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MINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
LIBRARY BOARD
DECEMBER 2, 2010
A REGULAR SESSION of the LIBRARY BOARD of the City of The Colony, Texas,
was called to order by Chair Skelton at 7:03 p.m.
PRESENT: Sandi Gehrke Place 1
Diana Kruzich Place 2
Frederick Rushing Place 3
Nicole Rodriguez-Terrell Place 4
Jayme Skelton Place 5
Wayne Bullard Place 6
Sue Parks Place 7 (arrived at 7:14 p.m.)
STAFF: Joan Sveinsson Library Director
Jeannie Baellow Secretary
1. Citizen Input.
. None.
2. Consider approval of the minutes of September 23, 2010, and October 28,
2010 Regular Sessions.
Member Bullard moved to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2010 and
October 28, 2010 meetings as presented. Chair Skelton seconded the motion,
and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Discussion and reports regarding implementation of Library Board goals
and projects for 2010.
a. Library visits.
Member Rushing reported on his November 11, 2010 visit to the Burleson
Public Library, having previously scheduled an appointment with Library
Director, Rodney Bland, and made the following observations: He was
escorted by Reference Librarian, Amanda Goshey. The library is a large one-
story dedicated facility employing four full-time and one half-time librarians.
The building is configured in an H shape and sits one block off of the city's
main thoroughfare. The drop box is inside the first door, and the Information
Desk is situated immediately upon entering through the interior door. The
library has 17,000 square feet of space, larger than TCPL, yet housing a
smaller collection. There are 15 public access computers, about half of which
were in use by adults; and there is a one-hour limit on computer use, with four
computers limiting use to 15 minutes. There is a dedicated teen room (ages
13-17) containing white space and chalkboard walls, two computers, and
computer games, including X-Box and Wii. They also sponsor an Anime
Club. Opposite the teen room` is a children's area, which is staffed by a
dedicated librarian and which contains three permanently-affixed reading
cubicles with couches. No computer workstations were observed in the
children's area. Member Rushing obtained a library activities list and noted
that TCPL offers more activities, but also noted that the Burleson Public
Library had recently experienced a 2% budget cut.
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Member Parks arrived at this point in the meeting (7:14 p.m.).
Member Bullard reported on his recent visit, together with his children, to
the McKinney Public Library (the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library).
He spoke with Senior Public Services Librarian Amy Albrecht. The
building is an H-shaped mu Iti-story fa cility, which causes some visual
control issues and affects staffing requirements, making it "staff intensive."
The Circulation Desk was situated in the central library area, with offices
and conference rooms behind. No children's workstations were observed.
The 2"d floor area was more open, but also had some visual control issues
due to the configuration of shelving. The adult computer workstations on
the 2nd level were well attended, with people waiting. Member Bullard
noted that although this is not as robust a library as ours, it serves its
community well (an older town/population). His children did not remark on
the library other than that its fireplace was "cool." Member Bullard further
reported that he drove by McKinney's "green" library (the John and Judy
Gay Library), a one-story facility.
b. Board presence at TCPL events.
Teen Halloween Event: Member Rushing helped set-up, and Member
Bullard attended in costume and judged the costume contest. Awards
were presented for the best overall, scariest, cutest, and most original
costumes. The movies shown were Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice. The
event was well-attended and the teens were very enthusiastic.
American Heroes: A Salute to Veterans: Members Rushing and Kruzich
assisted with booth set-up and Member Rushing returned to help with
booth take-down.
c. TCPL 2012 30th anniversary celebration.
Member Bullard reported that he would inquire further about bands for
the event.
4. Discussion of potential Library Board goals and projects for 2011.
Director Sveinsson noted that the City Council is interested in a Board that
performs and reports on projects, also noting that the Board had earlier
achieved its goal of all members completing the open government training.
Director Sveinsson invited ideas for future initiatives, noting that current on-
going goals include library visits, and the 30th anniversary celebration.
Member Rodriguez-Terrell noted that she believes advertising is critical,
supports placing signs throughout the community, and volunteered to place
them. Director Sveinsson noted that the library currently has two signs per
month, and that she would discuss signage needs with city management.
