HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/28/2011
MINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
LIBRARY BOARD
APRIL 28, 2011
A REGULAR SESSION of the LIBRARY BOARD of the City of The Colony, Texas,
was called to order by Chair Gehrke at 7:02 p.m.
PRESENT: Sandi Gehrke Place 1
Diana Kruzich Place 2
Frederick Rushing Place 3
Nicole Rodriguez-Terrell Place 4 (arrived at 7:07 p.m.)
Joanna Krueger Place 5
ABSENT: Sue Parks Place 7 (personal business)
STAFF: Joan Sveinsson Library Director
Jeannie Baellow Recording Secretary
ALSO PRESENT: Zoraida Gonzales, UNT government class student
Anel Servin, UNT government class student
1. Citizen Input.
None.
2. Consider approval of the minutes of the March 24, 2011 Regular Session.
Member Rushing moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Kruzich
seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Consider approval of proposed revision to Circulation Policy Appendix A
regarding restitution fees in regard to laptops loaned for in-house use.
Director Sveinsson requested revisions be made to include laptops under the
Equipment category in the schedule of charges, thus making the restitution fee
"actual cost", and to let the stylus be covered by the "Partial Loss" category. The
resulting changes are deletion of the restitution charge and processing fee for
laptops and of the replacement charge for a stylus; deletion of the term "AV" before
the word equipment, and insertion of parenthetical language "(AV, computer)" after
it. Vice-Chair Rushing moved to accept the proposed revisions as presented.
Member Krueger seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
4. Discuss and consider recommendation of revisions to the fee schedule for FY
2011-12.
The Board reviews and recommends any revisions to the fee schedule; the fee
schedule is part of the department's budget proposal. Discussion was held
regarding proposed changes which include reduction of the restitution charge for
graphic novels from $15.00 to $12.00; and deletion of the term "AV" before the word
equipment and inserting parenthetical language "(AV, computer)". Director
Sveinsson explained that the Graphic Novel category now includes juvenile graphic
novels in addition to the young adult graphic novels; the reduction reflects the
impact of the lower cost juvenile items on the average graphic novel retail price.
Vice-Chair Rushing moved to recommend the revisions to the fee schedule as
presented. Member Rodriguez-Terrell seconded the motion; the motion passed
unanimously.
5. Discussion and reports regarding implementation of Library Board 2011 goals
and projects.
a. Policy review.
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Director Sveinsson noted that the Board has made progress in its review of
policies. The Board reviewed the following policies at the March meeting:
Respect for the Rights of Others - Conduct in the Library, Community Bulletin
Board Policy, and Section II and Appendix A of the Circulation Policy.
b. Increase awareness of state and national library legislative issues.
Director Sveinsson encouraged Board members to subscribe to the Texas
Library Association's Texline email list that provides updates of library-related
legislative issues and information for those wishing to contact their legislators.
Vice-Chair Rushing confirmed that he has now subscribed, increasing the
number of subscribing Board members.
c. Customer and community surveys.
Director Sveinsson reported that the Library had submitted surveys to daycare
teachers through its daycare outreach program, and that the completed surveys
had been "eye-opening" as to respondents' previous level of exposure to early
literacy concepts and tools. In terms of other surveys, she noted that additional
data, further outreach, and assistance in conducting surveys will be needed.
Member Kruger raised the possibility of creating "pop-up" surveys linked to the
Library's public access computers and website. Director Sveinsson committed
to ask Electronic Resources Librarian Cox about the feasibility of "pop-up"
surveys.
c. Board presence at TCPL events and participation in TCPL public relations
activities.
Member Kruzich reported that there were 36 attendees for the April 12th National
Library Week performance of FOTCPL PRESENTS! The Gingerbread Man.
Although the low turnout was disappointing, puppeteer Sandy Shrout put on a
great performance, engaging the adults as well as the children.
d. TCPL 2012 30th anniversary celebration.
Member Krueger reported that the March 31St meeting of the planning committee
was a good idea gathering forum. She suggested having buttons made, and
enlisting sponsors for daily drawings; has obtained a fee list for the performers
who were at the "Chalk This Way" event; indicated that she is inquiring with
Lakeside Arts about skit performers and with Royal Brush about pottery-making
for kids (and possibly having teens write stories about the pottery pieces).
FOTCPL President Wayne Bullard is drafting a letter to enlist sponsors;
Technical Services Librarian Charters is designing FOTCPL letterhead for it.
f. Library visits.
Member Kruzich accompanied the staff on the March 13th in-service tour of the
new Bedford Public Library facility. Director Sveinsson and Member Kruzich
shared their impressions, narrating a photographic slideshow of the facility. At
40,000 square feet, it is double the size of the former facility; however, staffing
was not increased. Increased automation and redefinition of staff duties was
therefore necessary. Implementation of RFID, of self-check stations equipped
with credit/debit card readers, and the automated book return and sorting
system allow staff resources to be dedicated more to direct customer service.
