HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_05.08.2006Minutes of the meeting of the
Library Advisory Board of Georgetown, Texas
May 8, 2006
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Judy Johnston, Anja Lippincott, Ruth Anne Mallory, Patti
Jennings Moore, Linda Nix, Stephanie S. Sorensen*
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ruth Lawrence (excused), Marc Parrish, Sissy Lego -Pederson
(excused), Stephanie S. Sorensen (*as corrected by Sorensen at the June 12, 2006 meeting)
STAFF IN ATTENDENCE: Eric Lashley, Kathleen Bowling
OTHERS IN Al 1ENDANCE: Judy Parks (CTLS Lay Representative)
MINUTES:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Judy Johnston at 6:30 p.m. Linda Nix
moved and Patti Jennings Moore seconded that the minutes of the April meeting be
approved as distributed. The motion passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Eric Lashley thanked Ruth Lawrence and Anja Lippincott for giving him
information material from other libraries.
Monthly Statistics: Visits and circulation were down slightly.
The new patron authentication system is up and running. There had to be some
adjustments Some young users tried to "steal" or fish for barcodes from other
users, so that they could extend their own time of use. Now the system asks for a
PIN — four last digits of user's phone number — to start the computer use.
During the summer, to avoid waiting for a computer, people will be able to book
computer sessions in advance over a website.
Employee activities: Gretchen Pruett, Kate DiPronio, Sally Bernier, Jennifer
Shakespear and Amy Roberts attended a conference of the Texas Library
Association (TLA) in Houston. They learned about new technologies and teen
programs. They are excited to implement some of those ideas.
Members of the Teen Advisory Board, under supervision of Kate DiPronio and
Amy Roberts, are redesigning the website for young adults and are planning the
Teen Summer Reading Program. The theme will be "Fantasy". An update on this
event will follow.
Kate DiPronio, Jennifer Shakespear and Amy Roberts went to training for legal
resources and genealogy in Austin.
Eric Lashley invites all members of the board to a "hard hat" site tour on the
construction site of the new library on Wednesday, May 17, around noon.
During the week from July 31 until August 4, the library will be closed due to the
yearly inventory and in order to prepare the collection for the move.
Friday, May 12, Eric Lashley will do a presentation about the new library at the
Georgetown Rotary Club. He also mentioned that he is planning to speak about the
project to different groups.
INTRODUCTION OF LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER — KATHLEEN BOWLING
Eric Lashley introduced Kathleen Bowling, evening and weekend supervisor. She is
also responsible for coordinating the volunteers who are sent to do community
service. They help clean the shelves, check-m, etc. Most of them enjoy their work in
the library, because they are not treated as community service people. Seasonal
programs with which she is involved include managing the help of special needs
kids from the Georgetown High School, working with the Helping Hand tutoring
program, which involves volunteers from Southwestern University, and serving as
library liaison for the tax preparation volunteers. She also installed a rotation
system of large -print books for Georgetown nursing homes. She particularly enjoys
decorating the library, especially the children's area.
LIBRARY BUDGET FOR 06-07
The Library Budget is not yet approved, but the first meetings with the city
manager went well. This coming week Eric Lashley should get the final word from
the city manager. He distributed the "2006/2007 Budget Proposal" and explained
some numbers.
Approved is more money for office supplies, postage, bookbinding and
subscriptions & dues. The request for more money for travel and training for staff
members was denied. Library supplies and periodicals accounts will be increased
by a total of $10,000 which staff may divide as needed between both accounts.
For the book & media account Eric Lashley has asked for an increase of $145,000,
but he got only $110,000. The City Manager promised to approve the additional
$35,000 for the budget the following year. For the computer account the director
didn't get a yes or a no for the 10 Userful Discover Station computers, but the
money for the 4 personal computers has been approved. The other requested
computers were not approved. However, the library will get 10 computers from the
Information Technology Department because the new library will have the training
lab for city staff.
One time costs for the new library have been approved for furniture and shelving
The city manager approved only $7,500 for miscellaneous equipment needed for the
new library instead of the requested $12,600.