Director Sveinsson requested that the Board review additional advertising
venues, noting that current efforts include postings on Twitter; TCPL's
website; the City's Facebook site; the City's dedicated television channel;
FOTCPL Newsletter; Fun Times (the Parks and Recreation catalog); and
Connections (the city newsletter). She also noted that the Teen Advisory
Panel members are advertising TCPL's teen programs on their own
Facebook pages. Director Sveinsson may need to create a personal
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Facebook account to improve communication with TAP members and the
Teen Anime Club members who tend to use Facebook rather than email.
Director Sveinsson raised the subject of conducting surveys for community
input, and Member Rodriguez-Terrell volunteered to conduct surveys if the
project is implemented. Director Sveinsson noted that the Board should set
its goals at the January 2011 meeting.
5. Receive update and discuss the following Friends of the Library activities:
a. December book sale promotion.
A half-price holiday bargains/stocking stuffers sale is in progress.
b. December events: Pictures with Santa; "Nutcracker in a nutshell"
puppet show.
The "Pictures with Santa" event is scheduled for Saturday, December 4th from
noon to 2 p.m.; the Fiddle Rascals will be performing holiday music to
entertain those waiting for their turn with Santa. The holiday puppet show,
"The Nutcracker in a Nutshell Performed by Two Nuts" will be performed at 7
p.m. on Thursday, December 16tH
c. Annual meeting: Saturday, April 30, 2011.
"Wii Would Like You to Play," the FOTCPL annual membership meeting and
game night, will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, 7-9 p.m. During the
business meeting, the officers will present a review of fiscal year activities and
elections of officers will be held.
6. Receive update from staff and discuss the following items:
a. Part-time Library Administrative Assistant.
Director Sveinsson reported that there were 65 applicants for the position and
introduced Jeannie Baellow, the hiree for the position.
b. FY 2010-11 Loan Star Libraries Grant proposal.
Director Sveinsson reported that she had submitted the Plan of Action for the
grant but that TSLAC has not yet approved it. The grant is for $12,995; the
Plan of Action calls for the funds to be allocated for part-time temporary Youth
Services Library Assistants, replacement/refurbishment of some of the 1987-
vintage furniture, additional shelving parts, and additional Spanish language
books and AV materials. After TSLAC approves the Plan of Action, TCPL will
receive the grant contract which will need to be placed on a City Council
agenda for approval.
c. Teen Advisory Panel: TAP and teen anime club programs.
Director Sveinsson reported that the Teen Advisory Panel has developed the
list of films for the "Read the Movie" events for January through May. TCPL's
teen anime club, which was established by TAP members, is now registered
with Funimation's Operation Anime; Funimation is located in Flower Mound.
Operation Anime will provide TCPL with a free anime DVD each month to
screen at the anime club meeting and to include in TPCL's collection. The
anime club developed a list of titles to request for the next few meetings. The
anime club is also hosting a series of fund-raising events; funds raised will be
used to help pay registration fees for the A-Kon@ convention to be held in the
Dallas area in June. In October, the club hosted a successful Karaoke night
fundraiser which netted $67. Members requesting funding have to pay the
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registration deposit and sign a contract regarding their responsibilities in
regard to convention participation.
d. American Heroes event booth activity.
Director Sveinsson reported that the booth was well-placed; the event was
successful; four book bags and a history book were sold; seven library
cards were issued; and two FOTCPL memberships were purchased.
e. Holiday in the Park activities.
Teen volunteers will distribute flyers for the December 16th puppet show
and upcoming teen events during the activities, and there will be a booth
and door prizes for the event.
f. Review of list of December and January library programs.
Member Bullard reported that he would place a column regarding TCPL
events in the Legends newsletter. Member Rodriguez-Terrell noted that
she would inquire about also placing a column in the Stewart's Peninsula
newsletter. Director Sveinsson requested that she be contacted prior to
placement to verify current content.
7. Library Board vacancies for 2011.
Chair Skelton and Member Bullard have opted not to be re-appointed.
Director Sveinsson reported that Joanna Krueger has been appointed to one
of these vacancies and introduced Ms. Krueger, who will officially begin
service in January. There is still one vacant place on the Board.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Chair
eannie Baellow, Secretary