HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Board - 03/28/2024 - RegularJA THE
CITY OF THE COLONY
C LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
c�byvLukeTHURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
7:00 PM
The Regular Session of the Library Board of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:01
p.m. on the 28th day of March 2024 at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following
roll call:
Sandi Gehrke
Cynthia Worthen
Margaret Heermans, Vice Chair
Jonita Harris
Joanna Krueger
Jarrett Davis
Sarah Fried, Chair
Judy Ensweiler
Megan Charters
Karla Storm
Place 1
Absent
Place 2
Present
Place 3
Present
Place 4
Present
Place 5
Present
Place 6
Present
Place 7
Present
Council Liaison
Present
Staff Liaison
Present
Recording Secretary
Present
1.0 ROUTINE ANNOUNCEMENTS, RECOGNITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
No report.
2.0 CITIZEN INPUT
This portion of the meeting is to allow up to five (5) minutes per speaker with a maximum of
thirty (30) minutes for items not posted on the current agenda. The board may not discuss these
items, but may respond with factual data or policy information, or place the item on a future
agenda. Those wishing to speak shall submit a Request Form to the board secretary.
No report.
3.0 CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda contains items which are routine in nature and will be acted upon in one
motion. Items may be removed from this agenda for separate discussion by a board member.
3.1 Consider approval of minutes of Library Board meeting held February 22, 2024.
The Board reviewed the minutes. Motion to approve the above consent agenda item — Heermans;
second by Davis; motion passed with all ayes.
4.0 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
REGULAR SESSION of the LIBRARY BOARD l•[inutes
Meeting Date: () 28 2024
Pa�!e -
4.1 Discuss and consider approving the cancellation of the April 25, 2024 Library Board meeting.
Director Charters informed the Board that she would be unable to attend next month 's Library Board
meeting and asked if the Board would rather cancel the meeting or have a staff librarian attend in
her place. The Board discussed the options. Motion to approve cancelling April 25, 2024 Library
Board meeting — Heermans; second by Harris; motion passed with all ayes.
4.2 Discuss and receive reports regarding the progress on Library Board Goals and Projects for 2024:
A. Continue to maintain legislative awareness of pertinent library issues.
Director Charters informed the Board that the American Library Association (ALA)
reported the number of book titles targeted for censorship in the US had increased by 65%
from 2022 to 7.02.3, surging to a new record. ALA 's Once for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)
documented attempts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and libraries in 2023.
The previous record was set in 2022, when 2, 571 unique titles were targeted. Other findings
from OIF include: the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries grew by
92% from 2022 to 2023; school libraries saw an 11 % increase; and 47% of challenged
materials represent the voices and experiences of those in the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC
community.
B. Continue to assist in representing TCPL at library, school, and community activities.
Chairperson Fried attended Retro Night: The 80s program at The Colony Public Library on
February 23rd
Director Charters encouraged Board members to attend and participate in The Colony
Summer Kickoff on June Pt.
C. Initiate contact and work to form partnerships in the community to introduce TCPL's services
and resources and to serve as an information source for the community.
Director Charters spoke at the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon on March 21 s`.
Member Davis inquired how to best advocate for the Library. Director Charters mentioned
that Board members could speak with local businesses about services the Library offers or
about participating in future Library events, as well as passing out. liers.for businesses to
post in their establishments or to give to their customers. Library event fliers could also be
placed in Little Free Libraries throughout The Colony.
D. Compile evidence and anecdotal information relating to Library needs in regard to advocating
and informing stakeholdcrs about future Library space.
REGtTLAR SESSION of the LIBRARY BOARD \linutes
\leetin« Date: 0 '21&'3024
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Director Charters suggested that the Board come up with a list of questions for conducting a
survey pertaining to the future space and needs of the Library. The Board will discuss the
list of questions in their meeting on May 23rd and plan to send out the survey in June.
4.3 Discuss, consider, and approve updates to The Colony Public Library Circulation Policy.
Director Charters reviewed the updates of the Circulation Policy with the Board. Motion to
approve the updated policy — Fried; second by Davis; motion passed with all ayes.
4.4 Receive a presentation on Texas State Library & Archives Commission Annual Report submission
and value of Library services for FY 2022-23.
Director Charters shared the value of TCPL's services for FY 22-23 based on statistics from the
Texas State Library & Archives Commission (TSLAC) Annual Report. The Colony Public Library
had 25,742 cardholders last fiscal year, which averages one card per 1.7 residents in The Colony.
Patrons and guests searched our website and online catalog over 84,160 times. Over 51,915 patrons
visited TCPL last year and Library staff packaged 1, 319 take-home kits and delivered books and kits
to over 845 cars via our drive-thru window. Our virtual and in person programs were attended by
9,291 people. All total, the value of the free programming offered by TCPL totals over $94, 640.
TCPL offered 138,339 resources (physical & digital) and cardholders checked out or accessed our
resources 132,009 times. The value of these free resources saved TCPL patrons a combined total of
over $2, 417, 640.
A total of 54 adult and teen volunteers put in 829 hours of service at TCPL. This saved the City an
estimated $12, 228. Volunteers assisted with shelving books, packing kits, preparing new library
materials, and helping with the ongoing book sale.
TCPL's 26 computers were used 6,517 times and our wireless network was accessed 12,021 times.
Library staff provided technological assistance 2,753 times and answered 3,388 reference questions.
The value of TCPL's technology offerings and personal assistance totals more than $121,210.
TCPL was open to the community 2,331 hours last year. New programs and services were introduced
and we partnered with Kulture City to become a Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue.
The value of library use in FY 22-23 totals over $2, 633, 995, which is a 95. 74% return on investment
in the community.
4.5 Receive a presentation and discuss staff updates regarding public relations events, programs,
services, and community partnerships.
Director Charters shared the upcoming TCPL events, for children, youth. and adults. Early Literacy
Stow Times and Music & Movement are weekly activities. Sensory Play will be Friday, April 191h
and Story Time at Chick-fil-A will be Monday, April I". Solar Eclipse Crafts will be a family activity
on Saturday, April 6rh in anticipation of the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event at Stewart Creek Park
on Monday, April 8`h. This event is in partnership with TCPL, The City of The Colony, FOTCPL,
REGULAR SESSION of the LIBRARI' BOARD Minutes
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NASA Solar System Ambassadors, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane 's, and Rock & Brews. Teen activities
this month include a Wreck -It Journal Teen Kit and a Teen Spring Sensory Relaxation program.
United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be open to the public every Tuesday
through April 161h. Adult programs such as Monthly Online Book Club, Spice Club Kits, How To Be
An Adult: Basic Car Maintenance, Springtime at Bridges Cemetery, Medicare Education Seminar,
Life and Death of Stars, and Retro Night: The 90s are all events to look.forward to in the coming
month.
4.6 Receive a presentation and discuss updates regarding Friends of The Colony Public Library activities.
FOTCPL is having their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 11 th at 5: 30 p.m. in the Library
Conference Room.
FOTCPL Spring Book Sale is Friday, April 12`h and Saturday, April 131h in the City Hall Annex.
5.0 ADJOURNMENT
And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7.•45 p.m.
APPR VED:
Sarah Fried, Chair
City of The Colony Library Board
ATTEST:
— AIJ)u-�=�
Karla orm ecording Secretary
City of TWe Colony Library Board