HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_05.12.2008Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown, Texas
May 12, 2008
MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE: David Ciambrone, Ruth Anne Mallory, Glenn Mautner, Shana
Nichols, Linda Nix, and Gerald Sensabaugh
ABSENT: Marisue Miller
STAFF IN ATTENDENCE• Eric Lashley, Library Director; Suzette Davidson, Reference Librarian
OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE: Judy Johnston (C1LS Lay Representative)
MINUTES.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Linda Nix at 6:30 PM. Because there were no comments
concerning the April minutes, the minutes were approved as distributed.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Lashley reported that circulation was slightly up for the month of April. He also pointed
out that the library is now tracking meeting room usage. Volunteer hours were also dramatically
up for the month of April.
A greeter desk has been installed in the lobby to help direct patrons to areas of the library and to
assist meeting room users.
Richard Groves organized an Earth Day event on April 22 that received good response from the
community.
Eric reported that the new Cataloging Librarian, Laura Evans, willbegin work on May 19th.
Eric shared the comments patrons have been leaving for the staff and this will be a new feature in
the Director's Report each month.
CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
Ruth Anne Mallory introduced herself to the board. She talked about her education and
career as a teacher in Emporia, Kansas. Ruth Anne and her second husband decided to
move to the Sun City development to get away from the cold. She still has family in Kansas
and travels often to see them. She is a big reader and was glad to have the opportunity to
serve on the Library Advisory Board.
Suzette Davidson was introduced to the board Suzette retired from the Army in 2000 and
decided to move to the Sun City development here in Georgetown. Suzette is from a
military family that lived all over the world Her son is currently serving m the military in
Kansas. Suzette s dream was to become a librarian and shortly after moving to
Georgetown, she began graduate school in Library Science at the University of Texas.
Suzette is currently the library's Reference Librarian, responsible for the reference
collection, the Baffle the Bookworm column in the Williamson County Sun, and the
purchasing of many of the nonfiction collections.
■ Ruth Ann Mallory and Linda Nix reported to the board the latest meeting of the Library
Technology Advisory Committee. The Library Technology Advisory Committee met with
Xan Charbonnet of Biblionix, Inc. on April 23, 2008. The library is considering moving
from the Horizon Integrated Library System (ILS) to the Apollo ILS — produced by
Biblionix. Both Ruth Anne and Linda were very impressed by the options that patrons can
use in the new system. They were also impressed by Xan Charbonnet. They were
concerned that because the company consisted of only two employees, there may be a
danger in going with. Apollo and something unforeseen happening to an employee. Eric
reported that he and Gretchen Pruett and Sally Bernier visited the Westbank Community
Library m Westlake Hills and were very impressed by the Apollo system.
■ Director Lashley reported that there are still plans to do a bookmobile with the school
district this summer.
■ David Ciambrone reported to the board that Director Lashley attended the May 1 meeting
of the San Gabriel Writers' League. the San Gabriel Writers' League has formed a
committee to look into ways to improve the relationship between the library and local
authors. David reported that the group has drafteda. plan and he distributed the status of
the plan to the board (see attachment). Eric reported that the library would be creating a
local author link on our web site and a localauthors shelving area within the library to help
promote local authors.
■ Director Lashley distributed the calendar of events for the children s and teens' summer
reading programs.
■ Director Lashley provided information concerning the possibility of a tool -lending library.
Eric was interviewed by the Chisholm Trail Community Foundation for their newsletter in
April. In that interview, Eric was asked what program or projects are you considermg that
no one knows about? Eric said he always wanted to have a tool -lending library. The
Williamson County Sun heard about this idea and decided to run a front-page story. Since
the article appeared, Eric has had numerous citizens contact him about helping with the
tool -lending library. At this point, there are no solid plans for the tool library. the project
is still in the planning/assessment phase.
Chairperson Linda Nix adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Res.ectfully submitted,
a Nichols, Secreta