the City looked first
at deferring projects and then look at each department individually versus asking all
departments to take a percentage cut. Ann Evans, Reference Librarian, previously worked at the
Williamson Museum. She is working with a team to assist patrons searching for employment
and offering remote readers' advisory, and she helped get the new microfilm reader up and
running. Kelley noted he hoped the Library and Museum could do somejoint projects. Sinwell
asked if the Library would continue with the annual genealogy event in partnership with the
Waco Public Library. Evans said the Library would continue that program on October 16. Kelley
asked about access to Ancestry.com. Evans noted it was available to all patrons regardless of
location through July. Dana Hendrix, Adult Services Librarian, spoke about the Overdrive service,
noting the usage of Overdrive has gone up dramatically and that staff have been assisting
patrons over the phone with e-books. Sally Bernier, Technical Services Librarian, explained how
her job has changed working from home and that since most of her work is done on a computer,
it can be done at home. Bernier described accommodating the $30,000 cut to the materials
budget and the difficulty of making cuts this late in the fiscal year. Lashley went over the
monthly statistics, which are much lower than the previous year due to the pandemic, but not
as low as Lashley had expected. There were no patron comments.
D. Discussion with members of the Libra staff concernin future libra services. — Eric Lashley,
Library Director. Item D was combined with Item C (see notes above).
E. Consideration end oossible action to draft letter to Ala or and Council concermin Libra` '
loud et, Michael Kelley, Board Chair. The Board discussed drafting a letter to the Mayor and
Council during the budget process. The board was concerned the Mayor and Council had not
received their previous letter. Lashley assured the board any future letter would be delivered to
the Mayor and Council. Lashley informed the Board that there may be additional cuts. The
Board wanted to be sure the Library did not take a disproportionate cut compared to other City
departments and they were concerned the Friends of the Library would be unfairly relied upon
to help cover a budget cut. The Board would like to see future budgets consider population
growth. Lashley recommended the Board and Friends issue a joint letter. Kelley thought it
would be better to keep any communication separate, but it may be a good idea to coordinate
with Larry Kobrin, chair of the Friends board. Cooper noted she wanted any communication to
Council to include support for the staff (no furloughs or layoffs), maintain the library materials
budget, and increase the level of expenditure from special revenue funds. The Board wanted to
be sure the Council recognized the role volunteers have played and the dollar amount they save
the City. Motion by Sinwell, seconded by Schaffer to permit Kelley to draft a letter on the
Board's behalf to the Mayor and Council supporting the Library's budget. Approved 6-0.
F. Consideration and ossible action re ardina future meetincy dates and times. — Michael Kelley,
Board Chair. There was no need to move the August meeting date and therefore, the meeting
will be held on August 4, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Kelley adjourned the meeting at 12:13 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Kelley Richard Thielmann
Chair Secretary