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
