HomeMy WebLinkAboutMInutes_LAB_07.13.2009Minutes of the Meeting of the
Library Advisory Board
Of Georgetown Texas
July 13, 2009
MEMBERS IN ATTENDENCE- David Ciambrone, Glenn Mautner, Shana
Nichols, Marisue Miller, Anjeanette Courtin, and Kathryn Morehouse.
ABSENT: Betty Anne Sensabaugh
STAFF IN ATTENDENCE• Eric Lashley, Library Director
OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE: Linda Nix (CTLS Lay Representative)
MINUTES:
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Shana Nichols at 6:30 PM David
Ciambrone made the motion to accept the minutes of the April 2009 Library
Advisory Board Meeting and Sue Miller seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Lashley reported that circulation and patron visits continued to increase
for the months of May and June Eric reported that library card registration and
meeting room usage also were up in May and June.
Eric announced the sculpture show by the Texas Society of Sculptures has been
a success and the show will run until August 28.
Eric distributed images of the library's new banners, children's mascot, and logo
for our Live Music at the Library program. He also reported the Jeep has been
completed and installed in the children's room.
Eric reported that the Spanish classes taught by Billy Cryer were a success. He
also announced that the library has two new employees, Thelma Dingier and
Chris Guadian, who are paid through two different federal employment programs.
These employees are contributing 60 hours of labor per week at no cost to the
City of Georgetown.
Eric reported that he had attended a City Council workshop earlier in the day and
the City Manager's proposed budget does not include any cuts in next year's
budget However, there is one frozen position and that position will remain
frozen until the economy/revenues improve Eric said this was a very positive
budget compared to library budgets throughout the nation.
Director Lashley also reported an arrest of a homeless person at the library that
caused some distress among some patrons Eric plans on speaking with the
Police Chief to ask that in the future officers inform library staff if any arrests take
place in the library.
Eric announced the next Live Music @ Your Library event and read the patron
comments.
CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
■ Introduction of a library staff member - Eric Lashley: There was no
staff member in attendance.
■ Introduction of a board member - Betty Sensabaugh: Shana asked
for a volunteer to introduce themselves. Anjeanette Courtin, who goes by
Angie, volunteered. Angie said she has lived in Georgetown for 2 years.
Angie grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She is a graduate of Indiana
University. She was a teacher and a High School administrator in Aurora,
IL. She is married to an attorney and has one grown son Before retiring
and moving to Berry Creek, Angie searched the Internet for a retirement
home in Texas. She fell in love with Georgetown. She is experiencing her
second Texas summer and is intrigued by the weather. Angie joined the
Library Advisory Board because she wanted to get involved in the
community.
■ CTLS news - Linda Nix: Linda announced that the State Legislature had
increased direct aid to public libraries by $1.75 million in each year of the
biennium and the annual appropriation of state money will be $7 4 million,
an increase of 30% over FY 2009. She also announced the Legislature
appropriated $750,000 per year for the ten regional systems.
■ Parking - Eric Lashley Eric reported he had been contacted by the
Mayor and was assured the Council and City Manager are aware of the
problem and will seek a Tong -term solution. The City Council discussed
the library parking issue at a June Council workshop. The City is
aggressively marketing the Albertson's building and decisions on City
facilities will be made once the Albertson's property is finalized
■ Georgetown Learns - David Ciambrone: David announced the Library
Foundation has agreed to sponsor the Georgetown Learns program.
Instructors have been contacted and the committee is working on
finalizing the course list and is working on a brochure and promotional
materials.
■ Criminal background checks for library volunteers - Eric Lashley:
Eric said he had been contacted by the Parks and Recreation Department
within the City. Parks and Rec. is considering starting a formal volunteer
program and is seriously considering requiring a criminal background
check for their volunteers. This brought up the issue of whether the library
should require criminal background checks for volunteers After much
discussion, the Board felt it was in the best interests for the Library to
require criminal background checks on all volunteers regardless of years
of service. The Board also believed the repercussions of not requiring a
background check would be severe if something tragic happened involving
a volunteer and a patron.
■ Hill Country Book Festival - Eric Lashley Eric explained that David
had asked to place this item on the agenda David stated that last year
the organizers of the Hill Country Book Festival did not pay for the use of
the facility and did a poor job cleaning up after the event. David would like
to see the Hill Country Book Festival organizers pay for the clean up and
set-up of the facility. Eric explained that last year the organizers had the
facility fees waived by the Arts and Culture Board. This year the Arts and
Culture Board also agreed to be a sponsor of the event by waiving the
facility fees. After much discussion, Eric announced that he would be
meeting with the Board of the Hill Country Book Festival and would try
having them take more responsibility for the setup and clean up of the
facility.
Vice Chair Shana Nichols adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anjeanette Courtin, Secretary Shana Nichols, Vice Chair
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