As for the personnel, the library will get four new employees instead of the
requested six (2 Librarians, 2 Librarian Assistants) and the temporary On -Call
position was approved. The Building Maintenance Technician has not been
approved, but the city will reconsider this position depending on the use of the
community rooms in the new library. For the position of an IT Technical Support
Specialist, Eric Lashley will get money to upgrade or to change the job description
of an existing or new position to compensate it.
UPDATING THE LIBRARY'S LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN
The Library Staff will conduct a "short and sweet" online survey In the lobby of the
library there will be some laptops from the computer classes where people can fill
out the survey. To encourage people, there will be a Wal-Mart or Target gift card to
win. It will also possible to do the survey at home offered through a link on the
library website.
In addition to the online survey there will be a usage survey. Every 30 minutes or
every hour a staff member will note on a chart where patrons are in the library and
what they are doing, noting sex, age, race, etc. The Library staff is also thinking
about bringing focus groups in the library to have informal talks.
The focus of the surveys is to find out what users don't like, as the staff members
mostly get positives feedbacks. A source for questions is a survey by OCLC of
library services in the English speaking world: "Perception of Libraries and
Resources".
STATUS OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LIBRARY
It is expected that the steel will arrive this week and start the next phase of the
construction. It should be installed during the next 46 days.
The emergency siren is getting moved, but the City is still looking for a new place
for it. There will be also the relocation of a tree from Rock Street to the old library.
Eric Lashley will go over details for the PA systems and electrical system with the
contractor.
The design for the Kids room changed. Instead of a "Small City" theme, the kids
will find themselves in the jungle. Eric Lashley distributed copies of the new design.
The change has been agreed on and the numbers will be worked into the budget.
The modification makes it easier to find furniture, carpet, end panels, etc. With the
new topic, the library pursues the goal to be seen as a "green building" and to teach
about environmental topics.
REPORT ON CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Ruth Anne Mallory reported that the Capital Campaign Committee has collected
$77,742.00 in the bank and $174,781.00 in pledges She also reported that 90% of the
Library Advisory Board contributed ($1,300 in bank; $1,700 in pledges). The
Campaign group continues the quiet fund-raising and is considering the suggestion
from Friends of the Library to involve children in the action.
Ruth Anne also distributed invitations to the Board. In the next week, Patty & Don
Hewlett as well as Martha Lawlor & Don Ballard invite the board to "explore the
vision of the new public library". The events will be held on Wednesday May 17,
2006 and Thursday May 18, 2006.
Eric Lashley added that last week Arlene Schinke and Rachel Logue got a pledge of
$25,000. He also heard from one person, who will sell some land and give half of
the proceeds to the new library.
GEORGETOWN READS!
Judy Parks reported that this year's "Georgetown Reads!" program is closed. Seven
people attended on a last discussion round hosted by Judy Parks. The committee is
now working on the evaluation. You can find the forms in the lobby of the library.
The group is also looking for next year's new book. Suggestions are welcome.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GENERAL MEETING AND ANNUAL BOOK SALE
Judy Johnston spoke about the general meeting of the Friends (April 20). Because of
the severe thunderstorm that night only four people attended besides the hostesses.
Helen MacAskill, Rosa Garcia and Kate DiPronio attended. The next general
meeting will probably be held in the summer months. A Board meeting will be
called in May.
This year's Annual book sale will be probably the last one of its kind The sale will
take place June 1-4. It will be held in the Commons Area of the Georgetown High
School. A preview for Friends members only will be on the evening of Thursday,
June 1. The sale will continue Friday and Saturday, with Sunday being bargain day.
During the following week Martha Lawlor and Helen MacAskill will have talks
with the library director about a little shop in the new building. There are some
pomts to discuss like the sales taxes, some laws, and who should work in the shop
(volunteers?). Right now the library has its own area to sell books and it is used
regularly. The sales are good and the money goes into an account for instant use.
Ruth Anne Mallory made a motion to adjourn. Linda Nix seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Arica Lippincott, Secretary
Judy Johnston, Chair