HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2011
MINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
LIBRARY BOARD
OCTOBER 20, 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
Frederick Rushing Place 3
Nicole Rodriguez-Terrell Place 4 (arrived at 7:05)
Joanna Krueger Place 5
Jade Kelly Place 6
ABSENT: Diana Kruzich Place 2
Sue Parks Place 7
STAFF: Joan Sveinsson Library Director
Jeannie Baellow Recording Secretary
1. Citizen Input.
None.
2. Consider approval of the minutes of the August 25, 2011 Regular Session.
Vice-Chair Rushing moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Krueger
seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Discussion and consideration of proposed revisions to the Policy on Patron
Confidentiality.
Discussion was held regarding proposed changes to reflect the re-named act
referenced in the policy; formerly the Texas Open Records Act, now the Texas
Public Information Act. Vice-Chair Rushing moved to approve the proposed
revisions; Member Krueger seconded the motion and the motion passed
unanimously.
4. Discussion and reports regarding implementation of Library Board 2011
goals and projects.
a. Increase awareness of state and national library legislative issues.
Director Sveinsson thanked the Board for disseminating information and sending
emails to their elected representatives expressing their opinions on state budget
cuts to library funding.
b. Customer and community surveys.
Volunteers are needed to participate in the October 25th Library Snapshot Day
event to provide basic information about the event and distribute surveys to
customers for completion.
c. Board presence at TCPL events and participation in TCPL public relations
activities.
• Member Krueger participated as a volunteer at TCPL's Pirate Days booth.
• The Salute to American Heroes event will be held at The Colony Five Star
Complex on November 12th. Director Sveinsson will send an email regarding
the need for volunteers for the TCPL booth.
d. TCPL 2012 30th anniversary celebration.
Library Board 10-20-2011 Page 2
• Saturday, February 11: Library activities will include various performers.
History tours of The Colony will be offered as ticketed events using the Parks
and Recreation Department's bus. The tours will be narrated by Don Beckel,
author of Bridges to the Future: the Pre-Incorporation History of The Colony,
Texas; participants will receive a copy of his book. Between the morning and
afternoon tours, participants may gather at the Library for refreshments and a
presentation by Robin Cole Jett, author of Traveling History with Bonnie and
Clyde.
• Sunday, February 12: Library activities will include various performers.
• Monday, February 13: (evening): Library Staff Appreciation event
recognizing current and former staff.
• Tuesday, February 14: Judging of youth and adult writing contests and
presentation of awards.
• Wednesday, February 15: Judging of anime art, film, and writing contests
and presentation of awards.
• A commemorative program will be produced and will include recognition of
business and individual sponsors. Wayne Bullard, Chair of the 30th
anniversary planning committee, is working with The Colony Chamber of
Commerce to reach more potential sponsors through the Chamber's
membership.
e. Library visits.
Chair Gehrke reported on her visit to the Denver Public Library's Central Library
and made the following observations: It is an as yet unfinished spacious eight
story building with the 7th floor dedicated to offices. On the main floor there is an
automated book return and sorter. Each floor of collection materials is sectioned
into fiction and non-fiction areas with the center space open; phones to contact
library staff are located throughout the building. The children's area is large with
a story time theatre where kids sit on the floor, puppet cabinets, and a tent over
the picture book area, and computers throughout. Chair Gehrke noted that she
was not particularly impressed with the teen area.
5. Receive update and discuss the following Friends of the Library activities:
a. FOTCPL Presents! Meet the Authors & Illustrators.
Adult & Outreach Services Librarian Nancy Boykin coordinated this event which
featured 12 local authors. Director Sveinsson reported that only four authors
remained at 4:15; therefore, next year's event will schedule will be shortened -
from 1 - 4 p.m. Participating authors included Robin Cole Jett, author of
Traveling History with Bonnie and Clyde and "Diamond Jim", who wrote a book
on magic. Staff reported that the authors enjoyed being able to take time out in
the multipurpose room, which served as a "green room", with light refreshments
provided by FOTCPL.
b. Fall membership meeting and September membership drive.
