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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_11.10.2008Minutes of the Meeting of the Library Advisory Board Of Georgetown, Texas November 10, 2008 MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE• Ruth Anne Mallory, Marisue Miller, Shana Nichols, David Ciambrone, Glenn Mautner, and Linda Nix ABSENT: Gerald Sensabaugh STAFF IN ATTENDENCE Eric Lashley — Library Director OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE • Judy Johnston (CTLS Lay Representative) MINUTES - The meeting was called to order by Chair Linda Nix at 6:30 PM. Because there were no comments concerning the October minutes, they were approved as distributed. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Director Lashley reported that circulation was up by almost 8,000 for the month of October. Eric mentioned an article that appeared in the Williamson County Sun regarding possible City budget cuts and explained that cuts to service hours would only come if the City faced Tier 2 cuts Eric also read an article by Linda Scarbrough asking for the City not to reduce hours at the library or recreation center. Eric reported that the self -check stations were fully functional as of November 4. The Library is currently doing approximately 25% of check-outs by self -check. With Apollo the staff time for notifying people about materials on hold has dropped to almost zero phone calls or e-mails per day. Eric reported that the library had received a $14,066 Loan Star Libraries grant from the Texas State Library and Archives in October. He emphasized that this is the only direct funding the library receives from the State of Texas. The Music Live! @ the Library program has started off with a bang. Rosa Garcia is booking numerous musical acts for the holiday season. As always, our Halloween party was a great success. Enc asked the board to recommend new board members for next year. Both Linda Nix and Ruth Anne will be leaving the board. Jerry Sensabaugh can renew for one more ten ii. Eric invited the board to attend the staff's Thanksgiving Lunch at noon on November 19. Eric and Judy Johnston announced the Library would be hosting a CTLS — Technology Conference this Friday and that the next Friends' author, Joe Nick Patoski, will be at the library on November 21. CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING: • Introduction of Board Member, Glenn Mautner: Glenn retired in 2007. He and his wife moved to Georgetown from a suburb of Chicago. Glenn first visited Georgetown in 1966 when he was serving in the Army. Glen had a very diverse professional life. He worked as a teamster, sheet metal worker, a human resources administrator, as well as an adjunct professor teaching human resources. Glenn was elected to the Brookfield, IL Public Library Board The Brookfield Public Library had taxing authority and required board members to be elected. Glenn was surprised to see the differences between the board in Brookfield and Georgetown. ® Report on Technology Advisory Committee, Ruth Anne Mallory: Ruth Anne reported that when the committee met on October 23 Eric demonstrated the new Apollo system and discussed some of the bugs that needed to be worked out. Ruth Anne then discussed the arrangement of the technology plan that must be filed with the State Library in order for the library to receive federal or Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grants. The final technology plan will come to the Library Advisory Board for approval. ▪ Update on Writer's College, David Ciambrone: David reported that the classes have done better than expected. David said they have learned a lot and will make adjustments during the next course offerings. Financially, it has been very successful for the library. Information about collecting Iibrary fines and sources of Iibrary funds, i.e., grants, Eric Lashley: Enc reported that the library's fines and fees are not set by City Ordinance. This gives the library flexibility to change fees andfines quickly instead of going to Council for approvalof any small changes. Eric reported that in the past, the library had used a collection agency and it caused customer service issues and was abandoned. Eric mentioned that the library has received many grants throughout the years, but has not gone after many grants in recent years due to workload of staff. • Report on updating Long -Range Plan, Eric Lashley: Enc reported that the subcommittee, composed of Linda Nix, David Ciambrone, and Glenn Mautner met on October 24, 2008. Enc passed out a new draft of the Long - Range plan that included a benefit for each objective and the staff position responsible for implementation of the item The subcommittee also recommended adding costs and using charts or graphs to illustrate when the objectives would be accomplished. The subcommittee also recommended the plan be more specific in terms of listing organizations or other nonprofits listed in the plan. David announced an idea to create a compilation of continuing education courses that could be modeled after the Writer's College in which the instructor and library share the fees for the classes. David distributed a list of potential classes. Shana suggested the program be entitle Georgetown Learns. David is looking for volunteers to serve on a steering committee to draft a list of courses and teachers. Eric will continu g working on the draft, make additions, and submit the draft to the board in December. The subcommittee will meet with Eric on November 21. Chair Linda Nix adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Iftlik Shana Nichols, Se retary a - Linda Nix, Chair