Staff at a single service desk in the main area of the library handles issuance of
library cards, receipt of cash payment of fees, and provision of reference
services. The state-of-the art "green" facility uses geothermal energy and solar
panels. The interior entry area houses a cafe/vending area with stained glass
Library Board 04-28-2011 Page 3
panels; express computer stations, including one for reserving a public access
computer; a large globe; hallways leading to a dividable meeting room with
catering kitchen; a computerized display explaining the "green" features of the
building; a Friends book area (based on the honor system); and an interior book
return. Features of the main part of the facility include a "Marketplace" area with
signage highlighting high-demand subjects; catalog stations at ends of stacks;
and public access computers, as well as a computer lab; a monitored teen
activity room with large screen televisions and gaming systems; a quiet room
with fireplace; a self-service holds shelf; and a low-vision room for the visually
impaired. A "yellow brick road" carpet leads through the children's area which
contains the children's Marketplace; puppets and walls of interactive educational
toys; AWE computer stations; a separate storytime room with puppet theatres,
seating around the walls and a storage room behind it; and a craft room for
hands-on creative activities. TCPL staff enjoyed the opportunity to gain
information, gather ideas, and discuss the various features of the library.
6. Receive update and discuss the following Friends of the Library activities:
a. Wii Would Like You to Play" (annual meeting and game night).
This event is open to all and will be held Saturday, April 30t": social at 6 p.m.;
annual business meeting at 6:30; and game play at 7:00.
b. FOTCPL-sponsored May 2011 Library events.
FOTCPL PRESENTS! Annual Springtime Tea will be held from 2-3 p.m. on May
21st. Guest speaker Linda Tyler Rollins, an etiquette and protocol consultant,
will speak on the history and etiquette of tea. Participants should be at least 6
years old. Registration is $5.00 per person and is limited.
7. Receive update from staff and discuss the following items:
a. Legislative issues impacting TCPL services.
Director Sveinsson reported that the passage of HB 3283, currently being
deliberated in the House Urban Affairs Committee, would significantly impact the
future of TCPL. This bill, if passed, would allow allocation of Type A (economic
development) and Type B (community development) funds for library projects.
b. Texas Library Association Annual Conference.
Director Sveinsson and Youth Services Librarian Snyder attended TLA's annual
conference in Austin, April 12t"-15t". This year, TLA created an app for smart
phones enabling download of the conference program and updates, and
allowing attendees to easily create a personalized schedule. Director
Sveinsson reported that she spent most of Wednesday at the Capitol, waiting
for the House Urban Affairs Committee to hear testimony on HB 3283; the
Committee members were tied up in the House session until late afternoon and
the Committee's agenda was quite long. Deliberations ran late into the
evening. Conference events included a rally on the Capitol steps, (library
supporters wore red to show unity), led by a drum corps, and featuring
legislators and other speakers. Actor and children's book author Jamie Lee
Curtis was the opening general session speaker, she delivered an entertaining
and energetic address. At the second general session, Greg Mortenson, author
of Thee Cups of Tea, spoke about his non-profit charitable foundation, Pennies
for Peace, an international service program enabling education in Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Director Sveinsson further reported that the exhibits were good;
and that they collected exhibit materials and information for staff review.
Library Board 04-28-2011 Page 4
c. Teen Advisory panel: TAP and teen anime programs.
The Anime Club now meets twice a month. It was a bit of a challenge to
schedule the second meeting as the multipurpose room is heavily used by other
City departments in the evenings. Applications are being accepted for the
upcoming term beginning in May.
d. Teen Writers Club project.
The club now meets twice a month. Fourteen exceptionally enthusiastic (loud)
members attended the April 21St meeting. Discussions are underway to
develop a writing camp for older elementary students to be assisted by club
members.
e. CoServ Charitable Foundation Grant.
Electronic Resources Librarian Cox received notification of approval of her grant
application. The $8,400 grant will be used to fund Tutor. Corn TM services
including live homework help for kindergarten through 12th grades, college and
adult learning, and 24/7 online Skills Center resources. The grant will be
formally presented at the May 3rd City Council meeting.
f. Loan Star Libraries Grant.
With the grant funds, TCPL has to date reached 213 children and their
caregivers in promoting early literacy through its Daycare Outreach Program and
demonstration of its Daycare Storytime Kits.
g. Equipment: people counter replacement.
The previous equipment, purchased in February 1999, failed and replacement
equipment was purchased and installed.
h. Service improvements:
i. Points of View Reference Center.
This resource provides on-line information on current issues including
periodicals, multimedia, primary source documents and images, and
research and essay writing guides.
ii. Anticipated implementation of iPhone app for access to TCPL catalog.
Implementation is expected in July and will enable users to search the
catalog, including Autographics' Verso (staff version), and Iluminar (public
version), via this downloadable iPhoneTm application.
i. Review list of May library programs.
TAP's "Read the Movie" will feature Holes on May 5t"; the Anime Club's Karaoke
Night will be on May 7t"; the FOTCPL PRESENTS! Annual Springtime Tea will
be held on May 21St; and TAP's BYOBG (Bring your Own Board Game) will be
held on May 31st
The next Board meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
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Sandi Gehrke, Chair
Jeannie Baellow, Secretary