Director Sveinsson reported that only six members attended the meeting at
Amore Pasta and Pizza. The membership drive gained three renewals, two
new members, and one lifetime membership upgrade, bringing the total
membership to 74 members.
6. Receive update from staff and discuss the following items:
Library Board 10-20-2011 Page 3
a. Public Relations Events and programs:
i. The Colony High School Open House.
Director Sveinsson reported that she spoke at the open house PTSA meeting
and informed the attendees that state funding for school library databases has
been eliminated, but that students can access the public library databases
with their TCPL library card. The licensing for the state-funded public library
databases precludes teachers and school librarians using these databases as
part of their lessons, but they can refer students to the public library's
resources. Electronic Resource and Teen Spot Activities brochures were
distributed and 250 contacts were made. She further noted that the new
principal, James Hill, is very pro-technology and supportive of library services.
ii. Continuing education class for daycare teachers.
The five dollar refundable registration resulted in a much higher rate of
attendance by registrants: only two of those who had registered did not show
up; there were a total of 50 attendees.
iii. Library Card Sign Up Month.
The Colony won the challenge with 263 cards issued; Little Elm issued 197;
and Lake Cities 103.
iv. Pirate Days.
Booth activity was good, 524 contacts were made, 14 library cards were
issued, and seven pirate-themed slinky puppets were sold.
v. Library Snapshot Day.
Library Administrative Assistant Jeannie Baellow is coordinating this event
sponsored by Texas Library Association to be held on October 25t". In-
person and on-line customer surveys and photos of a day in the life of the
Library will be collected, compiled and submitted to TLA and published on
TCPL's website.
vi. Overdrive Digital Bookmobile.
Adult & Outreach Services Librarian Nancy Boykin will coordinate this event.
The 74-foot outreach vehicle will be parked in the Library City Hall parking lot
and will be open to the public from 1:30 to 7:30 on November 3rd. The
vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition
monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, to
help visitors explore TCPL's download service. Interactive learning stations
will give visitors an opportunity to search the Library's digital media collection,
use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music, and
video.
b. Service improvements:
L New domain name: thecolonypl.org
The shorter, easier to promote domain name was acquired at a cost of only
$59 for a five year registration and will make accessing the Library's website
easier for our customers.
ii. Expanded ebook collection
TCPL has acquired an additional 50 ebooks for its Gale Virtual Reference
Library; customers can download information from these ebooks. TCPL has
also expanded its Ebsco ebook collection (formerly known as NetLibrary)
Library Board 10-20-2011 Page 4
and added the ability for customers to download ebooks from this primarily
nonfiction collection. Director Sveinsson noted that the public domain
ebooks available to TCPL cardholders through the North Texas Libraries on
the Go collection can be downloaded for permanent retention.
iii. TCPLTeens on Twitter.
TCPLTeens allows teens to follow and keep up to date with teen
happenings at the Library.
iv. ResumeMaker.
TCPL was able to acquire this electronic resource at a consortium discount
rate; it helps users create professional-looking resumes and cover letters,
improve interviewing skills, and make wise career choices.
v. Muzzy Online: language learning for kids!
Muzzy Online is a fun, interactive way for children to learn French, Spanish,
German, Italian or English.
c. Review list of November library programs.
The Board members reviewed the list; highlights include:
• Online resource of the month: Gale Testing and Education Reference
Center which provides online practice tests and test prep ebooks for higher
education and career entrance exams, as well as school and scholarship
searches.
• Career Change webinar on November 3rd
• Overdrive Digital Bookmobile on November 3rd
• Teen Karaoke Night on November 5cn
The next Board meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
_ I
Sandi Gehrke, Chair
7.Jeannie Baellow, Secretary