HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_12.11.1995Georgetown Public Library Advisory Board
Library Meeting Room
December 11, 1995
Present: Leah Merrifield, Amy Anderson, Rebecca Pfiester, Allene
Booth, Tresa Anderson, Nelda Burson, Elizabeth Gray
Absent: Pat Ball - ill
Martin Beeman'
Jeff Kilgore
Amy Anderson called the meeting to order in the absence of Pat Ball.
Allene made a motion to accept the minutes as written and Leah seconded
the motion and it carried.
Amy noted that Pat and Vresa will go off the Board in February as
they have served their allotted terms. Nelda and Amy will be up for
re -appointment if they want to be considered again.
Pat, Allene, and Leah will be the nominating committee to secure
Board officers for the coming year.
Staff member Judy presented the newly proposed mission statement
put together by Mary Pat, Nelda and Judy. The Board seemed to like
the statement as read.
The Mission of the Georgetown Public Library is to enhance the
quality of life of all members of the community by providing
open and equal access to informationby creating opportunities
for lifelong learning and by encouraging a love of reading.
Elizabeth discussed the applications received for Library Director.
To this point only one applicant has been interviewed.
Elizabeth also told us that staff member Joy has resigned.
Pat will be asked to be our CTLA representative and Amy the alternate
again.
Our library has been giving surplus books to the library at Salado.
Elizabeth suggested that we consider two other libraries in the
county that might be in need of such books - Florence and Liberty Hill.
he Board
gift funds in
the amount of $2,000 for large print books. This was a gift of Mrs.
Margaret Stone in memory of Florence S. Steele. Mrs. Stone indicated
that the gift came about because of the special courteous service
she had received form Lee Sparks, Library Staff person.
The meeting was adjourned with a motion by Leah and a second by Tresa
Respectfully Submitted,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Elizabeth Gray, Information Resources
Library Advisory Board
FROM: Mary Pat McLaughlin, Library Director
DATE: November 8, 1995
SUBJECT: CHECK-OUT PERIOD
Check out period for most library materials has traditionally been a two -week period, with one -week
for best sellers, and tapes. In response to many requests from customers for a longer check-out
period, the staff looked at various factors.
Austin Public Library changed from two -week to three-week checkout approximately one year ago.
Round Rock Public Library changed to three-week in the summer of 1995. Both report positive
response from customers.
Positive results of the change will include:
Positive response from customers.
Longer checkout periods should cause a decrease in number of renewals and staff time
devoted to renewals. Currently almost 44,000 of the 187,500 annual checkouts are
renewals.
Possible savings in postage and cost of forms for overdue notices, since customers will have
longer to read the book originally.
Consistency with Round Rock Public Library will be useful for all customers taking
advantage of the reciprocal borrowing privileges.
Negative results will include:
Books will be off the shelf longer (three weeks instead of two; renewed books, six weeks
instead of four)
Customers waiting for a book in use by another customer will wait longer for the items to be
returned
Books used by groups of school children for the same assignments will be unavailable for
longer, keeping some students from completing the assignment.
Possible slight drop in fines revenue.
Overall Circulation count will be lowered. The change will need to be noted in ongoing
statistical records to account for the change in numbers.
RECOMMENDATION:
Effective November 15, 1995
Change general checkout period to three-week, with one renewal only. This will give customer six
weeks to read a book. Then it will be available for other customers.
Best sellers and audio tapes will remain one -week. Extremely long best sellers will have three-week
checkout. Circulation will be watched closely to insure enough copies for these extended books.
Staff is evaluating a leasing service to increase number of copies of some best sellers.
Books needed for school assignments by large number of children will continue to be placed on desk
reserve. Additional measures will include:
Recall of items already checked out.
Send letter and reserve form to each teacher in the GISD to encourage them to notify us early
of items needed by groups.
MONTHLY REPORT
GEORGETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
February 1996
l Highlights
February began with the new library director coming on board. A reception sponsored
by the Library Board and Friends Group was held on the 8th and was well attended,
We conducted interviews to fill the vacant Technical Services Librarian's position. We
have offered Amanda Lancaster of Round Rock the position and expect her to start in
early March.
The Long Range Planning Committee met to review survey results. Primarily, the
results show that patrons want extended evening hours and to have the library accessible
each day of the week. We have formed an ad hoc committee to develop a report using the
results of this survey, which will be presented to the group at the April meeting.
STAFF - Out and About!
Lee Sparks attended a Business Reference Workshop sponsored by CTLS at the
Westbank Library, Feb. 28.
Ethel Barnes attended a Wordperfect class in Austin on Feb. 16.
The Summer Reading ('Texas Reading Club) workshop was attended by staff member
Rosa Garcia and Friend's President, Karen Powell, on Feb. 16.
A seminar on the Public Information Act held in the meeting room on Feb. 29th was
attended by Lee Sparks.
PROGRAMMING
"Blossom," the pot-bellied pig, was the guest for the special Valentine's Day program
held in the Children's Section. She was a great hit!
In observance of "African -American Heritage Month," videos reflecting
accomplishments of Black Americans were shown each week. A special program entitled
"Cultural Pride" was held on February 22 with participation from members of the
Georgetown Community. Some of the guests were: Mayor Leo Wood, School Board
Georgetown Public Library
PROGRAMMING, continued
member, L. Navarrete, First United Pentecostal Methodist Church Choir, and many
others. Local artist, George Kelly, loaned the Library some of his works to display for
the evening.
VOLUNTEERS
Kudos went out to volunteers: Elaine Chapko, Lou. Ann Naiser, Doug Dapper, Libby
Davis, Dorothy Juenger and Phyllis Benagh for their hard work during the month of
February.
The Friends of the Library's book sale is to be held in April. Books are being collected
for the annual sale.
FUTURE PLANS!!!
We are finalizing the description of the reference librarian's position for advertizing
during the month of March. It is anticipated that the position will be filled by the middle
of March, at the latest, the first of April.
Reorganization is the watchword for March. We are looking for better ways in which to
do our jobs.
Submitted by: Library Services Director
March 12,1996
Gcorgdo-An Public Library 2
Georgetown Area Library Board 501 (C) (3)
Library Meeting Room
December 11, 1995
Present: Leah Merrifield, Amy Anderson, Rebecca Pfiester, Allene
Booth, Tresa Anderson, Nelda Burson, Elizabeth Gray
Absent: Pat Ball - ill
Martin Beeman
Jeff Kilgore
Amy Anderson called the meeting to order in the absence of Pat Ball.
Rebecca made a motion to accept Pat Ball, Leah Merrifield, and Allene
Leach as our nominating committe. Tresa Seconded the motion and it
carried.
There was no expenditure of funds.
Allene moved to adjourn the meeting and Leah seconded.
Respectfull4Submitted